North Norfolk Derby

Saturday 28 December 2019, Sheringham 1 Fakenham Town 0 - Eastern Counties League, Division One, North, Weybourne Road

There were three of us at the game, all from Suffolk and this was deepest, darkest Norfolk but we had to admit, we were made welcome, the locals were friendly and we only saw one kid in a Norwich shirt.

Then there was the football, a local derby, hard tackles, a few fouls but players respected each other, no quarter given, none asked for.

Skill wise, the teams attempted to play good football but al most impossible on a heavy pitch, but one bit of class by the home team centre forward gave us the only goal of the game.

The ground needs some kre work on it, some seats and get at least one  more side of the ground open however a cracking clubhouse shared with the cricket club and on top of that a club that wants to see it's own North Norfolk born players make it to the 1st team. All in all a good day out, even if it was in Norfolk!

Not yet, but getting close to Panic Stations?

Thursday 26 December 2019, Ipswich Town 0 Gillingham 0 - League One, Portman Road

Will we win a League game in December? Just one game left and not looking likely!

Kent Derby Day

Saturday 21 December 2019, Kennington 2 Lydd Town 0 - SECL Div One, Homelands

G3 card played as my target game and next 3 possibilities all called off. Largest league gate of the season for Kennington, club looked well run. The ground belongs to Ashford Utd, and so will be one of the better grounds in this league, good clubhouse, large stand however the G3 pitch did not look the best.

 

 

Kennington dominated the first half and went in at the break two nil up. Second half started the same but after Kennington had made all their subs, they lost a further player to injury and that allowed Lydd to get on top making the last 10 minutes of the game quite nervy fro the home support.

 

 

Good to see Freddie back

Monday 16 December 2019, Ipswich Town under 23s 2 Crystal Palace Under 23s 1- Professional Development League, Playford Road

Game put a smile back on my face, entertaining, competitive, some skill even the ref smiled and to top it all off Freddie Sears was back in a blue shirt.

What a bad week

Saturday 14 December 2019, Ipswich Town 1 Bristol Rovers 2 - League One, Portman Road

Not sure this week could get any worse!

Tuesday - FA Cup exit and embarrassing display

Thursday - election defeat and Boris wins

Saturday- another league defeat- when did we last win?

Embarrassing

Tuesday 10 December 2019, Ipswich Town 1 Coventry City 2 - FA Cup 2nd Round Replay, Portman Road

Spineless and a lack of an ideas

Rural setting, friendly reception.

Saturday 7 December 2019, Benhall St Mary 1 Coplestonians 1 - the Den, School Lane, Suffolk and Ipswich League, Senior Division

Almost completed my closest Step 7 league with just one ground to go after this. Very rural setting but only just off the A12. Pitch  is railed off on one side with two dugouts on the other. Teams change in a pavilion behind the goal. Large car park and good clubhouse with TV, Full bar and also sold hot drinks and food.

 

 

Cops started like a house on fire and dominated the first half however only had one goal to show for their efforts.

 

 

Second half saw a much improved display by the home team and they equalised just after the second half started. the second half was much more of an even contest with both teams having the opportunity to score.

 

 

Nice afternoon out with one of the better set ups in this league.

 

 

Luck is changing? Penalty shoot out win

Wednesday 4 December 2019, Peterborough united 1 Ipswich Town 1 ( Ipswich win 5-6 on penalty kicks) - London Road, Leasing.com Trophy.

Two weeks ago we win an FA Cup game and now a penalty shoot out! Our luck is changing!

Might have been cold but a good game of football kept us entertained

Tuesday 3 December 2019, Framlingham Town 1 Ipswich Town Under 18s 5 - Suffolk Senior Cup, Round 2, Badingham Road

Great advert for the non-league game

Saturday 30 November 2019, Tiptree Heath 2 Stanway Pegasus 1 - Essex and Suffolk Border League, Premier Division , Tolleshunt Knights Village Hall (Top Road)

Second v first, 3 goals,  a missed penalty some great football, and  a red card - other than being bloody cold it was a fantastic advert for the non-league game in Essex.

Back to basics

Tuesday 26 November 2019, Southend United Under 23s 2 Leyton Orient Under 23s 0 - Central League, Cup, Boots and Laces

How the other half live, must be an eye opener for our young players when they go on loan.

Easy win for Southend but the 29 supporters were often distracted as the 1st Team were training on the pitch next door with Sol, Andy Cole and Herman present.

League One football, League One Refs!

Saturday 23 November 2019, Ipswich Town 2 Blackpool 2 - League One, Portman Road

Was it a penalty? Was the ball over the line? How long to make a substitution? League One football means you get League One Officials!

A good reason to remember.

Tuesday 19 November 2019, Oxhey Jets 2 Harefield United 4 - Spartan South Midlands League, Premier Division, Boundary Stadium

For many of us Remembrance Day is the most important of the year, and at first when the General Public started to pay more attention to the day, it felt right and football and other sports also joined in but in some cases it has gone slightly OTT and the message has been lost.

This year we even had one club dress up as a poppy! 

That is not to say that some clubs do not get it right, Oxhey Jets are one such club, they have a link up to the local RAF base however it is the game nearest to the 20th November that Oxhey mark remembrance - because on the 20th November , 8 years ago one of their former players was killed in action in Afghanistan.

They even put a small tribute to Thomas Lake in the programme. as a former soldier I am very glad that I had chosen Oxhey for my mid-week football fix - and that I was able to join them in remembering a former soldier.

Football wise it was a tough competitive local derby that the visitors always had the upper hand, a good game for the neutral. the ground slightly ramshackle but loved it!