Sevenoaks & District League

Division 2

Saturday 15th May 2021

Kick Off 11.00 Actual 11.01

Penshurst Park 2 Pembury 1, attendance 29

19’ 1-0

52’ 1-1 (pen)

79’ 2-1

@ Penshurst Place

Penshurst Road

Penshurst

TN11 8DG

No Admission or Programme.

There can’t be that many grounds that can match this for it’s setting. It is in the grounds of Penshurst Place & Gardens that was built in 1341. Over the years it has been the setting for many films and television programmes. As well as football, there is also a cricket pitch here. It was due to the cricket being scheduled to play at home today that meant the football kicked off early, although the cricket appeared to be off, even though there had only been a couple of brief rain showers.

The match was 1st versus 6th in the league table, Penshurst already crowned champions, whilst Pembury could still achieve second place. The visitors certainly gave them a run for their money and did enough to get at least a draw. Penshurst led at the break, but an early second half penalty levelled it up at 1-1. Penshurst got the winner eleven minutes from time and from here until the final whistle the game turned nasty. The Referee somehow missed a blatant shoulder charge by the home ‘keeper, that was as clear a penalty as you could see, which resulted in the Pembury striker receiving a red card for his vociferous reaction to the non decision. Luckily, the tackles that were made for the last nine minutes didn’t result in any serious injuries and we had a stand off between both sets of players following another bad tackle. All seemed amicable at the final whistle though.

Cheltenham League

Junior Charity Cup Semi Final

Friday 14th May 2021

Kick Off 18.30. On Time !

Hanley Swan 0 New Dales Vale 3, attendance 93

25’ 0-1

64’ 0-2

90’+ 2, 0-3

@ Bishop’s Cleeve F.C., Pitch 2

Kayte Lane

Bishop’s Cleeve

GL52 3PD

No Admission or Programme.

The Cheltenham League were playing both their Junior Charity Cup Semi Final matches at Bishop’s Cleeve F.C. tonight. In the other tie, played on the main ground and kicking off fifteen minutes later than our match, Whaddon United beat Shurdington Rovers 2-1.The attraction for us was that it was a rare chance to do a match on Pitch 2, which is beyond the far goal and running the opposite way to the main ground.

As we approached the pitch it was a surprise to see the groundsman forking the pitch and sweeping away standing water. It was nice and sunny and apparently there had been no rain today! In the end there were too many puddles to deal with, so they just got on with it. If it wasn’t for the fact that the season has been so badly affected by COVID-19, this probably wouldn’t have been played. In the end it wasn’t a problem and maybe even added to the entertainment. The other thing that we noticed, rather disappointingly, was that the once enclosed pitch is no longer railed off and the old dugouts have also gone, with just the concrete bases remaining.

Both teams play in Division 1 North of the league and were well matched. The only goal of the first half came following a poor clearance, punished with a first time shot from just outside the centre circle that sailed into the net. The all important second goal came just after the hour mark, shooting in from 16 yards and from there it was just too much for Hanley Swan to come back from and it was a break away goal in stoppage time that rounded off the scoring.

Cambridgeshire County League

Kershaw 30 Year Junior Cup Quarter Final

Thursday 13th May 2021

Kick Off 18.15. On Time !

Sawston Phoenix 2 Clare Town Reserves 2 (5-6 pens), attendance 53

13’ 0-1

17’ 0-2

55’ 1-2

79’ 2-2

@ Lynton Way Recreation Ground

Lynton Way

Sawston

CB22 3EA

No Admission or Programme.

Tonight’s match was Division 4A (4th in table and undefeated when league was stopped) versus Division 3A (3rd). As far as getting through to this stage of the cup is concerned, Sawston had won four and lost one match in their group, whilst Clare had four wins and two draws from theirs, so it looked like it would be a pretty even match up.

Despite Clare being 0-2 up at the break it was Sawston that had created the most chances. Sawston pulled a goal back early in the second half, through a substitute introduced at the start of the second half, but three minutes later they had a man sent off. They battled on superbly with 10 men though and it was the same substitute that levelled the scores at 2-2 to send the tie to penalties. A really good contest and the only downer on the night was that it rained for the entire match.

Oxfordshire Senior League

Premier Cup Group Match

Wednesday 12th May 2021

Kick Off 18.30 Actual 18.29

Bure Park 3 Launton Sports 3, attendance 65

15’ 0-1

29’ 0-2

48’ 1-2

52’ 1-3

79’ 2-3

83’ 3-3

@ Pingle Field

Old Place Yard

Bicester

OX26 6AU

No Admission or Programme.

Unfortunately, Bure Park had nothing to play for as far as qualifying for the semi finals went, as they had played an ineligible player in their previous two matches, resulting in the points gained being lost, therefore leaving them too far adrift of a top four finish. Launton are well in the mix though, having 2 wins and 2 draws from their opening four matches of a seven team group where each team plays the others just once.

It certainly wasn’t played like a match with nothing on it. Both teams contributed to a very entertaining game and despite Launton looking in control for the large majority of the match, two late goals gave Bure Park a well deserved draw in the end.

Sevenoaks & District League

Premier Division

Tuesday 11th May 2021

Kick Off 18.30. On Time !

Southborough 2 Nomads 0, attendance 37

7’ 1-0

70’ 2-0

@ Yew Tree Playing Fields

The Ridgewaye

Southborough

TN4 0AE

No Admission or Programme.

You know when the end of season is approaching, as every so often a fixture crops up that is impossible to confirm. The F.A. Full Time website, which the league uses, stated the venue as ‘Southborough F.C Firsts’. Neither club contact number on the F.A. Find a Club website bothered to reply and although the Southborough Twitter did reply to me, it wasn’t until halfway through the first half!

In the end, I took a chance and headed for where their next match was down as being played and got lucky. It is the same ground that they used during their brief spell in the Kent County League a couple of years back. Despite giving the impression that it is a ‘Mickey Mouse’ league it was a surprise to find there were three officials for the match, although I believe this is only a temporary arrangement as so many of them have lacked much game time over the last few months.

The match itself was 8th versus 2nd in the league table. It was a game based more on effort than skill, perhaps not helped with the huge sized pitch, which was around 80 yards wide. It was nearly as wide as what the pitch at Zeals was long last night! A goal in each half was enough for the hosts to win it comfortably. The fact that Nomads were second in the table gives more an indication of the standard of the league, rather than how good the visitors are! Nomads were helped by table toppers Potters also losing tonight, beaten for the second time in 4 days by F.C. Revo, who now leapfrog Nomads into second place. Only two points separate the top four, with fourth placed St. Lawrence having a game in hand on the three teams above them, so it is still all to play for.

Yeovil & District League

Division 2

Monday 10th May 2021

Kick Off 18.30 Actual 18.27

Zeals 4 Keinton Park Rangers Reserves 2, attendance 38

5’ 1-0

6’ 1-1 (pen)

11’ 1-2

51’ 2-2

79’ 3-2

86’ 4-2

@ Zeals Recreation Ground

Wolverton Lane

Zeals

BA12 6LL

No Admission or Programme.

Tonight’s match was 3rd versus 12th (bottom) in the league table. The reverse match on Saturday saw Zeals win 6-0, so we certainly weren’t expecting much resistance from the opposition as Zeals looked to add another three points towards their push for promotion.

It looked as if the match was going to form when Zeals (very professional looking in their shirts that had the players names on the back) went in front after five minutes, but KPR levelled from the penalty spot within a minute and five minutes later they went in front, a lead that they held until halftime. An early second half goal brought it level at 2-2. Zeals pushed for a winner, but KPR defended in numbers and were hard to break down, especially on such a small pitch. Two goals in the last eleven minutes finally secured the points for the hosts. They now trail Ilchester Juniors Reserves by three points at the top of the table, but have one game in hand, so the title is still well within their sights.

Zeals Recreation Ground is rumoured to be under threat from housing development. It would be a shame if it does go, as it is a cracking ground for this level of football.

During the match the discussion was had about how Zeals was the perfect club to visit if you are trying to complete an ‘alphabet’ of club names. I hadn’t thought about it before we went, but a quick check of my records showed this was my first ‘Z’ in the U.K. However, I was surprised to see I had already done 30 others, all in Belgium and the Netherlands, but it’s much easier there as both countries commonly use the letter Z in place and club names.

Mid Sussex League

Division 2 South

Saturday 8th May 2021

Kick Off 14.00 Actual 14.01

Burgess Hill Rhinos 0 Cuckfield Rangers Reserves 4, attendance 36

33’ 0-1

48’ 0-2

74’ 0-3

90’+ 4, 0-4 (pen)

@ Tim Farmer Recreation Ground

120 Middle Village

Bolnore Village

RH16 4GJ

No Admission or Programme.

Burgess Hill Rhinos normally play at Clayton Green Recreation Ground, (where I had seen Village of Ditchling 1 East Court 1 on 10th April 2013 in a Mid Sussex League Division 2 match) but with that now given over to cricket, the last three home games had been moved to the ground here in Bolnore Village. It was last used by A.F.C. Bolnore at the end of the 2017/18 season, where they had been undefeated on their way to winning Division 5 of this league.

Today’s match was 4th versus 1st in the league table. When I first decided to do this match it looked like Cuckfield would need a point to win the league. However, on Thursday, the league awarded all games that had been postponed where teams couldn’t be bothered to raise a team, as wins for the opposition,(they should have played Willingdon Reserves at home on Tuesday) so it meant that they had already won the title coming into this.

There was a really strong wind blowing down the pitch, which did spoil the match somewhat, although at least the earlier rain had moved on and it remained dry throughout. It is easy to see why Cuckfield have won the league. They have a very good side and are very easy on the eye. Rhinos gave them a good match, but in the end the extra class showed. Having led 0-1 at the break, the killer second goal came three minutes into the second half, with a spin and shot into the top corner that beat the ‘keeper at his near post. Midway through the half they added a third, before a stoppage time penalty rounded things off with the last kick of the match.

Stratford-upon-Avon Alliance League

Division 2

Thursday 6th May 2021

Kick Off 18.30 Actual 18.29

A.F.C. Bromsgrove 1 Bearley United 0, attendance 38

47’ 1-0

@ The Navigation Inn Pitch

57 Hanbury Road

Stoke Wharf

Stoke Prior

B60 4LB

No Admission or Programme.

For the second successive Thursday night we would be watching second in the league table A.F.C. Bromsgrove. The visitors have had some real hammerings this season, having lost 10-0, 9-0 twice, including the reverse fixture of tonight’s game, as well as an 8-0 and 7-0. They had been on a good run coming into this though, unbeaten in four matches and sitting seventh in the league table.

Bromsgrove had possession stats that only Manchester City could get near to, especially in the second half, but they lacked any real quality up front. The only goal came a couple of minutes after halftime, when the striker just beat the ‘keeper to a through ball, poking it past him into the far corner of the net. Bearley certainly provided the real ‘highlight’ of the night when they were awarded a late penalty. It was probably the worst attempt I have ever seen. The player tried to be clever with a ridiculous stuttering run up, but only managed to tap the ball straight at the ‘keeper who just stood in the middle of the goal and kicked the ball clear.

Bromsgrove remain level on points with leaders Shipston Excelsior Reserves, but are falling further behind on goal difference with each match they play.

Gloucestershire Northern Senior League

Reg Davis Cup Group B

Wednesday 5th May 2021

Kick Off 18.30 Actual 18.31

Brockworth Albion 1 Charlton Rovers 0, attendance 34

50’ 1-0

@ Mill Lane Playing Fields

Mill Lane

Brockworth

GL3 4QL

No Admission or Programme.

I had visited Brockworth (minus the Albion in those days) back on 24th April 1999, when they lost 0-4 to Cadbury Heath in a Gloucestershire County League match. That game was played at Brockworth Rugby Club which is a couple of hundred yards east along Mill Lane, on the opposite side of the road. Two or three years ago the club started playing here at Mill Lane Playing Fields and they have since railed off the main pitch. Unbelievably, the F.A. Full Time website still lists all their home games as being played at the Rugby Club and gives very detailed directions on how to get there!

Despite being in a housing estate it is surprisingly scenic. Beyond the far goal end you get a great view of Cooper’s Hill, home to the famous Gloucestershire cheese-rolling and wake, where each Spring Bank Holiday participants race down the 200m hill chasing a round of Double Gloucester cheese, often resulting in serious injuries being suffered by those brave/daft enough to take part.

The match was 3rd versus 2nd in this group of matches, both teams being in Division 1 of the league. It wasn’t very good, due in part to them cancelling each other out and also the fact that Brockworth did nothing but ‘time waste’ after going ahead early in the second half. They used any way possible to break up the game, the worst being when they kicked a couple of spare balls onto the pitch as Charlton tried to take a quick throw in. The visitors were not that much better, having a player sin binned after 75 minutes, then when he returned it was only three minutes before another player received the same punishment. Not a good advert for the league and a very poor match that won’t live long in the memory.

Mid Sussex League

Division 4 South

Tuesday 4th May 2021

Kick Off 18.15 Actual 18.19

Uckfield United 1 Buxted Reserves 2, attendance 25

21’ 0-1 (pen)

34’ 0-2

78’ 1-2

@ New Barn Recreation Ground

Old Timbers Lane

New Town

Uckfield

TN22 5BQ

No Admission or Programme.

This was a bit of a dead rubber as far as league positions go as 4th hosted 8th in the table. Uckfield could finish no higher than third and Buxted were already safe from any relegation worries. It was a decent game though. Fully committed throughout and nothing ‘end of season’ about it. Buxted opened the scoring from the penalty spot and doubled their lead with a 20 yarder into the bottom corner to deservedly lead 0-2 at the break. Twelve minutes from time Uckfield pulled one back, a 25 yarder that went in off the underside of the crossbar, but it was little more than a consolation goal.

New Barn Recreation Ground has no changing rooms, so the players get changed at The Victoria Pleasure Ground, where I saw Uckfield Town draw 3-3 with Saltdean United in a Sussex County League Division 3 match on 17 January 2009. The players then walk down to the left corner of the field, passing the cricket field and the football pitch that I had visited previously. Through the hedge, some 100 yards beyond a skateboard park and basketball court, is the pitch that was used tonight. Beyond the far goal there is pedestrian access from the newish looking housing estate, entering via Shepherds Way or New Barn Lane.