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No.16 - Sat 29th October 2011; Norfolk Junior Cup Round 3; 1.45pm at The Highfield, Loddon Road, Norton Subcourse, Norfolk, NR14 6RY. |
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Matchday images (70) https://picasaweb.google.com/footballgroundsinfocus/NortonAthleticFC
Norton Athletic (0) 0 Terrington SC (0) 3 Saints make hay down on the farm... Today we are heading for the outskirts of the Norfolk Broads for our footy fix. If you're not familiar with the area let me tell you that it's a lovely part of the world. Our destination is the little known but wonderfully named village of Norton Subcourse located only a few miles from picturesque Loddon and within easy reach of Great Yarmouth, found just off the main A146 carriageway. Our chosen game is the much awaited Norfolk Junior Cup 3rd round tie between Norton Athletic and Terrington Saint Clement. It is incredible to think (even at this level) that out of all the matches being played in the competition this afternoon the visitors from the Norfolk, Cambs and Lincolnshire border, close to Kings Lynn, have the furthest to travel today having to complete a massive 130 mile round trip to fulfill this fixture. Having been drawn away for the third successive round of the competition you have to share a little bit of sympathy with them. Norton Athletic Football Club, members of the Lowestoft & District League Div 1, is based at The Highfield on Loddon Road. This has to be one of the most surreal settings for any football club on the local circuit as the ground is based on farm land owned by the Raveningham Estate (Sir Nicholas Bacon), from which the club leases the field. Travellers should note that a visit here does come with an important health warning. Due to the intensive agricultural nature of the pig breeding business the strong pungent smell of manure is ever present throughout the game. It really does stink! Hoppers with a nervous disposition should also be aware of the loud background sound of (hunting) gunshot coming from the surrounding fields which fills the pitchside air at regular intervals. You will be happy to know this has nothing to do with the frequent loud squeals made by the pigs living in the farm opposite! Access, through a small gated entrance on Loddon Road, leads the visitor to the playing field, a venue enclosed by a combination of fences, hedges and trees with open farmland beyond. The imposing tall farm outbuildings; barns; silos; agricultural vehicles etc. located behind the far goal provide an incredible backdrop to the whole proceedings. Parking is available with plenty of space behind the nearest goal. Further along a number of wooden buildings (portakabin-style) set back at an angle provide changing accommodation and toilet facilities for use by patrons. The club name, printed onto a small plastic sign, is attached on the side of the home dressing rooms. A new wooden bench placed alongside offers some seating if required. Interestingly several folding advertising boards are placed pitchside to promote the club sponsors. A nice pro-active touch! The entire pitch is surrounded by a neat, low, orange-coloured, string-meshed fence supported by thin white posts - at first sight this resembles an electric fence used to control small animals! Both goal nets and all four corner flags are fashioned in the club colours of blue and yellow. If you stand close to the half-way line you can spot several large wind turbines in the distance beyond the typical flat landscape coming from the Scroby Sands windfarm, a site providing alternative renewable energy. Each side was breaking new ground in reaching the 3rd round of the Norfolk Junior Cup today having both been knocked out at the second round stage last season. Athletic gaining a bye to the 2nd round narrowly beat Anglian Combination League side Loddon United Reserves 2-1 here three weeks ago. By contrast Terrington, members of the North West Norfolk League Division 1, had won their two previous ties (both played away from home) at Garboldisham (2-4) and Feltwell (0-1) to get here. A close game was in prospect. Despite a tight goalless first half the visitors dressed in a smart maroon kit gradually took contriol of the game in the second half and scored three times without reply to book their place in the next round. After some neat build-up play it was Dean Thwaite-Smith (62) who had time and space to guide the ball just inside the right hand post from the edge of the box and open the scoring. Ten minutes from time Matt Prudence (80) doubled his side's lead with a speculative shot from 35 yards out that left keeper Rob Mattocks totally flat-footed. Andrew Long put the result in absolutely no doubt when he easily netted from only two yards after keeper Mattocks had parried Thwaite-Smith's low shot into his path. It had been a most enjoyable game of cup football. The match attended by only fourteen spectators was played on a dry, bumpy but well-grassed and clearly marked pitch in beautiful warm, sunny conditions. Although Norton Athletic, like all clubs in the L&DL, don't do bits of paper, the club publishes its own Pitchero website (see adress below) to provide visitors with plenty of up to date information; stats; reports; travel directions etc. Mrs W had thankfully brought the trusty flask and some nibbles to keep our hopping energy levels high. I was totally indebted to hardworking first team club coach and secretary Scott Yarham for providing us with expert directions before setting off at midday and copying out both team line-ups when we got there. Thanks mate, you're a real star! So another great day out for the hoppers from racing HQ. A visit to Norton Athletic Football Club comes highly recommended and you will be guaranteed a warm welcome. As I mentioned before, travellers to The Highfield (and farm) should come prepared to watch a game in what is a most agicultural setting, if you get my drift... pardon the pun... have fun wherever you go! WebEd - since writing this review Julian Walker, Chairman of Norton Athletic FC contacted me (via E-Mail): 'I refer to your article on the Norton Athletic v Terrington FC match a couple of weeks ago. I am Chairman of Norton Athletic, and our Secretary Scott Yarham had forwarded the link to your article and photos to players and myself. Thank you very much for producing the excellent article and matchday account, and the great pictures!
I was very disappointed to be unable to attend the match myself, the first match I have been unable to wave the flag for offside all season ! So, my apologies for not being able to be there to welcome you, but I know Scott will have done an excellent job ... the club owes an immense debt for all the hard work Scott puts in.
I think it very commendable that you/your organisation features such grassroots and rural football locations such as Norton Subcourse. Keep up the good work.
Just a couple of comments on your article. The land is actually owned by Raveningham Estate (Sir Nicholas Bacon), from which the club leases the field. And I hope that there was no connection between the gunshots and the squealing pigs! Whilst both are normal features of a home match, along with the rural odour that helps clear the nose, my belief has been that the shots are fired at rabbits, pheasants or pigeons, and the squeals are of happy pigs!
Thanks once again, Julian Walker, Chairman, Norton Athletic FC'.
FGIF Match Stats Scorers: (H) N/A and (A) D Thwaite-Smith (62); M Prudence (80); A Long (89) Attendance: 14; Admission and Programme: None; Match rating: 4/5; Ground rating: 5/5. Links http://www.norfolkfa.com/splash.aspx http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/nortonathleticfc/ |
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edited on 30/10/11 |
