As far as local football goes the Suffolk & Ipswich League Omnico Cup is, without doubt, one of my favourite competitions in the Eastern Counties. Each round usually throws up a number of interesting ties often involving clubs competing in different divisions of the league and it's for this reason that I try to pencil in at least one game every season. The second round draw for 2010-11 (featuring the last 32 clubs) was certainly no exception and on first viewing I felt that the match at Coddenham (for the visit of high-flying Somersham) stood out for me above all the others. It seemed, on paper at any rate, that the hosts (lowly minnows from Division 4) would really have their work cut out to match their opponents currently unbeaten and sitting proudly at the top of Division 2. I not only anticipated a comfortable away victory but fully expected to see a hatfull of goals too. How wrong could I have been?! Thankfully the game turned out be a real thriller with plenty of goals including a five star performance from one of the best players I have seen locally for a while. However the final score I had first predicted was certainly way off the mark. To put it quite simply, this was definitely the shock result of the entire round.

The early stages of the game did go according to the form book with Somersham, dressed in their familiar black and red kit, stamping their authority on the game and taking control of possession. Frontrunner Dan Barker (1) came close within the opening minute, striking the ball just wide of the goal frame. He made amends for his miss midway through the half running on to a John Chinnery pass and placing the ball inside keeper Josh Honder's right hand post (21). However the hosts drew level moments later following a penetrating run by the speedy Raymond Addison (remember the name) whose rebounded shot found Mark Smith (25) with enough space and time to confidently steer the ball in from six yards. Addison became provider once again after another long probing run and cross from the left set up Neil Parry (36) with an easy tap in from eight yards giving Honder no chance. Much to everyone's surprise Coddenham went into the break holding onto a (well deserved) 2-1 lead.

After the interval the hosts, dressed in their smart sky blue and white kit, almost added a third when Honder (57) was called upon to pull off a tremendous save, diving at the feet of Chinnery to block his low shot. With the game entering the last twenty minutes no one could have predicted what was about to happen next. Raymond Addison, an undoubted talent with immense strength, speed and agility, showed just what a valuable player he is by single-handedly unlocking the Somersham defence and bagging himself a superb hat-trick to boot. Remarkably all three goals came from well measured long balls delivered assuredly upfield allowing the target man to use his attacking pace to great effect: his first was a low shot from 20 yards out that took a slight deflection on its way into the net (69); the second coming just three minutes later was an awesome angled drive from the left (72) and the third came from a simple toe-poker when beating the keeper to the ball inside the six yard area (87). At the final whistle Coddenham rightly celebrated their victory in fine style. Against all the odds they had won the game, unbelievably scoring five goals. However it was certainly no fluke, making Somersham look an ordinary side, as they booked their place in the Third Round* (to be played at the end of December). The home team coach explained to me that he had been fortunate today having a full squad of players from which to choose his side (with several players, attached to the armed forces, back home on leave). Over the weekend a special Omnico Cup news update on the SIL website read: 'SIL Division 4 side Coddenham pulled off the surprise result of the round beating Somersham 5-1 to reach round 3 (scheduled for 28/12/10)...'

The village of Coddenham, located in Mid Suffolk, is found about five miles to the south and east of Needham Market. It can be easily reached from both the main A14 and A140 carriageways by taking the B1078 with the nearest station being in Needham Market itself. During the Roman Occupation of Britain, Coddenham was seen by local historians as being the largest settlement in the county of Suffolk. Today it is regarded as a most affluent village characterised by a combination of lovely thatched cottages; timber framed buildings; farms and riding stables dotted over the landscape. The football club is based at the Village Hall ground in School Lane at the far end of the Coddenham. It's certainly off the beaten track and as we arrived the Somersham manager was worryingly giving one of his players, lost en route, some basic directions on his cell phone. Visitors will find that this is a rather unique split site with the car park and new modern changing rooms in the community building set high above the main road on a steeply banked plateau to the right hand side of School Lane. From here players, officials and spectators have to cross the road and follow a narrow path as they make their way down to the playing field which is set in a hollow on the opposite side.

Although there are no dedicated pitchside facilities for players or spectators, the enclosed tree-lined playing fields afford terrific views of the rolling countryside and provide a magnificent backdrop. Both ends, which back on to several very large detached local properties, are open. A couple of seats/picnic tables are found close to a very well appointed childrens' playground which includes a high zip wire and an unusual horseshoe shape climbing-frame, occupies land beyond the far touchline and a small strip of land running alongside the nearside hedge, parallel with the main road, is used by the home side as a base from where to watch the game. Hoppers will find that the unroped pitch slopes down quite a bit from here to the opposite side of the field.

The game played in sunny but cold conditions attracted only fourteen spectators with the Newmarket2 being the only travellers present. Although the club doesn't issue a programme** hot drinks are available from the kitchen, back over in the village hall. If you do get chance to attend a game at Coddenham Football Club this season it will certainly be well worth the effort as they are a lovely footballing side to watch. The joys of ticking off grounds in extremely exposed outposts can be such fun. Enjoy your travels!

Notes

* Coddenham have been drawn to play at Stradbroke United in the Omnico Cup Round 3 on Tuesday 28/12/10;

** Programme news - Cedars Park FC (members of SIL Div 5) issued today for their Omnico Cup Round 2 fixture (won 3-2 v Walsham-le-Willows A) and are doing so for all home team games this season.      

FGIF Match Stats

Scorers: (H) M Smith (25); N Parry (36); R Addison (69; 72; 87) and (A) D Barker (21)

Attendance: 14; Admission: None; Programme: None; Match rating: 5/5; Ground rating: 3/5.