Rural setting for two teams trying to play football

Saturday 27 October 2018, Chipstead 2 Berkhamstead 1 - FA Trophy 1st Round qualifying, High Road

Surprised to find a ground like this hidden away in such a rural setting , maybe certain people in Surrey do want floodlights to close to their homes/golf courses!

However the people at the club were very welcoming and I am glad I went as it was a pleasant change to watch tow teams trying to play football. Maybe a bit too much winging at the ref, but an enjoyable afternoon anyway.

Game had everything

Monday 22 October 2018, Erith Town 4 Clapton 4 ( 3-4 on penalties) - London Senior Cup, 2nd Round, Erith Stadium

8 gaols, a red card plus penalties - a game that had everything and in the end the 10 men of Clapton deserved the win. Plus one of their goals, a volley by the well named, Eusebio was a cracker.

The stadium - even for one that has an 8 lane athletics track was OK, as Erith have club room, a welcome coffee and a good committee of helpers who made it an enjoyable evening south of the river.

Village stand

Sunday 21 October 2018, Gym Utd 3 Tostock Pirates 0 - Greath Whelnetham Community Centre, Bury & District Sunday League, Division One, KO Cup, 1st round

Not a fan of Sunday football however I was attracted to this fixture for a number of reasons, firstly I had a personal invite from one of the groundhopping elite!

The home team, Gym Utd were national FA Sunday Cup finalists last season and thirdly - only a village pitch but this one was in great condition and had a stand!

Gym won easily in the end but for a long time the score remained at 1-0, the ground is now only home to Sunday football but it is well worth a visit.

On the move - downwards!

Saturday 20 October 2018, Ipswich Town 0 QPR 2 - Championship, Portman Road

Selling a fanzine about one of our greatest players to watching one of our worst displays ever- strange game!

LED Time

Wednesday 17 October 2018, AFC Sudbury 0 Ipswich Town Under 23s 3 - Kings Marsh, Friendly

The mist was coming in off the rive the game looked in doubt and then they turned on the new LED lights- and we could all see clearly!

Ipswich showed some class with Dobra at times trying to take the whole home team on.

Good news was that all proceeds were going to charity and over 700 turned up to watch.

Not a Derby

Tuesday 16 October 2018, Needham Market 1 Lowestoft Town 0 - Bloomfields, Southern League, Premier Division, Central

All Suffolk match and some noisy fans from the north of the county but the atmosphere and the game itself did not have a derby game feel, both teams lacking some forward power with Needham winning it with a lucky header in injury time.

Nice ground but game was poor

Saturday 13 October 2018, Colney Heath 1 Histon 1 (after extra time) - FA Vase 1st Round, Recreation Ground

Sometimes you just get a poor game - and it does not matter how nice the ground is, the welcome you get, it can't help make it any better - and today was one of those days. Even two goals and two red cards will all be forgotten and I am sure even some of the home fans wished they had not scored in the last minute to take the game into extra time.

It was that poor! Hope the replay is better.

Jewish roots

Wednesday 10 October 2018, London Lions 4 Rayners Lane 1, Spartan South Midlands League, Division 1 Cup, Rowley Lane

A North London Jewish club, Maccabi Lions decided that they wanted to go further in the football world and moved from the Hertfordshire League to the Spartan South Midlands  League at first they had to ground show but now they are back at their spiritual home, Rowley Lane.

And what a beautiful home they have, large sports complex, a number of pitches, a good clubhouse but it is the main pitch that is their pride and joy. Beautiful surface a good stand and the pitch slight raised compared to the rest of the complex.

They have had a slow start to the season, but if the display is anything to go by, they will soon be moving back up the league.

More football grounds from Bucovina, Romania

ACS Foresta Suceava

AS Amatorii Rarău Câmpulung