Suffolk & Ipswich League

Division 1

Thursday 27th April 2023

Kick Off 18.15 Actual 18.19

Somersham 0 Stowupland Falcons 3, attendance 87

1’ 0-1

29’ 0-2

74’ 0-3

@ Somersham Playing Field

Main Road

Somersham

IP8 4PF

No Admission or Programme.

This was a huge game, not only in the title race, but also the promotion places in this division, as only two teams go up and there are still 5 teams in the running. Coming into this Cockfield United were top on 46 points (+46 GD), level with Somersham (+30 GD), followed by Tattingstone United (+31 GD) on 45 points, all having three games left. Bacton United ‘89 were fourth with 43 points (+32 GD), but only have one to play, whilst Stowupland were fifth with 42 points (+32 GD) but crucially have 4 games left.

Stowupland got off to a perfect start, going ahead within a minute, hooking in from close range following a diagonal free kick into the box. It was 0-2 just before the half hour mark and again the goal came from a free kick played into the box, this time touched in from close range right in front of the ‘keeper as he came to gather the ball. Both teams were creating chances throughout, in an intriguing match. Stowupland made it 0-3 through an own goal with sixteen minutes left, when a free kick inside the centre circle was punted into the box and as the full back tried to clear, the ball span into the air and looped back over his own ‘keeper and dropped into the net.

Luckily, the forecast heavy rain was little more than drizzle, which stopped around halftime. The drive home through the roadworks on the A12 (not due for completion until next year) was much quieter than it had been en route.

Sevenoaks & District League

Premier Division

Wednesday 26th April 2023

Kick Off 18.30 Actual 18.27

Hawkenbury 4 Penshurst Park 0, attendance 25

4’ 1-0

40’ 2-0

47’ 3-0

57’ 4-0

@ Cadogan Recreation Ground

St. John’s Road

Tunbridge Wells

TN4 9XD

No Admission or Programme.

I had seen Hawkenbury play home games at two previous venues. Last April I saw them at Hawkenbury Recreation Ground (their regular home ground) and then a month later at Bayham Road Playing Field, but tonight was an opportunity to tick them off at a third venue, as they were unable to use their normal home ground tonight, presumably as it is shared with cricket. The entrance to Cadogan Recreation Ground is on the left hand side of theA26, when heading south into Tunbridge Wells. The entrance leads into the car park that is shared with Tunbridge Wells Masonic Centre and the local tennis club. There are two pitches here, running parallel, with tonight’s game being played on the one nearest to the changing rooms. The second pitch is slightly narrower.

The match was a basement battle, as third bottom hosted bottom (already relegated) in the league table, although Hawkenbury still have enough games in hand to finish fourth. Despite Penshurst Park only picking up three points this season (3 draws) they have only lost narrowly in the majority of games, although Hawkenbury did beat them 6-1 in the reverse fixture and have also beaten them 6-2 at home in a cup match.

Hawkenbury were ahead after just four minutes, but never managed to add their second goal until five minutes before halftime, with a cracking finish into the top corner from the edge of the box. The game was made safe when they added a third goal two minutes into the second half, with goal number four coming ten minutes later, when a cross from the left was finished with a cushioned volley from 6 yards. Penshurst Park battled to the end and on this performance it is hard to believe that they haven’t managed to win a game this season.

Mid Sussex League

Division 4 North

Tuesday 25th April 2023

Kick Off 18.30 Actual 18.34

Wakehams Green 4 Balcombe III 3, attendance 13

9’ 1-0 (pen)

20’ 2-0

34’ 2-1

48’ 3-1

55’ 3-2

73’ 3-3

83’ 4-3 (pen)

@ Grattons Park

Grattons Drive

Pound Hill

Crawley

RH10 3AG

No Admission or Programme.

The attraction of this game was that it was being played at the unusual venue of Grattons Park. It is a huge park that was very busy with youth team training taking place. The pitch was at the furthest point from the changing rooms, which may have had a bearing on why the players actually got changed pitch side. The players put the nets up themselves about half an hour before kick off and the game was played without corner flags. It shows just how poor the facilities are that Crawley Council hire out for local football. Just in case we were in doubt about how far down the pyramid we were, there was a no show by the appointed Referee, so a club official took on the job, and to be fair, he did okay.

Wakehams Green had already won the league last week, with a 100% winning record, but actually lost away at Ifield on Saturday, once the title was already in the bag. Balcombe III were sitting safely in sixth place and contributed to an entertaining game, although it was somewhat lacking in skill. An early penalty, followed by a header that just crossed the line before being hacked clear, saw Wakehams Green go 2-0 up after twenty minutes, but Balcombe pulled a goal back before halftime, finishing with an angled shot into the bottom corner.

Wakehams Green made it 3-1 within minutes of the restart, but a quick reply and a near post finish with seventeen minutes left, saw Balcombe pull it level at 3-3. Seven minutes from the end a second penalty of the night saw the hosts win it 4-3. It was harsh on Balcombe. They certainly deserved something from the game.

Above : Wakehams Green score their first penalty of the night.

West Sussex League

Championship Division

Monday 24th April 2023

Kick Off 18.15 Actual 18.17

Barnham Trojans 3 Watersfield 1, attendance 25

16’ 0-1

20’ 1-1 (pen)

51’ 2-1

77’ 3-1

@ Aldingbourne Community Sports Centre

Olivers Meadow

Westergate

PO20 3YA

No Admission or Programme.

This was 2nd versus 3rd in the league table and a game Watersfield had to win to have any realistic chance of getting one of the two promotion places, as they would only have one game left after tonight. Felpham Colts are top with 34 points (5 games left), whilst Barnham Trojans are a point behind, but with this game in hand, with Watersfield also on 33 points. The top two have yet to meet this season, so still all to play for.

Watersfield got off to a great start when a long range effort was somehow misjudged by the ‘keeper to give them the lead after sixteen minutes. Barnham levelled four minutes later, through a very generously awarded penalty. Six minutes into the second half the hosts went in front, scrambling in from close range, after a corner wasn’t cleared. Watersfield never really looked like coming back into it and it was no surprise when Barnham made it 3-1 with thirteen minutes left, volleying in at the far post from a corner on the left.

The journey heading to the game was very wet, with a lot of surface water on the roads. Thankfully, it was dry on arrival at the ground, although there was light rain/drizzle for most of the first half and light was fading quickly towards the end of the match.

Arthurian League

Arthur Dunn Cup Final

Saturday 22nd April 2023

Kick Off 14.45 Actual 15.02

Old Carthusians 0 Old Reptonians 0 (AET) (0-3 pens) attendance 172

@ Merchant Taylors’ School War Memorial Sports Ground

Rugby Pitch

East Drive

Northwood

HA6 2HT

No Admission

£5 Programme, 12 pages, proceeds donated to charity.

Old Carthusians are the Arthurian League Premier Division champions and have won the Arthur Dunn Cup 30 times, including six wins since 2014. Old Reptonians finished as runners up to them in the league and are the cup holders, having won the cup on 12 previous occasions.

Sadly, the game never lived up to expectations. In fact, it was absolutely dreadful and one of the worst games I have ever watched. It was absolutely turgid, as both teams played not to lose, rather than trying to win. The only goal chance came two minutes from time when Reptonians saw a shot tipped over the crossbar. Even worse, we had to suffer extra time, which just degenerated as it dragged on. The only ‘attempt on goal’ of the first period saw a Carthusians striker go clear, but his shot went out for a throw in! Four minutes from the end of the second period Reptonians had only their second attempt of the match, but the shot was deflected for a corner.

Carthusians were bad during the match, but their penalties were even worse. In fact, they were dreadful. The first hit the outside of the post, with the next two hit over the crossbar. Reptonians netted all three of theirs to retain the cup.

Unlike the first two finals today, this was played on the rugby pitch, which runs parallel to the running track, but is slightly nearer to the changing rooms. It is the only football match that is played on this pitch, so this was a rare opportunity to tick this ground off. Sadly, the small stand that was once here (was still there in 2019 when I came here to watch Old Merchant Taylors’ play on the cricket ground) has now gone. The pitch is roped on three sides through wooden stakes.

This was my first 0-0 since visiting Hawkenbury of the Sevenoaks & District League back on 10th May 2022, ending a run of 114 matches without one.

Arthurian League

Junior League Cup Final

Saturday 22nd April 2023

Kick Off 12.30 Actual 12.39

Old Alleynians II 2 Old Kimboltonians 1, attendance 72

5’ 0-1

49’ 1-1

90’ + 4, 2-1

@ Merchant Taylors’ School War Memorial Sports Ground

Running Track Pitch

East Drive

Northwood

HA6 2HT

No Admission

Programme free, 8 pages.

The second final of the day was also played on the pitch inside the running track and this time involved two teams from Division 2 as 5th played 4th in the league table. A lob over the ‘keeper, from just inside the box, saw Kimboltonians take an early lead and they came closest to adding to the scoring when they saw a cross/shot finger tipped over the crossbar just before halftime. Four minutes into the second half Alleynians levelled the scores, when a one-two on the edge of the box was finished with a shot that went in off the underside of the crossbar. The game flowed back and forth as both sides had chances to win it. Alleynians thought they’d won it late on, when they headed in from a corner, but it was ruled out for a foul. Four minutes into stoppage time they did finally get a winner though, when another header, again from a corner, was put in at the far post.

Arthurian League

David Woolcott Trophy Final

Saturday 22nd April 2023

Kick Off 10.00 Actual 10.03

Old Haberdashers 4 Old Brentwoods III 2, attendance 49

17’ 0-1

24’ 0-2

29’ 1-2

53’ 2-2

58’ 3-2

88’ 4-2

@ Merchant Taylors’ School War Memorial Sports Ground

Running Track Pitch

East Drive

Northwood

HA6 2HT

No Admission

Programme free, 8 pages.

Today I decided to do ‘Finals Day’ in the Arthurian League, where all three cup finals were being staged at Merchant Taylors’ School. I had been here back in October 2021, when I saw O.M.T. play on the Colts Cricket Club Pitch, which is the furthest pitch in the far right corner of the sports ground when entering from the car park/buildings. This mornings match was being played on the pitch inside the running track, which is still about 300-400 yards walk and was between two teams in Division 4. It was 1st versus 3rd as far as league positions go.

Brentwoods got off to a great start, opening the scoring after seventeen minutes, finishing off from close range after the ‘keeper failed to punch clear from a corner. They doubled their lead seven minutes later, finishing off a break down the right with a side foot finish from 10 yards. A shot on the turn saw Haberdashers pull it back to 1-2 after half an hour and eight minutes into the second half they made it 2-2, squeezing in a shot at the near post. The turnaround was complete before the hour mark, when a free kick from just outside the angle of the 18 yard box sailed over the ‘keeper into the far top corner. The killer fourth goal, aided by a deflection, saw them finally make it safe when they made it 4-2 with a couple of minutes left. There was still time for Brentwoods to have a man red carded in stoppage time, but the game was out of reach for them by then anyway.

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.