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!

Cheltenham League

Division 1

Thursday 31st August 2023

Kick Off 18.15 Actual 18.17

Leckhampton Rovers 2 Pittville United 1, attendance 18

25’ 1-0

80’ 2-0

81’ 2-1

@ Burrow’s Field

Moorend Grove

Cheltenham

GL53 0HA

No Admission or Programme.

This was the opening game of the season. Leckhampton had finished bottom of the Premier Division last season, whilst Pittville had finished bottom of Division 1, but somehow avoided relegation. Leckhampton led at the break and despite only having a one goal lead, always looked comfortable. They didn’t get their second goal until ten minutes from the end, volleying in at the near post from a corner on the right. Pittville hit back immediately, poking a through ball past the ‘keeper into the far corner to keep themselves in with a chance. Four minutes into stoppage time Leckhampton were reduced to ten men, following a kick at the away ‘keeper following a challenge for a high ball, but it was too late to have any effect on the outcome.

When I last saw Leckhampton play at home, back in 2019, they were using The Folley, which is part of the University of Gloucestershire, but they are now back their own ground at Burrow’s Field. From the car park/changing rooms the pitch, which is to the right of the field, runs lengthways away from here and judging by the old touchline markings, has been moved about ten or twelve yards to the left of its previous location, further from the perimeter. Unfortunately, it hasn’t prevented dog walkers from allowing their pets to use it as a toilet, as we had half a dozen stoppages for dog mess removal during the game.

East Bedfordshire Charity Cup

1st Round

Wednesday 30th August 2023

Kick Off 18.30 Actual 18.31

Blunham 3 Wilstead 5, attendance 28

4’ 0-1

40’ 0-2

56’ 0-3

57’ 1-3

60’ 2-3

68’ 2-4

73’ 2-5

76’ 3-5

@ Moggerhanger Playing Field

Blunham Road

Moggerhanger

MK44 3RD

No Admission or Programme.

These two both play in Bedfordshire County League Division 2 North. Wilstead were well in control following a fourth minute opener and shortly before halftime they doubled their lead. When they made it 0-3 eleven minutes into the second half it looked all over, but Blunham hit back with two goals in the next four minutes to drag themselves back into it. The comeback was short lived though as Wilstead added two more goals of their own and despite scoring late on, there was no way back for Blunham.

This wasn’t scheduled to kick off until 18.30, which was strange considering it would have gone to penalties if the scores were level at ninety minutes. It kicked off a minute late, despite both teams warming up twenty minutes before, and there were three or four minutes added time in the first half. The Referee blew the final whistle five minutes early at the end of the game, which didn’t go down too well with the home club, especially as the light was still holding out.

Yeovil & District League

Division 1

Tuesday 29th August 2023

Kick Off 18.30 Actual 18.34

Lydford 1 Tor 1, attendance 41

45’ + 1, 0-1

62’ 1-1

@ The Charltons Memorial Recreation Ground

Top Road

Charlton Adam

TA11 7BE

No Admission or Programme.

I could have done without heading back down the A303 to Somerset, having only driven back from Devon last night, but this was my nearest unvisited ground that was hosting a game, so decision made. Lydford are newly formed this season and have been placed in Division 1, which is the middle of the three divisions in this league, whilst Tor had won Division 2 last season.

It was a very evenly matched contest. There were plenty of chances at both ends, but it took until stoppage time at the end of the first half for Tor to break the deadlock, when they were actually down to ten men at the time following a sin bin. Lydford equalised just after the hour mark, volleying in at the near post from a corner on the right. The closest we came to either side winning it was when Tor hit the crossbar, but a draw was a fair result in the end.

Home to Lydford is at the Charltons Memorial Recreation Ground, located between the villages of Charlton Adam and Charlton Mackrell, with the address given as the former, which I presume is because it is to the east of the railway line that separates the two. Changing rooms are in the Community Centre, with the pitch, which was in excellent condition, in the far corner to the left of the tennis court.

Devon & Exeter League

Division 3

Monday 28th August 2023

Kick Off 15.00 Actual 15.01

Hemyock 0 East Budleigh Reserves 1, attendance 24

5’ 0-1

@ Longmead Park

Longmead

Hemyock

EX15 3SG

No Admission or Programme.

There was very little choice for me in the South West today, or the whole country for that matter, but this game fitted the bill perfectly, as it was on the route home from Cornwall. Hemyock had opened up their season with a draw at home to Bravehearts on Friday night, whilst this was the season opener for newly promoted East Budleigh Reserves (they finished 5th in Division 4 last season).

When the visitors opened the scoring after just five minutes, I didn’t think it would be the end of the goals for the day, but unfortunately, it was. Both teams had chances, but some woeful finishing meant there was little chance of adding to the score. Hemyock missed a sitter in the second half, when a shot came back off the crossbar, but the follow up was headed wide of the 18 yard box when only six yards out! East Budleigh were the better side overall and would have been disappointed if they hadn’t held on to take the three points.

Home to Hemyock is the recreation ground in the centre of the village. There is a large brick built changing room building, next to the car park, with the pitch at the furthest point from here, running widthways. It is railed on the far side, running round as far as each goal, with plenty of advert boards, as well as a pair of dugouts on the same side.

St. Piran League

Division 2 West

Saturday 26th August 2023

Kick Off 15.00 Actual 15.03

Chacewater 1 Stithians 4, attendance 36

28’ 0-1

41’ 0-2

47’ 1-2

66’ 1-3

69’ 1-4

@ Chacewater Recreation Ground

Falmouth Road

Chacewater

TR4 8LP

No Admission or Programme.

After an overnight stop in Devon, it was an hour and a half drive into Cornwall, to the village of Chacewater, around five miles to the west of the county town of Truro.

Chacewater came into this having lost their opening two games by an aggregate score of 1-10, whilst Stithians were playing their first game of the season. The visitors opened the scoring when a break down the right was finished with a side foot finish and just before halftime they doubled their lead with a free kick that went over the wall into the top corner. Chacewater pulled it back to 1-2 within two minutes of the restart, but were unable to add to their tally. Midway through the half Stithians made it 1-3, when a punt into the box totally deceived the ‘keeper, sailing over his head into the far corner and they wrapped it up three minutes later, when a free kick from out on the left was cleverly diverted into the far corner with a flicked header by a striker with his back to goal. One rather odd thing came to light pre match, where it became apparent the away ‘keeper wasn’t allowed to wear his green shirt, as it would clash with the home green and black stripes. So instead he wore a burgundy one….which was exactly the same colour as his own team. Even more strangely, the away team subs had to wear hi-visibility bibs!

Chacewater Recreation Ground is in the centre of the village. There is no vehicle access, but free parking is available less than a hundred yards away, where there are also toilets. The small changing room pavilion at the ground also provides a bit of cover as well as being home to the tea bar. Viewing is on three sides of the pitch only, raised around most of it as it is partly dug into the side of a hill.

An odd feature within the ground….a carved tree stump.

Devon & Exeter League

Division 1

Friday 25th August 2023

Kick Off 18.30 Actual 18.32

Bow Amateur Athletic Club 1 Hatherleigh Town 3, attendance 43

18’ 0-1

31’ 1-1

59’ 1-2

66’ 1-3

@ Burston Meadows

Burston Lane

Bow

EX17 6LA

No Admission or Programme.

After suffering a gruelling six hour slog in pre-Bank Holiday traffic down to Devon (90 minutes just to reach the M3, which is only 25 minutes normally) it was time to do the opening game in Division 1 (the second tier) of the Devon & Exeter League. It was a bit of a worry to see the heavens open just minutes after pulling into the car park at the ground and it absolutely hammered it down. Luckily, the pitch was in good condition, as it should be at this time of year and being up on a hill, was a good drainer too. By kick off it had stopped and the remainder of the evening was dry, but wasn’t very warm.

Hatherleigh had a goal disallowed for offside after fifteen minutes, but it only took them another three minutes to break the deadlock, shooting into the far corner from the angle of the 18 yard box following a quickly taken corner. A through ball was finished at the near post to see Bow draw level just after the half hour mark and just before halftime it was their turn to have a goal ruled out for offside, so we went in level 1-1 at the break. Hatherleigh had a man sin binned nine minutes into the second half, but still managed to regain the lead and added a third goal soon after his return to make it 1-3 and it was game over. Bow did have a chance to reduce the arrears in the last minute, but they had a penalty saved by the ‘keeper.

The ground is good for this level. It is railed along the far side, which is full of advert boards and roped on half of the near side, where there’s also a couple of dugouts. Both ends are bordered with high mesh fencing. There was even a cup of tea available, served from a hatch in the changing room building.