R67050

Match Facts

No.50 - Sat. 10th March 2007; Kent County League Inter-Regional Cup S-F      2.15pm at Rede Court Road, Watling Street, Strood, Kent (att: 52; prog: 12pp, Free)

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Report

Bly Spartans (1) 1 Bridon Ropes (0) 0

Careless challenge is Ropes' undoing

With both teams looking for honours it was always going to be a tight contest. Winners of the tie would ensure that a First Division side would reach the Inter-Regional Cup Final to be played against Premier opposition. Spartans started well and had the visitors in knots following some good build-up play. Slack marking gave them an early opportunity to score but the chance was blasted over from close range. Bly tightened their grip on the game when they converted a penalty mid-way through the half following a clumsy challenge in the area. Ropes could not find an equaliser despite a string of counter attacks. With time running out nerves were becoming more frayed and several yellow cards were brandished by the referee in order to keep a rein on proceedings. The game was hanging on a thread as Darren Watson in the Spartans goal was kept very busy. After eight minutes of stoppage time the whistle went, marking a memorable victory and booking the club a place in the League cup final.

My visit to Bly Spartans had been prompted by FGIF's own ace correspondent Paul Roth who had visited the club just before Christmas (see TT no.91 on 09/12/06). Paul's glowing article had left me in no doubt that this was another progressive club who played on a gem of a ground. Quite simply it was up there on my 'must do' list. Found on the outskirts of Strood close to Rochester, the club is easily reached from the A2 being only a twenty minute drive from the Dartford Crossing. After leaving the main carriageway head towards the town centre before turning left turn down Rede Court Road. The venue clearly comes into view on your left hand side as you approach and creates a most favourable impression on the visitor. Set in a large playing field the football ground is fully railed off, surprising for this level of competition, with a smart clubhouse/pavilion along the far side. This magnificent building adorned in the club colours of maroon has the club name painted on the front with an equally impressive logo depicting a Spartan head on the end wall. A smart refreshment room with serving hatch is also found here and serves a range of hot drinks and snacks before the game and at half-time.

A smart, 12 page computer-generated programme was available from the clubhouse and issued free of charge for the game. The attractive card cover comes complete with match details and club line ups on the outide with league tables, club stats and latest news and a couple of pages of adverts providing the main content. Unbelievably there are a couple of colour action photographs printed inside!

An interesting club history reveals that the Spartans were formed back in 1982 after the demise of Templars FC (an old school team linked to the club). As Paul mentioned in his detailed report the name Bly Spartans is taken from the famous non-league club in the north-east where chairman David Archer had previously lived. They entered the Medway Area Football League spending several years in the Senior Division. After a few seasons playing in Sunday football the club applied to join the Kent County League in 1999-2000. To make the transition involved much work on the pavilion. This was finally completed a year later allowing the club to join Division Three West of the competition. Within two seasons and after successive promotions Bly took their place in Division One West where they are current members. With continous ground improvements Spartans have since obtained planning permission for the erection of floodlights around the pitch.

A healthy crowd of about 50 or so spectators were in attendance.. This included several well-known 'hoppers who had also made the journey into Kent; indeed the esteemed publications Groundtastic, The Non -League Digest and of course Football Grounds In Focus were well represented with Vince Taylor, Ron Jones and Dave 'DJ' Johnston having made this their first choice match for the afternoon! It was most enjoyable comparing notes about recent visits, programme news and things to do with football. I didn't realise that former steam-roller manufacturers Aveling and Porter, located at Star Hill in neighbouring Rochester, used the ground many years ago. Thanks Vince!

To reach the club from the M25 is fairly straightforward. Join the A2 at junction 2 and continue along here for about 12 miles. Leave at the Gillingham exit and then follow signs for Strood town centre along Watling Street. At the next junction (A289) take the second left which is Rede Court Road.

A visit to Bly Spartans comes highly recommended. Like many teams in this League you will impressed by what you will find - a real gem of a football ground with a progressive football club to match! For more information the County League website is a most valuable resource and a link to it is shown below. The joys of hopping!

               FGIF Rating: 3*

Links

Map l Kent County League Website

Match Facts	No.50 - Sat. 10th March 2007; Kent County League Inter-Regional Cup S-F 2.15pm at Rede Court Road, Watling Street, Strood, Kent (att: 52; prog: 12pp, Free)
Images	View matchday images 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14
Report	Bly Spartans (1) 1 Bridon Ropes (0) 0 Careless challenge is Ropes' undoing With both teams looking for honours it was always going to be a tight contest. Winners of the tie would ensure that a First Division side would reach the Inter-Regional Cup Final to be played against Premier opposition. Spartans started well and had the visitors in knots following some good build-up play. Slack marking gave them an early opportunity to score but the chance was blasted over from close range. Bly tightened their grip on the game when they converted a penalty mid-way through the half following a clumsy challenge in the area. Ropes could not find an equaliser despite a string of counter attacks. With time running out nerves were becoming more frayed and several yellow cards were brandished by the referee in order to keep a rein on proceedings. The game was hanging on a thread as Darren Watson in the Spartans goal was kept very busy. After eight minutes of stoppage time the whistle went, marking a memorable victory and booking the club a place in the League cup final. My visit to Bly Spartans had been prompted by FGIF's own ace correspondent Paul Roth who had visited the club just before Christmas (see TT no.91 on 09/12/06). Paul's glowing article had left me in no doubt that this was another progressive club who played on a gem of a ground. Quite simply it was up there on my 'must do' list. Found on the outskirts of Strood close to Rochester, the club is easily reached from the A2 being only a twenty minute drive from the Dartford Crossing. After leaving the main carriageway head towards the town centre before turning left turn down Rede Court Road. The venue clearly comes into view on your left hand side as you approach and creates a most favourable impression on the visitor. Set in a large playing field the football ground is fully railed off, surprising for this level of competition, with a smart clubhouse/pavilion along the far side. This magnificent building adorned in the club colours of maroon has the club name painted on the front with an equally impressive logo depicting a Spartan head on the end wall. A smart refreshment room with serving hatch is also found here and serves a range of hot drinks and snacks before the game and at half-time. A smart, 12 page computer-generated programme was available from the clubhouse and issued free of charge for the game. The attractive card cover comes complete with match details and club line ups on the outide with league tables, club stats and latest news and a couple of pages of adverts providing the main content. Unbelievably there are a couple of colour action photographs printed inside! An interesting club history reveals that the Spartans were formed back in 1982 after the demise of Templars FC (an old school team linked to the club). As Paul mentioned in his detailed report the name Bly Spartans is taken from the famous non-league club in the north-east where chairman David Archer had previously lived. They entered the Medway Area Football League spending several years in the Senior Division. After a few seasons playing in Sunday football the club applied to join the Kent County League in 1999-2000. To make the transition involved much work on the pavilion. This was finally completed a year later allowing the club to join Division Three West of the competition. Within two seasons and after successive promotions Bly took their place in Division One West where they are current members. With continous ground improvements Spartans have since obtained planning permission for the erection of floodlights around the pitch. A healthy crowd of about 50 or so spectators were in attendance.. This included several well-known 'hoppers who had also made the journey into Kent; indeed the esteemed publications Groundtastic, The Non -League Digest and of course Football Grounds In Focus were well represented with Vince Taylor, Ron Jones and Dave 'DJ' Johnston having made this their first choice match for the afternoon! It was most enjoyable comparing notes about recent visits, programme news and things to do with football. I didn't realise that former steam-roller manufacturers Aveling and Porter, located at Star Hill in neighbouring Rochester, used the ground many years ago. Thanks Vince! To reach the club from the M25 is fairly straightforward. Join the A2 at junction 2 and continue along here for about 12 miles. Leave at the Gillingham exit and then follow signs for Strood town centre along Watling Street. At the next junction (A289) take the second left which is Rede Court Road. A visit to Bly Spartans comes highly recommended. Like many teams in this League you will impressed by what you will find - a real gem of a football ground with a progressive football club to match! For more information the County League website is a most valuable resource and a link to it is shown below. The joys of hopping! FGIF Rating: 3*
Links	Map l Kent County League Website