Whaplode Drove v Rippingale & Folkingham

Peterborough & District League

Division 2

Saturday 28th July 2018

Kick Off 10.45 Actual 10.47

Whaplode Drove 1 Rippingale & Folkingham 3, attendance 227

34’ 1-0

50’ 1-1

73’ 1-2

76’ 1-3 (pen)

@ Parsons Lane

Whaplode Drove

PE12 0GB

£4 Admission

Programme available, but I won’t buy one at any event organised by Groundhop UK.

So, the first competitive games of the season for me in England, taking in the first 3 matches today of this years United Counties League/Peterborough & District League Groundhop, well, the Peterborough League ones, as I have already seen matches at the four grounds that are to be visited in the United Counties League.

This is one of the hops not run by the league themselves, so I always make a point of ‘paying on the gate’, ensuring that the admission cost (matches at this level are normally free) goes to the club. After all, it is supposed to be about helping them raise much needed funds and I can’t see why leagues and clubs can’t/won’t set things up themselves, therefore maximising their profits.

I was surprised how poor the standard of football was in this league, after the rubbish I witnessed last year, but, although the first half today was dire, the second half was a vast improvement. Playing competitive matches in July doesn’t really do the players any favours at all, but at least the weather is more favourable for spectators, with the majority of the grounds being nothing more than roped off pitches.