We headed out on the 08.20 Eurotunnel, which left a minute late, bound for a 4 or 5 match weekend which would start off with a game in the Zuid I District Cup in The Netherlands. Vlissingen is a port on the Southwest coast of Zeeland, so it was to be a drive of just under two and a half hours from Calais, which would include going through the Terneuzen Tunnel, which had a €5 toll.
G.P.C. (Gemeente-Post Combinatie, originally formed as the postal workers team) play in 3 Klasse A and are third bottom in the league table, whilst Serooskerke are one level higher, currently in fourth place of 2 Klasse E. We expected an away win, but not quite as one sided as it turned out.
An own goal after just two minutes set the tone for the match, when a back pass hit a bobble on the pitch, which meant the ‘keeper miss kicked and the ball trickled over the line. It was one way traffic from here and Serooskerke were five goals up by the interval. It could have easily been double figures, but they eased up during the second half, adding two late goals to round off a very comfortable 0-7 win.
University Westminster 3 Brunel University 3rds 2, attendance 4
2’ 1-0
34’ 2-0
68’ 2-1
90’+ 2, 2-2
90’+ 3, 3-2
@ Quintin Hogg Memorial Sports Ground
Hartington Road
Chiswick
London
W4 3TL
No Admission or Programme.
The lower down the levels of university football you go, the more ‘Mickey Mouse’ it can become. The match kicked off late, due to the late arrival of the Referee, although to be fair to him, he was a replacement for a ‘no show’, so at least it meant the game could go ahead. Then there are the colour clashes of the kits. One team played in all black, the same as the Referee, although he wore tracksuit bottoms, which did help things a bit, whilst the other played in navy blue, with a yellow front. Great when they were facing you, but awful when they turned away and were in a chase for the ball with the opposition.
Westminster scored early on and made it 2-0 just after the half hour mark. A minute before halftime they had a player sent off for an over the top tackle, but having disagreed with the decision, the argument went on for a couple of minutes before he finally left the field. He then stood on the touch line shouting at the Referee, before both he and the coach continued the argument at halftime. Not content with that, the two of them started up the argument again as the players lined up to restart, meaning another three minute hold up. Unbelievably, they pressured the Referee into agreeing to reverse his decision, by downgrading the red card to a yellow one…..but only if Brunel agreed. They didn’t, which was seen as ‘unsporting’ by the Westminster players, but as one Brunel player said “we’re here to win bro, so it will be easier playing against ten men, so no way are we doing it”. With the extra man Brunel attacked at will, but it took a stoppage time header from them to pull it back to 2-2. From the restart, Westminster played the ball forward, and following a scramble in the box, the ball was cleared, only to see it hammered back into the bottom corner of the net for an unlikely looking winning goal.
When entering the car park, immediately in front of you is the Roko Health Club, which itself flanks the old stand of the Polytechnic Stadium, home of Fulham R.L.F.C. (now London Broncos) from 1985 to 1990 and used for hockey during the 1948 Olympic Games. The stand looked in good condition, but the pitch, which is still there, looked far less so.
Skegness Town 3 Barton Town 3 (2-4 pens), attendance76 (official 56)
21’ 1-0
33’ 2-0
45’ 3-0
52’ 3-1
66’ 3-2
77’ 3-3
@ Vertigo Stadium
Wainfleet Road
Skegness
PE25 2EL
£5 Admission
£1 Programme, 16 pages.
Skegness Town moved to the Vertigo Stadium towards the end of their time in the Lincolnshire League, with this being their second season in the Northern Counties (East) League. Despite playing in a league where floodlights are mandatory, they rarely schedule midweek matches where they are actually required. They may have used them once last season, but this season this was the first proper game under them, as the first two midweek games were played in August, when games can easily be played without lights.
Both clubs had mentioned on Twitter on Monday that the game was on and the weather forecast for Skegness was reasonable, although you can’t always believe a forecast. It came as a bit of a surprise whilst en route to the match when Skegness tweeted at 4 o’clock that there had been a precautionary pitch inspection, but the game was all set to go ahead. As the ground is on the right hand side when entering the town (if coming from anywhere other then the north) we called in there, before heading off for food/drink. Apparently, the match Referee had been called in due to it being very wet and the opinion was, as long as there was no more rain, the game was on. Thankfully it remained dry, as I don’t think the game would have survived otherwise. Had I known beforehand that there was going to be a pitch inspection at that time of day I would not have risked travelling. Skegness has to be one of the most awkward and tedious journeys out there, wherever you live. Even Barton Town had tweeted a pre match thank you to any of their supporters making the ‘long’ 118.4 mile round trip! Don’t know what they would think about a 400 mile jaunt then!
Both clubs ply their trade in the Northern Counties (East) League. Skegness are top of Division 1, whilst Barton are third from bottom in the Premier Division, so we were expecting an even contest, which is what we got, but oddly, where each team totally dominated a half each. Skegness were already 2-0 up when Barton had a player sin binned for the last bit of the first half and when they made it 3-0 just before the break it looked all over. An early second half goal for the visitors set things up nicely and when they added a second, with a cracking 25 yard shot, they were very much on top. A bullet near post header levelled it up at 3-3 with thirteen minutes left. Either side of the equaliser the Barton ‘keeper pulled off two brilliant saves and when we went to penalties to decide the tie (thankfully no extra time) he was once again the hero, saving two of the Skegness efforts, whilst Barton scored four out of four.
The aim of once again completing the top ten levels of the English pyramid is edging closer. Just Tottenham Hotspur, Crawley Green (Step 5) and Jersey Bulls (Step 6) to go.
With today being Armistice Day, it meant it was a Public Holiday in Belgium, so another opportunity to take in an afternoon midweek game. The only problem was, with it being so close to the weekend, there were very few games moved from Saturday or Sunday, but we managed to hunt out what we think was the only first team match in the country today. In fact, it was only due to a club function being held at Cercle Melle yesterday, where the players were all involved, that meant them requesting the game be played this afternoon and luckily Overmere agreed to the change.
The match looked like it could be a good one too, as Overmere started the day in fourth place in the league table, with Cercle Melle one place higher, although they were 10 points adrift of the top two. The drive down through Kent, then through France and on into Belgium saw almost constant rain, but as we got within ten minutes of Overmere, it began to brighten up and it was more a case of showers for the match and we even had patches of blue sky appearing towards halftime. Despite the damp weather, a crowd of close on 200 is pretty impressive for what is the lowest level of the Belgian pyramid.
Overmere opened the scoring with their first chance of the game, after just three minutes, but Cercle Melle were 1-2 in front just eleven minutes later. There could have been a hatful of goals for both teams, but chances went begging. Overmere levelled it up at 2-2 with almost the last kick of the half, when a left wing corner was fumbled by the ‘keeper and the ball was forced in from close range, Overmere edged in front just after the hour mark, but Cercle Melle still looked well capable of turning things round for a second time, and having made it 3-3 with seventeen minutes left, they scored what turned out to be the winner just four minutes later. On balance, they probably deserved it. Although lacking in skill at times, there was certainly no lack of effort and it was certainly top marks for entertainment value.
There could certainly be no criticism of Eurotunnel today. Our outbound train this morning left on time at 08.50. It was a bit disappointing, having arrived back at The Tunnel in plenty of time for our booked 19.20 return crossing, to see that the 18.50 train was cancelled, so no earlier return than what we were booked for, but at least we left a minute early and all the motorways were running without problems for the drive home from Folkestone, which capped off a good day.
Back during my time living in Belgium, I saw what I thought was the most remarkable comeback I would ever witness at a ‘live’ match. On 23rd January 2014, at a Brabant Provincial 3B match between F.C. Limelette and Union Sportive D’ Ophain, I saw the visitors race into a 0-5 lead after 37 minutes. Somehow, Limelette clawed their way back, levelling it up at 5-5 with sixteen minutes left and they nearly pulled off an incredible turnaround when they hit the crossbar with the last kick of the match.
As we approach six years since that unbelievable night, I was to see a five goal deficit actually turned round again, but this time it went one better, as it finished with a winner. Tiptree Engaine came into this match in twelfth place in the league table, in what is their first season in the Premier Division, having only been formed in 2013. Alresford Colne Rangers were third and could even end the day in second place if other results went their way.
When Tiptree scored an early opener, I thought “at least it makes a game of it”. A second goal, a superb volley from the edge of the 18 yard box, soon followed. Four minutes later it was 3-0, then 4-0 and very quickly 5-0, and we had only been playing nineteen minutes!
Surely the game was out of reach for Alresford. Within three minutes though, it was 5-2, and we had already seen seven goals in the opening twenty two minutes. Tiptree missed two absolute sitters and had an effort hit the crossbar, but somehow we reached halftime with no further goals scored.
A header was glanced in to pull it back to 5-3 early in the second half. Could the comeback really be on. Just after the hour mark it was 5-4 and there was plenty of time for an equaliser. Both teams were still going all out for goals, which was the best tactic, as neither defence looked like they were capable of holding out. Tiptree were visibly tiring, playing on the break, whilst Alresford really began to build the pressure. Tiptree missed three or four great chances, which at least forced the ‘keeper to make a save each time and then hit the crossbar with an effort that would have surely sewn the game up. Alresford finally got the goal their second half performance deserved, to make it 5-5 after 87 minutes. They weren’t satisfied with that though. Four minutes into stoppage time they were awarded a free kick ten yards into the Tiptree half of the pitch, but wide on the left touch line. The ball was played high into the box and a combination of strikers, defenders, and the home ‘keeper challenged for the dropping ball and somehow it managed to fall perfectly for Alresford to force the ball over the line for an unbelievable winner.
It would be nice to think I will see a better game than this as the season progresses, but somehow, I don’t think I will. Just brilliant!
Above : Tiptree make it 3-0 and Below : Round the ‘keeper for 5-0.
Middlesex University 5 Queen Mary University 2nds (Barts) 2, attendance 2
6’ 0-1
30’ 0-2
32’ 1-2
51’ 2-2
68’ 3-2
71’ 4-2 (pen)
76’ 5-2
@ St. James’ Catholic High School, 3G Pitch
Grahame Park Way
Colindale
London
NW9 5PE
No Admission or Programme.
It was only 50 miles from Cambridge, but the journey took just short of two hours to drive. The pitch here has only recently opened and although it only has spectator access along one side, it doesn’t feel like a normal caged pitch as there is plenty of room between the barrier and perimeter fence, but it probably couldn’t be used to stage ‘non league’ matches as the spare goals for 5-a-side football stay inside the barrier and are no more than a foot from the touch line, so it would fail on safety grounds.
Barts went 0-2 up, having dominated the opening half hour, with Middlesex struggling to contain them, but an absolute thunderbolt free kick from 30 yards pulled it back to 1-2 and the game completely changed. When Middlesex levelled it up at 2-2 early in the second half, there was only going to be one winner, and they added three more goals to ease to a comfortable 5-2 win, which certainly didn’t look likely following the opening stages of the match.
Cambridge University 2 University East Anglia 0, attendance 8
45’ 1-0
66’ 2-0 (pen)
@ Clare College Sports Ground
Bentley Road
Cambridge
CB2 8AW
No Admission or Programme.
Clare College Sports Ground is a multi sport complex with 2 tennis courts, a central cricket square and 4 football pitches around this. Today’s match was played on the pitch in the near left corner, (when looking from the clubhouse) running lengthways away from the tennis courts that are behind the end nearest the car park.
This was evenly contested throughout, although Cambridge always looked the better side. It was hard to see where a goal would come from, but we finally got a breakthrough right on halftime, when a long ball over the top saw the big No.9 outmuscle a defender and fire home a shot off the inside of the far post. The second half saw the game become stretched and Cambridge made sure of the points when they converted a penalty, that was awarded for a handball.
Runwell Sports 2 Clapton Community 1, attendance 112
46’ 1-0
54’ 1-1 (pen)
73’ 2-1
@ Runwell Sports & Social Club
St. Luke’s Way
St. Luke’s Park
Runwell
SS11 7QA
No Admission or Programme.
I had my eye on this match when it was originally played a couple of weeks ago. Clapton Community won 2-1, but it came to light afterwards that roll on/roll off substitutions were used, which is not permitted in this competition, so the match had to be replayed.
Runwell Sports (they were formerly named Runwell Hospital, which you would still think is the case, with all the signage around the ground still having ‘Hospital’ displayed) play in the Essex Olympian League, sitting third from bottom of Division 1 (level 2) with just one win from six matches played. Clapton Community, despite being an Essex club, play in the Middlesex County League, Premier Division, which is one level higher than Runwell. They are currently twelfth in the league table, but have played the least number of matches of all the clubs and are ten points behind the leaders, but do have three games in hand.
Clapton Community are a break away club from the original Clapton F.C. and are fan owned. They get very big home crowds and certainly have a large away support, that many clubs higher up the pyramid can only dream of. They had at least three quarters of the crowd today, which included a very loud contingent of ‘ultras’ who sang for the entire match, although very few of the songs were in English. Today’s crowd was a very impressive 112, although well short of the 157 that were reported to have been at the first game.
With the overnight rain causing many postponements, I thought I might have to resort to watching a game on a 3G pitch, but Clapton Community tweeted at 11.15 saying that Runwell were reporting no problems pitch wise, so I headed off to Essex. The rain was torrential as I joined the M25 and there was loads of surface water for the first ten miles or so. As I approached the Dartford Crossing the rain was down to just drizzle and as I headed east along the A13 it had stopped and patches of blue sky were appearing. I arrived at the ground in plenty of time, just in case I needed to head off elsewhere, but was pleased to follow two coaches into the car park, which were the away team and a supporters coach, so it was looking good. The pitch was perfect and both teams even did their warm ups on it, rather than on one of the handful of side pitches here.
The first half was absolutely dire. It came to life four minutes before halftime, when a bit of a scuffle, initiated by Clapton, saw each team having a man sent off. From the resulting free kick, Clapton saw a header rebound off the crossbar in what was the only effort on goal from either side in the half. Runwell opened the scoring within seconds of the restart and we finally had a game on. Clapton levelled from the penalty spot following a foul by the home ‘keeper and both teams went for a winner. Runwell went 2-1 in front when a free kick on the left hand touch line was played into the box for an unmarked header from six yards. Clapton pressed for an equaliser, but just couldn’t find the finishing touch to a number of good chances. The final whistle saw a pitch invasion from the home supporters, many having clearly been in the clubhouse enjoying a beer or two whilst watching England in the ‘kick and clap’ World Cup Final earlier in the day. We even had a streaker during the second half, running around in nothing but a pair of boxing gloves!
K.F.C. Eendracht Hooglede 2 K. White Star Lauwe 2 (4-5 pens), attendance 89
13’ 1-0
26’ 1-1
52’ 1-2
84’ 2-2
@ Oude Rozebekestraat 55A
8830 Hooglede
€5 Admission
Team Sheet, free.
It was All Saints Day in Belgium, which meant teams without floodlights could play their match during the afternoon, which was perfect for us. We had two options today, here, or an all Provincial 3 tie at K.S.V. Kortrijk. Hooglede are also in the third level of West Vlaanderen football, lying in 11th place in 3C, but the visitors, from Lauwe, are sixth in Provincial 1, so this looked the more interesting tie.
Hooglede went in front with an effort that just about crossed the line, according to the Linesman. A combination of an injury to a defender and a repair to the back station of the goal, that was dislodged during the attempt to clear the ball, meant a delay of five minutes before we got back underway. White Star were level before the half hour mark, but it remained 1-1 at the break. They edged in front early in the second half when the Hooglede ‘keeper made a save, only to see the ball hit a defender running back towards goal and the ball rebounded off him into the net. It looked like this might be enough for them, but following a late spell of pressure, Hooglede deservedly equalised, with a free kick that the ‘keeper should really have saved at his near post. No extra time here, so straight to penalties to decide the winner. The first eight kicks were scored, before Hooglede sent their fifth kick sailing high and wide and Lauwe netted their final kick to go through to the Quarter Finals, thereby qualifying for next seasons Belgian F.A. Cup in the process.
For once, Eurotunnel actually ran to time. If only this could become the norm. Having had a clear run down to Folkestone we arrived in plenty of time for our booked 09.20 crossing, so were offered a place on the 08.50 instead, which left two minutes early. The return was much the same. Instead of our booked 18.50 train back, we were offered the earlier 18.20, which left four minutes early. Even the M20, M26 and M25 were clear for the drive home.
Above : The scoreboard gave up a minute early!Above : Getting ready for the penalties….Below : Hooglede miss the only kick of the shootout.
