Swineshead Cup Final

Saturday 25th May 2019

Kick Off 14.00. On Time !

Swineshead Institute 3 Ruskington Rovers 2, attendance 109

34’ 1-0

38’ 1-1

52’ 2-1

78’ 3-1 (pen)

90’+1, 3-2

@ The Causeway

off South Street

Swineshead

PE20 3UA

No Admission or Programme.

Today I was basically down to a choice of two matches. Plympton Athletic, in the Plymouth & West Devon Combination, or the match here. As I had expected, the game in Devon didn’t take place, as with nothing at stake in the match it meant the visiting team couldn’t be bothered to raise a team. As the match here was a cup final, (which is actually run by the village and nothing to do with the football club) and was scheduled to be a part of the home clubs 100 year centenary celebrations, then this seemed a safer bet.

Unfortunately, the centenary wasn’t important enough to warrant the match being played on the proper pitch, but on a bit of grass at the back of the ground. There was a huge marquee on the proper pitch (overhang on the clubhouse building, railed along one side and a small bit of cover, or possibly dugouts, on the opposite side) right outside the clubhouse, which according to the home club Chairman was “the only place it would fit”…….yeah, right. What about the area beyond the far goal, or the back pitch that the game was played on today ? I just wish I had known beforehand, as I wouldn’t have wasted my time coming here.

I had seen one match in the Boston League many years ago, but don’t remember it being as poor a standard as what was served up today. Swineshead finished the season bottom of the Premier Division this season, having won just four games. Ruskington had finished third, but they were woeful today. Despite being such poor quality, in a game between two sides that were totally lacking in any skill whatsoever, the first three goals were actually decent finishes.

It is a good job that the season in England has now drawn to a close for me, as this sort of game is one of those that make you wonder just why you bother. I would certainly have to think twice about travelling this distance to watch a game in this league ever again. It was dire.