Match Facts   

No.60 - Mon. 9th April 2007; Essex & Suffolk Border League Premier Div 3.00pm at the Recreation Ground, Frinton-on-Sea, Essex  (att: 45; prog: No)

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Walton Town (0) 1 Earls Colne (2) 2

Luckless Walton deserve more

The Wraymobile and its merry band of travellers made its way from Newmarket into North Essex on Easter Bank Holiday. The chosen game was Walton Town against Earls Colne in the Premier Division of the Essex and Suffolk Border League.

With Town sitting perilously close to the relegation drop zone (after what for them has been an awful season) it looked likely that their opponents who were close to the top of the Division would record a comfortable away victory. And true to form with only ten minutes of the match played the 'Colne were two up. Seemingly cruising with further strikes hitting the woodwork a high score looked a strong possibility. But no. Walton returned from the changing rooms after the interval and looked a different side; whatever the gaffa’ had said in his team talk appeared to be working. His words had somehow reached the bit between the players' ears and his lads responded almost immediately with a well taken strike from a tight angle. Try as they might though an equaliser seemed elusive. Nearly every bit of the Colne goalframe had come to the rescue. Its true isn’t it, when you are at the bottom of the league you just don’t get the breaks and this was definitely the case today. The visitors had managed to win but only just!

The club is based at the playing fields in neighbouring Frinton-on-Sea which is only a couple of miles from Walton-on-the-Naze. It’s a well-heeled place with most elderly residents residing one of those popular white-washed bungalows with their well manicured front gardens there for all to see. There’s no graffiti here instead its lace curtains and china ornaments that catch the eye. The football pitch in Jubilee Way is beyond the local bowling green and playground located on the far side of the recreation ground. The changing rooms, bar and kitchen are sandwiched inside a sturdy stone walled pavilion next to the corner flag; further along are a couple of dug outs but there is no cover for spectators. The pitch was roped off with most of the crowd choosing to stand along the far touchline.

The club unfortunately do not issue programmes but refreshments are on sale from the tea bar at half-time with hot drinks and snacks on the menu.

The club do no benefit from having a large army of willing volunteers and as a result  no longer operate any other sides in local football; this naturally limits the number of available players from which to pick a team. With the future of Gas Recreation apparently in doubt following the sale of their Bromley Road site in Colchester and uncertainty about Weeley Athletic taking up its place in the ESBL next season, Walton could possibly escape the drop at the last minute. 

Despite its limitations Walton Town Football Club is a very friendly little club and it committee members always offer visitors a warm welcome!  Go and have a look for yourself.

FGIF Rating: 3*

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