No.41 - Sat 17th March 2012; North East Norfolk League Division 1;                              2.30pm at The Village Green, Thurgarton Road, Aldborough, Aylsham, Norfolk; NR11 7AA.

 

Matchday images (50) https://picasaweb.google.com/footballgroundsinfocus/AldboroughLionsFC

Aldborough Lions (0) 0 Gimingham (2) 6

Lions tamed in the jungle...

It was back to real grass roots football again this week as I continued my pilgrimage around the local non-league pyramid clubs. After missing out on a new ground only seven days ago normal service was thankfully resumed today. My trip towards the north east Norfolk coast was completed comfortably courtesy of a time-saving Sat Nav which took me around the outskirts of Norwich using a route I never even knew existed. In fact I would say that some of those roads around Taverham would not look out of place in a winter Olympic luge course!! My destination was the the Green, unique home to Aldborough Lions Football Club, located some six or so miles to the south of Cromer.

Set in beautiful pastoral scenery the pretty triangular green found in the centre of the village has reputedly won many 'best kept village' awards over the years. Bordered by houses and cottages, some dating back to the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries, the green hosts the annual village fete established over 700 years ago. Cricket matches have been played reguarly here throughout the summer months over the last 150 years and many surrounding properties have adopted names of well-known cricketing terms! Real ale enthusiasts will be interested to learn that two pubs the Georgian Old Red Lion (Adnams) and the Black Boys are frequented by locals and tourists alike. The village is also served by several local businesses including a Spar mini-supermarket and a family-run antique shop which apparently featured recently on Antiques Roadshow the popular BBC TV series.

In terms of football facilities this has to be one of the most basic of set ups seen anywhere in the grass roots game. With no evidence of any pitchside accommodation, spectator cover, player dug outs or even perimeter rope to speak of Aldborough Lions Football Club definitely find themselves in the pyramid bargain basement. However the club does have the luxury of using the Black Boys public house on Thurgarten Road for its matchday games. With access via a steep narrow metal staircase all the players change in a small room above and behind the hostelry. Look out too for the cricket themed wrought-iron fashioned memorial seat dedicated to Ken found behind the right hand corner flag close to the main road. 

Today rock bottom placed Lions are entertaining local rivals and current league champions on the Green (or the 'Jungle' as the club affectionately call it!) in an eagerly-awaited North East Norfolk League Division 1 fixture. The game is a re-run of the league cup tie played here recently. Aldborough have a tough task if they are to improve on their 10-0 hammering they received just two weeks ago by their title-chasing opponents from Mundesley. Mind you affable and larger than life club manager Adam Brown offered some wonderful words of encouragement in the pre-match huddle: 'If we are going to lose make them earn it. Just enjoy it. Be positive!'. Say no more.

The match played in torrential rain throughout goes (as predicted) according to the form book with Gimingham running out eventual 6-0 winners. A spirited Lions side fight hard in the opening twenty minutes with away keeper Mark Grand tested by Ben Adams (8) early on. However it's the visitors who take the lead when quick-paced Charlie Skipper (21) scores with a cracking shot from a direct free-kick taken 20 yards out. Their deserved advantage is doubled within ten minutes when Ali Thurston (33) heads in at the near post following Paul Hinds' dangerous in-swinging corner.

Within three minutes of the re-start Wayne Cutting (48) breaks through the Lions' defence to slide the ball under home keeper Ben Fuller notching his side's third goal. Moments later Skipper (52) adds a fourth (his second) after beating the offside trap and then directing the ball inside the far post. By the hour mark the game is over as a spectacle when Skipper claims his hat-trick from the penalty spot after being pulled down by Adam Brown when clean through. Skipper's replacement Michael Reynolds (82) rounds things off placing a clinically struck direct free kick into the top left hand corner with less than ten minutes remaining. The game deteriorates in the final stages though as young inexperienced referee Adam Gouldbourne (who is being assessed) feels compelled to brandish several yellow cards when the hosts lose some self-discipline borne out more through frustration than malice.  

The three points now keep alive Gimingham's hopes of a possible fourth shot at the league title. If they can win their four remaining games in hand over long time leaders Coltishall both clubs will be level on points. On this evidence it could go down to the wire as Messrs Hansen and Shearer often say during their MOTD punditry!! To coin another phrase, watch this space!!

As you would expect like all clubs in this league the Lions don't issue programmes. However I was lucky to get my hands on the team line ups for my FGIF Match Stats card and thanks go to both managers for their invaluable help. If you need further info about The Lions and any of the clubs in the NENL check out the website links shown below. For sustenance the local Spar convenience store is within a Rory Delap long throw of the pitch and offers the hungry traveller with an alternative range of tasty snacks (other than pub grub) and certainly satisfied my strong desire for chocolate muffins (once again I'm afraid)!!

A visit to the homely Green in Aldborough comes with my highest recommendation. I found everyone associated with the club, that's players, officials and supporters, to be most welcoming and genuinely interested to know that someone had heard of them let alone travel many miles to watch one of their matches. I'm really glad I did too. If you fancy watching a game here you won't be disappointed by spending a few hours in this delighful village. The joys of hopping to places in the middle of nowhere continue. Have fun wherever you go....

FGIF Match Stats

Scorers: (H) N/A and (A) C Skipper (21; 52; 62pen); A Thurston (33); W Cutting (48).

Attendance: 12; Admission and Programme: N/A; Match rating: 3/5; Ground rating: 3/5.

Links

http://www.nenleague.org/

http://full-time.thefa.com/Index.do?league=7079615

edited on 18/03/12