'It's a funny old game isn't it? Today I'm heading the relatively short distance from Racing HQ to the outskirts of Haverhill for my footy fix, a Suffolk County Cup competition. With both teams separated by only one division in the Cambridgeshire County League and just a few miles in geographical terms there's plenty at stake for the clubs taking to the field in this Primary Cup Second Round tie.

However as I arrive at the leafy Kedington Community Centre off Arms Lane there seems to be a dispute of some kind outside the changing rooms between the players and club staff. Once I've got out of the car and moved within earshot I learn that the match referee has cried off at the last minute (apparently he suffered a work related injury the day before) and so it's now up to both sides to find a suitable replacement. Despite his tender age, young Lennon Westley (a qualified assistant) is plucked from the Punch ranks and is hastily designated to take up the whistle a task everyone seems happy with. The kick-off is put back a few minutes as the players observe a minute's silence as a mark of respect to former Punch player Daniel Boyle (aka Dogger) who sadly passed away five years ago this week.

Despite my immediate reservations the sixteen year old does a simply superb job not only in controlling twenty odd grown men on the pitch but also in reassuring the many vociferous supporters throwing in their opinions from the side lines. In what turns out to be a thrilling spectacle it is the (division five) visitors from neighbouring Puddlebrook who turn the tables to beat their rivals from the higher division (four). Despite going ahead in the first ten minutes Suffolk Punch reply five times to take the honours and ease into the next round of the competition.

The game played on a wide pitch with a rather undulating and tussocky surface is accompanied by a mixture of sunshine and showers which seem to alternate during the afternoon. A crowd of nearly forty spectators is in attendance including two familiar and somewhat quirky (in these parts at any rate) hoppers who have come over from Ipswich for the game. Super fans Alan and James (also a long standing Suffolk FA committee member) incredibly try to squeeze in several games during the course of a Saturday afternoon staying pitch-side for about ten minutes before moving on to the next match in what resembles a feat of military precision. By the time I had spotted them they had already made some notes, taken a few photos and retreated to the car park where they could be seen pouring over a large paper map before contemplating their next excursion. As they say it takes all sorts but perhaps this is a bit OTT...isn't it??!

To reach Kedington Football Club turn off the A143 (Haverhill to Bury St Edmunds road) at the staggered cross roads towards Kedington along the B1061. Continue for about half a mile before turning left up Kings Hill. Turn 

right after the Barnardiston Arms pub and follow Arms Lane down to the Community Centre on the left. A spacious car park leads to the large building which incorporates the village library as well as the brick built changing rooms complete with sloping roof. The large tree line site also referred to as Great Meadow is popular with walkers being located on the banks of the River Stour; it certainly gives the pitch a lovely enclosed feel. Although there is no dedicated cover or dug outs a small and beautifully painted shelter with seats is located on the far side of the field some twenty yards beyond the furthest goal. Eagle eyed visitors might also spot a rather ornate thatched cottage set back on the road - if you look carefully you will spot a fox in pursuit of a squirrel, both figurines crafted from wicker and attached onto the very top of the roof!

Click on the links below to find out more details about the club, the Cambs County League and the Suffolk FA Cups. A visit to this lovely village and the football club comes highly recommended. So what are you waiting for? The joys and experiences of footballing anomalies continue - have fun wherever you go.