Cambridgeshire County League

Division 4B

Thursday 20th April 2023

Kick Off 18.15 Actual 18.17

Willingham Wolves 4 Alconbury Reserves 8, attendance 27

2’ 1-0

5’ 1-1

12’ 2-1

17’ 3-1

21’ 3-2

23’ 3-3

34’ 3-4

36’ 3-5

49’ 3-6

58’ 4-6

59’ 4-7

90’ + 2, 4-8

@ Willingham Recreation Ground

West Fen Road

Willingham

CB24 5LP

No Admission or Programme.

I hadn’t been too keen on coming to this, as I prefer not to watch games including reserve teams, especially when the match involved two mid table teams (9th v 6th) with no chance of making a promotion push. However, I needn’t have worried. I had a quick reply from the home club via Twitter (most clubs never bother replying at all) that the game was going ahead okay. It was impressive that both teams had four substitutes and the pitch, apart from a few undulations, was in superb condition and looked freshly cut and marked out. It was an added bonus that there was a good sized overhang on the front of the changing rooms, which was certainly needed during the early stages as light rain fell and it was a bitterly cold wind. It soon cleared though, making way for blue skies overhead, but never really warmed up that much.

The game itself could easily have finished with both teams scoring double figures. As a neutral it was a great watch. Willingham scored within two minutes, but their lead was short lived as Alconbury levelled after five minutes. Willingham then scored twice to go 3-1 up after just seventeen minutes, but a four goal reply, in a fifteen minute spell, saw Alconbury lead 3-5 and we still had nearly ten minutes to go before halftime. The goals still flowed freely at the start of the second half and by the time we reached the hour mark it was 4-7. The last half hour was end to end stuff, but surprisingly the last goal of the night didn’t come until stoppage time, when Alconbury made it 4-8.

Dorset League

Senior Division

Wednesday 19th April 2023

Kick Off 18.30 Actual 18.32

Bisterne United 5 Bournemouth Electric 1, attendance 39

6’ 1-0

18’ 2-0

19’ 2-1

69’ 3-1

85’ 4-1 (pen)

86’ 5-1

@ Bisterne Sports Club

Christchurch Road

Bisterne

BH24 3BN

No Admission or Programme.

Bisterne United came into this game knowing that a win would give them the league title as they would be out of reach of second in the table Stalbridge and also of tonight’s visitors Bournemouth Electric, who despite starting the night in sixth place, would still finish top if they were to win their last 5 games.

As it turned out, it was a comfortable win for Bisterne in the end. A close range finish put them ahead just six minutes in and when they doubled their lead after 18 minutes it looked like it would be plain sailing. Within a minute though, Electric pulled one back, but were never going to be in with a chance of getting a second, as the home club linesman (came on as a second half substitute) flagged them offside every time they came forward, whether they were offside or not! Bisterne were good enough to win without resorting to this and unfortunately, at this level, teams don’t always win relying solely on merit. Electric had a man sin binned just before halftime and no sooner had he returned, Bisterne had a sin bin of their own, but neither side took advantage of having an extra man. The killer third goal came with just over twenty minutes left, finishing with an angled shot into the far corner. Goals number four and five came in the last five minutes, through a penalty and a one on one finish.

Leicestershire Senior League

Premier Division

Tuesday 18th April 2023

Kick Off 18.30 Actual 18.34

F.C. Khalsa G.A.D. 4 Glenfield United 1, attendance 17

37’ 1-0

56’ 2-0 (pen)

69’ 2-1

77’ 3-1

79’ 4-1

@ Judgemeadow Community College

Marydene Drive

Evington

Leicester

LE5 6HP

No Admission or Programme.

This was 11th versus 3rd in the league table and it completed the top division for me. An awful pitch, which was in real need of a cut, didn’t help either team and dragged down the quality of football on offer. Khalsa got the only goal of the first half, finishing left footed after beating a poor attempt at a tackle from a defender. A penalty early in the second half saw them double their lead and despite Glenfield pulling it back to 2-1 with just over twenty minutes left, they never really looked like getting anything from the game. It was 3-1 with thirteen minutes left when a free kick seemed to totally deceive the ‘keeper and the scoring was rounded off two minutes later when Khalsa added a fourth goal, again from a free kick, this time going straight over the ‘keeper into the far corner from the angle of the 18 yard box.

Yeovil & District League

Premier Division

Monday 17th April 2023

Kick Off 18.30 Actual 18.29

Ilchester Junior 3 Manor Athletic 1, attendance 34

7’ 1-0

23’ 2-0

34’ 2-1

74’ 3-1

@ Ilchester Sports Field

Roman Road

Ilchester

BA22 8NZ

No admission

Programme available from original September 10th match date, didn’t bother buying.

This game had twice been postponed when scheduled to take place as part of the Yeovil League ‘Hop, the first time due to the death of Queen Elizabeth II, back in September, then the more recent game a few weeks back that was off due to a waterlogged pitch. There seemed to be some confusion as to whether tonight’s game was played on the ‘normal’ pitch or not. It took place on the pitch in the far right corner if looking from the clubhouse. It was very narrow and could certainly do with being cut. The other pitch in question is away to the left, but there were two groups of youth players training on that one, so not really sure which pitch is correct one.

Anyway, it didn’t really matter, as I hadn’t seen a game on either of them. The match was 5th versus 3rd in the league table and was a decent contest throughout, although it has to be said, neither side’s ’keeper gave any impression of being very good. Ilchester opened the scoring with a free kick into the bottom corner, from just outside the angle of the 18 yard box, which the ‘keeper didn’t even make an attempt to save. The second goal came midway through the half, when a long range effort went in. Again the ‘keeper should have done better. Manor pulled one back before halftime, when an angled shot went straight through the ‘keeper’s hands. Both sides had chances, but Ilchester made the game safe with sixteen minutes left, when a ball in from the left was headed in unmarked from 6 yards.

Above : The Manor ‘keeper watches helplessly as the opening goal free kick finds the bottom corner.

Kent County League

Division 1 Central & East

Saturday 15th April 2023

Kick Off 14.45 Actual 14.48

Rochester City 3 Cuxton ‘91 6, attendance 23

13’ 1-0 (pen)

22’ 1-1

32’ 2-1

39’ 2-2

62’ 2-3

69’ 3-3

74’ 3-4

82’ 3-5

86’ 3-6

@ The Victory Academy, 3G Pitch

Magpie Hall Road

Chatham

ME4 5JB

No Admission or Programme.

The 33 mile drive from Dulwich to Chatham took 1 hour 4 minutes, not helped by roadworks on the A205 South Circular. Once on the A2 and M2 it was plain sailing. I hadn’t got much choice for an afternoon game, especially at higher levels and wasn’t exactly enthused by two visits to synthetic pitches (this was the standard three quarters of one side spectator viewing area and the annoying overhead pitch dividing wire that was hit endless times during the match) but I really fancied this game, as it had a lot riding on it. If Rochester lost, then they were relegated (a draw or win could see them stay up, depending on what Guru Nanak and K. Sports Reserves did in their last games) whereas Cuxton were third in the table, twelve points behind leaders Ashford, but with four games in hand and four points behind second placed Snodland Town Reserves, who they have three games in hand on. Only the top two are promoted.

Rochester went ahead, scoring from a rebound after a penalty was saved, but Cuxton soon levelled. Rochester edged back in front, scoring at the second attempt after a cross from the right. It was soon 2-2 as Cuxton volleyed in from close range. The second half saw Cuxton have a man sin binned, during which time they scrambled one in, after a shot had rebounded off the post, to make it 2-3. Rochester levelled it up at 3-3 seven minutes later, when the ‘keeper punched the ball into his own net when trying to defend a near post corner. Within five minutes Cuxton headed in from a corner to lead 3-4 and this seemed to finally break the resistance of the hosts. The final two goals came on the last eight minutes and Cuxton also headed an easy chance against the crossbar in stoppage time.

So, the defeat sees Rochester relegated. Cuxton remain very much in the promotion race and are still in the running for the title.

Midway through the second half there was an unusual occurrence, when the Referee told the home club linesman to put the flag down and that he would continue without him, following yet another ridiculous attempt to flag for an ‘offside’ that was nothing of the sort!

A look back at my records shows that I have seen a 3-6 score line eleven times before today, but certainly never in back to back games.

Arthurian League

Premier Division

Saturday 15th April 2023

Kick Off 11.00 Actual 11.03

King’s College School Old Boys 3 Old Alleynians 6, attendance 13

7’ 0-1

13’ 0-2

15’ 1-2 (pen)

30’ 1-3

49’ 1-4

62’ 1-5

65’ 2-5

66’ 2-6

76’ 3-6

@ Dulwich College, 3G Pitch

Dulwich Common

London

SE21 7LD

No Admission or Programme.

This game was played on the recently installed 3G pitch at Dulwich College. The area wasn’t even under construction when I came here for an Independent Schools F.A. Cup match in October 2018, which was played on a grass pitch in front of the changing room building. The new pitch is at the southernmost tip of the college grounds, running parallel to the railway line and backing on to Hunts Slip Road. Unlike most synthetic pitches, there are no floodlights, or the awful high green mesh fences that surround the all too familiar cage set ups. There is actually hard standing as well, not to mention dugouts. It felt so much better than being caged in and the match experience was all the better for it.

The match itself was 3rd versus 5th in the league table and was great to watch as a neutral. Every attack looked like it would produce a goal. Alleynians led 0-2 early on, before a penalty for K.C.S. made it 1-2 after just fifteen minutes and by halftime it was 1-3. By midway through the second half it was 1-6, but an instant reply saw K.C.S. pull one back and ten minutes later they got it back to 3-6, but the damage had already been done.

No parking restrictions on a Saturday in the surrounding roads, although it was possible to park inside the college itself.

Above : KCS pull it back to 1-2 from the penalty spot.

Kent County League

Division 2 West

Thursday 13th April 2023

Kick Off 18.15 Actual 18.17

Parkwood Rangers 2 Orpington 1, attendance 31

46’ 0-1

90’ + 1, 1-1

90’ + 5, 2-1

@ Bexley Park Sports & Social Club

Calvert Drive

Bexley

DA2 7GA

No Admission or Programme.

Neither club bothered to reply on Twitter to confirm where the game was being played, or whether it was actually still on, so I took a chance that the information on the F.A. Full-Time website was correct. The journey east along the M25 was eventful to say the least, going through a massive hailstorm near Clacket Lane Services, where the temperature dropped 8.5 degrees and visibility was very poor, even at 30 m.p.h. with the hail filling in the tracks of the vehicles in front within seconds and I doubted there was any hope of the game going ahead. Thankfully, a few miles on, the skies were blue and the roads were dry.

On arriving at the ground it was good to see players arriving. It wasn’t so good to see no goal posts set up on the railed pitch that runs widthways about 50 yards in front of the clubhouse. Instead, the game was played on a pitch away to the left, parallel to a rugby pitch. It looks at one time if this area may have been separated from the rest of the ground by a hedge, which has since been removed. Not sure if they ever use the railed pitch, or not, but at least the game was on.

It was a vital game for both clubs, as 3rd hosted 4th in the league table, with only the top two getting promoted. Fleetdown United Reserves started the day in second place on 31 points, but have completed their fixtures, whilst the unbeaten leaders Falconwood are a further three points clear at the top and still have four games left. Parkwood Rangers were on 30 points ( 4 games left) with Orpington on 25 points (5 games left), so still all to play for.

It was hardly a surprise that it was still goalless at halftime. There hadn’t really been much of note happening at either end. Within a minute of the restart though, the visitors went in front, beating the goalkeeper at his near post with a shot from the edge of the box. It looked like it would be enough to take the three points, but a minute into stoppage time Parkwood equalised, scoring from close range after the ‘keeper fumbled a ball in from the left. Seconds later the Orpington ‘keeper made up for his mistake, making a great save from a one on one chance, but five minutes into stoppage time the hosts did grab a winner, when a free kick was cleared, but the taker controlled the clearance before cutting inside to drill an unstoppable shot in at the near post.

Bedfordshire County League

Division 2

Wednesday 12th April 2023

Kick Off 18.15 Actual 18.19

Harlington Juniors 2 Westoning Recreation 1, attendance 92

5’ 1-0

20’ 1-1

70’ 2-1

@ Newgrounds Playing Fields

Sundon Road

Harlington

LU5 6LS

No Admission or Programme.

Once again the weather forecast was absolutely dreadful, but with three potential games within relatively easy reach of each other, this area looked worth taking a chance on. It was certainly worth it for the game, as 2nd hosted 1st in the league table, with Harlington starting the night six points behind, but with three games in hand. Bedford S.A. are also very much in the running for the title too, being a further three points back, but also having three games in hand on Westoning.

The match itself was really good and was played in front of a decent crowd for this level, helped by the fact that the clubs are only five miles apart. A wayward back pass was intercepted and finished into the bottom corner to give Harlington the lead just five minutes in. Westoning levelled fifteen minutes later with a long range effort that the ‘keeper should really have kept out. Westoning looked the more likely to win it, but the nearest they came to adding a second goal was when they hit the crossbar early in the second half. Harlington grabbed the winner with twenty minutes left, scoring from close range when a corner from the left was only half cleared.

The weather didn’t turn out too badly in the end and was only light drizzle when it finally arrived. It was really cold though. The club play behind the village hall. The pitch has a fair side to side slope and is situated beyond the cricket square, in the far right corner from the changing rooms. It looked like it had been cut recently and freshly marked and was in good condition considering the amount of rain recently.

Cambridgeshire County League

Division 3A

Tuesday 11th April 2023

Kick Off 18.15 Actual 18.18

Wilbrahams United 1 Ashdon United 1, attendance 31

25’ 0-1

77’ 1-1 (pen)

@ Great Wilbraham Recreation Ground

Angle End

Great Wilbraham

CB21 5JG

No Admission or Programme.

After the mess up yesterday, at Imperial in the Somerset County League, where the game was called off due to a waterlogged pitch (it wasn’t, but the home club probably didn’t fancy playing the unbeaten league leaders), I chose to head to an area where I had a few choices that were relatively close to each other. I chose this game as it was 4th versus 1st, with Wilbrahams trailing Ashdon by five points, having played a game more, but they are only four points behind the teams in second and third place and have games in hand on both, so are well in the hunt for the promotion places.

Ashdon were far superior throughout and will kick themselves for not taking all three points here. They led from midway through the first half, finishing left footed into the bottom corner, but just couldn’t get a second goal. They were made to pay when Wilbrahams levelled with a penalty thirteen minutes from the end.

Thankfully, the heavy rain that had been forecast from around 7 o’clock never materialised, although it did drizzle for most of the game. The drive home was pretty unpleasant though, especially on the M11 and the M25 around to the Dartford Crossing, where it absolutely hammered it down.

Above : Wilbrahams level from the penalty spot.

Launceston & District Knock Out Cup

Quarter Final

Sunday 9th April 2023

Kick Off 12.30 Actual 12.36

St. Breward 1 Bude Town Reserves 1 (4-2 pens), attendance 46

37’ 1-0

52’ 1-1

@ Brake Parc

Penvorder Lane

St. Breward

PL30 4NY

No Admission or Programme.

So, for the second successive day, I visited a ground in a league I’d not seen a match in before. The Launceston Knock Out Cup is entered by way of invitation and is contested by clubs within a 25 mile radius of the town. Today’s match was between two clubs who play in the Duchy League as 4th in the Premier Division hosted 3rd in Division 2.

Despite Bude being two divisions lower, this was a keenly contested game, where there was little between the two sides and was a really good game to watch from a neutral point of view. Bude started brightly and looked the better side early on, but it was St. Breward who created the better chances. They hit the post with a 20 yarder midway through the first half, before breaking the deadlock eight minutes before the break, when a 35-40 yard punt into the box was fumbled by the ‘keeper and squirmed in at the near post. Things got worse for the visitors when they had a man sin binned shortly afterwards, but they managed to keep the score down to the one goal deficit during this time.

The second half started with a flurry of chances, as first St. Breward missed a one on one chance, before Bude saw an effort well saved by the ‘keeper, Seven minutes in, Bude got the equaliser, when a ball in from the left was controlled and finished first time into the bottom corner. Both sides pushed for a winner, but the nearest we came to getting it was a shot that hit the post for the visitors.

There were no further goals, so it was straight to penalties at the end of ninety minutes. Bude went first and saw their first kick saved, whilst St. Breward scored their first three. Bude did score their next two kicks, but when their fourth one was once again saved, it was left to the hosts to maintain their 100 % tally to take the shootout 4-2.