My Suffolk Primary Cup overfloweth! Having watched, along with several other eager hoppers, the exciting Semi-Final tie at a rainswept Great Blakenham (v Mutford & Wrentham) only seven days ago, I had the unexpected chance to complete a rare cup 'double' this weekend! With the original tie between DK Consultants and Benhall St Mary postponed last Saturday I took the opportunity with both hands (well four wheels to be more precise) to travel over to the coast for today's rearranged fixture. That's right two semis in a week! After tracking down a home club contact I eventually managed to receive an upbeat and positive reply from young Carly Corbin, helpful secretary of the Lowestoft-based home side who confirmed that the all-important match was definitely being played after the waterlogged pitch at Normanston Park had drained reasonably well over the last few days. Yes, it was game on! I could not hide my utter delight as the trusty-ish (or should that be rusty-ish?) Wraymobile headed on a fifty mile, windy, cross-county route towards Britain's most easterly town. 

For avid followers of lower league pyramid football in this part of the world, many of you may well recall that Anglian Combination side Ashlea FC once used to play here several years ago. I actually saw them entertain a useful Mulbarton side in a rain-soaked ACL Premier Division fixture (result: 0-2; att: 35; programme: Yes) played on 19/12/98. Nowadays you will find that the multi-pitch council owned site plays host to several clubs all of whom ply their trade in the little known and publicised Lowestoft & District Football League sponsored by Notleys (a pub chain in the town).

The homesters (formerly known as Suffolk Punch FC) have changed their title following generous backing by local business couple Danny and Karen Kemp (hence the new moniker!). I had been told by some of the Mutford officials last week that the club has already earned itself an enviable reputation so far this season. Currently sitting proudly in top spot in the fourteen team league table they have to date won all but one of their Second Division league fixtures since gaining promotion from Division Three only twelve months ago. Their route to the semi final has also boasted some fine results including an incredible 11-4 spanking of Waveney Gunners 04 in the previous round. Today visitors Benhall St Mary FC, coincidentally a club whom we'd visited a few weeks back (for their 4-1 demolition job of AFC Crowley in a Suffolk & Ipswich League Division 2 fixture), had rightly earned their place by beating a decent Bacton United Reserves 1-0 in their Quarter-Final last month.

Although it was another dull, overcast Saturday afternoon (weatherwise) we were nevertheless treated to a most intriguing, unpredictable and totally absorbing football match. Today's game was moved from the club's usual pitch onto the parallel, adjoining unroped one (number 1) found nearest to the main buildings. The decision had been made so that the players and officials could take full advantage of the changing rooms situated alongside. The bumpy pitch with its marked side to side slope and the incessant drizzle (particularly in the early stages) made for a difficult, slippery surface that would (for the neutrals at any rate) add a bit of extra interest.

With only two minutes played on the clock, DKC opened the scoring. Quick-thinking Alban McSleese took his chance with a shot from distance rifling the ball from 25 yards past hapless 'keeper Darren Warner. The goal, his twenty-eighth of the season, was very well received, especially by the two guys standing next to me who just happened to be his father and brother!! You could feel the love in the air! When it looked as though the hosts, dressed in a blue and black strip, would add to their score, Benhall equalised against the run of play and with what was their first proper attack on goal. Aaron Oakes long, 'Delap-esque' throw in from the left was stabbed in from close range by Peter Kaznica (20) at the second attempt, much appreciated by the small band of travelling fans standing to my left. Within ten minutes DKC were controversially back in front when the ball, flicked on by a weak header from McAleese (28), was adjudged to have just crept over the line by referee Darren Cook. Benhall levelled again just before the break when Kaznica (38) met the ball with a powerful header at the far post. It was breathless stuff!

With little to choose between the sides, it was Benhall who took the initiative and stamped their authority on the game by scoring twice in two crucial minutes midway through the second half. Another Oakes' throw-in from the left found the unmarked George Pooley (73) who rose to head the ball perfectly across the goal, directing it off the far post and into the net. This really rocked the hosts who found themselves behind for the first time in the game. As they floundered Benhall pressed forward and earned a corner. The resultant place kick, a delicious curling ball which seemed to hold up in the strengthening breeze, was met by Kaznica (75) who sneaked in at the back post to head home giving keeper Adam Elkerton no chance. Being unaccustomed to going behind and having to fight back the hosts seemed to lose their confidence and looked like a well beaten team by full-time. For Benhall it had been a terrific come-back and a thoroughly well deserved victory. This now sets up an all Suffolk and Ipswich League team final against Great Blakenham to be played at a neutral venue some time in the next month. For the thoroughbred hoppers it had been an absolutely cracking cup tie!               

The match was attended by eighty-five spectators, a much larger audience than normally seen here at Normanston Park. I was joined pitchside by affable league referee appointments secretary Richard May who was more than happy to field my many and varied questions about the local league set up and cup competitions scene. He explained that the format of the SPC may revert back to using neutral venues to host semi final stages of the cup next season. Although it was decided to play the matches at one of the grounds of the competing teams, there has been much stronger opposition (than first expected) with regards to the changing facilities and the distances involved in travelling. Richard also provided me with his phone number which others reading this may use should they require information about the L&DL (E-Mail me if you need it). Cheers Richard you're a star!! Unlike last week the home club didn't issue a programme for the game (being tenants of the council-owned site they are unable to charge for the privilege). As far as I know none of the clubs in the L&DL issue and as a result this competition may hold little interest for the paper chasers amongst you. I would describe it as a 'programme free zone'!

So what's the place like? Visitors to Normanston Park will immediately appreciate the hustle and bustle of this popular venue, a veritable, expansive oasis of green that offers a large, recreational outdoor space for locals. A short driveway from Peto Way leads you to a long narrow car park which faces the playing field. To the right a series of buildings comprising of a large two-tiered cafeteria (serving a varied menu) complete with its smart glass fronted extension, changing room block and a number of equipment storage containers provide the main focal point. A concrete path surrounds the perimeter of the field (on this side) and leads up to a skate park away in the far right hand corner. From here and, in keeping with the town, a fishing vessel can be seen (anchored) in a local boatyard. Beyond here eagle-eyed travellers can espie trains frequently travelling along the East Suffolk line, a feature that completes the general background landscape.

With no less than five pitches marked out on the undulating bowl-shaped and leafy tree-lined site, several games can obviously take place at any one time. Travellers may be interested to learn that L&DL Dv 1 matches featuring Pot Black (v Barsham) and Hearts of Oak (v Pakefield Re-United) took place simultaneously on the adjacent pitches. On a couple of occasions players on the main pitch were confused by the referee's whistle from one of the other games!! The site also plays host to cricket in the summer months and two squares both protected by a number of portable metal fences are located in the centre of the field. To round things off a series of tennis courts together with a childrens' playground can be found at the top of the hill away to the left on the other side of the field.

Although the clubs and this competition may not be on your hopping radar I certainly wouldn't be put off taking in other matches played in the Lowestoft & District League. Apparently the set up at Division 1 leaguers Spexhall FC (between Bungay and Halesworth) is worth a visit. Facilities aside, I certainly found that the overall standard of play was as good, if not better, than some of the ACL and SIL foootball I have attended so far this season. Watch this space for more as they say! In the meantime I have added a couple of useful links if you require more information. Ah, the unbridled joy of watching football from the pyramid bargain basement of football continues to thrive. Have fun wherever you go!                       

FGIF Match Stats

Scorers: (H) A McAleese (2; 28;) and (A) P Kaznica (20; 38; 75); G Pooley (73)

Attendance: 85; Admission and Programme: None; Match rating: 4/5; Ground rating: 3/5.

Useful links

http://www.suffolkfa.com/splash.aspx

http://full-time.thefa.com/gen/Index.do?league=3733039

http://lowestoftdistrictleague.blogspot