R67052

Match Facts

                No.52 - Wed. 21st March 2007; Eastern Counties League Div 1                   7.45pm at the Debenham Leisure Centre, Debeham, Suffolk (att: 83; prog: 40pp, £1)

Images

View matchday images 01 02 03 04 05

Report

Debenham Leisure Centre (0) 0 Hadleigh United (0) 0

Debenham fail to find target in tight contest

Despite great endeavour neither side could find that elusive goal in this keenly fought Eastern Counties League Division One contest. The Hornets will feel unlucky not to nick the points but visiting 'keeper Luke Whitwell was in fine form making several significant saves to keep his side in the game. Debenham are the division's leading scorers with Ian Gedny and Stuart Jopling top marksmen on 27 and 24 goals apiece but as the former was unavailable it was left to the pacey Jopling to find a way through the Hadleigh defence; without much support and being tightly marked the task proved difficult for the lone striker. As a result a goalless draw was the inevitble outcome, my first 0-0 since the August Bank holiday (Gornal Athletic v Dudley Sports, West Midlands Regional League Premier Division).

Debenham Football Club has a relatively short history. Since its formation in 1991 the club has worked its way through the lower reaches of the Suffolk and Ipswich League gaining successive promotions before gaining membership to the Ridgeon's League in 2005-2006. With a name change to incorporate the Leisure Centre in its title, the team finished a creditable tenth place in its first season.

Having visited the club back in 2000 for an SIL Omnicio League Cup game (Round 3 v Achilles,4-2 on 23/12/00), I was pleased to see several new ground developments since the club's rise in status. There are still several pitches on site but the main one is next to and runs parallel with the Leisure Centre. The playing area is surrounded by a concrete walkway and there is a smart post and rail fence around its perimeter. On the near side a new cantilever stand straddles the half-way line and accomodates over100 spectators with four rows of eye-catching yellow and black plastic seats in place; there is also a clear perspex screen at each end which allow fans a better view of the action. Apparently when the 'Arena' stand was constructed at the start of last season the contents were delivered in a number of flat packs and took less than three hours to erect! On the opposite side are two perspex dug outs which provide a base for both 'benches' - the home shelter has been reinforced after it was uprooted and blown a couple of hundred metres away across the playing field, the result of a particularly severe gale during the winter months! Floodlights have obviously been added  and there are four poles holding three lamps on each side of the ground.

A smart 40-page programme with a striking yellow colour cover was issued for the game for £1. It is a splendid effort with lots of reading material and up-to-date stats making up its content. I was impressed to see the match details printed on the front. Refreshments were available from the bar in the club house at half-time. I decided to stay in my seat and spent the half-time break chatting to a couple of locals; this paid off when to my surprise the lady serving refreshments came into the stand offering a free 'cuppa to those present! What great service!

A visit to this friendly, well-run club is highly reccommended. To find the ground follow directions to the town centre and then signs to the Leisure Centre/School. The main entrance is about half a mile out of town along Gracechurch Street. There is large car park on site with access to the ground/pitch through the Leisure Centre doors on the left hand side. Come on you hornets!

               FGIF Rating: 4*

Links

Map l Debenham LC FC website

Match Facts	No.52 - Wed. 21st March 2007; Eastern Counties League Div 1 7.45pm at the Debenham Leisure Centre, Debeham, Suffolk (att: 83; prog: 40pp, £1)
Images	View matchday images 01 02 03 04 05
Report	Debenham Leisure Centre (0) 0 Hadleigh United (0) 0 Debenham fail to find target in tight contest Despite great endeavour neither side could find that elusive goal in this keenly fought Eastern Counties League Division One contest. The Hornets will feel unlucky not to nick the points but visiting 'keeper Luke Whitwell was in fine form making several significant saves to keep his side in the game. Debenham are the division's leading scorers with Ian Gedny and Stuart Jopling top marksmen on 27 and 24 goals apiece but as the former was unavailable it was left to the pacey Jopling to find a way through the Hadleigh defence; without much support and being tightly marked the task proved difficult for the lone striker. As a result a goalless draw was the inevitble outcome, my first 0-0 since the August Bank holiday (Gornal Athletic v Dudley Sports, West Midlands Regional League Premier Division). Debenham Football Club has a relatively short history. Since its formation in 1991 the club has worked its way through the lower reaches of the Suffolk and Ipswich League gaining successive promotions before gaining membership to the Ridgeon's League in 2005-2006. With a name change to incorporate the Leisure Centre in its title, the team finished a creditable tenth place in its first season. Having visited the club back in 2000 for an SIL Omnicio League Cup game (Round 3 v Achilles,4-2 on 23/12/00), I was pleased to see several new ground developments since the club's rise in status. There are still several pitches on site but the main one is next to and runs parallel with the Leisure Centre. The playing area is surrounded by a concrete walkway and there is a smart post and rail fence around its perimeter. On the near side a new cantilever stand straddles the half-way line and accomodates over100 spectators with four rows of eye-catching yellow and black plastic seats in place; there is also a clear perspex screen at each end which allow fans a better view of the action. Apparently when the 'Arena' stand was constructed at the start of last season the contents were delivered in a number of flat packs and took less than three hours to erect! On the opposite side are two perspex dug outs which provide a base for both 'benches' - the home shelter has been reinforced after it was uprooted and blown a couple of hundred metres away across the playing field, the result of a particularly severe gale during the winter months! Floodlights have obviously been added and there are four poles holding three lamps on each side of the ground. A smart 40-page programme with a striking yellow colour cover was issued for the game for £1. It is a splendid effort with lots of reading material and up-to-date stats making up its content. I was impressed to see the match details printed on the front. Refreshments were available from the bar in the club house at half-time. I decided to stay in my seat and spent the half-time break chatting to a couple of locals; this paid off when to my surprise the lady serving refreshments came into the stand offering a free 'cuppa to those present! What great service! A visit to this friendly, well-run club is highly reccommended. To find the ground follow directions to the town centre and then signs to the Leisure Centre/School. The main entrance is about half a mile out of town along Gracechurch Street. There is large car park on site with access to the ground/pitch through the Leisure Centre doors on the left hand side. Come on you hornets! FGIF Rating: 4*
Links	Map l Debenham LC FC website