No.3 - Fri 19th August 2011; Anglian Combination League Division 3;                                 6.30pm at the Coronation Recreation Ground, Rollesbury Road, Martham, Norfolk, NR29 4SP.

Matchday images (30) https://picasaweb.google.com/footballgroundsinfocus/MarthamFC

Martham (1) 3 Hemsby (1) 1

Kicking off in style...

It's late Summer and by midday, with the warm sun still shining brightly, the Wraymobile arrives at a remote location just off the beaten track along the North East Norfolk coast. Our destination, Waxham Sands, is one of our favourite all-time haunts (ask Lucky, our Border Collie, who just loves dipping his paws in the sea). We combine a gentle stroll on the lovely golden sands with a tasty fish and chip supper in neighbouring Hemsby. It's also the start of the much awaited Anglian Combination League season and (surprise, surprise) we take advantage of the re-arranged fixture (brought forward by a day) over at Martham Football Club (about ten miles away) giving us a rare chance (for us at least) to take in some Friday night football. Now that's what I call a bit of a hopping coincidence!

A terrific crowd of almost seventy fans are in attendance at the tidy Coronation Recreation ground complex in Rollesbury Road for this early evening derby fixture. This includes (Sir) Brian Buck who along with several other well-known hoppers have made the long journey east. It's taken Brian well over two hours to get here and after an exhausting trip he makes it with just ten minutes to spare before kick-off. Phew!! There's eager anticipation for the visit of Hemsby FC who are newly promoted to this division after finishing as runners-up to the successful UEA in Division Four back in May. Rumour has it that, pre-season, several players have left Martham to join the Hemsby thus giving the match a real edge.

With the atmosphere already well charged at pitchside it's the visitors dressed in black and amber stripes who look the most dangerous in the opening moments and are soon rewarded when Julian Bussell (2) opens the scoring beating 'keeper Chris Alger from only six yards out. Martham re-group after this early set-back and are unlucky not to draw level when Danny Gowing's penalty kick is brilliantly saved by 'keeper Scott Ady (20). Chris Southern (45) makes amends for this though on the stroke of half-time when his low shot bobbles, badly evading Ady's grasp from close range, drawing Martham level in the process.

Southern (65) puts the hosts in front midway through the second half with a tremendous shot which sizzles into the top right hand corner of the net from 25 yards out. Gowing (75) finally gets his name on the scoresheet by adding a third for the hosts with just over ten minutes to go. Finding himself in space he turns quickly to slot the ball home under the hapless Ady from ten yards making it 3-1. Despite this magnificent result Martham have to settle for second place in the table after Freethorpe cruise to a 6-1 victory over Blofield United Reserves in the only other match played this evening.

The Coronation Ground, found off Rollesbury Road, is close to the centre of the village. A short driveway leads the visitor past the village hall and main sports complex which hosts cricket as well as football. Here a smart pavilion provides changing facilities for players and officials alike. Although some matches are played in the confines of the ground, once the cricket season is over, Martham First Team uses the enclosed field some distance behind here. 

A narrow flight of concrete steps leads you through a gate into the large recreation ground (next to the local bowls club) raised above street level. The site which is bordered by fences and hedges has a superb flat and well grassed pitch on the far side of the field. In keeping with the club colours the goal nets are painted in striking (pardon the pun) alternate contrasting black and green stripes. A couple of sturdy newlybuilt dug-outs are found close to the half-way line on the furthest touchline which has a smart tubular (two bar) railed fence along the entire length. Quirkily an advertising logo, bolted to the top of a scaffolding pole, displays the name of the builders (Mr Scaffolding) and resembles a local bus stop sign! A steep embankment along this side gives spectatators a superb elevated view of the match action below as well as a glimpse of St Mary's Church spire and several large wind turbines (popular in this part of the world) at Somerton in the immediate background to the right.

As you would expect the club does not issue matchday programmes nor (for our visit) provide any spectator refreshments either. If you need information or details regarding fixtures; ground location; a travel map; contact number etc then the club does have an interesting Clubsite website, the address for which is shown below at the end of this Ramble.

A thoroughly enjoyable hop at a most friendly, welcoming club. Despite its isolated location a visit to Martham Football Club comes highly recommended for all intrepid ground collectors and fans of Anglian Combination League football. Ah the joys of early season hopping are here again! Have fun wherever you go!  

FGIF Match Stats

Scorers: (H) Chris Southern (45 and 65); Danny Gowring (75) and (A) Julian Bussell (2)

Attendance: 65; Admission and Programme: None; Match rating: 4/5; Ground rating: 4/5.

Links

http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/marthamfc/news/martham-fc-joins-pitchero-369620.html

edited on 20/08/11