Hellenic League

Premier Division

Tuesday 24th September 2024

Kick Off 19.45 On Time!

Hartpury University 4 Hereford Pegasus 1, attendance 268

3’ 0-1

25’ 1-1

71’ 2-1

72’ 3-1

90’ 4-1

@ Hartpury University Stadium

Hartpury Sports Academy

off A417

Hartpury

GL19 3BG

£8 Admission

No Programme.

I first came to a game at Hartpury University back in March 2006, when they were known as U.W.E. Hartpury. I saw them beat Sheffield Hallam University 2-1 in a British Universities Sports Association Cup Semi Final, which was played on the grass pitch (No. 13 on map) to the left of the driveway as you enter the complex. They subsequently used that ground when they entered into the football pyramid, but this season, with promotion into Step 5, they are now hosting games on the main stadium here (No. 8 on map), which was originally home to just their rugby team, who currently play at the second level nationally. There is a full length seated stand and access for spectators on all four sides. There is a bar at the back of the stand and food and drink were available from mobile catering units. The crowd tonight was very impressive for this level and certainly looked higher than the official figure of 268. An interesting point of note though is that students based here get in free and apparently, the number of paying customers totalled just 44!

The match was between two teams who’d got off to good starts this season, as 3rd hosted 5th in the league table. Hereford Pegasus were ahead after just three minutes, when a shot from the edge of the box found the bottom corner. Hartpury levelled with a close range finish midway through the half and thought they’d gone in front just before halftime, but the goal was ruled out for offside. They did go ahead with nineteen minutes left though, dinking the ball over the ‘keeper when played through on goal and a minute later it was 3-1, finishing with a first time shot. They added a fourth goal in the final minute, cutting in from the left before giving the ‘keeper no chance.