No.27 - Sat. 15th January 2010; Norfolk Junior Cup Quarter-Final;                         1.45pm at the River Lane Playing Fields, Gaywood, Kings Lynn, Norfolk.

 

Matchday images (32) http://picasaweb.google.com/footballgroundsinfocus/ReffleyRoyalsFC

 

Reffley Royals (2) 3  Mundford (0) 0

A right Royal visit!

What a cracking day out! If, like me, you're a big hopping fan of park football, then this experience is literally, right up your street. Forget seated covered stands; railed off pitches; well stocked tea bars and thick glossy matchday programmes. A trip to the basic but homely River Lane playing fields is a must if you want to see grass roots soccer at it's very best. The council-owned ground off Beulah Street in the Gaywood district of King's Lynn is home to several sides including the in-form Reffley Royals Football Club, members of the little known North West Norfolk Football League. To be honest I knew very little about this competition before flagging up the Norfolk FA website a couple of weeks ago.

 

Formed as recently as 2006, following a merger between Reffley Football Club (named after the local housing estate from where the majority of players come from) and the district Royal Mail Football Club, the side has made great strides and are the reigning league champions and cup holders. So far this season the club has continued to achieve some impressive results. To date the 'Royals' have won all but one of their opening eight league games, scoring twenty-nine goals (only rivals Lynn North End have netted more) and conceding only nine to maintain the top spot in the table once again. At the same time the team has also performed exceptionally well in the early rounds of the Norfolk Junior Cup (open to members from no fewer than nine local leagues playing football within the County boundary), beating no less than three sides from the relatively higher pyramid status-based Anglian Combination Football League. With victories over Loddon Reserves (2-1 in Round 1); Thorpe Village (6-0 in Round 2) and Great Yarmouth Town Reserves (2-1 in Round 3) the Royals deservedly booked their place in the Quarter-Final of this prestigious county cup competition.     

 

As many hoppers appreciate there is always an added interest in such games where teams from different leagues or divisions in the same league are drawn against each other. Today was no exception either as Reffley welcomed the visit of yet another Anglian Combination League outfit in the shape of Mundford FC to River Lane. On paper it looked a mouth-watering prospect as locals wondered whether the reds could hold their nerve and get something out of the game, possibly pulling off what many would see as a shock result. With the added incentive of a possible place in the cup final at Carrow Road in May, there was plenty at stake for the players, committee members and fans. It was definitely this added excitement that attracted the Newmarket-based thoroughbred hoppers to Gaywood today. Bring it on!

 

Despite the presence of extremely strong crosswinds that threatened to ruin the contest at times, we were not to be disappointed as a terrific game of football unfolded before our eyes! From the very first minute of play the Reffley players showed total commitment and were not one bit overawed by the occasion or their opponents from the ACL Division 2. The hosts quickly stamped their physical authority on the game (postponed a week ago due to waterlogging), winning every tackle; header; loose ball and set piece which appeared increasingly to intimidate the visitors from Mundford (home of the hilariously funny Dad's Army TV series). It wasn't just long ball stuff either as the reds also created some neat passing moves to outwit their opponents.

 

The strong wind played its part in the early stages as home keeper Tom Armitt's long ball clearance landed on the penalty spot giving oppposing custodian Dan Hovell an early scare. Reds' Wes Auker (35) broke the deadlock after beating the offside trap running onto captain Stuart Gallon's through-pass before calmly slipping the ball under the advancing Hovell. Within five minutes Reffley doubled their lead as Tom Anderson (39) scored from the penalty after his brother Matt was brought down in the box. Hovell was very fortunate to escape only a yellow card following his clumsy challenge. Facing continuing pressure the Mundford players really couldn't wait for referee Anthony Peck to blow the whistle to signal half-time.

 

After the break Tom Anderson (50) shot just wide after some neat build-up play down the left. However his brother Matt had better luck in the next attack muscling his way past two defenders before rifling the ball home from the edge of the area. Home fans celebrated as they could almost sense victory. Mundford certainly looked a well beaten side now creating only a few half chances to get back into the game. Their closest effort coming midway through the half when the unmarked Patrick Yates (67) headed wide from just inside the area. The hosts could have increased their lead minutes later when Auker (70), played in by Ady Day, shot over from close range. With no further goals it was the Royals who deservedly booked their place in the semi-final in a month's time. Before then though there was the small matter of a post match celebration as everyone quickly retired to the Swann Inn (ironically one of the club's sponsors) in nearby Nursery Lane, South Wootton. History had been made!

 

Considering the amount of rain that had fallen in the area over the last two weeks, the pitch held up very well today. The game, played in mostly dull conditions (apart from the last five minutes when the sun made a brief appearance), attracted a crowd of 54 spectators including a couple of neutrals and a representative from the Norfolk FA. However with the majority coming along to support Reffley there was a great vocal atmosphere amongst those present standing along a packed nearside touchline. Understandably the banter between both sets of supporters got a bit heated at times but thankfully these exchanges didn't boil over.

 

During the game I got into conversation with Reffley First Team manager Marc Curson and secretary Robbie Back who told me that the council had called off the other games due to be played here today in order to let the ground dry out. Apparently the groundsmen decide which pitches are playable and allocate the games accordingly. After last week's postponement today's match referee Peck envisaged few problems and had no hesitation in allowing the game to go ahead today.

 

The extensive playing fields are surrounded by local housing and the multi-use Lynnsport stadium. The astroturf 5-a-side football and hockey pitches, athletics track and indoor sports barn are clearly visible from here and beyond the distant grass embankment. There are currently four pitches marked out on the site and the match today was played on the one next to the Dutton Pavilion. This impressive building owned by the Borough Council of Kings Lynn and West Norfolk provides changing accommodation and toilets for several teams that use the facilities. Interestingly a large information sign affixed to the wall provides emergency contact information and a grid reference of the site in case of accident or injury during games. For once it's a thumbs up to the health and safety brigade! As you might expect at this level there's no cover, no hard standing or dug outs for the playing squads. Surprisingly though the pitch wasn't even roped off and the corner flags were missing! To sum up, the word 'spartan' would serve as an ideal description!

 

In case you wondered Reffley, like all member clubs in their league, don't issue programmes. However they do have a website (see address below) which provides travellers with plenty of information including history; statistics (fixtures, results, scorers etc); links to the NWNFL and Norfolk FA as well as a map providing directions on how to reach the club which, incidentally, is not that easy to find. And that's an understatement!

 

We certainly had quite a few problems finding it ourselves today so in order to avoid these follow the main A149 Kings Lynn by-pass (Queen Elizabeth Way); turn left at the hospital and continue along the A1076 (signposted Lynnsport) into Gaywood. At the main crossroads (next to the memorial clock and opposite the Aldi convenience store) turn immediately right into Wootton Road (A148). Continue along here, passing River Lane and Methuen Avenue, before turning down Beulah Road (it's the third road on your left next to the Surf 55 and Coady's Music shops) which will lead to the playing fields and car park. We managed to get here after three wrong turnings so beware and give yourselves time to complete the last bit of your journey.

 

For those travellers who fancy a change and don't mind watching a decent game of football in more humble surroundings then this could be the sort of hop for you. What the club may lack in facilities is certainly more than made up for in effort, commitment and a strong desire to achieve success. Based on this performance, there's no reason why Reffley cannot make their debut in the Norfolk Junior Cup Final. If the club is to realise it's dream of playing on the hallowed turf at Carrow Road in Norwich then they must get through a difficult semi-final tie first. And it doesn't get much bigger for the Royals either as they now face fellow NWNFL side and bitter rivals Lynn North End Football Club. The match, scheduled for February 12th, takes place at the Kingsway Playing Fields (less than a mile away from here) with a 2pm kick-off...it should be an absolute corker...you really wouldn't want to miss it. I can't wait! Now where did I put that map of King's Lynn? Ah the joys of hopping in the battle fields of Norfolk continue...enjoy your travels!           

FGIF Match Stats

Scorers: (H) W Auker (35); T Anderson (39pen); M Anderson (51) and (A) N/A

Attendance: 54; Admission and Programme: None; Match rating: 5/5; Ground rating: 3/5.

Club website: http://www.reffleyroyals.co.uk/

Norfolk FA website: http://www.norfolkfa.com/splash.aspx

 

edited 16/01/11