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United maintain 100% record with cup success
This was quite an historic occasion for the club officials, players and supporters of Gayton United. Since gaining promotion up to Division One of the Anglian Combination League at the end of last season, the fixture marked the club's first ever game in the Norfolk Senior Cup. Having already won their three opening league matches, this tie went to form. United stamped their authority on the game and beat a spirited Aylsham Wanderers side with three well taken goals, including a second half penalty. The match was watched by 31 fans, including one well-known 'hopper from Lowestoft. Each contributed to the 'gate money' collected by a committee member during the second-half. The club do not produce programmes and don't have any intention of doing so in the foreseeable future.
Visitors to Lime Kiln Road will certainly be impressed by this little gem of a ground. Particular mention must go local builder Dick Hornigold whose vision it was to promote football in the village. The late craftsman, who sadly passed away a few years ago, left a legacy for which the club can be rightly proud of today. Everything is decked out in the club colours of blue and yellow: the dug outs have been lovingly painted with the club name and each one is separately labelled 'home' and 'away'; the stakes which support the perimeter rope follow this pattern and even the rubbish bins at pitch-side seem to be co-ordinated in the same way. But pride of place must go to the main stand, a totally unique feature in non-league football.
The high, narrow, metal structure resembles a large lorry container and is tightly hemmed between the hedge and the touchline running along the far side of the sloping pitch. On the front is a legend, written in large letters, which welcomes spectators to the club. To gain access you have to climb up a flight of steps in order to reach the landing/balcony above; there is enough space for about twenty people. From up here you certainly have a terrific view of proceedings below. Fom pitch level patrons look as if they might be standing on stilts to watch the action!! The changing rooms and tea bar are housed in a couple of old fashioned out buildings on the opposite side of the field; there is also space for car parking.
The secretary John Barwell was most helpful in providing me with directions to the ground. I travelled from Newmarket to Swaffham via Brandon and Mundford using the A11 and A1065. Take the A47 towards Kings Lynn and follow this for about five miles before following signs for Gayton village centre along the B1153 and then into Lime Kiln Road. As you would expect the local bus service is fairly infrequent.
FGIF Rating: 4* | 