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No.2 - Sat 11th August 2012; Peterborough & District Football League Premier Div; 2pm at The Vale of Catmose College; Huntsman Drive; Oakham; Leicestershire; LE15 6RP. |
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Matchday images (37) https://picasaweb.google.com/footballgroundsinfocus/OakhamUnitedFC
Oakham United (3) 5 Coates Athletic (1) 1 United score for fun in the sun Since the club formed just over two years ago now following the demise of Rutland Rangers FC, Oakham United has been playing home matches in the Peterborough & District Fotball League at the expansive Vale of Catmose College. Located only a short distance from the town centre, the large college buidings off Cold Overton Road are easily reached from the new by-pass. The main entrance leads to a spacious car park and beautifully landscaped campus which provides a mixed education for 11-16 year olds at its Academy. The sports facilities are situated at the far end of the site with access to the playing fields at the back through the swimming pool reception area. A small cramped changing room block provides accomodation for players and officials. It is only a short walk from here alongside some tennis courts to the playing fields where a couple of football pitches, an artificial all-weather cricket strip and impressive floodlit astroturf MUGA can be found. There's no dedicated cover for fans but the players and subs benefit from having a couple of synthetic portable dug outs placed close to the half-way line and erected before play starts. The main pitch is fully roped off using blue twine passed through white plastic posts around it's perimeter. Today's game was the first of the new season for both clubs. Despite a fairly even opening twenty minutes Oakham proved to be just too strong for their opponents from Peteborough eventually running out comfortable 5-1 winners. United took the lead through hard-working Nathan Arkle (12) who beat the offside trap to fire home under advancing keeper Daniel Fletcher before full-back Craig Welbourn (17) scored five minutes later from a tight angle after a great run down the right. Although Rob Speechley (20) pulled one back for the visitors, United added a third before the break after the ball rebounded off a post to give well placed Edward McDonald (39) the easiest of chances with an open goal to shoot at. Arkle rounded things off in the second half with two more goals in quick succession (on 68 and 73 minutes) to claim a well deserved hat-trick, leaving the result in no doubt and sending Oakham to the top of the Premier Division table. On this evidence Coates will possibly have a bit of a struggle on their hands unless they improve. The match played in scorching heat on an undulating, newly cut playing surface attracted twenty spectators. During the game I was joined by United chairman Andrew Saddington whose wife answered my check phone call earlier in the day. He explained how many of the personel had joined the club from Rutland Rangers when the club relocated in the town two seasons ago. However this may be the last season that United play at the Vale of Catmose College (or VC at it is referred to by locals) as a new site in the neighouring village of Barleythorpe has been ear-marked in order to develop the club further. Bearing this in mind travellers are encouraged to tick this one off before it is too late. You've been warned!! A visit to Oakham United comes highly recommended. Although the club does not issue bits of paper or provide refreshments, it does operate an up-to-date website which gives important information including a map and directions in how to get here. Interestingly the P&DL has completeley updated and revamped its own league website which can be found at the Full-Time address shown below. I must also inform travellers that a new downloadable league handbook which lists amongst other things all clubs competing in the P&DL, full ground addresses, contact numbers etc is found towards the foot of the home page. You'll agree it's a terrific resource. Enjoy your travels wherever you go! FGIF Match Stats Scorers: (H) N Arkle (12; 68; 73); C Welbourn (17); E McDonald (39) and (A) R Speechley (20) Attendance: 20; Admission and Programme: None; Match rating: 4/5; Ground rating: 3/5. Links http://www.oakhamunited.co.uk/ http://full-time.thefa.com/Index.do?league=6486466 |
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edited on 12/08/12 |
