Herts Senior County League

Division 1

Saturday 19th January 2019

Kick Off 14.00 Actual 14.03

Aldenham 1 Lemsford 4, attendance 4

42’ 1-0

47’ 1-1

55’ 1-2

63’ 1-3

86’ 1-4

@ Sun Postal Sports & Social Club, Pitch 2

Bellmount Wood Avenue

Watford

WD17 3BN

No Admission or Programme.

I had visited Sun Postal Sports & Social Club before, having seen Sun Postal Sports beat Ampthill Town 1-0 in a Spartan South Midlands League, Division 1 Cup, 2nd Round match on Wednesday 13th October 2004. That was played on the main stadium, which is still as it was, despite the club, now just known as ‘Sun Sports’, plying their trade lower down the pyramid, in the Herts Senior County League, Premier Division.

With Aldenham now also playing here, albeit listed as a different pitch, it was an ideal time to visit today, as Sun Sports were also at home (2nd bottom v bottom) versus Evergreen, so there was no chance of the Aldenham match taking place on the stadium pitch, or so I hoped. It is always risky visiting these venues when there is only one match taking place as there is always the chance that they will just play on the stadium pitch, which according to one of the substitutes, has happened a couple of times.

All seemed to be going to plan, as each pitch had two teams warming up, but around half an hour before kick off it became apparent that the Referee for our match hadn’t arrived, but at 13.39 he arrived pitch side, already kitted out. Apparently he was local and had just misjudged the traffic en route.

Aldenham started the day in eleventh place in the league table, whilst Lemsford were bottom. The visitors only had the bare eleven players at kick off, but said that a substitute would be along later, once he had finished work. The game was very even and due to some poor finishing looked like it might be goalless as we neared halftime. Lemsford then got an injury to a player, which was bad enough for him not to return to the action, and within a minute they conceded the opening goal to give Aldenham a 1-0 lead at the break.

During halftime, the Lemsford substitute had arrived, so they were back up to full strength. Within two minutes of the restart it was 1-1 and the game completely turned. Just after the hour mark Lemsford went 1-3 up and totally overran the hosts. To be honest, the 1-4 score line totally flattered Aldenham. Lemsford look far too good to be propping up the table, especially after their performance in the second half and must have been disappointed to find out that Hatfield United, who were just one point ahead of them, had also won today.

France

Ligue 2

Tuesday 15th January 2019

Kick Off 19.00 Actual 19.01

Havre Athletic Club 4 Valenciennes 3, attendance 5,325

16’ 0-1

21’ 1-1

32’ 2-1

34’ 2-2

36’ 2-3

40’ 3-3

67’ 4-3

@ Stade Océane

Rue du Stade Océane

off Boulevard De Léningrad

76600 Le Havre

€12 Admission

Programme, free, 4 pages.

I had visited Le Havre before, when I saw Havre A.C. draw 1-1 versus A.C. Arles Avignon in a Ligue 2 match at 14.30 on Saturday 28th January 2012, in front of 6,524 spectators, doubling it up with F.C. Dieppe 2 U.S. Saint Omer 1 in a C.F.A. 2 match at 18.00 as I headed back home.

In those days Havre A.C. played at the 16,382 capacity Stade Jules Deschaseaux, which is still in place, but no longer stages first team matches. The Stade Océane is only a few hundred yards away, being separated from the old stadium by the railway lines and a main road. It was opened in July 2012 and has a capacity of 25,181 which is far too big for the club in this division, but would be adequate for life in Ligue 1 if they were to gain promotion, especially if the away team had more than the 20 fans spotted in the visiting section tonight.

We were booked on the 11.50 Tunnel crossing from Folkestone across to France, but having arrived earlier than we were expecting, made it on the earlier 11.20 train. This meant we arrived in Le Havre in plenty of time to go and buy our tickets at the stadium and an extra half an hour to explore the town. This turned out to be half an hour too long! As with most ports, it is pretty drab and had a run down feel to it. The only food outlets that appeared open were kebab joints, so we ate at the food stalls outside the ground instead.

At the start of play Havre were tenth in the league table, with Valenciennes in sixteenth place (out of 20). Judging by the amount of goals these two had scored, or rather hadn’t scored, so far this season, then we would have been happy just to see a goal, no matter which team got it, as past experience told us not to expect too much in attacking flair, as a cautious approach is the way French League football is often played out. As it turned out, this was an absolute cracker, with the first half being as good as you would see anywhere, although two poor defences contributed to much of that. The second half was more reserved, but Havre did get what turned out to be the winner mid way through the half with a shot on the turn from 15 yards. Valenciennes had a man red carded with two minutes left, but almost nicked a point with the last effort of the match, but the ball was scrambled clear and the final whistle sounded as the ball left the 18 yard box.

We had parked in the road outside the old ground, as did most of the crowd, which was only 5 minutes walk from the end where we had watched the match, so by 20.55 we were on our way back. It was 165 miles to The Tunnel, so we booked the 01.22 train, as it was unlikely that we could make check-in for the 23.58 crossing. With the A16 closed just south of Boulogne, which meant a diversion through the south eastern suburbs of the town (it did save us €2.60 off the toll road fare) we had settled for being on our booked train, especially as we only checked in at 23.36 (check in closes 45 minutes before departure). However, we decided to go straight round to the loading area and were delighted to see that we had green arrows all the way, so made it onto the 23.58 train after all. Despite it being eleven minutes late leaving, we were still 1 hour 13 minutes up, so it rounded off an excellent day out in Normandy.

With a £30 voucher off The Tunnel price (issued as compensation for their incompetence to run on time a couple of months back) it only cost us £20 each ( Tunnel and fuel) as there were four of us. As around 100 miles of the route each way was on toll roads, it meant we each paid €8.20, although as is normally the case, the last one to get the money ready got the best deal, as they were ‘rewarded’ with the cheaper €5.60 fee when we were diverted off the motorway earlier than expected at Boulogne.

Belgium

Brabant Provincial 1 A.C.F.F.

Sunday 13th January 2019

Kick Off 14.30 Actual 14.33

F.C. Saint-Josse 2 R. Racing Club Boitsfort 2, attendance 103

2’ 1-0 (pen)

39’ 1-1

47’ 2-1

90’ 2-2

@ Stade Georges Petre

Rue Georges De Lombarde 55

1140 Evere

€8 Admission

No Programme.

The Stade Georges Petre has been home to F.C. Saint-Josse (and previously R.C.S. Saint-Josse) since 1915, but is rumoured to be replaced by a new stadium in the near future, which will see the current ground flattened and a new ground constructed on the site which will see the pitch turned by 90 degrees from its current position.

With the driver heading for F.C. Saint-Michel (where I had visited on 18th May 2014 to see them beat V.C. Eendracht Mazenzele 6-0 in a Brabant Provincial 3 Promotion Play Off.) also in this division, and around 4 miles away, it was an ideal opportunity to make a visit here whilst the ground is one of character, which the new build almost certainly won’t be. Oddly enough, this was only a five minute drive from home when I lived in Brussels and would have been my second nearest ground. As is often said, “you can’t do everything”, but I am glad I made it here before modernisation arrives and it was certainly a stadium worthy of being my 800th Belgian ground that I have seen a match on.

The only problem today could have been the rain, but thankfully the heavy rain that was forecast was nothing more than light rain or drizzle, for the duration of the match at least, although it had certainly rained earlier in the day as both 6 yard boxes had standing water in them and the pitch was a bit squelchy in front of the main stand, but didn’t cut up too badly.

The match was fourth in the league table versus eighth. Saint-Josse made a blistering start, going ahead from the penalty spot after just two minutes. Boitsfort settled into what was a real end to end match and deservedly levelled it up with a 25 yard free kick that went in off the post around five minutes before the break. Saint-Josse were ahead again early in the second half when their Centre Forward cut inside and fired an unstoppable shot into the far corner of the net. They totally dominated the game from here, but just couldn’t get a third goal to make it safe and as we hit the ninety minute mark, Boitsfort got a corner on the right and the same player who had scored their first equaliser scored directly from the kick, when the keeper misjudged the flight of the ball and it went in off the far post.

We were booked on the 09.20 outbound train, but were offered a place on the 09.06 on arrival, which was an ‘extra’ slotted into the schedule, which actually left a couple of minutes early. A good journey back to The Tunnel meant we were once again offered the crossing before our booked one, so were on the 19.50 that left on time. At least the time we gained helped with the fact that the M20 was closed for the weekend for roadworks, so made up for any loss on the diversion.

East Sussex League

Division 1

Saturday 12th January 2019

Kick Off 14.00 Actual 13.57

Punnetts Town 4 The J.C. Tackleway 3, attendance 9

8’ 1-0

40’ 1-1

41’ 1-2

48’ 2-2

54’ 3-2

60’ 3-3

66’ 4-3

@ Punnetts Town Recreation Ground

B2096 Battle Road

Punnetts Town

TN21 9DE

No Admission or Programme.

I hadn’t considered this on my possible list of matches for today, but was offered a lift here, so my plans changed. It looked like it could be a decent match, which was certainly how it turned out.

Punnetts Town came into this in second place in the league table, knowing that a point would take them above Wadhurst Town at the top, as they were playing a cup match today. The visitors (J.C. stands for Junior Club) were in fourth place, but would have remained there even if they had picked up the three points.

It looked like this was going to get underway a good half hour early, but despite the Referee and The J.C. happy to do so, as ‘everyone was there’, Punnetts Town were not so keen. In the end it was only three minutes ahead of schedule.

The J.C. started the better of the two sides, but fell behind to a header from a corner. It was very much end to end for the remainder of the half, with the visitors scoring a quick fire double just before the break, to turn it round for a 1-2 lead. Within a few minutes of the restart it was back level, before the hosts edged back in front. By the hour mark it was all square at 3-3 before Punnetts Town scored again, to go 4-3 up, with what was surprisingly the last goal of the day, despite both sides having plenty more chances to add more goals. They now sit two points clear of Wadhurst at the top of the table, although they have played two games more than this mornings leaders.

Belgium

West Vlaanderen Provincial 3C

Wednesday 9th January 2019

Kick Off 19.30 Actual 19.29

V.V. Emelgem-Kachtem 1 K.F.C. Lendelede Sport 1, attendance 93

3’ 1-0

44’ 1-1

@ Sportcomplex Emelgem

Merelstraat

Emelgem

8870 Izegem

€6 Admission

No Programme.

It was a late decision to come to this match as I had only noticed the fixture late Tuesday afternoon. With it being short notice it meant we travelled one light, so it cost the three of us £30 each (Tunnel and fuel), which is still very reasonable and as there were no new ground visits in England, then it was just the job.

Emelgem-Kachtem started the game in fourth place in the league table, whilst Lendelede were in eighth. This was a keenly fought local derby, with the two clubs being less than four miles apart. The pitch was in a terrible state, with one side being very heavily sanded, but it didn’t appear to affect the game at all. Emelgem-Kachtem went ahead after three minutes when a corner on the right was headed in. The visitors levelled it up just before the break with a shot on the turn from 12 yards. There were arguments between both benches and the Referee at the final whistle, as he blew for full time right on 90 minutes, despite there being a couple of injuries that lasted five or six minutes, but it soon calmed down.

It was an easy 1 hour 25 minute drive back to The Tunnel for our 23.50 return crossing. Remarkably, it only left four minutes late, which by recent standards is good. We can’t really complain though, as our 13.50 outbound train left two minutes early.

Anglian Combination League

Premier Division

Saturday 5th January 2019

Kick Off 14.00 Actual 14.02

Waveney 1 Caister 1, attendance 29

90’ + 4, 0-1

90’ + 6, 1-1

@ Saturn Close

off Station Road

Waveney

Lowestoft

NR32 4QD

No Admission

£1 Programme, 20 pages.

I was a bit concerned that I might have missed my chance to visit Waveney at their ground in Saturn Close, as they have started playing a number of matches at the ground of Lowestoft Town, but apparently that is part of a deal that sees them playing their U18 games there on a 20 match agreement, so the first team are using up some of the spare dates.

Today’s match was 6th versus 2nd in the league table, but was really poor for the first 75 minutes. Waveney went all out for the win in the last fifteen minutes and missed two absolute sitters, then hit the crossbar as we headed into stoppage time. I had settled for it ending goalless, when Caister broke away to nick the lead four minutes into added time. Remarkably, Waveney came back and curled in an equaliser from 20 yards out as we entered the sixth minute of stoppage time. There was one last chance, when Caister nearly regained the lead when a left wing cross went narrowly wide of the goal as the striker slid in at the far post. I was surprised that it wasn’t as dark as I was expecting when the final whistle went at 15.58.

The point was enough to take Caister top of the table, although they are only ahead of Wymondham Town and Long Stratton on goal difference. Waveney drop to seventh place.

Two final points from today. The matchday programme is superb value for money. Oddly though, the numbered pages don’t include the outer shell, which is unusual. On a sadder note, the tea bar was not in operation today as there has been an act of vandalism over the Christmas break.

Southern League

Premier Division South

Tuesday 1st January 2019

Kick Off 15.00 Actual 15.01

Basingstoke Town 1 Farnborough 1, attendance 478

58’ 1-0

90’ + 3, 1-1

@ The Camrose Ground

Western Way

Basingstoke

RG22 6EZ

£12 Admission

£1 Programme, 24 pages.

New Years Day has fewer fixtures being scheduled as each year goes by, so it is not possible to visit anywhere new these days. With The Camrose Ground reportedly being vacated by Basingstoke Town in order to build houses on the site, this seemed a perfect time to pay what is likely to be my last visit here. My only other visit was on 20th July 1995, when they drew 1-1 versus Brentford in a pre-season friendly.

The match today was 17th versus 16th in the league table and was a really poor match, with very little quality and certainly not worth the admission money. Basingstoke went ahead with their first effort on goal when the ball was smashed into the top corner of the net from 20 yards out. Farnborough were let off the hook when a penalty was blazed over the bar with nine minutes left, keeping them in with a chance of nicking a point, which they deservedly did, some three minutes into stoppage time. The point lifts Farnborough three places up the table, but leaves Basingstoke relying on goal difference to keep them out of the relegation zone.

With a fussier Referee, this game may not have finished, as one of the floodlight pylons on the main stand side of the pitch had no bulbs working at all, with at least another four bulbs out on the remaining seven pylons. Watching from the side of the Linesman in that half of the pitch it was impossible to make out any numbers on the players shirts when they were in the far corner.

Once again the matter of whether a Matchday Programme has any future was brought to call. Today’s offering was 17 days out of date, with the usual excuse that the printers are closed over the Christmas Holidays probably to blame, although they certainly haven’t been closed that long!

Thursday 20th December 2018

National Olympic Stadium

Monireth Boulevard

Phnom Penh

Cambodia

I don’t normally bother visiting a stadium if there is no match taking place, but as I am probably unlikely to be in Cambodia again and it was just a five minute ride in a Tuk Tuk (local moped drawn carriage that operates instead of taxis) from our hotel, then I thought I might as well pop along and have a look.

The stadium is the main focal point of the National Sports Complex, opening in 1964, when the capacity was around 70,000. Nowadays, it reputedly holds 50,000. Despite the name, it has never hosted the Olympic Games.

During the dark days of the Pol Pot regime of the 1970’s, the stadium was used as an execution site where officials of the Khmer Republic, formerly led by Lon Noi were killed.

Cambodia are due to host the 2023 Southeast Asia Games, but the current stadium will not be hosting matches, as instead, a new stadium will be built in another part of the city.

Spartan South Midlands League

Division 2

Saturday 8th December 2018

Kick Off 15.00 Actual 14.59

Berkhamsted Raiders C.F.C. 2 The 61 F.C. (Luton) 1,  attendance 17

4’ 1-0

16’ 2-0 (pen)

85’ 2-1 (pen)

@ BerkoAstro

Ashlyns School

Chesham Road

Berkhamsted

HP4 3AH

No Admission or Programme.

With this being a 3G Pitch it was a ground I didn’t want to waste a Saturday on. However, despite having floodlights, Raiders have never played a midweek match here, probably due to the small amount of teams in the league, and the fixture scheduling meant they had played all their home games last season quite early on. The same has happened this time round. After today, they only have 2 more home matches to play, with one of them being before Christmas, so the opportunity to tick off this ground is nearly over for another season. With the 12.30 kick off at Old Wykehamists, this was the perfect time to bite the bullet and get this one out of the way.

The journey from Acton was trouble free and I was parked up here by 14.52. To be fair, despite my trepidation, the ground wasn’t as bad as I had feared. Okay, it is in a cage, with spectator access limited to a small section of one side, but it does have a good sized seated stand and with such a small crowd the view from here was fine. There were two temporary dugouts on the far side, but these were soon dismantled, as they were being battered by the wind and becoming a safety issue.

Raiders started the day in third place in the league table, whilst the visitors were eleventh. A blistering start from the hosts saw them score two early goals, but the game seemed to go off the boil from then on. The 61 F.C. came into it more during the second half and had they scored their goal a little bit earlier, then they might have got a draw. With seven minutes of added time at the end of the second half, this didn’t finish until 16.54.

This now leaves Division 1 and 2 of this league complete. Just Crawley Green to do in the top division, which although it is another 3G, at least it is a proper ground, where there was originally a grass pitch, when it was home to Isthmian League club, Vauxhall Motors, who vacated the ground back in 1991.