Shropshire County League

Premier Division

Friday 8th September 2023

Kick Off 18.30 Actual 18.29

Shrewsbury Up & Comers 2 Church Stretton Town 1, attendance 115

6’ 1-0

13’ 2-0

61’ 2-1

@ Shrewsbury College of Arts & Technology Athletics Track Pitch

London Road

Shrewsbury

SY2 6PR

£1 Admission

No Programme.

I had seen games on two different grass pitches here at London Road, in totally separate sections of the sports ground, some twenty six years apart, the last of which was back in April, when I also saw a Shrewsbury Up & Comers home game, having seen Shrewsbury Town U18s first time round. With tonight’s game scheduled to take place on the pitch inside the running track, it was an opportunity for visit number three.

There is slightly raised grass banking on the entrance side, where the majority of the crowd watched from, with the pitch roped along this side. There were even some who watched from outside, viewing through the mesh fencing, rather than give the club a measly quid admission money. Refreshments were served from a table, selling cold drinks, sweets and crisps, whilst both teams substitutes/coaches occupied plastic bench seating on the far side.

The match was 3rd versus 9th in the league table, Shrewsbury having won five of their opening seven games, whilst Church Stretton had only played five, winning three and losing the other two. Shrewsbury took the lead after just six minutes, cutting in from the left before beating the ‘keeper at his near post. Seven minutes later they doubled their lead when an angled shot went in off the far post. It looked like it might turn into a real thrashing as they piled on the pressure, but Church Stretton finally settled into it. They did pull a goal back just after the hour mark, but never really had enough to get an equaliser.

It was very hot, so there was a drinks break in each half. The floodlights came on about five minutes before halftime and without them the game would have had no chance of finishing as it was dark well before the end. At least I’ve only got one pitch to complete the set here at London Road now. As it’s the 3G cage that’s left, it might never happen.

Gwent Premier League

Division 1

Wednesday 6th September 2023

Kick Off 18.15 Actual 18.27

Nantyglo 1 Newport Saints 4, attendance 95

6’ 0-1

23’ 0-2

26’ 0-3

62’ 0-4

68’ 1-4

@ Duffryn Park

off A467

Blaina

NP13 3EJ

No Admission or Programme.

Nantyglo had won three and lost one of their opening four league games coming into this, whilst Newport Saints had managed two wins and a draw from their games. The gulf between these two was massive and the result certainly flatters Nantyglo, as they were never really in with a shout of getting anything out of this. They were 0-3 down after twenty six minutes and it could have been worse, as Newport also hit the crossbar twice as well. A header from a corner opened the scoring, before a free kick doubled the lead and the third was smashed into the far corner after the ball wasn’t fully cleared from the box. The fourth goal didn’t arrive until just after the hour mark, finishing off a break down the right with a shot that went in off the underside of the crossbar. Nantyglo did get a consolation goal, poking in a through ball when one on one with the ‘keeper, but they never looked like mounting any type of comeback.

The ground is very good for this level, perhaps testament to the fact it hosted Welsh League football for the majority of the years from the mid 1960’s through to 1990, when it was home to Blaina West Side. A very good crowd too, all watching from one side, where there are high concrete steps, perfect for sitting on, as well as the changing rooms/clubhouse building. The pitch is railed on all bar the right hand goal end and there are a pair of dugouts on the far side, although Nantyglo opted to use a wooden bench in front of the terracing, rather than set up next to the visitors opposite. This probably makes life a lot easier for the Referee as well! Oh yes, there’s also the scenery….on a night like tonight it would be right up there with the best.

Nice to have a trouble free journey both ways and despite the game kicking off twelve minutes late, there was no problem whatsoever with getting the game in before darkness ascended.

Cheltenham League

Premier Division

Tuesday 5th September 2023

Kick Off 18.15 Actual 18.20

Winchcombe Town 8 Fintan 0, attendance 35

3’ 1-0, 4’ 2-0, 12’ 3-0, 41’ 4-0, 50’ 5-0, 62’ 6-0, 67’ 7-0 (pen), 76’ 8-0

@ King George V Playing Field

Mill Lane

Winchcombe

GL54 5LT

No Admission

Programme free, 4 pages.

This was the season opener for Winchcombe Town, whilst Fintan had opened up with a 0-0 draw at home to Shurdington Rovers on Saturday. Unfortunately, Fintan pathetically turned up with just ten players for tonight’s game and despite naming a full side on the team sheet, no other players arrived during the game. They did have a couple of break away attempts, but having gone two goals down inside five minutes and conceding a third goal just eight minutes later, it was all over as a contest. They did battle hard, but it was damage limitation for the vast majority of the match. Four goals by halftime and another four, including a penalty, were easily added in the second half. Winchcombe should really have made it into double figures, but a two minute drinks break in each half(time not added on) and the final whistle coming a minute early, scuppered their chances, not that it really mattered.

Winchcombe Town played on the artificial pitch at Winchcombe School when they were in the Gloucestershire Northern Senior League, but they use their own ground in Mill Lane for Cheltenham League matches, tucked away across a stream and only accessible on foot. There is a changing room building and just about enough of a flat area to fit a pitch. It was roped off on part of one side, running from the changing rooms towards the halfway line.

West Sussex League

Division 2 South

Saturday 2nd September 2023

Kick Off 15.00 Actual 15.04

Wittering United 7 Fittleworth 1, attendance 16

14’ 1-0, 21’ 2-0, 36’ 3-0 (pen), 46’ 4-0, 56’ 5-0, 63’ 6-0 (pen), 69’ 7-0,

85’ 7-1

@ Sherborne Road

Chichester

PO19 3AD

No Admission or Programme.

A function at their normal Bracklesham Barn ground meant this game was switched to Sherborne Road in Chichester. It suited me perfectly, as I continue my quest to see a game on every first team home venue in Sussex. I hadn’t managed to get here when Ambassadors played here last season, before upping sticks and moving to Boxgrove Village Hall, where ironically I saw them play their first game, not knowing at the time that it was to become their permanent base.

Sherborne Road is nothing more than a pitch with a changing room block, but being surrounded by houses and shops on three sides and a children’s play area behind one goal, gives it a bit more of an enclosed feel. Typically, for a council pitch, it was in poor condition, with the penalty spots gouged out and could have really done with a cut.

This was the first league game of the season, as 6th hosted 4th as far as last season’s finishing positions went. It started off quite even, despite Wittering taking an early 2-0 lead. The game was over as a contest when the hosts went 3-0 up from the penalty spot after thirty six minutes, the Fittleworth ‘keeper being red carded for dissent after conceding the kick. With a player short, and an outfield player taking over in goal, it was a case of just how many more the visitors would concede. In the end, it was just the four, including another penalty. Goal of the game was number five for Wittering, intercepting a pass before lashing the ball in from 25 yards. At least Fittleworth managed to get the last goal of the day, having not given up and continuing to battle right to the end.

With the game having kicked off four minutes late, plus having a water break in both halves, as well as a ridiculous amount of added time in the second half, this one didn’t finish until seven minutes past five!