No.49 - Tues 11th May 2010; Anglian Combination League Division 3; 6.30pm at the Bayer Sports Club, Marl Pit Lane, Norwich, Norfolk.
Matchday images (13) >view> Marlingford (0) 2 Foulsham (2) 4 The end of a long season Our decision to join the tea time rush hour traffic proved to be a good one as the Wraymobile II made its way, without any trouble, from the racing HQ to the outskirts of Norwich via the A11 and A47. In fact it took just over an hour for us to complete the journey door to door (or should that be door to ground?). How refreshing it was to see both sets of players warming up on the pitch, a full twenty minutes before the alloted 18.30 kick-off time. Tonight's game at the Bayer Social Club, off Marl Pit Lane, saw hosts Marlingford Football Club take on Foulsham in what was, for both teams, their final game of a particularly long season. You can say that again! Coincidentally this was a reverse of the same fixture we attended back in April on Bank Holiday Monday morning when the the Reds took all three points in a comfortable 2-0 home victory at their Guist Road ground. Since that date Foulsham have exceeded all expectations achieving much well-acclaimed success, gaining promotion (coming second to Hempnall Reserves) to Division Two of the Anglian Combination League and finishing as runners-up to West Lynn S&S FC in the Norfolk Junior Cup Final played recently at Carrow Road. Despite playing an in-form side of higher status (Division 2 champions), I am told that the contest (1-2) was a very close one. The club even reached the quarter final stage of the Cyril Ballyn Trophy for good measure. Not a bad term's work eh lads. Although the village of Marlingford is itself a few of miles away, (as if travelling towards Swaffham), the football club choose to use the facilities here at the Bayer sports ground instead. The site is dominated by the huge, neighbouring Bayer Crop chemical plant which provides a rather unique backdrop to proceedings. One of the stewards explained to me that Bayer CropScience is a major global centre for marketing, manufacturing, production and supply of high-quality crop solutions with its commercial headquarters in Cambridge. Apparently the company here in Norwich and another one based in Widnes, Cheshire, make up the UK operation. Located on the larger Sweetbriar Industrial Estate over the road, the business operates fully around the clock, 24-7. For visitors here the constant hissing and humming coming from the massive turbines, chimneys, vats and pipes, is disconcertingly audible in the background and can be an unwanted distraction throughout your temporary stay. The ground entrance at the end of Marl Pit Lane (just before it adjoins Hellesdon Road) is found almost immediately after crossing an exceptionally narrow single lane road bridge (over the river Wensum), on the right hand side. A welcome sign on the sharp bend is not visible at first glance, so can easily be missed. The short but steep driveway leading you up to a small car park and a smart pavilion housing both the social club and changing rooms soon comes into view on your left. Conveniently set at angle to the main pitch, it's a basic but homely affair with picnic tables and a veranda providing a bit of comfort for the visitor. Without a proper cricket square here, the sight of practise nets away to the right look somewhat out of place. The wide football pitch, marked out on the right hand side of the field is bordered by a row of tall trees which run parallel. Apart from two perspex dug outs set back from the touchline and off-centre to the half-way line, there is no other cover. The pitch tonight was unroped and up until the kick-off was missing its four corner-flag posts. One of the home substitutes could be seen hastily running around the perimeter fitting these into place as the game was about to start. Sadly no one had told him that the flags themselves were still back inside the groundsman's hut! The game went according to the form book with Foulsham scoring four times without reply. The first came soon after the kick-off when Simon Pryor (5) was on hand to tap the ball in from close range after Ben Darby's initial shot rebounded off the bar to land perfectly at his feet. Stewart Longhorn (10) nearly added a second but his speculative effort from distance was tipped over by lofty Lee Aldridge in the Marlingford goal. The stopper was less composed though when he kicked a back pass straight out to the Reds Craig Knowles who unselfishly crossed it to the better placed Pryor (15) to notch his second of the game and make it 2-0. The hosts best chance came moments before the break when the tricky Osa Oder (42) dribbled through only for his shot to canon off and over the crossbar. It was almost deja-vu when Foulsham added a third soon after the re-start. It was the quick-footed Knowles who set up the goal after making a timely run and cross into the box leaving Justin Howe (50) with the simplest of chances. Keeper Aldridge (64) rose to the challenge when keeping out Aaron Dougall's blockbuster struck from the edge of the box. Foulsham put the game to bed with fifteen minutes to go after a direct free kick taken by Longhorn was flicked on by Darren Longborn to give Darby (77) another perfect goal poacher's opportunity to toe poke the ball over the line. Without any further chances of note the game finally ended with the scoreline at 0-4. The anorak in you might be interested to learn that this result took the visitors up to seventry three points; scoring over one hundred goals and notching up an impressive goal difference of +60, the best in the division, in the process. It's also quite incredible to think that the Reds managed to play forty league and cup games (none goalless) throughout the entire 2009-2010 season. The match tonight, played in bright, sunny but cold conditions on a well grassed but hard surface, attracted sixteen spectators. The majority had made the short trip over from East Dereham to cheer on their heroes, including a number of vociferous female supporters who sat pitchside in one of the dug outs where they escaped the cold breeze. Their presence certainly enhanced the matchday atmosphere with plenty of infectious laughter and quick witted remarks: as I passed by with my camera they instantly demanded a 'team' photo and one of them (a rather loud Geordie lass who also happens to be the club secretary) even suggested that her friend was prepared to streak across the pitch if the price was right! Being a retiscent sort of chap in such situations and not sure whether to reply to this, I took the bull by the horns and decided to go for it. However my retort of 'not owning a big enough lens' didn't seem to go down too well and for PC reasons I cannot print the rest of the conversation. As you can all probably imagine there was quite a bit of camera shake from yours truly and after experiencing this rather unlady-like banter I soon made my way around to the opposite side of the pitch which seemed to be a much safer option!! By the start of the second half the groupies had left, seeking refuge from the increasingly cold wind in the warmer climes of the Sports Club pavilion. Phew!! If you're reading this Spanner you may remember the lady in question when we met up at Foulsham a few weeks ago. Say no more! As you would expect the club does not issue programmes for any of its games. Thankfully both team managers kindly furnished me with both line ups which I transferred to my FGIF Match Stats Card before the game started. Sadly hot drinks were not available for those in attendance tonight, a shame really as a cup of tea would have gone down very nicely at half-time. However this did not detract from our enjoyment and I can thoroughly recommend a visit here (perhaps in better weather) to all travellers. May I also direct hungry hoppers to the excellent Larkman Fish Bar in Larkman Lane (off the Dereham Road), at the Marl Pit Lane crossroads. Mrs W gave our tasty post match fish and chip supper a maximum five star rating. It really was most enjoyable fried fayre! So as another season draws to an end no doubt most of the coaching staff, players and fans will be looking forward to having a well earned rest. During a break in play I got into conversation with the Foulsham assistant referee who was running the line tonight. He told me that he would be quite sad for the season come to an end and remarked (in all sincerity): 'Thank God I've got the World Cup to look forward to...it means I won't have to chat to the missus all Summer will I?!!'. Hmmm. The joys of watching football in small 'Narrrfarrrk' villages and hamlets continues! Have fun wherever you go in the remaining few weeks. FGIF Match Stats Scorers: (H) N/A (88) and (A) S Pryor (5; 15); J Howe (50); B Darby (77) Attendance: 16; Admission: N/A; Programme: N/A; Match rating: 3/5; Ground rating: 3/5. edited 12/05/10
