Belgium
Namur Provincial 1
Sunday 24th November 2019
Kick Off 14.30. On Time !
Union Sportive Beauraing 61 2 R.F.C. Grand-Leez 2, attendance 122
20’ 1-0
64’ 1-1
77’ 2-1 (pen)
88’ 2-2
@ Stade Flocquaux
Rue De Houyet
Baronville
5570 Beauraing
€6 Admission
Programme, free, 8 Pages, plus free Team Sheet.
I had visited the old ground of Union Sportive Beauraing 61, Stade Communal, in Rue des Clos Fleuris, which is in the town itself, back on Saturday 15th March 2014, where I saw them draw 2-2 versus R. Arquet F.C. in a Namur Provincial 1 match. It was only when checking my notes, that I see that was my third ground visited that day, having seen F.C. Nalinnois 2 R.S.A. Forchies 2 (Namur Prov 2C) at 13.00, before moving on to R.J. Rochefortoise 3 R.U.S. Loyers 1 (Namur Prov 1) at 16.30, before rounding off the day in Beauraing with a 20.00 kick off.
In 2015 Beauraing moved to their new ground Stade Flocquaux, which is some way north of the town and more or less in the village of Baronville. It is really bland, but functional, and totally lacks the character of their former home. Considering the pitch has had four years to settle, it was in a dreadful state and was probably the poorest pitch I have ever seen a top Provincial match played on. In fact, the adjoining farmers field looked in better condition!
Beauraing are hovering just above the relegation places, lying twelfth in the league table, whilst Grand-Leez occupy fourth place, although they are well adrift of league leaders J.S. Taminoise who have a 100% winning record from their 14 matches played. The poor quality pitch was a real leveller as far as the football went. Beauraing led 1-0 at the break, which was not a true reflection of how the game had gone. Grand-Leez were level just after the hour mark with a shot into the bottom corner of the net. A push in the back saw Beauraing regain the lead from the resulting penalty, with thirteen minutes left, but they never looked like holding on. Two minutes from time, Grand-Leez were level at 2-2, when the ‘keeper was beaten with a shot at his near post. In stoppage time, Beauraing had one of their defenders sent off, having received two yellow cards in the space of 30 seconds.
We were in plenty of time for our 08.20 outbound Eurotunnel, which meant we were actually offered the earlier 07.50 instead and this left three minutes early. We were booked on the 20.20 back, but having had a clear run back to Calais, we made it in time to get a place on the 19.50 instead. Unfortunately, the U.K. Passport control were once again showing a total incompetence in processing cars at a reasonable rate, meaning we missed the train and ended up on our original crossing after all, although it did leave four minutes early. At least the motorways were clear for the drive back from Folkestone.
