Gamlingay United v Eynesbury United

Cambridgeshire County League

Premier Division

Saturday 17th October 2020

Kick Off 15.00. On Time !

Gamlingay United 0 Eynesbury United 1, attendance 54

83’ 0-1

@ Gamlingay Playing Field

Stocks Lane

Gamlingay

SG19 3QR

No Admission or Programme.

Gamlingay are new into the top division this season, having finished last season in second place in Senior A Division. The final table was decided by points per game when Covid-19 brought the season to an abrupt end. They have only picked up two points from their opening five matches, but two of the defeats were only by a single goal and the other was a 2-0 loss to league leaders West Wratting. Eynesbury arrived here sitting second in the league table, undefeated, with 11 points from their first five matches.

For a team struggling near the foot of the table, Gamlingay certainly gave Eynesbury a really hard match. There were chances galore at both ends and it was good entertainment for what looked likely to be heading for a goalless draw. The Gamlingay defence managed to hold out attack after attack, with some resolute defending. Eynesbury kept pushing for a winning goal and it finally came with just seven minutes left. A cross from the left was met at the far post and a downward header squirmed past the ‘keeper at the foot of the post. Very harsh on the hosts who certainly deserved a point for their efforts.

Old Albanians v Old Brentwoods III

Arthurian League

Division 5 North

Saturday 17th October 2020

Kick Off 11.00 Actual 11.06

Old Albanians 1 Old Brentwoods III 3, attendance 10

26’ 0-1

40’ 0-2 (pen)

71’ 1-2

85’ 1-3

@ Westminster Lodge Leisure Centre Athletics Track

Holywell Hill

St. Albans

AL1 2DL

No Admission or Programme.

This was the only league or cup game in the Arthurian League today (being played at a ground that I hadn’t visited) where I could guarantee getting in a second match. This fixture meant I wouldn’t have to worry about the possibility of extra time. I normally avoid doing floodlit grounds on a Saturday, but this one is rarely used midweek. In fact, as far as I know, it is as far back as 2006 when Hadley played a couple of Herts Senior County League matches here under lights, in an effort to catch up on a fixture backlog. Anyway, it was here or nowhere this morning.

This was a top of the table clash as first hosted second. Albanians have won four of their first five matches, amassing a +27 goal difference in the process, whilst Brentwoods had won all three of their games, by way of an equally impressive +20 goal difference, although it is perhaps more a reflection of how poor some of the teams are at this level, which is as low as it gets here in the Arthurian League.

Brentwoods broke the deadlock with an angled shot into the far corner of the net that seemed to deceive the ‘keeper. They added a second goal, just before the break, converting a penalty following a needless foul on the corner of the 18 yard box. Albanians made it 1-2 with a close range header with twenty minutes left, but Brentwoods made the game safe , netting their third goal with a header at the far post following a left wing cross.

Albanians remain top of the table, but only on goal difference from Brentwoods, who have two games in hand.