RAMBLINGS FOR MATCHES PLAYED IN DECEMBER 2004


Tues.28th December 2004 - Herts County Senior League Premier Division 1 (2pm; att: 52; programme issued).

Evergreen (2) 3 Hatfield Town (1) 6

Apart from the slow journey caused by the large volume of holiday traffic, this game was not in doubt as the temperature had risen and brought milder weather with it. Evergreen newcomers to the Premier Division of the Herts County League this season are based on the outskirts of Watford near the small village of Langleybury. Accompanied with twin One Stephanie we approached along the M1 coming off earlier than planned at junction 21A taking the A405 (the traffic ahead slowed drastically and it looked like a queue was about to form so we came off in the nick of time). After a couple of miles we turned right down Woodside Ave (next to the Harvester restaurant) and followed signs for Abbots Langley.

 

The club is based at the South Way Recreation Ground which is visible from the main road. Access is at the back with a small car park, clubhouse and floodlit five-a-side caged area situated in front of the main pitch which has a tubular plastic fence (similar to those used at the race courses in Newmarket!) on all sides. A partly built concrete path runs behind the nearest goal. Dug outs are positioned next to the half-way line on the right hand side; the opposite side is open with a couple of other pitches. The large buildings at the far end are the remnants of an old Rolls Royce production plant and the newly constructed Leavesden TV studios (apparently made famous by a young bloke called Harry Potter).

 

 

 

The game (in comparison to the one the day before) was an absolute cracker. The hosts in their Celtic look-a-like apparel went two goals up midway through a hot tempered first half. They probably wished they hadn’t. This deficit spurred Town into action and some devastating play saw them turn the game around to make a terrific comeback. Before the final whistle they had contributed to a nine goal thriller and won the game by 6-3 (and had a goal disallowed for offside and a clear penalty appeal turned down). Amid all the excitement club chairman and guru Mr McCrystal (ex Watford and Fulham in the 1950's) supplied a basic 8 page programme for 50p;  refreshments on sale in the clubhouse at half-time with a small room in the corner of the changing pavilion being used as a place to serve teas (much needed as it started to get colder). A cracking day out!

Click here for a map showing Evergreen FC.

 


Mon.27th December 2004 - Combined Counties League Division 1 (11.30pm; att: 48; programme issued).

Merrow 0 Bookham 3

It looked a bit grim! With every phone call came the same response: ‘Game off – frozen pitch’. It was 10.45am and the chances of getting to a match now had almost evaporated; the weather had really taken its toll on the non league programme and left us with only one possibility, the Combined Counties League game at Merrow. An earlier mobile phone call to the club secretary revealed that a ref’s inspection was about to take place. Sadly our efforts to confirm the outcome of this his decision caused further frustration as the service had been put onto voicemail reply. We had no choice other than to drive to the ground on the edge of Guildford and pray the 11.30 kick off had survived. With minutes to spare we turned into Downside Road; it looked like the scene on one of the Christmas cards sitting on the mantelpiece at home. The pavements and neatly manicured lawns glistened with an icy glow beneath the watery sun. The temperature gauge on the dash revealed just one degree Celsius. My gut reaction was that we were about to turn round in the car park and forget it.

Our Christmas wishes had come true and our gamble had paid off! Remarkably as we pulled up into the car park the players were taking to the field and getting ready to kick off. A throng of travellers had also descended to get their fix.

 

The early play was very tentative as both teams tested out the conditions. The pitch was definitely bone hard and this was confirmed by the sound of players’ boots skimming across the surface like a tap dancer strutting his stuff. Common sense prevailed and thankfully no one was injured. The sun was bright and the pitch softened. Visitors Bookham took the initiative and won by three goals without reply. We were pleased to see a game and realised that it could have been called off beforehand; we decided unanimously that the ref was man of the match. 

 

 

Facilities at the Urnfield are basic but adequate; a pavilion next to the car park comprises of two floors with changing at ground level and a tea bar above (from where tea was on sale at the interval). The roped off pitch is about a hundred metres from here and is situated at the bottom of a slope. Banking running along one side provides an elevated view of play (the frost was clearly visible and created a winter backdrop). Apart from two dug outs there is no cover. The field is also used for athletics with several jumping pits on site. A basic 8 page programme was issued for the game. The club is based off the A25 Dorking Road to the East of Guildford. We used the M3, A31 and A3 to approach the town.

 

Click here for a map showing  Merrow FC.


Tues.21st December 2004 - Loughborough Charity Cup (7.30pm; att: 54; no programme issued).

Rothley Imperial (0) 1 Heather Athletic (0) 0

This was our last match before Christmas. It turned out to be a bit of a tussle, with many chances at both ends. It seemed that penalties would be needed to settle the result of this cup competition featuring Imps from the Leicestershire Senior League and Heather from the Midland Combination. Thankfully, the Imps managed to score with ten minutes to go. This meant we could escape the freezing conditions and head back into the warmth! Some would even suggest it was to avoid looking at the colour of the hosts shirts which resembled vomit!!  The game itself was a good one, and enjoyed by a large influx of travellers present! After a nomadic existence, the club is now based at the Rothley Sports and Social Club (ex Rolls-Royce) in neighbouring Mountsorrell. Entrance to the ground is next to the car park; a small flight of concrete steps leads you to the club house. Refreshments including tea and filled cobs were on sale. The pitch which has a slight slope is fully railed off with a path running along the near side. There is another pitch on site which is used by the junior sides. No other cover exists at present. The lights are a new addition and have only been used a couple of times. The club do not issue programmes. To reach the ground, we approached from the M1, A46 and A6.

Click here for a map showing  Rothley Imperial FC.


Sat.18th December 2004 - Leicestershire Senior League Division 1 (3pm; att: 27; programme issued).

Asfordby Amateurs (1) 2 Earl Shilton Albion (2) 3

After a hassle free journey up the A1 and taking in the idyllic scenery around Rutland Water, I arrived at the Hoby Road Sports Ground earlier than expected. What a tidy set up this was; with a lovely little clubhouse, friendly folk and a smashing programme, what more could a traveller want for Christmas? And there was also the prospect of seeing a cracking game between two of the top sides in the First division of the Leicester Senior League. It certainly took my mind off  any last minute festive shopping that still needed to be done. I wasn't disappointed either. This was one of the best matches I had seen so far this season. Albion took the initative and led by two goals before the Amateurs from Asfordby could get back into the game. Their stumbling block was a young central defender who commanded everything at the back; he was built like the proverbial outside toilet standing at leat six foot six with shoulders the width of an ox. I couldn't believe it when the fellow standing next to me mentioned the player in question was only sixteen years old!  His lack of experience was soon to be tested though. With only a few minutes left before half-time he lunged awkwardly at an advancing forward and his mis-timed tackle sent his opponent down like a sack of Jersey Royals. The ref rightly gave a penalty and Amateurs pulled one back. This and a motivational team talk by the boss spurred the hosts on to an equalser mid-way through the second half. The next twenty minutes was eye balls out to say the least! It made up for the lack of a half-time cuppa. The guy standing to my right couldn't contain his emotions. He would have made a town crier green with envy. Red in the face and close to a coronary, he proceeded to yell himself hoarse. Alas his support was dampened when Albion sneaked a late winner. It was a quick break that had done the damage and his side returned to the dressing rooms pointless.

The club is based on Hoby Road just outside Asfordby Village. This is a large greenfield site with many pitches. The clubhouse and a second car park are to the right of the first entrance. The main pitch is fully enclosed with a green rail supported through concrete posts and is nearest to the clubhouse, a new building complete with Sky TV. Adjacent is a large hall containing a gym. Remnants of some old facilities lay abandoned beyond this. To the right is another pitch which the players used to warm up on before the game. In the corner is a small floodlit enclosed five - side pitch. The club has floodlights (installed just before this season) and used them, hence a 3pm start. There are plans to provide a cover near the clubhouse and build a high fence beyond the futhest goal. A smart 32 page programme produced by the Chairman's son was on sale for £1. The bar was fully stocked with snacks and filled rolls but there was no hot food or drinks - a shame as this would have been a bonus on a cold afternoon.

To reach Asfordby Amateurs FC  I came from Melton Mowbray using the A6006 and passed through Asfordby Valley. On approaching Asfordby Village follow signs for Hoby and then take a left turn down Hoby Road. The ground can be seen on the left after about a quater of a mile. Incidently Asfordby-based Holwell Sports were also playing at home in the LSL on the same afternoon. A visit is highly recommended!

Click here for a map showing  Asfordby Amateurs FC


Sat.11th December 2004 - MCFL Division 1 (Att: 37; programme issued)

Knowle FC 2 Kenilworth Town 0

The Wraymobile turned up Hampton Road and into the car park at Knowle FC. We were greeted with a warm welcome by the chappie at the main entrance. Complete with a brightly coloured fluorescent yellow jacket, he was not only the man on the gate but, as he explained to us, also the official programme editor as well. Sadly it seems that Knowle FC are in a difficult position. Each season the club has produced a decent team which usually finshes in one of the top placings in the Division but cannot gain promotion as local residents are not in favour of the club having floodlights. This sentiment is not felt more passionately than by the infectious Chairman Mr Coyle; a rather portly Irish gentleman who is the life blood of the club and whose persona is one of cheer mixed with frustration. Quite simply Knowle would jump at the chance of playing in the Premier Division but cannot bring their facilities up to the required standard so they battle on regardless. The ground itself has a homely feel about it. All the facilities are situated along the far side. A small corrugated cover is on the left; alongside this is a sturdy brick-built changing pavilion and to the right is a lovely little low-roofed stand with three blocks of pale blue and yellow plastic seats. I chose blue whilst Sloppy preferred yellow. Behind is a cosy clubhouse with tea bar, new toilets and Sky TV. A range of hot snacks and drinks were on sale at half-time to fuel the appetite. The pitch has a post and rail surround. In fact it looks as if someone in the scaffolding trade has put it together over time. Game on. A close tussle ensued with very little to split the teams in terms of skill and chances taken in front of goal. Each side had one or two useful players: Knowle sported a Robbie Savage look-a-like whilst Town had a young version of Kieron Dyer playing up front. If a goal had to come then it would surely be from one of these two men. True to form it was the number seven for Knowle, with his long flowing locks of golden hair, who made the difference. His surging runs and measured crosses into the box eventually paid off and provided the goals which separated the sides by the end of ninety minutes play. Our journey involved A14; M6 and M42 (j5). After about a mile and a half along the main A4141 you reach the town centre; turn left off the High Street into Hampton Lane (next to the Wilsons' Arms pub ) and the club can be seen on the right hand side. A great trip! 

Click here for a map showing  Knowle FC


Tues.7th December 2004 - NCEL Premier Division (Att: 95; programme issued)

Armthorpe Welfare 4 Goole AFC 2

The mighty Robins were playing Doncaster Rovers and the chance of a lift to see Armthorpe Welfare was not to be scoffed at. Sloppy drove us up the A1 like a madman and we arrived with plenty of time to spare. Mr Alsop was on his way to see Coca League football but for me it was the excitement of the NCEL. The pitch looked hard but both sides adapted well. It was very cold and my feet had gone into hibernation; it was goals we needed to warm us up. Welfare had not started the season well and AFC were within a whisker of top spot. So true to form the lads from Donny won 4-2!! They beat the offside trap and snatched the points with some great counter attacking play. This is a big old ground next to the new Netto store in Church Road. The site is enclosed with a high breeze block wall. A low stand (named the Phillip Mitchell Stand) with bench seating provides cover to the right of the half-way line; another smaller stand is close behind the top goal. A cosy club room with tea bar (serving that Yorkshire delicacy of meat pie and mushy peas) is tucked away near the entrance. A pavilion in the corner acts as a dressing room. Goole fans outnumbered the hosts and created a lively banter throughout the game. The attendance almost reached the one hundred mark. Some may have gone up the road to watch Division One football or stayed at home to avoid frostbite. A 64 page programme priced £1 was issued; in fact only 12 of the pages were not adverts so beware!!!  Our journey by car took us from the A1 to the M18 (j4) into Armthorpe; for Sloppy Belle Vue was only 10 minutes away. He was happy with a 1-1 draw; the result kept the Robins near the top of the table and still chirping full of true Christmas spirit.

Click here for a map showing  Armthorpe Welfare FC


Sat.4th December 2004 - Sussex County FA Intermediate Cup Round 3 (Att: 47; programme issued);

Wadhurst Utd 1 Hollington Utd 8

Unbelievably the travellers from Jockey land chose to watch yet another cup match; for the record this was game number twelve out of the last fifteen! Sunny Sussex was the venue and the County Leaguers from Wadhurst were entertaining East Sussex side Hollington Utd. We knew something special might happen as visiting supporters boasted about their side's proud record - current league champions, winners of four cup competitions last season and apparently unbeaten in the previous eighteen months. How much of this was true, we weren't exactly sure. As the game got underway it was soon clear though that Hollington were a pretty good side. In fact they confirmed this by going three up within fifteen minutes and stretching this to four by the interval. Had they put away all their chances, then it easily could have been double the score. An old cliche but .... There was still more to come as the skilful teenager with tousled locks, Hankinson, tore through the shaky Wadhurst defence time after time. We marvelled at his undoubted skills which would not have looked out of place in a higher level of football. By full time he had only bagged five for himself and seen his side win by an emphatic 1-8 scoreline. Despite showing a bit of frustration towards the end of the game, the hosts actually looked relieved that it was all over when the whistle signalled full time; they had in reality managed to keep the score down to less than ten! This was village football at its best.

The club is based at the quaintly sounding 'Sparrow's Green' recreation ground. The main car park borders the right touchline and a children's play area. Along this side a wide concrete path provides hard standing (the vast majority of spectators congregated here to avoid getting muddy feet). Beyond the goal at the far end is a smart clubhouse (set below pitch level) with changing rooms and a kitchen area used to serve refreshments. We were promised hot dogs at half-time and we weren't disappointed. Unusually Sloppy only ate one. Immediately behind the club house are several tennis courts. The pitch is fully railed with several removable polythene advertising hoardings placed around it at measured intervals. The surface is gently 'undulating' to say the least and I imagine its slope would be the reason for causing many a slice, mis-kick or shot off target; it would also suit many a keen rambler out for a Sunday stroll. According to the club history (outlined in the proggy) it was the slope which actually cost the club promotion and a place (many many years ago) in the County League. Old Sloppy was still concerned that the surplus of mud building up was going drop off our boots in the car on the way home. He was right, it did. There is no cover on site apart from a couple of dug outs on the opposite side. A basic 20 page unstapled programme with a brief welcome, line ups, table and plenty of adverts came with the £2 admission. To reach Wadhurst we came off the M25, followed the A21 to Lamberhurst. After crossing the Kent - East Sussex county boundary we soon arrived in Wadhurst village centre. The ground is found about 200 metres along South View Road on the left hand side.

Click here for a map showing  Wadhurst United FC


Wed.1st December 2004 - Kent League (Att: 59;  programme issued).

Sporting Bengal Utd 1 Herne Bay 2

Definitely a match with everything to play for. Before the game started both clubs were sitting in the top four of the table. Quite simply the winner of this would go top. On a really cold evening Herne Bay warmed up more quickly and were two in front within the first fifteen minutes. Sporting pulled one back before half-time from the penalty spot. The game turned into a real thriller after the interval with end to end stuff; the home side just couldn't get the equaliser thanks to some brilliant defending by the visitors. The scoreline remained the same at the end and so elevated Bay to number one in the Kent League. For Sloppy and I the match will not only be remembered for the excitement on the pitch or the great views of the Canary Wharf towers in the skyline but for the vociferous support from the home fans standing behind us. They cheered throughout the entire game encouraging every kick, header, tackle, shot - it really added to the atmosphere! A decent 24 page programme was issued for £1 and this gave an interesting insight into Bangladeshi football in the UK. Snacks were available from a portakabin behind the main stand. The ground itself is part of the Mile End Athletics Stadium. A large stand straddles the half-way line with plenty of seating for the sixty or so fans (and several 'hoppers) in attendance. We travelled by car from the A11 and followed signs for Mile End. There is parking outside the ground in Copperfield Road.

Click here for a map showing  Sporting Bengal Utd FC

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