Both sides of the (invisible) border

Friday 24 May 2019, Derry City 4 Finn Harps 0 - Irish Premier Division, Brandywell and then Saturday 25 May 2019, Corkhill Celtic Youth 1 Greencastle 3 - Buncrana Credit Union Cup Final, Maginn Park

A weekend in Derry and over the border in Donegal allowed me to see Derry at their famous Brandywell home but also visit Maginn Park in Buncrana where Derry had to play in 2017, whilst Brandywell was being upgraded.



 

Brandywell - home of Derry City

 



Maginn Park is very basic and hard to imagine Derry playing the likes of Finn Harps, Cork City or Dundalk there.

Brandywell itself is in a row of 3 stadiums, Celtic Park (GAA) and then the other side of the football ground is the Brandywell Dogs stadium.

Celtic Park (GAA) and the Brandywell dog track

 



Derry is worth a visit for many reasons - and a weekend of football just adds to the highlights.

Maginn Park and a cup win for Greencastle

Promoted - great backdrop

Saturday 18 May 2019, Basildon Town 2 Shenfield AFC - Essex Olympian League, Basildon Sports and Leisure Club

End of season game, but with plenty to play for, Shenfield already champions, but a win for Basildon would also see them promoted.

Plenty of dodgy tackles and at times it felt like we were in a bad episode of .The Only Way is Essex. - but in the end the home team got the win even with about 10 minutes of injury time. Top backdrop with the futuristic water tower.

Dreams come true for village footballers

Tuesday 14 May 2019, Bacton United 89 2 Bildeston Rangers 4 - Suffolk Junior Cup Final, Portman Road

For many village footballers it is their dream to play at Portman Road, for the Bildeston players it will be a day they will never forget - last of the 6 County finals held at Ipswich Town, and this one certainly entertained.

Boys v Men and boys come out on top

Monday 13 May 2019, AFC Sudbury 'A' 4 Old Newton United Reserves 2 - Suffolk Primary Cup Final, Portman Road

Much more one side game that the score indicates.

Beat Norwich and win a cup!

Saturday 11 May 2019, Ipswich Town Under 16s 2 Norwich City Under 16s 2 ( Ipswich win 8-7 on penalties) - Hospital Cup, Portman Road

Great penalty shoot out, with the Ipswich keeper saving the last City penalty then scoring his own.

Liverpool, Spurs and almost Cornard!

Friday 10 May 2019, Achilles 4 Cornard United 3 - Suffolk Senior Cup Final, Portman Road

This comeback thing is catching on, 4-1 down as we entered injury time and they almost get a draw- great comeback from Cornard - great final.

Old Blues v Old Blues

Wednesday 8 May 2019, Leiston 3 Felixstowe and Walton United 2 - Suffolk Premier Cup Final, Portman Road

Both teams had ex Ipswich players in their sides, Felixstowe may have had the player who had played the most first team games for the Town but Leiston had more ex ITFC players in total and they won this quite easy as Felixstowe left it till the last few minutes to start playing.

Women show the way

Tuesday 7 May 2019, Ipswich Town Women 8 Needham Market Women 0 - Portman Road, Suffolk FA Women's Cup Final

Ipswich Town women score 8 and win a trophy- now if the men could repeat that next season!

A win at last

Sunday 5 May 2019, Ipswich Town 3 Leeds United 2 - Championship, Portman Road

Great game to end the season, 5 goals, missed penalty, red card and good atmosphere - roll on August!

Even the Reserves can't win now!

Tuesday 30 April 2019, Ipswich Town Under 23s 0 Birmingham City Under 23s 3 - Portman Road, Professional Development League, Play-off, Semi-final.

Can any Town team win now?