Sociedad Deportiva Tarazona 0 Club Deportivo Teruel 0, attendance 800
@ Estadio Municipal de Tarazona
Avenida de la Paz
50500 Tarazona
€20 Admission
No Programme.
It was a 1 hour 20 minute drive south from Pamplona to Tarazona, in the region of Aragon, for this game in the third level of Spanish football. Once again no problem with parking in the surrounding streets. The ground is floodlit and has a 702 seat stand on one side, with cover stretching from one 18 yard box to the other on the opposite side, although standing is at one level for the entirety. There is access behind each goal too, one with a couple of steps of terracing and viewing from the top of the bank at the same end. There was a small refreshment bar, but it was located at the rear of the stand, so not really of use whilst the game was in progress.
The game was a real relegation battle, as fourth bottom hosted bottom of the table. Tarazona had only managed one win and four draws from their opening eleven games, whilst Teruel hadn’t won at all, but had managed to draw six of their eleven played so far. I didn’t expect much of a game, but didn’t expect it to be as bad as this. I would expect both these sides to struggle to survive at Step 6 in England. They were absolutely dire. I don’t recall anything like a goal opportunity being produced by either side. It felt more like an endurance test than a football match. At least Teruel will have been happy picking up a point though, as it got them off the foot of the table, climbing up two places!
Above : The match poster obtained from a shop doorway after the match.
Club Atletico Osasuna 1 Union Deportiva Las Palmas 1, attendance 20,125
70’ 0-1
73’ 1-1
@ Estadio El Sadar
Calle del Sadar
31006 Pamplona
€50 Admission + €2 Booking Fee, Print at Home Ticket
No Programme.
This morning started off with a €3 bus ride from a couple of hundred yards away from our hotel, in order to pick up a hire car from Bilbao Airport. Today would see a drive south of about 1 hour 50 minutes, to the town of Pamplona, in the Navarre region, to see another top division game. Pamplona is probably more famous for the ‘Running of the Bulls’ festival that takes place over a week of July each year, where people basically run around the city streets being chased by a bull, rather than it’s football team Club Atletico Osasuna, who celebrated their centenary four years ago, which has included four Segunda Division titles and twice being Spanish Cup (Copa del Rey) runners-up, in 2005 and again last season. Their home is at the Estadio El Sadar, opened in 1967 and now modernised to hold a 23,516 all-seated capacity. It is very compact. The crowd are right on top of the action and it generated a good atmosphere. The very small corner section for away fans was almost full, although I suspect many of them now live on the mainland, rather than having travelled from the Canary Islands (the club are from the island of Gran Canaria) and there were plenty of away colours openly displayed around other sections of the ground too, without a hint of trouble. Car parking was plentiful in the surrounding streets (free after 2pm on a Saturday apparently) and we managed to bag a space less than ten minutes walk from the stadium.
The match itself was a mid-table clash, with12th hosting 10th. Not too much in the way of goalmouth action. Both teams seemed content with faffing about in the centre of the pitch. Plenty of short passes, but achieving little, other than keeping the possession percentages high! The only real thing of note in the first half was an Osasuna header tipped round the post seven minutes before halftime. At least the game opened up second half and Las Palmas broke the deadlock with twenty minutes left, cutting in from the left before curling a shot into the far top corner from just inside the angle of the 18 yard box. Their lead only lasted three minutes though, Osasuna drawing level when a cross from the right was finished with a stooping header from six yards out at the near post. Both teams seemed to settle for a point each from here, protecting what they had, rather than trying to grab a winning goal.
Athletic Club Bilbao 4 Real Club Celta Vigo 3, attendance 44,435
25’ 0-1
37’ 1-1
41’ 1-2
45’ + 5, 2-2
51’ 3-2
65’ 3-3
90’ + 8, 4-3 (pen)
@ Estadio San Mames
Calle Rafael Moreno “Pitxitxi”
48013 Bilbao
€80 Admission + €2.50 booking fee, Print at Home Ticket
No Programme.
I had visited the original Estadio San Mames back in October 2011, when Athletic Club drew 2-2 versus S.V. Salzburg in a U.E.F.A. Europa League Group match in front of a crowd of 25,000. Since then a new 53,289 capacity stadium has been built, slightly offset from the original footprint, where there is no pitch overlap, but one goal end is on top of what would have been part of the old ground, hence the ground opening in September 2013 with just three new sides built. The last remaining part of the original structure was then knocked down to enable stadium completion. It is a sight to behold. The stadium is easily reached, having its own station on the Bilbao city metro system, unsurprisingly called “San Mames”.
The atmosphere was superb and it has to be said, the view here is superb, even if it is very expensive for the pleasure! We were unable to get two adjacent tickets, but had managed to get a pair just two seats apart and when the two locals who had the two between us arrived for the game, they offered to shuffle across after sussing out the English accents! It was a surprise to see the official attendance announced was only around 44,500 as there were not many seats available to purchase around a week before the game. There was no way there were almost 9,000 empty seats. I would have said maybe 1,500 to two thousand, if that. Even the away section looked well populated.
The match was 5th versus 18th in the league table and was absolutely superb to watch from start to finish. Celta Vigo, who are managed by Rafael Benitez (ex Valencia, Real Madrid, Liverpool, Everton, Chelsea and Newcastle United boss) looked a very good side. They certainly didn’t play like a team sitting third from bottom. If they hadn’t resorted to the all too usual (amongst so many foreign teams) diving/cheating and time wasting in the last fifteen minutes, then they could have won it. They had an early goal disallowed for offside, but did open the scoring with a 20 yard shot that went in off the far post after twenty five minutes. Athletic equalised eight minutes before halftime, hooking in at the far post, after a cross from the left wasn’t cut out, but Celta Vigo were back ahead within four minutes, punishing a poor clearance from a free kick with a first time shot into the bottom corner from just outside the D. Athletic Club made it 2-2, touching in a left wing cross at the near post, in the fifth minute of stoppage time at the end of the first half
Athletic Club went in front six minutes into the second half, tapping in from close range, after an angled shot had been saved by the ‘keeper. Celta thought they’d levelled the scores with twenty five minutes left, but the effort was ruled out for offside, but it was only a matter of seconds before they did make it 3-3, breaking quickly down the right and playing the ball across to finish unmarked at the far post. Seven minutes later they had the chance to regain the lead, but a penalty, awarded by VAR for a handball offence, was saved by the ‘keeper. Eight minutes into stoppage time there was another penalty awarded, again for handball, but this time in favour of the hosts and it was put away to give them all three points. The final whistle then blew, dead on eleven o’clock!
Our early morning Vueling flight out from London Gatwick to Bilbao this morning managed to land slightly ahead of schedule, despite departing about fifteen minutes late, leaving plenty of time in Bilbao pre-match and even better, the hotel was only about five minutes walk from the stadium, which was clearly visible from our tenth floor room!
Today was another step towards my aim to see a first team match played on every ground in Sussex. This is not the normal home of S.S.B. Unity, but the game was switched to here late in the week. It is one of 2 artificial pitches here at Stanley Deason Leisure Centre (the other being for hockey) and is the further (lower) of the two from the building/car park. Both are dug into the hillside, running end on to each other, with decent views from above the near goal end out over the city to the sea. The spectator viewing area actually runs along the full length of one side, with the only thing hampering the view being that the two teams ‘benches’ set themselves up on this side too, rather than on the opposite touchline, although it was hardly a problem with such a sparse crowd.
The match was 5th versus 8th in the league table. Sompting took an early lead, following in after an initial shot had come back off the far post. The second goal came after being played through one on one with the ‘keeper. The home linesman flagged for offside, but was correctly overruled by the Referee, who allowed the goal. Number three arrived on twenty eight minutes, squeezing a shot in at the near post from a break down the right. Three minutes later it was 0-4, again the linesman (a change from the earlier one) flagged for offside, but once again it was (correctly in my opinion) overruled and the goal was awarded. The home team and ‘bench’ ran towards the Referee, surrounding him just outside the centre circle. There was plenty of shouting, followed by a bit of jostling and pushing. Seconds later the Referee abandoned the game!
Ashton Folly had played here in Brill last season and over the summer changed their name to Brill United. As with last season, it was the only ground I hadn’t visited in this division, so it was about time that was put right. The journey from St. Albans took about an hour and having passed through one particularly heavy downpour en route, about fifteen minutes away, I was relieved to see nets and corner flags up on arrival and the players heading out to warm up. At least it remained dry throughout, bar a brief few spots of rain that lasted a couple of minutes, if that.
The ground is shared with the local cricket club. The cricket pitch is in front of the pavilion, with the football pitch beyond, running widthways, on the other side of a tarmac path separating the two and roped along the left hand half of this side only. The two ‘benches’ set up opposite, although no problem accessing all four sides. The view over the countryside beyond the far touchline goes as far as the eye can see and if bird spotting is your thing, well, red kites to be specific, then you can’t get much better than this.
The game was 7th versus 11th in the league table. Brill were 2-0 up after just thirteen minutes, the second goal being a cracker into the top corner, cutting in from the left and finishing right footed leaving the ‘keeper rooted to his spot. Brill then lost their ‘keeper after half an hour, going off injured, with an outfield player taking over. Right on halftime Yarnton finished a ball over the top with an angled shot into the bottom corner, setting it up perfectly for the second half. However, any hope of a comeback soon disappeared, as Brill scored twice in the opening three minutes of the restart. A stooping header, after a corner wasn’t cleared, quickly followed by a shot into the far corner. Goal number five arrived on the hour, finishing one on one, after being played through on goal. With six minutes left Yarnton pulled it back to 5-2, when they scored with a penalty. The stand in ‘keeper was booked for giving away the kick, then sent off when getting a second yellow card, for dissent, after conceding it. So Brill played out the remainder of the game a man short and with their third ‘keeper of the day playing in goal!
Old Albanians 8 Old Chigwellians II 1, attendance 4
9’ 1-0, 15’ 2-0, 31’ 3-0, 45’ 4-0
62’ 4-1, 71’ 5-1, 74’ 6-1, 75’ 7-1, 78’ 8-1
@ The Woollam Playing Fields
Harpenden Road
St. Albans
AL3 6BZ
No Admission or Programme.
Having completed a visit to all the regular home venues for teams in this league last Saturday, it was nice to see this ‘one off’ match moved from their normal 3G pitch at Beaumont School, to the sports ground of St. Albans School, here at The Woollam Playing Fields. I had seen St. Albans Centurions R.L.F.C. play on the main rugby ground at the Old Albanian Sports Club back in 2006, a 6-10 defeat to Bramley in National League 3, but although they share the same entrance, the two complexes are actually separate. The school playing fields are to the north of the two, having its own car park and changing rooms. Typically, numerous pitches, hosting football, cricket and rugby and artificial tennis courts and hockey pitch as well, with today’s game played on ‘Football Pitch 1’, which was absolutely immaculate.
As far as league positions go, this was bottom versus second bottom, although Old Albanians only occupy bottom spot due to a points deduction, although they’d only be third bottom without incurring the penalty! The match wasn’t as one sided as the scoreline suggests, although Chigwellians did collapse late on. It was 4-0 at halftime, despite Albanians having had a player sin binned when it was 2-0. Just after the hour Chigwellians pulled a goal back to make it 4-1, but Albanians soon added another to go 5-1 up. A sin bin for Chigwellians followed immediately and Albanians ran in three goals in the next seven minutes to round off a resounding win.
Above : Chigwellians clip one past the ‘keeper to pull it back to 4-1.
This game was the re-arranged tie that was abandoned two weeks ago, following an injury to Knockbreda player Joshua Stewart. Ballymacash were leading 2-1 when the game was called to a halt after thirty six minutes. The admission price is fixed by the Antrim & District F.A. so a £2 reduction was in place tonight as a goodwill gesture to supporters, whether you were here for the first game or not.
It was was 4th in Premier Intermediate League (Tier 3) versus 12th (bottom) in Championship (Tier 2). Just to add a little spice, the two clubs met at the end of last season in the 2 legged Championship Promotion-Relegation Play Off, where Knockbreda managed to retain their place at the higher level, although they have struggled once again this season, losing all 12 league games played so far! Ballymacash look like making another promotion push and are unbeaten so far, with 3 wins and 2 draws.
The first half was as good as I’ve seen anywhere this season. Real end to end stuff as both teams went at it from the off. Knockbreda were ahead after just two minutes, shooting low into the far bottom corner of the net. They had another effort come back off the post soon after. Just after the half hour they did make it 0-2 though, when a shot from the edge of the box went in via a slight deflection. Within seconds of the restart, things took a turn for the worse for them though. Their ‘keeper was sent off when conceding a penalty and their substitute ‘keeper was then beaten with the resulting kick. Three minutes later it was 2-2, as Ballymacash levelled, with another penalty.
The second half was never going to be as entertaining as the first. The 10 men of Knockbreda dug deep, defending sturdily, each time they came under any hint of pressure and remarkably they then managed to regain the lead with eighteen minutes left, heading in from close range, after a save by the home ‘keeper had looped high into the air, coming down in the six yard box. Ballymacash were only behind for two minutes though, levelling it up at 3-3, when the visitors ‘keeper failed to punch clear and the ball was smashed in from twelve yards. That was it as far as goals went. We were straight to penalties to decide the winner. The hosts were first to miss, having kick number seven saved. Knockbreda then won it with their next one. They will now take on current Premiership champions Larne in the semi-final, who are trying to retain the cup which they’ve won for the last three years!
The ground is pretty basic, but is a work in progress. It has a 3G pitch, with a 115 seat stand stuck in one corner, at the goal end to the left of the entrance. There would normally be spectator access on all four sides, but the section along the side to the right of the turnstiles, looking down towards the social club/tea bar is currently out of bounds, due to building work of some sort currently taking place.
I had flown from London Gatwick to Belfast International, for my first trip to Northern Ireland since February 2020. The EasyJet flight arrived mid morning, having been around twenty minutes late leaving. I picked up a hire car, which even with petrol costs worked out no dearer than combined fares on bus/train/taxi/walk would have been, not to mention being far more convenient! The return flight on Wednesday morning actually left a minute early!
Canning Town 2 Bishop’s Stortford Swifts 5, attendance 13
18’ 0-1
27’ 0-2
31’ 0-3
51’ 1-3
53’ 1-4 (pen)
58’ 1-5
69’ 2-5
@ West Ham United Foundation, 3G Pitch
60A Albatross Close
Beckton
London
E6 5NX
No Admission or Programme.
The journey from south of the River Thames to the north took just 25 minutes, via The Rotherhithe Tunnel. The ground is just to the south of the A13 when heading eastwards out of London towards the M25. It’s a standard cage set up with spectator access along three quarters of one side, with a pair of dugouts opposite. There is just a changing room/toilet block and that’s it. I had thought of coming here for a midweek youth match, but apparently, spectator access is no longer allowed. Even today, there was security on both the car park (no check, just drive in) and building entrance. You just had to sign in at the changing room entrance and walk through to the pitch, which is at the rear of the building, with the pitch running lengthways away from here.
The match was 11th versus 6th (out of 14) and turned out to be an excellent game. Bishop’s Stortford Swifts raced into a 0-3 lead after half an hour, with three clinical finishes and although Canning Town had a goal disallowed for handball, they offered little to suggest anything resembling a comeback of any sort. They did pull one back six minutes into the second half, breaking down the right before curling a shot into the far corner from the angle of the 18 yard box. The comeback was short lived though. Swifts replied almost immediately, scoring with a penalty and five minutes later made it 1-5, when a break down the right was controlled first time and having beaten his marker, the striker smashed it into the bottom corner. Canning Town did grab the final goal of the day, scoring at the near post following a quickly taken throw in, but they never looked like adding to it.
I also had a number of options in the lower divisions of the Essex & Suffolk Border League this afternoon, on grass pitches, but kicking off an hour later than this game. Rather than take a risk of a late postponement, I played it safe and came here. It turned out I needn’t have bothered. All the alternatives went ahead okay! Still, at least this saw the completion of this division for me.
Old King’s Scholars 3 Old Wellingtonians 2, attendance 6
29’ 0-1
54’ 1-1
61’ 2-1
70’ 2-2
89’ 3-2
@ The City of London Academy (Southwark), 3G Pitch
240 Lynton Road
Bermondsey
London
SE1 5LA
No Admission or Programme.
Today’s game was a clash between two ground sharers, as 6th hosted 5th in the league table. This is a relatively new set up, not too far from The New Den, home of Millwall F.C. The only spectator area is restricted to a small section on the halfway line (to the left when looking from the car park/changing rooms) where there is a seated stand for 100, although the view is hampered slightly by one of the goals for the small sized pitch being stuck right in front. Plenty of parking here though and even better, it’s free!
It was a game with plenty of chances, at both ends. The only goal of the first half saw Wellingtonians go ahead just before the half hour mark. King’s levelled nine minutes into the second half and then went in front seven minutes later, coolly lobbing in from 25 yards after the ‘keeper had totally miss kicked an attempted clearance wide to the left of his 18 yard box. Wellingtonians hit back to make it 2-2 with twenty minutes left, when a cross to the far post from the right was controlled and finished with a shot into the bottom corner. King’s won it with a curling shot into the bottom corner from just outside the box, which may have got a slight deflection. Wellingtonians nearly grabbed a point, when they had a shot come back off the crossbar with what turned out to be the last kick of the match.
Volenti Academy U19 3 Norwich City U19 1, attendance 11
17’ 1-0
38’ 1-1
90’ +1, 2-1
90’ +2, 3-1
@ Coombe Wood School, 3G Pitch
Melville Avenue
South Croydon
CR2 7HY
No Admission or Programme.
This finally got underway 27 minutes late. Not sure if it was the early game being played on the pitch on my arrival finishing late, or the fact that Norwich only arrived about twenty minutes before the scheduled start. This is such a poorly administered league (F.A. Full Time, so little surprise there!) it’s hard to tell which!
The venue was Coombe Wood School. A typical cage set up, with spectator access along just over halfway of one side. Unfortunately, due to the game being played during school hours (they went at 3pm) there was no access allowed, despite there being a gate directly from the car park into the area next to the cage, thus avoiding going into the building. This meant viewing through the fence, from behind one goal only. Luckily, I got one of the few better view points, which wasn’t as bad as I initially thought it would be, but wouldn’t have bothered coming if I had known this beforehand. At least it was free to park (enter off A212 Coombe Road). There are cameras and charges in operation (its near the Croydon tram line) but by registering at the school reception meant it was free.
Although it was a cup match, these two are in the same division, this being 9th versus 4th as far as league positions go. Volenti led early on, finishing side footed from a pull back on the right, but Norwich levelled seven minutes before halftime, with a deflected shot from 20 yards. Norwich missed a great chance to go ahead with twenty minutes left, but headed over with the goal gaping. They were made to pay when Volenti made it 2-1 a minute into stoppage time, when a deflected free kick beat the ‘keeper into the top corner and a minute later they added a third, breaking down the right, before pulling the ball across the six yard box for a tap in at the far post.
