Yeovil & District League

Division 1

Saturday 25th September 2021

Kick Off 16.45 Actual 16.43

Pen Mill Athletic 1 Ilchester Reserves 4, attendance 165 (official)

22’ 0-1

32’ 0-2

54’ 0-3

56’ 0-4

66’ 1-4

@ Yeovil Sports & Social Club

Johnson Park

Coronation Avenue

Yeovil

BA21 3DX

No Admission

£1 Programme, 12 pages.

I think this was a first as far as ground hops go, as two matches were taking place simultaneously on adjacent pitches. The programme covered both games, for those who wanted to watch the reserves rather than the first team. Not many did, as only 28 watched the alternate fixture and I’m pretty sure no ‘hoppers bothered watching it, so not really sure what the point of it was really.

Anyway, I went for the first team game, played on Pitch 1, which is nearest the buildings and has a decent bit of cover. It would be very impressive if only they aligned the pitch to make it feel as though it is actually part of the ground, rather than offset and well back from the touch line.

The game itself was not much of a contest. Ilchester were far too strong for the hosts. It was 0-2 at the break and the lead was doubled eleven minutes into the second half. At least Pen Mill got on the scoresheet, heading in from a corner to pull it back to 1-4, but never looked liked adding to it. A very comfortable and deserved win for the visitors.

Judging from the comments, the Yeovil & District League and it’s clubs were very pleased with how the day went. It was certainly well received by the ‘hoppers that made the effort to support it and hopefully it will not be a one off. Credit must go to Tim Lancaster, and those at the clubs involved, who organised a really good day. It just goes to show that ‘hops don’t always have to be ‘all about the organisers’.

Yeovil & District League

Premier Division

Saturday 25th September 2021

Kick Off 14.15 Actual 14.17

Odcombe 2 Manor Athletic 1, attendance 102 (official)

19’ 1-0

41’ 1-1 (pen)

90’+ 6, 2-1

@ Odcombe Village Hall

Old Road

Higher Odcombe

BA22 8XP

No Admission

£1 Programme, 12 pages.

Game 2 of today’s ’hop was just four miles south east of the first. Thankfully, the drizzle that greeted kick off didn’t last long, as apart from a strange wooden construction in one corner of the pitch, there was no shelter from the elements.

This match was far harder to call than the previous one and was in the balance right up until the final whistle. Odcombe were ahead within twenty minutes, a left footed shot beating the ‘keeper at his near post. Manor Athletic levelled it up at 1-1, courtesy of a penalty, just before halftime. Both teams could have won it, but just as it looked like we were heading for a draw, a cross from the right was diverted past his own ‘keeper by a Manor Athletic defender, giving Odcombe a 2-1 win, six minutes into stoppage time.