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Visitors learn a footballing lesson!
Feeling the effects from my trip down to Brighton the night before meant going to a more local game on Saturday. I decided to make the relatively short journey into the Cambridgeshire Fens to watch this Cambridgeshire Senior B Division fixture between two lower table sides on what turned out to be a bitterly cold December afternoon.
The match was made more interesting by the appointment of female referee, Ms Kerr, who I noticed warming up twenty minutes before kick-off and who checked the studs of each player as they came out onto the pitch at the start of the game. She controlled the match quite brilliantly and must have impressed the Cambs FA secretary who was also in attendance. At one stage in the game she called over one of the visiting players for a quick word. His rash challenge had not escaped her attention. A quick apology contained the words: '..sorry about that love..', to which she firmly replied, ' ...hey, and don't you love me young man!' Reducing the burly, tatooed defender to size, this retort naturally caused great amusement amongst the handful of spectators who huddled pitchside. For the record, Willingham looked the better side. Ably managed by the ex-Newmarket Town boss and Wrexham Pro Bobby Shinton, his young charges were unlucky not to have scored more goals but were happy to take the points.
Although programmes are not issued by the club, a cracking cuppa was served at half-time from inside the changing pavilion; some home-made cakes were also on offer and were soon snapped up by the locals.
The roped-off football pitch is positioned next to the changing room block and runs lengthways alongside a small stream. Several advertising banners attached to wooden stakes are displayed near the entrance. The site also shares with cricket and youth football. There is no cover.
To reach the gound travellers can come off the A14 at the Histon exit, passing Bridge Road and the Glassworld Stadium. Follow directions to Cottenham and travel through Rampton into Willingham. As you leave the village on the Earith road turn left into Fen Road. There is plenty of parking along here.
FGIF Rating 4* | 