Eastern Counties League

Division 1 South

Monday 28th September 2020

Kick Off 19.45. On Time !

Frenford 4 Barkingside 1, attendance 136 (official)

25’ 0-1

36’ 1-1

70’ 2-1

77’ 3-1

81’ 4-1

@ The Jack Carter Centre

The Drive

Ilford

IG1 3PS

£4 Admission

Programme, sold out.

I had visited Frenford (known as Frenford Senior in those days) at their previous ground, Oakfields Sports Centre in Barkingside, on 10th December 2011, where I saw them draw 0-0 versus Galleywood in an Essex Olympian League Premier Division match. In season 2018/19 they joined the restructured Eastern Counties League and were by this time now playing here at The Jack Carter Centre. The pitch was grass back then, but part way through the season news emerged that they would be turning the pitch through 90 degrees and it was to be converted to a 3G ground. Rather than do it then, I decided to wait until the changes had taken place. It would also give me a now far too infrequent chance to pick up new ground visit under lights (the old pitch was not floodlit). The new pitch is a 50% overlap of the original footprint and the old perimeter rail that was behind the ‘car park end’ is still in place about 10 yards behind the back of the new stand nearest the entrance. There were still quite a few groundhoppers present who were counting this as another tick, despite having been here for the original set up! Then again, it shouldn’t surprise me, as groundhopping, and what people count as a ‘new’ ground, or not, is interpreted under a number of different guises these days.

I arrived at the ground about 18.50 and was surprised to see a huge queue at the entrance, mostly made up of those of the groundhopping fraternity that require a programme in order to make their visit more complete. This sold out very quickly. The gateman remarked to the person in front of me “sorry, we’ve sold out of programmes. We didn’t expect a crowd like this”. Not surprising really. Their two previous league matches here this season had attracted just 55 and 36 spectators!

The ground, so typical of new build caged grounds is as bland as they come and probably doesn’t really meet the ‘grading’ for Step 6. The walk from the changing rooms is a good 30-40 yards, with no walkway for players and officials. The only toilets are also in this building and there are no refreshments available inside the ground either. Spectator access is limited to three sides. The far side, opposite the dugouts and stands is out of bounds. The view from the ‘kit’ stands is absolutely dreadful, not helped by having the dugouts in between, then people standing along the rail. Once again, a new build that has been given very little thought. It wasn’t as if lack of space was an issue here. It might not be as bad when they have their ‘normal’ sized crowd. Not that the club will care, and why should they, as they now have a facility that can be in use all day, every day. It is good to see them back in their home area, having spent last season playing at the ground of Bowers & Pitsea whilst the rebuild took place.

The match itself was pretty even early on. Barkingside took the lead, but Frenford were level at 1-1 by halftime. The second half was very much a case of taking your chances when they come. Frenford certainly took theirs and in the end the visitors were lucky to get away with only a 4-1 defeat. The win sees Frenford go top of the league table, albeit very early days, but a bright future looks in order, both on and off the pitch.

One thing that is worth a mention tonight. The Referee. The game kicked off on time, there was just a seventeen minute halftime and no stoppage time played in either half. Game over by 21.32. Well done that man!