Entertaining but not a real cracker!
With friends visiting us on Saturday evening, it was important not to stray too far to watch football. A quick glance at the fixtures revealed that Suffolk & Ipswich League side Wickham Market were playing a Division One game at home and with a 2pm start. This was ideal, meaning that I would be home on time. As the club was the only one left that I needed in this Division it also give me the opportunity to 're-complete' the SIL.
By half past one I had reached my destination in deepest Suffolk. I was relieved to get there as the last few miles of the journey involved using some of the narrowest, winding, tree-lined roads imagineable. In places this was quite a harrowing experience as the bends came fairly thick and fast. At one point I had to test my brakes as a group of local huntsman, horses and hounds had gathered on the opposite side of a sharp bend. With my right foot slamming down hard on the pedal, most of the contents from the passenger seat flew forwards to land in a tangled mess on the floor below. Thankfully no damage was done apart from a few shredded nerve endings!
The game was an evenly contested affair with both sides putting on an entertaining display. The hosts took an early lead only for their opponents to net twice in close succession. In the second half Wickham drew level again but this did not last long as Thurston piled on the pressure and scored through a cracking volley from just outside the box. This turned out to be enough to win the game for the visitors who had travelled from Bury St.Edmunds.
The football club play at the Wickham Market Playing Fields. The main facilities are situated behind the goal and incorporate a village hall, club pavilion and changing rooms. A small children's play area runs parallel and to the left of the main pitch. There is no cover so travellers would be well advised to attend a game here in decent weather. There is plenty of room for car parking on site. The club do not issue programmes and don't offer hot drinks or snacks either.
My route from home followed the A14 eastwards, coming off at the A140 (Norwich to Ipswich Road) at Needham Market. After about a mile cross the dual carriageway and take the B1078 (sign posted Coddenham), travelling along a snaking route through the delightfully named villages of Ashbocking, Clopton and Charsfield before reaching the village of Wickham Market. At the T-junction turn right into the High Street (B1438), pass the market square and take another right into the narrow entrance for the Village Hall car park. This is next to Jewell's old disused garage. An alternative route would be to stay on the A14, by-passing Ipswich and then taking the A12 north, coming to the village after travelling through Woodbridge.
FGIF Rating 3* |