Southern Combination League
Premier Division
Tuesday 6th August 2019
Kick Off 19.45. On Time !
Broadbridge Heath 2 Loxwood 2, attendance 330
29’ 0-1
57’ 1-1
67’ 1-2
89’ 2-2
@ High Wood Hill Sports Ground
Wickhurst Lane
Broadbridge Heath
RH12 3YS
£6 Admission
£1 Programme, 32 pages, poor quality blurred colour printing.
I had been to watch Broadbridge Heath twice before. The first time was on Boxing Day 1998, in a Sussex County League Division 1 match, versus East Preston, which was abandoned at halftime due to a waterlogged pitch, with the score 0-2 at the time. I returned on 20th March 2012, when I saw them beat Uckfield Town 3-2 in a Sussex County League Division 3 match in front of 43 spectators. According to my notes that day, admission was £2, which included the programme.
Tonight was the first match at their new ground, which is only 100 yards or so from their old ground, which is still in use as an athletics arena. As with all new builds, it is bland and dull, with no thought gone into it whatsoever. At least it has a grass pitch, rather than 3G, although this looked in a really poor state and could do with some water on it. I really don’t like doing floodlit matches during the ‘early kick off’ time of the season, but with my only alternate choices for a new visit being a minimum 450 mile round trip, then why not, and it is only half an hours drive from home!
With it being the first match at their new home it attracted plenty of ‘hangers on’ and loads of kids. Add to that at least 30 ground hoppers and you see how they got a very impressive attendance of 330. Once the novelty value wears off though and the kids go back to school, they will more than likely go back to their normal 40-50 crowds for night matches.
Loxwood took the honour of scoring the first goal on the ground, somewhat against the run of play, to lead 0-1 at the break. Broadbridge Heath headed level, but their ‘keeper was beaten with a shot from a good 40 yards to see Loxwood regain the lead. As we approached the dying minutes, Broadbridge Heath levelled it up at 2-2, with a goal aided by a good advantage played by the Referee, following a foul in the build up.
