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No.10 - Sat 17th September 2011; Norfolk Junior Cup Round 1; 2.30pm at East Ruston Village Recreation Ground, School Road, East Ruston, Norfolk, NR12 9JD. |
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Matchday images (64) https://picasaweb.google.com/footballgroundsinfocus/EastRustonFC
East Ruston (0) 0 Bridgham United (2) 5 Classy United march on... Today the Wraymobile is heading up towards the east coast for what is my first cup tie of the new season. The destination is East Ruston Football Club, members of the North East Norfolk League who are entertaining Bridgham United current champions of the Central & South Norfolk League in the opening round of the Norfolk Junior Cup, one of my favourite local competitions. The Sat Nav assisted seventy or so mile journey to this footballing outpost which takes in the busy A11 and A47 dual carriageways is successfully completed in just under ninety minutes. For once there's plenty of time to copy out both team line ups on my trusty FGIF Match Stats Card before the action begins at the modest East Ruston Village Hall playing field off School Road. Bring it on! The ornate village hall which may have been used as a detached house at one time and dominates the site is situated just inside the main entrance. From here a very narrow gravelled driveway leads the visitor to a small car park with just enough space for a dozen or so vehicles at pitchside. A small wooden panelled changing pavilion partially hidden by trees is set back from the field and provides changing accommodation for both sides and match officials. A number of framed team and action photographs and a certificate from the Football Trust adorn the inner walls to provide a nice homely touch. The tree-lined field has an enclosed feel to it being bordered by fences, hedges and bushes. It's a bit of a tight squeeze especially along the far side and behind the top goal where several overhanging branches and swathes of brambles (ouch!) almost encroach the one and only playing area on site. On the nearside an old wooden shelter cum dug out complete with white picnic chairs is placed close to the half-way line for use by the coach and substitutes. The playing surface which has a massive end to end slope was not in the best shape with several uneven patches of grass growing over it. The match played in mostly sunny conditions (apart from a really heavy downpour in the last five minutes) on a rather bumpy surface attacted only a dozen spectators including a number of familiar travelling fans who had driven over from Thetford. Also sitting at pitchside was James Geary a former player and supporter of East Ruston FC. He explained to me that he has not missed a game home and away for the last 30 years. Not bad for an 81 year-old is it?! Also present was the owner and his enormous pet Saint Bernard companion without doubt the largest dog I think I have ever seen at a game - well you couldn't miss it could you!? Needless to say he could sit exactly where he wanted to sit!! For the record Bridgham United took the honours with an impressive display winning 5-0 to book their place in round 2 of the competition. They did look the stronger side and were indebted to their talented striker Jason Conroy who scored four of the goals netting two in each half. His best came in the penultimate minute when he controlled the ball on his chest before turning quickly to drill it hard and low under keeper Adam Miller. Hoppers do need to be patient watching a game here as play is often interrupted whilst officials and onlookers retrieve the many miscued balls from the pitchside thorns and nettles! A visit to East Ruston Football Club comes highly recommended to all all like-minded football travellers. I found everyone at the club to be extremely helpful with player manager Craig Burton (who travels to all games from Diss) providing directions earlier during the day when I made a match check phone call and Graham Burton (a season ticket holder at Old Trafford) who helped me with the line ups. Cheers fellas for your assistance. Ah the joys of junior county cup football continues....have fun whever you go! FGIF Match Stats Scorers: (H) N/A and (A) J Conroy (18; 44; 73; 89); B Ramus (70) Attendance: 12; Admission and Programme: None; Match rating: 3/5; Ground rating: 3/5. Links http://www.norfolkfa.com/splash.aspx http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/eastrustonfc/ |
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edited on 18/09/11 |
