Match Facts   

No.74 - Sat. 26th May 2007; Middlesex County League Prem Div  3.00pm at the Bedfont Sports Club, Hatton Lane, Bedfont, Middlesex  (att: 61; prog: 8pp, £2 w/a)

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Bedfont Sports (0) 0 Walthamstow Avenue & Pennant (0) 1

 The season ends on a 'high'!

The Wraymobile, complete with its crew of three passengers and assorted cargo, arrived at Bedfont Sports Football Club at 14:30 hours on Saturday 26th May. This was my final game of the season and was an absolute cracker - just the ticket after our long-haul journey from East Anglia!! High-flying Bedfont Sports met their match when a spirited Walthamstow Avenue and Pennant provided the opposition for this Middlesex County League Premier Division fixture at Hatton Lane.

 

The East London outfit dominated proceedings and played some fast, skilful flowing football on a well-grassed pitch which looked immaculate despite the driving rain. The visitors took the lead midway through the second half and were by then in full control with all hands firmly on the throttle. They were simply cruising when another effort crossed the line but this time it was ruled out for an offside. It was definitely a first-class performance and deserving of all three points!

 

The game was attended by some sixty spectators including a large number of travellers who were no doubt pleased to tick off another ground at a new destination. A basic but smart

8-page programme was issued for the game. A glossy cover depicting the Club Crest fronted a brief welcome, the team line-ups and focus on the visitors. Only twenty copies had been produced for the game and these had been sold out well before kick-off. Despite this minor setback I managed to scrounge one from the changing-rooms and was most grateful to the Walthamstow Left Back who kindly took out a copy from his hand-luggage after the game. What service!!

 

The ground in Hatton Lane is an absolute gem! It's literally a stone’s throw from the main departure runways at the huge Heathrow Airport Terminal which dominates the area for miles around. The incessant noise of engines roaring and the sight of those giant planes taking off   can be quite distracting and you really do have to concentrate hard to keep your eyes focused on the game and not in the sky!! A most exhilarating experience! During a stoppage in play in the first half I thought that one BA aircraft had caught fire only to realise that the smoke in the sky was, in fact, rising from one of the local allotments. Pheww - catastrophe averted!

 

The club is based next door to Bedfont FC. with its own self-contained site . There is a signpost at the entrance to welcome players; officials and spectators to the ground which is found at the end of a bumpy driveway and car park. Travellers will be immediately impressed by the smart pavilion painted in the club colours of blue and yellow. The logo depicting. a large bird of prey landing on a football is proudly displayed on the clock-face on the roof of the main club building. Patrons inside were congregating in the lounge and bar area ready for the game scheduled for a 15.00hrs. start. A door leads out to a smart covered patio area and tea bar around the back – already a large queue had formed waiting to sample the hot drinks and snacks including some tasty bacon rolls, ideal fuel for the hungry traveller. The catering was terrific and the tea lady was the perfect hostess.

 

The pitch is fully railed off with two dug outs positioned on the far side. Although there is no separate cover the patio area is more than adequate and was first choice for many as the rain continued to fall during the afternoon. A concrete walk-way is being laid in preparation for the club’s entry to the Combined Counties League next season, a most welcome departure seen by many as the passport to better things.

 

The club can be reached from the M4 (junction 3). Follow the A312 (Hayes) before turning right onto the A30. After about half a mile turn left down Hatton Lane with the ground and facilities visible on the left hand side. A visit to this West London club comes highly recommended - visitors to Bedfont Sports FC will not be disappointed. The joys of travelling can be most uplifting at times!! Over and out!     

      

FGIF Rating: 5*

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