France

Ligue De Football Des-Hauts-De-France

Coupe De La Ligue Seniors Final

Monday 10th June 2019

Kick Off 17.30 Actual 17.33

Athletic Club Amiens II 2 Union Sportive Choisy-Au-Bac 3, attendance 361

25’ 0-1

27’ 1-1

57’ 1-2

79’ 2-2 (pen)

87’ 2-3

@ Stade Moulonguet

122 Rue Louis Thuillier

(entrance via Boulevard De Saint-Quentin)

80000 Amiens

€5 Admission

No Programme

As far as regular season matches are concerned, this wraps things up for me for 2018/19. I had started the season with a Coupe De France match at Jeunesse Sportive Cambron back on 17th June and was rounding off the season just 35 miles south east of there, in the town of Amiens. The real added bonus of this match was that it was being played at Stade Moulonguet, which has hosted matches in the French League, as high as Ligue 2, when it was home to Amiens Sporting Club before they moved to their new ground, Stade de la Licorne, back in 1999.

Athletic Club Amiens II had finished in sixth place in Seniors Regional 2B, whilst Choisy-Au-Bac had finished second from bottom in Seniors Regional 1A, so the game was evenly balanced. Choisy-Au-Bac took the lead somewhat against the run of play, but their lead only lasted for a couple of minutes. It remained level until just short of the hour mark. Despite having a player stretchered off a few minutes earlier, Choisy-Au-Bac responded well and a brilliant individual run, when beating two defenders, saw a shot into the far corner of the net to put them 1-2 up. It looked like they would hold out for the win, but a very harsh looking penalty decision saw them concede an equaliser eleven minutes from time and it looked like we would be heading to extra time. With just three minutes left, a speculative shot from the edge of the 18 yard box was deflected wide of the ‘keeper and what had been a disappointing season for Choisy-Au-Bac had at least finished on a high note as they nicked a 2-3 win.

We had arrived at Folkestone this morning to once again find Eurotunnel running late, this time, according to a member of staff, due to an inspection of the track, as something had fallen off a train earlier in the morning and a check had to be made to ensure it wasn’t causing an obstruction. Despite our 12.20 booking being re-timed to 12.40, we were actually still loaded onto the 12.20 train, but it departed nine minutes late. With the match kicking off at 17.30, due to it being yet another Bank Holiday in France, it meant we were able to book the 22.20 return crossing. Having checked in at 21.25, we were offered the earlier 21.50 instead (would have cost £7 more if we had actually booked for this, but no extra charge tonight) which left a minute early and rounded off a good day out.

Belgium

Hainaut Provincial 4

Tours Final Promotion Play Off

Wednesday 5th June 2019

Kick Off 19.15. On Time !

Club Deportivo Furia Espanola 1 Association Sportive Pommeroeul-Ville ‘B’ 0, attendance 102

57’ 1-0

@ Rue D’ Hautrage 12C

7331 Baudour

€3 Admission

Team Sheet, free.

I thought my trips to Belgium were over for the season, but this one last fixture, which is the last game that will be played in the Belgian Pyramid this season, appeared on Monday. Due to short notice, plus perhaps the low level of the game, it meant only 3 of us made the trip.

Although it was a Promotion Play Off, it was more of a ‘next in line’ decider, rather than a direct game to go up to Provincial 3. It is now a case of wait and see what mergers or clubs dropping out occur, before Espanola will know whether this win will be enough for them to gain promotion or not.

As you would expect, the game was not high on quality, but there was plenty of effort and a hatful of chances, but the only goal of the game came just before the hour mark, when a shot from the left was pushed out by the ‘keeper, but was followed in by the right winger who smashed the ball into the far corner of the net.

With the attendance just making it into three figures, it surprised us that no ‘gate’ had been taken, but they finally came round and took some money as we entered the final ten minutes of the game, as if done as an afterthought. In keeping with their ‘lateness’, just as the Referee blew his whistle for full time, the floodlights were turned on!

Surprisingly, The Tunnel ran smoothly in each direction, although there were very few vehicles on either leg. Our 23.50 return even left a minute early.

France

Ligue De Football Des Hautes De France

Seniors Regional 1

Poule B

Sunday 2nd June 2019

Kick Off 15.00 Actual 15.01

F.C. Loon-Plage 1 Stade Portelois 5, attendance 642

10’ 0-1

12’ 1-1 (pen)

31’ 1-2

67’ 1-3

83’ 1-4

84’ 1-5

@ Stade Marcel Rosseel

27 Rue Du Stade

59279 Loon-Plage

€5 Admission

No Programme.

This was the last round of matches for the season and Stade Portelois came into it a point ahead of second in the league table Sporting Club Hazebrouck, so knew a win here would see them crowned champions. Loon- Plage were in tenth place and had nothing to play for, but they certainly made the visitors work hard for the win.

A report in the local newspaper said that around 200 visiting supporters were expected for the match, but over half the 642 crowd were cheering on the champions elect, easily spotted as they were all wearing special edition t-shirts that were produced for the occasion. When they scored with an angled shot into the bottom corner of the net after just ten minutes, all looked to be going well. Two minutes later the hosts were level, courtesy of a penalty, but within a minute of drawing level, Loon-Plage had a man sent off for a ‘last man’ foul, and the game turned in favour of the visitors. A glancing header saw Stade Portelois go 1-2 ahead just after the half hour mark, before they added the killer third goal midway through the second half to make it 1-3. Two near identical goals, on the break, saw their lead increase to 1-5 inside the last ten minutes, before a home player and the visiting ‘keeper were both shown red cards, for an altercation following a challenge on the edge of the 18 yard box.

We had booked the 11.20 outbound train from Folkestone, but were offered the earlier 11.06 instead, which we took. As Loon-Plage is just under half an hours drive back to The Tunnel, we were checked in by 17.32 for our booked 18.36 return crossing. Unfortunately, as this is the end of the school half term holiday, it meant Eurotunnel were struggling once again to keep to the timetable. We were re-timed to 18.42, then 18.47, but eventually left at 18.59. The fact that they managed to only delay us 23 minutes is quite an improvement on some of the 3-4 hours that we have suffered in the past on the so called busy periods. Still room for improvement though.

Belgium

Inter-Provincial Eindronde V.F.V. Poule 2

Promotion Play Off

Thursday 30th May 2019

Kick Off 15.00. On Time!

S.K. Lochristi 1 V.K. Liedekerke 0, attendance 624

85’ 1-0

@ Bosdreef 57

9080 Lochristi

€8 Admission

Team Sheet, free.

As it was Ascension Day in Belgium, it once again gave the opportunity to make a trip across The Channel, for what was my 34th, and probably last Belgian ground visited this season. It was a match with something still on the game, and even better, it was an afternoon kick off.

Lochristi had finished in fifth place in Oost Vlaanderen Provincial 1, whilst Liedekerke had finished third in Brabant Provincial 1 V.F.V. Today’s game had plenty riding on it. Lochristi had won their first 3 matches in this 5 team group, where each club plays each other once, with Liedekerke managing 2 wins and a draw from their three matches. Therefore, whoever won would advance to the final match, which would be a home game, where the prize for the winners would be a place in the Belgian League next season. A draw would be enough for Lochristi.

It is a while since I have had to queue to get in at a Provincial match, but with over 600 in attendance today, then it took nearly ten minutes to reach the pay hut, although it wasn’t helped by having just one person taking the money. A second person then handed you your match ticket, then a third person gave you a team sheet.

It was as if the occasion was too much for the teams. It was a dreadful match, both sides being really poor and lacking any quality in the attacking third of the pitch. Liedekerke, for some strange reason, made little attempt to do anything other than play for a 0-0 draw, which was never going to be enough for them. The winning goal came five minutes from time, when a ball was pulled back from the right and an unstoppable 25 yarder was hammered past the ‘keeper. Liedekerke looked totally deflated, but they got what they deserved. Nothing. To be fair, neither side deserved to win.

After a few satisfactory trips on The Tunnel in the last few weeks, Eurotunnel were once again back to normal. Our 09.50 outbound train ran 30 minutes late, which apparently was due to an earlier train breaking down in The Tunnel. Then, on the way home, they were still using the same pathetic excuse for failing to run on time. Our booked 19.39 train finally left, some 61 minutes late.

Swineshead Cup Final

Saturday 25th May 2019

Kick Off 14.00. On Time !

Swineshead Institute 3 Ruskington Rovers 2, attendance 109

34’ 1-0

38’ 1-1

52’ 2-1

78’ 3-1 (pen)

90’+1, 3-2

@ The Causeway

off South Street

Swineshead

PE20 3UA

No Admission or Programme.

Today I was basically down to a choice of two matches. Plympton Athletic, in the Plymouth & West Devon Combination, or the match here. As I had expected, the game in Devon didn’t take place, as with nothing at stake in the match it meant the visiting team couldn’t be bothered to raise a team. As the match here was a cup final, (which is actually run by the village and nothing to do with the football club) and was scheduled to be a part of the home clubs 100 year centenary celebrations, then this seemed a safer bet.

Unfortunately, the centenary wasn’t important enough to warrant the match being played on the proper pitch, but on a bit of grass at the back of the ground. There was a huge marquee on the proper pitch (overhang on the clubhouse building, railed along one side and a small bit of cover, or possibly dugouts, on the opposite side) right outside the clubhouse, which according to the home club Chairman was “the only place it would fit”…….yeah, right. What about the area beyond the far goal, or the back pitch that the game was played on today ? I just wish I had known beforehand, as I wouldn’t have wasted my time coming here.

I had seen one match in the Boston League many years ago, but don’t remember it being as poor a standard as what was served up today. Swineshead finished the season bottom of the Premier Division this season, having won just four games. Ruskington had finished third, but they were woeful today. Despite being such poor quality, in a game between two sides that were totally lacking in any skill whatsoever, the first three goals were actually decent finishes.

It is a good job that the season in England has now drawn to a close for me, as this sort of game is one of those that make you wonder just why you bother. I would certainly have to think twice about travelling this distance to watch a game in this league ever again. It was dire.

Belgium

Division 1 Amateur

Promotion Play Off

Wednesday 22nd May 2019

Kick Off 20.00 Actual 20.02

K.V.V. Thes Sport Tessenderlo 4 K. Maatschappij Sportkring Deinze 1, attendance 449

3’ 1-0

27’ 2-0

60’ 3-0

74’ 4-0

85’ 4-1

@ Sportlaan 4

3980 Tessenderlo

€12 Admission

Team Sheet, free.

This was a Promotion Play Off match in level 3 of the Belgian League and was match number 5 out of 6 for both clubs in the four team group. Tessenderlo had finished the regular season top of the table, with Deinze being in second place, some 3 points further back. Unfortunately, they have both struggled in the Play Offs, being bottom versus second bottom in the group. Deinze had to win this match to have any hope of catching the group leaders Excelsior Virton, whilst Tessenderlo had only taken 1 point from their first four games, so would need a miracle to turn it round.

Deinze were backed by close on 100 vocal supporters, which by Belgian standards is pretty good. However, their enthusiasm was quickly dampened when Tessenderlo opened the scoring after three minutes. The goal was met with complete silence as even the home fans didn’t seem to care, perhaps having already given up on their very faint hopes of gaining promotion. It was 2-0 by halftime, in what was a very slow paced match. The second half improved and the hosts added two more goals to make it 4-0, before Deinze got a consolation goal with five minutes left, but shortly afterwards they were reduced to 10 men, when one of their players punched a Tessenderlo player in full view of the Referee.

It is nice to see that Eurotunnel have managed to get their act together on our recent trips, with our outbound 12.20 train running on time. We were back at The Tunnel for check in at 00.32 for our 01.22 return, which departed three minutes early.

Belgium

West Vlaanderen Provincial 2A

Eindronde Promotion Play Off 2nd Leg

Sunday 19th May 2019

Kick Off 15.00 Actual 15.01

K.S.V. Rumbeke 3 K.F.C. Heist 1 (4-1 on aggregate). attendance 269

43’ 0-1

80’ 1-1

88’ 2-1

90’+ 1, 3-1

@ Sportpark Rumbeke

Wervikhovestraat 7

8800 Rumbeke

€6 Admission

Team Sheet, free.

Today’s match was a Promotion Play Off in West Vlaanderen Provincial 2A, between the teams that had finished second and third in the league table. Rumbeke had won the first leg last Sunday 1-0, so were in pole position to advance to the next stage of the Play Offs, as they look to make an immediate return back to Provincial 1, having been relegated last season.

Heist came out and went for a goal from the off, but Rumbeke held out and started to get into the game themselves. Just before the break Heist deservedly went 0-1 up. Conversations during halftime seemed to suggest that if the score line remained the same, then we would be heading for extra time, and maybe penalties, although there seemed a bit of uncertainty as to whether the ‘away goals’ rule was in place, but unless there were more goals, this would be irrelevant.

Both teams did try to get a goal during the second half, but there were too many wasted chances. We had resigned ourselves to watching extra time, when a cross from the left was slid in at the far post to level it up at 1-1 with ten minutes left, which meant 2-1 ahead on aggregate for the hosts. Despite the fact that Heist only needed one goal to remain in the tie, the goal seemed to have totally demoralised them and Rumbeke added two more goals in the dying minutes to win it 3-1 on the day, 4-1 on aggregate.

We were booked on the 0950 outbound Tunnel, but were offered the earlier 0936 instead. As it was very quiet, we were loaded onto the 0920, but due to ‘technical’ problems, it didn’t leave until 0936, which rather than being a problem, actually looks suspiciously like there were never really going to be two trains running anyway and instead they were combined into a single crossing. As for our return, we were booked on the 1950, which we had to do in case of extra time and penalties. With the game over in the 90 minutes, it meant we were actually back at The Tunnel and through check-in by 1831. We were offered the earlier 1936 departure, which we gratefully accepted and once again, as it was very quiet, managed to make it into the last half dozen cars to ‘tail end’ it onto the 1920, which left a minute early.

Evesham Hospital Junior Cup Final

Saturday 18th May 2019

Kick Off 14.00. On a Time !

Inkberrow 4 Fairfield Villa 0, attendance 104

32’ 1-0

38’ 2-0

54’ 3-0

57’ 4-0

@ Badsey Recreation Club

Ballards Park

Brewers Lane

Badsey

WR11 7EU

£3 Admission, including Programme, 4 pages.

The Evesham Hospital Junior Cup has been competed for since 1912. The final was originally going to be played at Evesham United F.C. but the cup committee were unable to get a booking for the ground, so it was relocated to here in Badsey instead. The ground no longer hosts Saturday football, having been used as a venue for Stratford-upon-Avon Alliance League matches in the past as well as being home to Montpellier F.C. in season 2016/17 in Midland League, Division 3, but I never visited during those days.

At least I had a match with something on it, rather than travelling to a pointless end of season match where this time of year it becomes a lottery as to whether one or both clubs can be bothered to actually turn up and play the match. Both these two clubs had finished in fifth place in their respective divisions of the Midland League, with Inkberrow being in Division 3 and Fairfield in the division above.

It was hard to believe which team were supposedly the higher level one, as it was the lower level side that dominated from start to finish. Two goals in each half were enough for Inkberrow to take the cup and on balance of play and chances, if they had scored another five or six goals, Fairfield could have had no complaints.