A gem of a ground

Saturday 28 April 2018, Crockenhill 0 Stansfeld 7 - Southern Counties East, Division One , Wested Meadow

The game was no contest but it is the ground itself, not the football that brings people to Crockenhill.

just look at these pictures and why would you not want to visit? Grounds like this are disappearing to be replaced artificial pitches and uniform stands - Let's just hope Crockenhill survive a bit longer.

Finish with a win

Monday 23 April 2018, Ipswich Town Under 23s 3 Bolton wanderers Under 23s 2 - Professional Development League, Portman Road


Cracking match for last game of the season - and a win!

Never a hope, once down to 10 men.

Saturday 21 April 2018, Ipswich Town 0 Aston Villa 4 - Championship, Portman Road

Good first 20 minutes, then unlucky to give a goal away - then red card and second half collapse

No goals but still Champions

Saturday 14 April 2018, Spartans 0 East Stirlingshire 0 - Lowland League, Ainslie Park

Thought it would be a great game, 1st v 3rd - a win needed to secure the title - but in the end, no goals and not sure either keeper made a save.

In the end the title was secured as the team in second lost, but the club still celebrated. The ground is modern, not much character but this is a community club - it is the amount of people they can get playing and how many players they can produce - this is he strength of this club.

Had it all

Wednesday 11 April 2018, Bow Street 2 Machynlleth 3 - Spa Mid Wales League, Cae Piod

A working week in Wales enabled me to get my first taste of Welsh non-league football and this game had it all.

Firstly I was impressed with the ground , a friendly welcome, nice stand and then on top of that we 
Two penalties - one soft, 3 other goals, some pushing and shoving then a red card. Not helped by the ref thinking he was in charge of a Rugby Union match!

I enjoyed it and as I am in wales every year at the same time, lets hope I can get a further game in next year.

Deep in the Nest

Saturday 7 April 2018, Lakenheath 1 Eaton Socon 5 - Cambridgeshire Premier League, The Nest

Looks like Lakenheath may be in the Eastern Counties League next season but a hopper recommended that I visited the Nest before they had to improve the ground - and I am glad I did.

Great clubhouse, friendly welcome and even a decent stand - bad point - the home team wear Yellow and Green. But the best feature of the Nest, is the location - at the base of an old chalk pit - lights and another stand plus hard standing will change the ground slightly but the location will still make this a must visit ground for any hopper.