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TT No.204: Mike Latham - Thurs 5 Apr 2007. Westmorland League Division 1. Lunesdale United 2-5 |
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So here we are, the Thursday before Easter and very few games to choose from- doubtless the reason why one of the most well-known travellers on the circuit is one of the score and ten lining the touchline as I arrive at the Orton Road ground of Lunesdale United on a beautiful spring evening. Lunesdale United FC are based in the It’s a typical Westmorland League venue- doubtless inhospitable at times in winter but positively wonderful on an evening such as this with superb views over Lakeland fell, the Lunesdale Valley and the seemingly never-ending trail of wagons travelling up and down the M6 in the near distance. The Westmorland League has an excellent website, regularly updated, with news of fixtures, league tables and results. Though the kick-off time is advertised as 6-30pm this game kicks-off a little earlier and the visitors are already one-up, courtesy of an own goal I am informed by the linesman, by the time I arrive at 6-27pm. Lunesdale recover to lead 2-1 by a quickly-taken half-time but fold alarmingly in the second half, conceding four goals without reply, including another own goal. The action passes off peacefully with the thousands of sheep and newly born Spring lambs never taking their eyes off the grass they are devouring in the surrounding fields. The Recreation Ground is what the term rudimentary was invented for. There is a small changing pavilion in one corner and that sums up the facilities. The views are spectacular but the welcome to the visiting spectator virtually non-existent. If you desire a programme, pie, cup of tea, tannoy announcements, banter with he locals or team news this is not the league for you. The playing pitch is well grassed but bumpy and undulating and despite their first half travails Windermere ease to victory in the end. Tebay is a town of less than 1,000 inhabitants based mainly upon local agriculture but also an important junction of the Lancaster-Carlisle railway. In more recent times it has become known for the excellence of its independent motorway services, Westmorland Services, which have won many awards. The quality of the football in the Westmorland will struggle to win awards for artistic merit but the match is played in a hard, competitive and sporting spirit and the breath-taking views more than atone for the dominance of perspiration over inspiration on the field. And, as the well known traveller said, it’s another tick. |
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contributed on 05/04/07 |
