Essex & Suffolk Border League

Division 3

Tuesday 2nd May 2023

Kick Off 18.30 Actual 18.39

Sporting Rebels 0 Frinton & Walton 6, attendance 29

8’ 0-1

19’ 0-2

45’ + 1, 0-3

51’ 0-4

60’ 0-5

84’ 0-6

@ Plough Corner Playing Fields

Harwich Road

Little Clacton

CO16 9ND

No Admission or Programme.

This was 10th versus 3rd (out of 11) and affected both ends of the table as Sporting Rebels are four points adrift of safety and Frinton & Walton trail leaders Bradfield Rovers by nine points, but have three games in hand and are five points behind second placed Gas Recreation, having played a game more.

An early goal saw the visitors go ahead and if it wasn’t for a great double save by the home ‘keeper and a shot that came back off a post, this could have been all over in the first fifteen minutes. In truth, once Frinton scored, it was already done and dusted, as Rebels never looked like scoring. Frinton headed in from a corner half an hour in and added a third in first half stoppage time. Frinton wasted chance after chance and could really have boosted their goal difference quite considerably. It was 0-5 by the time Rebels had their first shot on target, with twelve minutes left. Frinton blazed a penalty over the bar with seven minutes left, but did make it 0-6 a minute later, after a great double save by the ‘keeper, stopping one from blank range, before tipping the second effort onto the crossbar, but the rebound was scrambled over the line. Frinton were probably disappointed to have only got six goals. It should have been at least double that.

The ground is a huge field that could probably accommodate six pitches. Tonight’s game was on the one in the near right hand corner as you enter the complex by the changing rooms.

Somerset County League

Division 2

Monday 1st May 2023

Kick Off 15.00 On Time!

Imperial 1 Peasedown Miners Welfare 2, attendance 72

32’ 0-1

79’ 1-1

80’ 1-2

@ South Bristol Sports Centre

West Town Lane

Bristol

BS14 9EA

No Admission or Programme.

I had been to South Bristol Sports Centre back in October 2019, when I saw Wessex Wanderers play a Bristol Suburban League match on the 3G pitch. Imperial play on a grass pitch here, so another visit was required. I actually attempted to come here on Easter Monday, when they were due to host league leaders Combe St. Nicholas. Well, I actually arrived, but the game had been postponed due to a ‘waterlogged’ pitch. It was in perfect condition and the sun was out. I was absolutely astounded it was off, but these things happen from time to time. More annoyingly, another option I had that day, just 5 miles from our overnight stay in Exeter, took place!

Anyway, I decided to make another attempt today. This time there was no problem with the weather and the club had confirmed via Twitter that all was good, so fingers crossed. It was a big game as far as the promotion places went. Either Combe St. Nicholas or Ashcott (56 points each, 4 games left) will win the league, with a three way fight for the final promotion place between Imperial (45 pts, 2 to play) Cutters Friday (41 pts, 4 to play) and Peasedown Miners Welfare (41 pts, 3 to play).

It was a cagey first half, but Peasedown managed to break the deadlock after thirty two minutes, touching in a right wing cross at the near post. It looked like that might be enough to take the points, but with eleven minutes left Imperial drew level, when a flick on sent the winger clear and he finished superbly into the far top corner. It took less than a minute for the visitors to regain the lead though, when a cross in from the left saw a striker nip in front of the ‘keeper to poke the ball in from 6 yards and they weren’t going to let the points slip from there.

The M25, M3 and M4 were as quiet as I can ever remember on a Bank Holiday, without a single delay either way and after today’s visit, I am left with just Cutters Friday to complete the entire league now.

Shropshire County League

Premier Division

Saturday 29th April 2023

Kick Off 15.00 Actual 15.03

Shrewsbury Up & Comers 4 Ercall Colts Evolution 3, attendance 26

3’ 0-1

5’ 1-1

31’ 2-1 (pen)

51’ 2-2

62’ 2-3

71’ 3-3

75’ 4-3

@ Shrewsbury College of Arts & Technology

London Road

Shrewsbury

SY2 6PR

No Admission or Programme.

I got lucky with this one. The Referee from my morning game was listed as also doing this match (as Linesman) so I was able to confirm that the game was going ahead okay. However, I never thought to confirm the location, so turned up at the ground listed on the F.A. Full Time website, where Shrewsbury Up & Comers are shown to have played all their home games so far this season, but found a cricket match in progress. I was told that the football ‘always move to London Road once the cricket start’ and that was where the game would be. It’s only half a mile away, but the problem was, I had already done a game at S.C.A.T. before, as I had seen Shrewsbury Town U18 play there back in 1997.

Having driven past here dozens of times over the years, I was well aware of the layout, so had no problem in knowing if this was being played on a different pitch to the one I had seen a game on already. When I came before, the match was on the pitch that runs lengthways away from the old changing room building. Both remain, but the building looks as if it is no longer used. Today’s game was being played on a pitch beyond the hedge, running widthways to the former, so I was okay. There was even a game taking place on the 3G pitch as well, which has been installed in the intervening years, where Wellington Amateurs Development were hosting Ercall Colts Revolution in a Shropshire County League cup match, which also wasn’t shown as being played here on the F.A. Full Time website!

As for the match, I wasn’t expecting too much, as it was another mid-table game, as 6th hosted 8th. It turned out to be a cracker though. Ercall were ahead within three minutes, coolly lobbing the ‘keeper when put through, but their lead only lasted a couple of minutes. Up & Comers went ahead from the penalty spot just after the half hour mark, following a trip by the ‘keeper and it was still 2-1 at halftime. By the hour mark Ercall had turned things round to lead 2-3, but Up & Comers levelled it up at 3-3 with twenty minutes left. They then went 4-3 up just four minutes later and Ercall had their ‘keeper sin binned for arguing about a ‘foul’ during the build up to the goal. Up & Comers could have added a fifth in stoppage time, but the penalty was well saved by the ‘keeper.

Even on the results section of F.A. Full Time, neither game are being shown as having been played here. Very poor.

Shropshire County League

Premier Division

Saturday 29th April 2023

Kick Off 12.00 Actual 12.09

Prees United 3 Wrockwardine Wood 1, attendance 23

35’ 1-0

39’ 1-1

53’ 2-1

68’ 3-1

@ Prees Cricket and Recreation Club

Brades Road

Prees

SY13 2DX

No Admission or Programme.

I had assumed this was an early kick off due to it being played at a ground shared with cricket, but it was in fact due to the social club hosting a wedding reception later on. Anyway, the noon kick off had been confirmed via Twitter, so it was an early start for the 194 mile drive to the north Shropshire village of Prees, just south of Whitchurch. There are two pitches here, either side of the cricket square, with the main pitch furthest from the car park. There are dugouts here and an old bandstand that acts as cover, as well as training lights (they were used during a 19.15 kick off on Tuesday evening).

Although there was nothing riding on the game, as both were comfortably mid table (5th v 7th), it was keenly contested and at times had a nasty under current, which threatened to boil over a number of times. It was a dull opening half hour, before the visitors had a header disallowed for offside, followed almost immediately by Prees having one chalked off for a foul on the ‘keeper. Within minutes Prees did open the scoring though, tapping in from 6 yards from a ball pulled back from the left. The visitors soon levelled, shooting into the bottom corner from 20 yards.

Prees went ahead early in the second half, clipping the ball into the far corner after being played clear and their third goal arrived with just over twenty minutes left, heading in at the near post from a long throw in. Deep into stoppage time the visitors missed a penalty, which was well saved by the ‘keeper.

There were six hoppers present, planning to head off to four different games in the afternoon, although the late kick off and subsequent later than expected finish, meant revised plans for some. I had plenty of time to get to my intended match. It also helped that the Referee was actually running the line at my second game, so it certainly wouldn’t be starting until he got there. What could possibly go wrong?……

Suffolk & Ipswich League

Division 1

Thursday 27th April 2023

Kick Off 18.15 Actual 18.19

Somersham 0 Stowupland Falcons 3, attendance 87

1’ 0-1

29’ 0-2

74’ 0-3

@ Somersham Playing Field

Main Road

Somersham

IP8 4PF

No Admission or Programme.

This was a huge game, not only in the title race, but also the promotion places in this division, as only two teams go up and there are still 5 teams in the running. Coming into this Cockfield United were top on 46 points (+46 GD), level with Somersham (+30 GD), followed by Tattingstone United (+31 GD) on 45 points, all having three games left. Bacton United ‘89 were fourth with 43 points (+32 GD), but only have one to play, whilst Stowupland were fifth with 42 points (+32 GD) but crucially have 4 games left.

Stowupland got off to a perfect start, going ahead within a minute, hooking in from close range following a diagonal free kick into the box. It was 0-2 just before the half hour mark and again the goal came from a free kick played into the box, this time touched in from close range right in front of the ‘keeper as he came to gather the ball. Both teams were creating chances throughout, in an intriguing match. Stowupland made it 0-3 through an own goal with sixteen minutes left, when a free kick inside the centre circle was punted into the box and as the full back tried to clear, the ball span into the air and looped back over his own ‘keeper and dropped into the net.

Luckily, the forecast heavy rain was little more than drizzle, which stopped around halftime. The drive home through the roadworks on the A12 (not due for completion until next year) was much quieter than it had been en route.

Sevenoaks & District League

Premier Division

Wednesday 26th April 2023

Kick Off 18.30 Actual 18.27

Hawkenbury 4 Penshurst Park 0, attendance 25

4’ 1-0

40’ 2-0

47’ 3-0

57’ 4-0

@ Cadogan Recreation Ground

St. John’s Road

Tunbridge Wells

TN4 9XD

No Admission or Programme.

I had seen Hawkenbury play home games at two previous venues. Last April I saw them at Hawkenbury Recreation Ground (their regular home ground) and then a month later at Bayham Road Playing Field, but tonight was an opportunity to tick them off at a third venue, as they were unable to use their normal home ground tonight, presumably as it is shared with cricket. The entrance to Cadogan Recreation Ground is on the left hand side of theA26, when heading south into Tunbridge Wells. The entrance leads into the car park that is shared with Tunbridge Wells Masonic Centre and the local tennis club. There are two pitches here, running parallel, with tonight’s game being played on the one nearest to the changing rooms. The second pitch is slightly narrower.

The match was a basement battle, as third bottom hosted bottom (already relegated) in the league table, although Hawkenbury still have enough games in hand to finish fourth. Despite Penshurst Park only picking up three points this season (3 draws) they have only lost narrowly in the majority of games, although Hawkenbury did beat them 6-1 in the reverse fixture and have also beaten them 6-2 at home in a cup match.

Hawkenbury were ahead after just four minutes, but never managed to add their second goal until five minutes before halftime, with a cracking finish into the top corner from the edge of the box. The game was made safe when they added a third goal two minutes into the second half, with goal number four coming ten minutes later, when a cross from the left was finished with a cushioned volley from 6 yards. Penshurst Park battled to the end and on this performance it is hard to believe that they haven’t managed to win a game this season.

Mid Sussex League

Division 4 North

Tuesday 25th April 2023

Kick Off 18.30 Actual 18.34

Wakehams Green 4 Balcombe III 3, attendance 13

9’ 1-0 (pen)

20’ 2-0

34’ 2-1

48’ 3-1

55’ 3-2

73’ 3-3

83’ 4-3 (pen)

@ Grattons Park

Grattons Drive

Pound Hill

Crawley

RH10 3AG

No Admission or Programme.

The attraction of this game was that it was being played at the unusual venue of Grattons Park. It is a huge park that was very busy with youth team training taking place. The pitch was at the furthest point from the changing rooms, which may have had a bearing on why the players actually got changed pitch side. The players put the nets up themselves about half an hour before kick off and the game was played without corner flags. It shows just how poor the facilities are that Crawley Council hire out for local football. Just in case we were in doubt about how far down the pyramid we were, there was a no show by the appointed Referee, so a club official took on the job, and to be fair, he did okay.

Wakehams Green had already won the league last week, with a 100% winning record, but actually lost away at Ifield on Saturday, once the title was already in the bag. Balcombe III were sitting safely in sixth place and contributed to an entertaining game, although it was somewhat lacking in skill. An early penalty, followed by a header that just crossed the line before being hacked clear, saw Wakehams Green go 2-0 up after twenty minutes, but Balcombe pulled a goal back before halftime, finishing with an angled shot into the bottom corner.

Wakehams Green made it 3-1 within minutes of the restart, but a quick reply and a near post finish with seventeen minutes left, saw Balcombe pull it level at 3-3. Seven minutes from the end a second penalty of the night saw the hosts win it 4-3. It was harsh on Balcombe. They certainly deserved something from the game.

Above : Wakehams Green score their first penalty of the night.

West Sussex League

Championship Division

Monday 24th April 2023

Kick Off 18.15 Actual 18.17

Barnham Trojans 3 Watersfield 1, attendance 25

16’ 0-1

20’ 1-1 (pen)

51’ 2-1

77’ 3-1

@ Aldingbourne Community Sports Centre

Olivers Meadow

Westergate

PO20 3YA

No Admission or Programme.

This was 2nd versus 3rd in the league table and a game Watersfield had to win to have any realistic chance of getting one of the two promotion places, as they would only have one game left after tonight. Felpham Colts are top with 34 points (5 games left), whilst Barnham Trojans are a point behind, but with this game in hand, with Watersfield also on 33 points. The top two have yet to meet this season, so still all to play for.

Watersfield got off to a great start when a long range effort was somehow misjudged by the ‘keeper to give them the lead after sixteen minutes. Barnham levelled four minutes later, through a very generously awarded penalty. Six minutes into the second half the hosts went in front, scrambling in from close range, after a corner wasn’t cleared. Watersfield never really looked like coming back into it and it was no surprise when Barnham made it 3-1 with thirteen minutes left, volleying in at the far post from a corner on the left.

The journey heading to the game was very wet, with a lot of surface water on the roads. Thankfully, it was dry on arrival at the ground, although there was light rain/drizzle for most of the first half and light was fading quickly towards the end of the match.

Arthurian League

Arthur Dunn Cup Final

Saturday 22nd April 2023

Kick Off 14.45 Actual 15.02

Old Carthusians 0 Old Reptonians 0 (AET) (0-3 pens) attendance 172

@ Merchant Taylors’ School War Memorial Sports Ground

Rugby Pitch

East Drive

Northwood

HA6 2HT

No Admission

£5 Programme, 12 pages, proceeds donated to charity.

Old Carthusians are the Arthurian League Premier Division champions and have won the Arthur Dunn Cup 30 times, including six wins since 2014. Old Reptonians finished as runners up to them in the league and are the cup holders, having won the cup on 12 previous occasions.

Sadly, the game never lived up to expectations. In fact, it was absolutely dreadful and one of the worst games I have ever watched. It was absolutely turgid, as both teams played not to lose, rather than trying to win. The only goal chance came two minutes from time when Reptonians saw a shot tipped over the crossbar. Even worse, we had to suffer extra time, which just degenerated as it dragged on. The only ‘attempt on goal’ of the first period saw a Carthusians striker go clear, but his shot went out for a throw in! Four minutes from the end of the second period Reptonians had only their second attempt of the match, but the shot was deflected for a corner.

Carthusians were bad during the match, but their penalties were even worse. In fact, they were dreadful. The first hit the outside of the post, with the next two hit over the crossbar. Reptonians netted all three of theirs to retain the cup.

Unlike the first two finals today, this was played on the rugby pitch, which runs parallel to the running track, but is slightly nearer to the changing rooms. It is the only football match that is played on this pitch, so this was a rare opportunity to tick this ground off. Sadly, the small stand that was once here (was still there in 2019 when I came here to watch Old Merchant Taylors’ play on the cricket ground) has now gone. The pitch is roped on three sides through wooden stakes.

This was my first 0-0 since visiting Hawkenbury of the Sevenoaks & District League back on 10th May 2022, ending a run of 114 matches without one.