Suffolk & Ipswich League

Morrison Freight Cup 2nd Round

Saturday 30th December 2023

Kick Off 13.30 Actual 13.36

Bacton United ‘89 0 Haughley United 5, attendance 62

19’ 0-1

22’ 0-2

26’ 0-3

32’ 0-4

51’ 0-5 (pen)

@ Brickwall Meadow

Broad Road (B1113)

Bacton

IP14 4HR

No Admission or Programme.

For the second successive Saturday I did a game in the Suffolk & Ipswich League. Again, no problems weather wise and as at last week’s game, the home club had advertised the match on social media using the word ‘carpet’ to describe the pitch, so it was a pretty safe bet that it would go ahead okay. It was windy, but at least the little rain we had was nothing more than squally and had stopped before kick off.

The Morrison Freight Cup is played for by teams in the top three divisions, with this being 5th in Division 1 versus 13th in the Senior Division. It looked like the perfect opportunity for a cup upset, but turned out to be nothing of the sort. Haughley opened the scoring after nineteen minutes, when a cross from the left was played back across the six yard box for an easy side footed finish. Four minutes later it was 0-2, courtesy of an angled shot into the far corner, before goal number three arrived when the ‘keeper fumbled a 30 yard free kick that just crossed the line a few minutes later. We were hardly past the half hour mark when it was 0-4, this time scoring with an angled shot into the bottom corner after a first effort was only partially blocked. An early second half penalty, awarded for handball, rounded off the scoring in what turned out to be a very comfortable win for the visitors.

There are two pitches here, both running lengthways away from the clubhouse. Pitch 2 is to the right and has a pair of wooden dugouts on the far side. The main pitch, more or less in front of the clubhouse, is only accessible to spectators behind the near goal end and along the side next to the other pitch. It is roped on these sides and there are a pair of plastic dugouts on the left hand side. The far goal end has high netting behind and backs on to the railway line, which had frequent trains passing by during the game.

So, that rounds off 2023 for me. 184 previously unvisited grounds done, the majority of which were in the U.K. (135 England, 15 Scotland, 11 Wales and 1 Northern Ireland) as well as 11 in Spain, 10 in Portugal and 1 in Italy. Yet another year passes where Christmas Day remains as the only date in a calendar year that I’ve yet to see a game on.

Midland League

Division 3

Tuesday 26th December 2023

Kick Off 12.00 Actual 12.01

Meadow Park 2 Feckenham Town 5, attendance 58

16’ 1-0

28’ 1-1

58’ 1-2

60’ 2-2

63’ 2-3

75’ 2-4

90’ + 1, 2-5

@ Aspire Football Ground (formerly L.G Harris)

Hanbury Road

Stoke Prior

B60 4AE

No Admission or Programme.

I came here in April 2022, when Meadow Park were members of the Stratford-upon-Avon Alliance League, with the game that day being played on a pitch running parallel to the road (it’s still in use), with the near goal end backing onto the car park as you enter the site. They have now developed a new main pitch, to the rear of the clubhouse/changing rooms as you look from the car park, running lengthways away from the building. There is grass banking on the right hand side, where there are also a pair of dugouts, and behind the far goal, whilst the pitch is roped off.

The match was 8th versus 3rd in the league table and produced a really entertaining, end to end contest. Meadow Park took an early lead, but Feckenham hit back just before the half hour mark, putting in a rebound from close range, after a corner was headed against the crossbar. They almost grabbed a second in stoppage time at the end of the first half, but a scramble saw three consecutive efforts blocked on the line/hit the post/hit the bar, before being cleared.

They did grab the lead just before the hour mark, heading in a corner from close range, but the hosts were back level within two minutes, following in at the near post after a free kick was pushed back out by the ‘keeper. Minutes later Feckenham were in front again, scoring with another header from a corner, which was quickly followed by a sin bin for Meadow Park, following complaints after having a penalty awarded against them. A bit pointless in complaining, as the penalty was saved anyway! Just minutes after Meadow Park back up to the full eleven, they saw Feckenham make it 2-4, finishing one on one at the near post after being put clear and goal number five for the visitors arrived in stoppage time, shooting through the legs of the ‘keeper after a ricochet fell perfectly for the striker.

Surprisingly, no traffic problems in either direction.

Suffolk & Ipswich League

Division 1

Saturday 23rd December 2023

Kick Off 14.00 Actual 14.03

Saxmundham Sports 1 Woolverstone United 1, attendance 67

32’ 1-0

75’ 1-1

@ Saxmundham Sports & Recreational Club

Carlton Park

Main Road (B1121)

Saxmundham

IP17 2NL

No Admission or Programme.

A weekend away at Aldeburgh, on the Suffolk coast, meant this was an easy fifteen minute drive inland for this afternoon’s game. It was dry and windy and the home club had mentioned a welcome to the ‘Carlton Park carpet’ when advertising the game, so there was no concern with getting a late call off. A driveway leads to the car park, with the social club/changing room building to the left, with a covered viewing area at the front, although set back from the pitch. It is a large sports ground, with the main pitch (absolutely immaculate) running widthways in front of the building, roped off through a combination of wooden stakes and metal posts, with a pair of dugouts on the far side.

The match was a mid-table clash, as 4th hosted 6th. It was a decent game, where both sides had spells on top and the action was end to end from start to finish, with neither side just settling for a point. Saxmundham had a man sin binned after twenty eight minutes, but still managed to break the deadlock just four minutes later, when a goal kick was flicked on and the striker raced clear to finish with a lob over the ‘keeper from 25 yards. Woolverstone also had a man sin binned early in the second half, surviving without conceding a second goal whilst down to ten men and with fifteen minutes left they snatched an equaliser, scoring direct from a corner, swung in from the right and finding the far corner.

Luckily, it was a bright day, so no problem with the light, despite being so far east, as the game didn’t finish until 15.58

Herts Senior County League

Premier Division

Saturday 16th December 2023

Kick Off 15.00 Actual 15.03

Everett Rovers 2 Cuffley 4, attendance 14

3’ 0-1

27’ 0-2

28’ 0-3

47’ 0-4

55’ 1-4

89’ 2-4

@ Leggatts Playing Fields, 3G Pitch

Dodd Road

Watford

WD24 5FS

£3 Admission, including 4 page programme.

With my morning game going to extra time, it meant a change in direction for my afternoon entertainment. Plan A had been the Essex Olympian League game at Beacon Hill Rovers, but there was now not enough time to get there. Plan B was in the same league, at ACD United, but that was now showing on F.A. Full Time as being postponed, so it was on to Plan C and a trip in the opposite direction round the M25, which would see the completion of the Herts Senior County League top division for me. A quick phone call confirmed it was on, but more importantly, that it was indeed a 3 o’clock kick off. At least there was no problem with the weather here, as it’s a 3G pitch. Rather than a hired facility, this is actually Everett’s home ground, with the 3G replacing what was originally a grass pitch here. The clubhouse/changing rooms are behind the near goal end, set below pitch level, whilst it is a standard cage, with spectator access along three quarters of one side, with a pair of dugouts opposite.

Everett are new in the league this season and came into this in eleventh place in the league table, whilst Cuffley were fifth. A goal for the visitors after just three minutes, set the tone for the afternoon, in what turned out to be a very comfortable win for the visitors. Two more goals within a minute of each other saw them go 0-3 up inside half an hour and when they made it 0-4 two minutes into the second half, the points were safe. Everett did pull a goal back eight minutes later, heading in a cross at the far post, following a quick break down the right, but never looked like getting back into it. Cuffley hit the post twice and had another effort hit the crossbar as they attacked at will. On another day, they could easily have got into double figures. A late goal for Everett, scrambled in from close range, after the ‘keeper had scooped away a corner from under the crossbar, saw a final score of 2-4, which made the outcome look much closer than it actually was.

Arthurian League

Arthur Dunn Cup 2nd Round

Saturday 16th December 2023

Kick Off 11.00 Actual 11.02

Old Foresters 4 Old Bradfieldians 5 (AET), attendance 22

17’ 0-1

23’ 0-2

29’ 0-3

36’ 1-3

45’ 2-3

55’ 3-3

61’ 4-3

63’ 4-4

100’ 4-5 (pen)

@ Forest School Playing Fields

off Bradwell Close/Coppice Way/Cheyne Avenue

Upper Walthamstow

London

E18 2BT

No Admission or Programme.

Traditionally, Arthur Dunn Cup games are hosted at the main school, rather than a random hired pitch. I had seen Old Foresters play a ‘home’ game in early October, which was played at Old Parkonians, but this was a chance to do them at their proper home ground. The F.A. Full Time website was showing this as being played at Sylvestrian Leisure Centre, which is part of Forest School itself, in Oakhurst Gardens. The players did get changed here, but rather than play on the pitch here (visible through the gates), they were actually using the School Playing Fields, which were a couple of hundred yards away, walking through the woods, on the opposite side of the Hornbeam Trail from the school. The game was played on Pitch 1, which was the only one that had a pair of dugouts.

The match was between two Premier Division teams, with 5th hosting 3rd, as far as league positions go. The two had met in the league at the beginning of November, in a game that was won 8-0 by Foresters! When Bradfieldians went 0-3 up inside half an hour, that previous result seemed hard to believe, as they were well on top and by far the better team. Foresters pulled one back and with the last kick of the first half made it 2-3, with a free kick that went in off the inside of the post. Ten minutes into the second half it was 3-3, finishing with a half volley from the edge of the box and six minutes later Foresters were in front, heading in at the far post. The lead only lasted two minutes though, as a long ball forward was finished with a shot on the turn, to make it 4-4. Sadly, the game deteriorated from here, as both teams were more mindful of not losing the game, rather than trying to win it and it came as little surprise when the game headed into extra time and Bradfieldians got what turned out to be the winner, when they scored with a penalty ten minutes into the first period.

Taunton & District League

Rowbarton Charity Cup

2nd Round

Friday 15th December 2023

Kick Off 20.00 On Time!

Stogursey 3 Wyvern United 4, attendance 19

7’ 0-1

15’ 0-2

45’ 1-2

45’ + 2, 1-3

62’ 2-3

63’ 3-3

90’ + 3, 3-4

@ 1610 Castle Sports Centre, 3G Pitch

Wellington Road

Taunton

TA1 5AU

No Admission or Programme.

This was played on the 3G pitch at the 1610 Castle Sports Centre, which is in the centre of a six lane running track. There is spectator access along the whole of one side, as well as watching from the opposite side if you are prepared to wriggle under the mesh netting that hangs loosely above the rail. There are a couple of dugouts on the same side as the viewing area, but rather oddly, they are positioned against the mesh fencing at the rear of the cage. Access to the car park is off either Taunton Road (A38) from the front or via Heron Drive to the rear (off Silkmills Road A3065). Parking restrictions in the area mean you are more or less forced to park in the car park, which is monitored by cameras and annoyingly, payment can only be made by phone, but at least it was only £1.40.

The match was between two Premier Division teams, as 5th hosted 7th as far as league positions go. Wyvern were two up inside fifteen minutes, in a real end to end game. Stogursey pulled a goal back in the final minute of the first half, but a 25 yarder, that dipped over the ‘keeper, saw Wyvern restore their two goal lead a couple of minutes into stoppage time. Two goals in as many minutes saw Stogursey draw level just after the hour mark, with a 25 yarder into the bottom corner quickly followed by a ball over the top that was finished with a lob over the ‘keeper. How they never added to this takes some believing, as the Wyvern ‘keeper pulled off four brilliant saves, as well as another effort hitting the underside of the crossbar, before being cleared off the line. It looked like they’d pulled off an incredible turnaround, when they scored again with three minutes left, but it was ruled to have been offside. Just as it seemed we’d be heading to penalties, it was Wyvern who nicked a winner, with the last kick of the match, when an unstoppable shot from 30 yards flew into the top corner, beating the ‘keeper at the near post.

Kent County League

Division 1 West

Saturday 9th December 2023

Kick Off 14.00 Actual 14.05

Langley Sports 3 Danson Sports 1, attendance 8

17’ 0-1

45’ + 2, 1-1

55’ 2-1 (pen)

75’ 3-1

@ L.A. Sports Club

St. Dunstan’s Lane

Eden Park

Beckenham

BR3 3SS

No Admission or Programme.

With the amount of rain once again overnight, my main aim today was to try and get a game in on grass. I contacted Langley Sports via Twitter and received a prompt reply that there was to be a pitch inspection and shortly afterwards another to confirm that it was game on! There was no further rain forecast, which actually turned out to be correct, for a change. There were even spells of blue sky and sunshine, as well as a cool wind, especially late on.

Langley Sports play at the L.A. Sports Club. There is a clubhouse/changing room building, which looked to be under renovation, with three small size pitches in front. Beyond those, running widthways, are two full size pitches, with today’s game being played on the nearer of the two. The walk across was rather wet underfoot, but the pitch was certainly playable. Spectator access is limited to the majority of the near side and the right hand goal end only.

The match was a relegation battle, as fourth bottom hosted bottom. Langley had managed just three wins from their opening ten games, whilst Danson had lost all thirteen of their games, scoring just 8 goals, whilst conceding 74. At least today was a game that both teams would see as a good opportunity to pick up a win. Danson went in front after seventeen minutes. The Langley ‘keeper had been injured following a challenge at the near post when defending a corner and within seconds of the restart, he was beaten with a shot from the edge of the box that found the bottom corner. He only lasted another four minutes before being replaced by an outfield player taking over in goal. Langley equalised two minutes into stoppage time, when a defender was dispossessed on the edge of the box and a first time shot found the bottom corner. Ten minutes into the second half Langley went ahead, scoring with a penalty. Minutes later, they hit the post with a header, but finally made the game safe when they made it 3-1 with fifteen minutes left, when a long ball saw a mix up between ‘keeper and defender, allowing a striker to nip between the two and finish from a tight angle.

Wales

Central Wales F.A. Emrys Morgan Cup 3rd Round

Thursday 7th December 2023

Kick Off 19.30 Actual 19.27

Llechryd 1 Dewi Stars 3, attendance 75

4’ 0-1

33’ 1-1

44’ 1-2

84’ 1-3

@ Teifi Leisure Centre, 3G Pitch

North Road

Cardigan

SA43 1HG

No Admission or Programme.

Having already been postponed twice, this game between two teams who play in the Ceredigion League Division 1 (Tier 5 in Wales), 5th versus 3rd as far as league positions go, was switched to the 3G pitch here at Teifi Leisure Centre (a 520 mile round trip for me, getting home just before 2am) in Cardigan. Although there is no designated spectator area, there is a good 5 yards between touchline and fence and the Referee had no problem with people standing inside the cage, although over half the crowd opted to watch from outside, behind the near goal end, where it gave slightly raised viewing.

It was a decent game, between two evenly matched teams. Dewi Stars went ahead early, with an angled shot that beat the ‘keeper at his near post. Llechryd levelled just after the half hour mark, poking in a cross at the near post, but a minute before halftime, Dewi were back in front, when a cross from the left went right across the six yard box before being smashed high into the roof of the net at the far post. There were chances at both ends, but Dewi made the game safe with six minutes left, when a cross was headed in at the second attempt.

In the final minute (on my watch) a Dewi player suffered an injury, which appeared to be a leg/ankle break. An ambulance was called, but with the player lay on the pitch, covered in blankets/coats, it was obvious the game would not be carrying on. Both the Cymru App and Dewi Stars Twitter (plus a reply to this by Llechryd) have the game shown as 1-3, so looks like the result stands? Dewi Stars now face fourth tier Central Wales League North Division side Waterloo Rovers in the next round.

National League U19 Alliance

South Division

Wednesday 6th December 2023

Kick Off 14.00 Actual 14.01

Eastleigh U19 6 Southend United U19 2, attendance 15

5’ 1-0

24’ 2-0

37’ 3-0

45’ 4-0

47’ 4-1

63’ 4-2

76’ 5-2

89’ 6-2

@ Ganger Farm Sports Park, 3G Pitch

Ganger Farm Way

Ampfield

Romsey

SO51 0EE

No Admission or Programme.

This was played at the relatively new Ganger Farm Sports Park. There are grass rugby and football pitches, as well as a synthetic hockey pitch, whilst today’s game was on the 3G football pitch (Pitch 8 according to the map) that runs parallel to the former. There is a spectator viewing area down three quarters of one side, whilst a pair of dugouts are on the opposite touchline.

Apparently, seven of the starting eleven for Southend United had played last night in an Essex F.A. Senior Cup match, so it was little surprise to see Eastleigh race into a four goal first half lead. The second half was much more even and when Southend pulled it back to 4-2 just after the hour mark, it looked like there was a real chance of them getting something out of the game. They had a couple of good chances, but when Eastleigh made it 5-2 with fourteen minutes left, it was game over. They added number six with a minute left, scrambling in from close range after a corner wasn’t cleared.

West Sussex League

Division 2 South

Saturday 2nd December 2023

Kick Off 14.00 Actual 14.04

Yapton 2 Beaumont Park 2, attendance 29

11’ 1-0

31’ 2-0

60’ 2-1 (pen)

85’ 2-2 (pen)

@ Southfields Recreation Ground

Southfields Road

Littlehampton

BN17 6AE

No Admission or Programme.

I was hoping to avoid having to watch a game on a 3G pitch today, so opted to head to the south coast, where it had been forecast to barely dip below freezing overnight. Beaumont Park had replied via Twitter that as far as they knew “it was still on”, so off I went. It was -1 degree as I headed down the A24, but once crossing The South Downs, the sun was out and at one point the car temperature gauge actually rose as high as 2 degrees. Arriving in the car park an hour before kick off, it was good to see the nets being put up and the corner flags being put out (pitch running widthways, in far right hand corner when looking from car park/changing rooms). The majority of away players arrived around the same time too, so it was good to go, although the Referee didn’t arrive until twelve minutes before the scheduled kick off time! It did turn colder as the game went on and despite the mist/fog rolling in during the latter stages, there was never a doubt that the game might not be completed.

The match was 5th versus 9th (out of 10) in the league table. It was the typical ‘game of two halves’. Yapton dominated the first half, opening the scoring after eleven minutes, with a scuffed finish and although Beaumont Park hit the crossbar minutes later, it was no surprise to see Yapton double their lead just after the half hour mark, finishing with a first time shot into the bottom corner, after a free kick had only been headed clear as far as the edge of the 18 yard box.

Beaumont Park were much improved in the second half. They missed a good chance within minutes of the restart, missing a one on one chance that was saved by the ‘keeper, but got back in it on the hour, converting from the penalty spot, awarded for a foul by the ‘keeper, as he was faced with another one on one attack. They nearly levelled minutes later, when a hit and hope effort hit the crossbar, rebounding for a player following in, but he saw his header tipped onto the bar and over. A second penalty, awarded for another foul by the ‘keeper, saw Beaumont Park draw level with five minutes left and they almost won it in stoppage time, when a diagonal free kick into the box was met with a point blank header that the ‘keeper somehow turned around the post.

Today’s visit now sees this division completed, leaving just Felpham Colts, Ashurst United and Queens Head Raiders to finish the full league now.