RAMBLINGS FOR MATCHES PLAYED IN JANUARY 2005


 

1.45pm; Sat.29th January 2005

Hellenic League - Supplementary Challenge Cup round 1; (Att.12; programme: 20 pages 50p).

 

Englefield Green Rovers (0) 0 Henley Town (1) 4

 

After negotiating the M25 slalom course twin 2 and I cut up through Egham and headed for the Cooper's Hill Sports Ground. The local area was undulating, scenic and more importantly, from a 'Hopper's point of view, feeling warmer despite the slight drizzle. The facade of the London University building looked quite magnificent though as we waited at traffic lights before turning up Jude's Hill. To residents of Suffolk any incline is rederred to as a steep hill! The name Runnymede which pefixed most of the buildings in the area stood out for some reason. Daughter Jo quickly reminded me that it was to do with the Magna Carta. If she said so it had to be right. We arrived with time to spare and deciding to look for refreshments made for the large building beyond the car park. It had seen better days. The changing rooms were on the ground floor and a small bar/lounge area was on the floor above.

 

Two stewards were busy stapling a bundle of programmes and recognised that look of anticipation from their guests as they stood next to the bar. From here a narrow balcony afforded a decent view of the site and its leafy surroundings. Set in a large complex (catering for tennis/cricket) the main pitch stood out clearly in the distance. Unusually it was surrounded by a vast number of free standing metal fences strategically placed alongside each other to make an enclosure (I reckon there must have been over 100 of them!). Two dug outs stood by the half way line.There was no other cover. Beyond was another pitch. The halls of residence attached to Brunel University were just around the corner.

The Rovers were playing Henley Town from the Premier League. The Celtic look-a-likes gave it their all but found the visitors a lively bunch especially on the break. By the final whistle Rovers had capitulated and lost the tie by four goals without reply on a glue pot of a pitch. 

Teas and cold snacks were available from the club house. The programme (with reference to the Magna Carta on the front cover) cost 50p. A decent effort printed on glossy paper. Sadly the game attracted only a handful of spectators and at one point we counted no fewer than nine hardy souls. This swelled to twelve on the half hour mark. I wonder if this was the norm having experienced something similar at Quarry a few weeks ago. Jo wasn't bothered about such trivia though as her thoughts were fixed on a Munchie McFlurry!  

Click here for a map showing:  Englefield Green Rovers FC.


1.30pm; Sat.22nd January 2005

 Suffolk & Ipswich League - Omnico Cup round 3; (Att.22; no programme issued).

 

BT Trimley (0) 2 Walton Rangers (0) 

 

 

Another local game! At 12.30pm it was off down the A14 to Felixstowe for this Omnico Cup match between two local sides in the Suffolk & Ipswich League. The visitors had won succesive promotions to climb from the lower reaches of the SIL and take their place this season in Division 3. They had already accounted for a couple of stronger sides in previous rounds and according to their manager fancied their chances in this one. To hedge his bets he also pointed out that most of his players were still in their teenage years and some were unavailable through injury. Game on. It was noticeable from the first few minutes that Trimley had the greater physical presence; throughout the first half they used this to increasingly dominate possession but could not score. The kids from Walton battled hard and managed to create their own chances beating the offside trap on a couple of occasions. The pattern of play repeated itself until the 60th minute when the Blues' pressure paid off and the ball finally reached the back of the net from close range. The Reds rallied but it was too much when BT grabbed a second late on. Home fans went ecstatic and this victory kept alive their dreams of Cup Final night out at Portman Road in the Spring!

BT Trimley play at the Trimley Sports and Social club in Trimley St.Martin. From the A14 and before reaching Felixstowe take the slip road marked 'Kirton and the Trimleys' . At the first roundabout turn off for the Trimleys; at the next one turn right towards Trimley St.Martin. After about 200 yards the Sports and Social club appears on the left. A large car park runs parallel to the Club and squash courts; the main pitch is around the back beyond a bowling green, children's play area and training pitch. The site is surrounded by open fields on two sides. There is no cover so visit in warm weather! On this occasion there were no refreshments. The club do not issue programmes either.

Travellers may be interested to know that Walton Rangers have no connection with the Felxstowe and Walton set up. They now play in the Gainsborough area of Ipswich instead of Walton. 

Click here for a map showing  BT Trimley FC.


 

2pm; Sat.15th January 2005

Essex Intermediate League Division 3; (Att.12; no programme issued).

 

Marconi Athletic (0) 1 Upminster (0) 2

 

Although this was only a short journey I arrived at the Beehive Lane ground within a minute of the kick off. I hadn’t really planned for a wedding convoy to join the route and reduce the traffic to a steady crawl for some five miles along the slowest section of A130. At one point I had almost given up hope of reaching the Marconi Athletic Sports Club when my prayers were answered and the dozen or so cars in front of me (and many others) made an impromptu turn into the driveway of rather expensive looking countryside pub near Barnston. There was a god after all! Within seconds the road ahead opened up and my right boot responded with gusto!  It was 1.40pm and only twenty minutes remained before the match was due to start. Providing there were no major snarl ups my odds of watching the game had improved dramatically.

 

After screeching to a sudden halt (causing most of the contents in the boot and on the back seat to spread out in different directions and for several patrons to look across), I hurriedly grabbed my rucksack and dived out of the car. As I ran down the long car park and headed for the playing fields I looked to my right and saw two pitches; on the nearest one the ref was preparing to blow his whistle signalling the start of the game. One of the players wearing red gave a loud rallying cry of ‘Come on Upminster!’ and this confirmed that I managed to get to the right game and on time. At last my shoulders dropped and I could concentrate on things to do with football.

 

With both sides struggling in front of goal it seemed that luck would play a part in breaking the deadlock. And so it did. On the hour mark Athletic failed to clear a corner and the loose ball took a massive deflection before going into the net. This sparked the game into life; the hosts got their own break from the penalty spot but were cruelly denied five minutes later when the Reds finished things off with a strike converted from close range. This was on balance a fair result in what was a well contested game handled impeccably by a referee who used common sense and charisma throughout. More notable perhaps was the lack of a crowd; in fact it was the lowest attendance I had been in this season. Indeed I remembered a similar situation a few years ago when myself and only two others turned up to watch an Essex Intermediate League Division 3 game - Upminster were one of the sides playing on that day too!

 

The Marconi Athletic Sports Club is situated on a large site. The pitches around the back are separated by a small floodlit playing area and set at right angles to each other. The main one is next to a cricket square and is completely roped off through a series of small, white plastic stakes. There is a large function room and a number of changing portacabins behind the nearside goal. There were no refreshments or programmes on sale at the ground; as the editor had been away on holiday the manager kindly offered to send me a future issue.

 

I travelled (at varying speeds) to Clelmsford using the M11 and then the A120/A130 from Stansted. I then decided to by pass the town centre taking the A12 (to London). After one junction I came off at the Sandon Interchange and took both the A1060 and A1114 towards Chelmsford. You can then reach the ground by picking up the B1009 Baddow Road turning right into Beehive Lane (at the Beehive pub); after about half a mile the entrance to the ground can be seen on the left and is clearly marked

 

Click here for a map showing  Marconi Athletic FC.


Sat.8th January 2005

Suffolk & Ipswich League Senior Division (2.00pm; att: 22; programme issued).

Melton St.Audry's (0) 1 Crane Sports (1) 5

The Sky News weather forecaster got it right - gales everywhere but not too bad in the South East. Old Sloppy and I decided that, under these circumstances, a short trip was the best option. Following several phone calls to local clubs we got positive vibes suggesting that fixtures in this neck of the woods had survived; with thoughts of a SIL game in mind it was down the A14 and off towards Ipswich from where we could re- appraise the situation. Further mobile phone calls revealed that matches at both Melton St.Audrys and BT Trimley were definitely going ahead. With the latter not issuing we proceeded with purpose up the A12 for a 2pm kick off at Melton, a small village just north of Woodbridge.

Upon arrival we found it was bitterly cold and that there was a rather cross-wind as predicted! The club itself is based at the (relatively new) St.Audry's Sports & Social Club which is found at the junction of the narrow St.Audrys and Lodge Farm Lanes. An excellent wooden panelled club house with bar, function room and snooker room dominates the site. The pitch is partly railed off along one side (nearest the ditch and is very exposed on the other. The far end is right up against the neighbouring houses, explaining the presence of a tall wire fence. Beyond and to the left is a large new housing development where the St.Audry's Hospital once stood. As travellers will know this was also the previous home to the football club. It had certainly changed since my last visit in April 1994 when the club saw out a goalless draw with Saxmundham Sports and played on a daisy covered pitch in beautiful warm sunshine!.

Ten years had passed and St.Audrys were still plying their trade in the SIL. Today they sported a kit that would not have looked out of place all those years ago. It was garish! Game on. The wind did not help matters; in the first forty-five minutes many a high ball was seen to hang in the air like a kestrel surveying its prey below. It was a credit to both sides as they did try to play a bit of football. At half-time Crane led (deservedly) 1-0 thanks to a free kick which hit the woodwork and rebounded kindly at the feet of young striker Troy Paul who acted quickly, pouncing on the loose ball to net from close rangel. The breeze subsided and it looked like the improved conditions would make for a better second half. For Sports it did! By the end the lads from Ipswich had taken complete control and saw the game off with four more strikes including a hat-trick for the gangly teenager Paul. This was a valuable vitory and eased some of their relrgation worries. Audrys did find the net with a late consolation effort toe-poked in from an acute angle. 

Teas and cold snacks were on sale inside the club house at the interval. An adequate but gratefully received 16-page programme containing recent match reports came with a nominal donation. The game attracted about twenty spectators, several of whom looked like they were about to undergo an arctic expedition clad in the latest multi coloured thermals.

To reach the club is mostly completed by using dual carriageway; follow the A14, turn north up the A12 and towards Woodbridge. Head towards Ufford on the B . Pass through Melton and turn left down the ('The Street'). Travel as far as the Montessori School and turn left opposite the bus shelter down St.Audrys Lane (the Sports & Social Club is marked with a quaintly painted hand pointing you in the right direction). After about 400 yards the clubhouse will be visible ahead. Take a right at the T-junction into Lodge Farm Lane and immediately left into the car park 

Click here for a map showing  Melton St.Audrys FC.


Mon.3rd January 2005

Hellenic League Division One East (11.00am; att: 116; programme issued). 

Holyport 3 Badshot Lea 2

The first part of a Berkshire 'double' saw a thoroughly entertaining game from which 'Lea were unlucky not to get a draw. The hosts must have been pleased with the new attendance record (having stood at 75 before the game).The whole site from the entrance (in Summerleaze Road) to the pitch must cover at least half a mile and the programme notes sum up this up quite nicely with the description: 'the ground with a view'. Apart from the long bumpy driveway, a gentle hike to the pitch and glorious scenes of rural Berkshire, travellers yet to visit should look out for the wonderfully sculptured hippo! Don't ask, contact the club!

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Mon.3rd January 2005

 Hellenic League Division One East (2.15pm; att: 126; programme issued).

Wokingham & Emmbrook 3 Chalfont Wasps 2

The mad dash was on to Wokingham, some 15 miles down the road. After a rather dull first-half this one sparked into life in the second half. Again another entertaining game featuring clubs near the bottom of the league. In contrast to Holyport, this ground is set very close to houses on all sides and poses the question on how much further the facilities can be developed (ie in terms of floodlighting etc). However it is great to see the name of Wokingham back on the non league ladder and playing at a site close to the town. The programme editor had done his sums too having prepared enough copies to go round with the game attracting a higher than normal attendance. A grand day out!


Sat.1st January 2005 - Hellenic League Division One West (2.15pm; att: 39; programme issued).

Quarry Nomads (1) 1 Kidlington (0) 3

The first half was played in a biting, cold cross wind and heavy rain. Quarry opened the scoring before half-time. Visitors Kidlington came back strongly after the interval and replied three times in quick succession to take the points and move joint top of the league with Trowbridge Town and Tytherington Rocks. Unusually the game was stopped for several minutes to remove dog mess from the field and for some players to re-hydrate from the night before!. A handful of travellers were in attendance at the Margaret Road ground. The venue is in a public rec., a large, open space with houses bordering all sides. There is a club room and changing room block at one side and the main pitch some hunderd yards away on the other. This is railed off with dug outs on the far side nearest the houses. There is no other cover on site. A 12 page programme, priced £1, was issued and this contained a vast amount of info. on the visitors, an article looking back in time (when Kidlington entertained Oxford United), as well as the usual bits (line ups; current league table; results and fixtures) - well done Mr Maldon, a true labour of love!

To reach the club we travelled down from Northampton taking the A43; M40; A34 and A40 following signs for Headington. Take a left down Wharton Road and then left into Margaret Road where there is parking next to the ground.

End