Monday 28 October 2019, Ipswich Town Under 23s 2 Coventry City Under 23s 1- Professional Development League, Portman Road
Welcome to my blog that concentrates on my love of sports grounds, from the new stadia like the Millennium to the quant non league grounds of rural Engalnd. Thank you Arcibald Leitch!
Monday, 28 October 2019
Sunday, 27 October 2019
Wet but entertaining
Saturday 26 October 2019, Wormley Rovers 4 Holland FC 2 - Eastern Counties League, Division One , North, Wormley Playing Fields.
Heard in morning that some games were already off and others in doubt due to heavy rain, however as it was a dry morning in Ipswich, I forgot all about it.
So a sudden panic as over the lunchtime drive it started to pour and when I arrived at Wormley just off the A10 it was very wet but no problem as the pitch kept in great condition.
Two teams who attempted to play football probably tried too hard when conditions called for less short passing, the home team were more experienced and were in control in the first half however they tired in the second and wasted chances and Holland will feel they should have had at least least one more penalty and they deserved a point.
A step 6 game, good clubhouse ( and café) however very open ground and not sure would be allowe3d in some leagues.
Heard in morning that some games were already off and others in doubt due to heavy rain, however as it was a dry morning in Ipswich, I forgot all about it.
So a sudden panic as over the lunchtime drive it started to pour and when I arrived at Wormley just off the A10 it was very wet but no problem as the pitch kept in great condition.
Two teams who attempted to play football probably tried too hard when conditions called for less short passing, the home team were more experienced and were in control in the first half however they tired in the second and wasted chances and Holland will feel they should have had at least least one more penalty and they deserved a point.
A step 6 game, good clubhouse ( and café) however very open ground and not sure would be allowe3d in some leagues.
Wednesday, 23 October 2019
Tuesday, 22 October 2019
Might be young, but they can play
Monday 21 October 2019, QPR Under 23s 1 Ipswich Town Under 23s 1 - Professional Development League, Harlington Sports Ground
and then:
Maidenhead United Under 18s 6 Cray Wanderers Under 18s 2 - York Road, FA Youth Cup, 3rd Qualifying Round
After Charlton on Saturday another training ground but one with an impressive main building, courtesy of sharing with a London University - also good to like at Ipswich, the 'Locals' also have their favourite and least favourite stewards!
Two young teams so we got a competitive game with plenty of skill on show, the QPR goal scored by the son of England and Forest legend, Des Walker.
Then onto Maidenhead to visit one of the grounds that all hoppers should visit, the ground claims to be the oldest in the world to be continuously used by one club plus add on there is terracing and it is hemmed in by houses and a train line and is right in the middle of the two centre - you can see why it is a 'must visit' ground.
football wise, like the afternoon game, plenty of skill on display but noticeable how much fitter and bigger the players were in the afternoon game but skill wise , seemed as much on show at York Road as there was at Harlington.
and then:
Maidenhead United Under 18s 6 Cray Wanderers Under 18s 2 - York Road, FA Youth Cup, 3rd Qualifying Round
After Charlton on Saturday another training ground but one with an impressive main building, courtesy of sharing with a London University - also good to like at Ipswich, the 'Locals' also have their favourite and least favourite stewards!
Two young teams so we got a competitive game with plenty of skill on show, the QPR goal scored by the son of England and Forest legend, Des Walker.
Then onto Maidenhead to visit one of the grounds that all hoppers should visit, the ground claims to be the oldest in the world to be continuously used by one club plus add on there is terracing and it is hemmed in by houses and a train line and is right in the middle of the two centre - you can see why it is a 'must visit' ground.
football wise, like the afternoon game, plenty of skill on display but noticeable how much fitter and bigger the players were in the afternoon game but skill wise , seemed as much on show at York Road as there was at Harlington.
Sunday, 20 October 2019
Down south for plenty of goals
Saturday 19 October 2019, Charlton Athletic Under 18s 3 Ipswich Town Under 18s 3 - Development League, Sparrows Lane and then onto:
Crowborough Athletic 2 AFC Croydon Athletic 5 - Crowborough Community Stadium, Southern Counties, East Football League, Premier Division.
Double game day, south of the Thames and I was rewarded with 13 goals!
The youth game at Charlton had six goals and a penalty save - a game Ipswich should have won but they were not helped by a ref, who was keen to book as many players as he could then add on an amazing amount of injury time- fortunate for Charlton as they scored in injury time in both halves!
A sort drive then into East Sussex, surprised to find that we were the only people in the clubhouse, but all was explained when entering the ground as in the corner of the ground was the Crow Arms, also selling the excellent Harvey's beer!
The whole ground had character, from the small seated strand, the view over the forest and the covered terrace behind the goal which included the changing rooms and a tea bar.
Football wise neither team are on a great run but I saw enough from both teams to think they should be on the move upwards and in particular, Croydon seemed to have a great attacking threat.
Crowborough Athletic 2 AFC Croydon Athletic 5 - Crowborough Community Stadium, Southern Counties, East Football League, Premier Division.
Double game day, south of the Thames and I was rewarded with 13 goals!
The youth game at Charlton had six goals and a penalty save - a game Ipswich should have won but they were not helped by a ref, who was keen to book as many players as he could then add on an amazing amount of injury time- fortunate for Charlton as they scored in injury time in both halves!
A sort drive then into East Sussex, surprised to find that we were the only people in the clubhouse, but all was explained when entering the ground as in the corner of the ground was the Crow Arms, also selling the excellent Harvey's beer!
The whole ground had character, from the small seated strand, the view over the forest and the covered terrace behind the goal which included the changing rooms and a tea bar.
Football wise neither team are on a great run but I saw enough from both teams to think they should be on the move upwards and in particular, Croydon seemed to have a great attacking threat.
500 up!
Tuesday 15 October 2019, Walton Casuals1 Gosport Borough 1 - Xcel Sports Hub, Southern League, Premier Division, South
According to the great Groundhopper app - this was my 5ooth ground visited! Many purists will not like it, modern, G4 pitch, out of town, large sports complex - but modern does not always mean bad. The two other G4 pitches next to the ground were still operation as we left, this will help develop footballers, the athletics stadium is being sued, the club house was modern, open, light and used for both sports- the seats were good, leg room brilliant - so not a bad ground for 500th .
Plus no a bad game with Gosport dominating the first half, both goals in the second and the home team improving in the second half and always good to bump into the Casuals Chair, ex Fulham Pro, Tony Gale who always has time to chat with all the supporters.
Now for the next 500!
According to the great Groundhopper app - this was my 5ooth ground visited! Many purists will not like it, modern, G4 pitch, out of town, large sports complex - but modern does not always mean bad. The two other G4 pitches next to the ground were still operation as we left, this will help develop footballers, the athletics stadium is being sued, the club house was modern, open, light and used for both sports- the seats were good, leg room brilliant - so not a bad ground for 500th .
Plus no a bad game with Gosport dominating the first half, both goals in the second and the home team improving in the second half and always good to bump into the Casuals Chair, ex Fulham Pro, Tony Gale who always has time to chat with all the supporters.
Now for the next 500!
Monday, 14 October 2019
More like last season
Monday 14 October 2019, Ipswich Town Under 23s 3 Cardiff City Under 23s 1 - Professional Development League, Playford Road Training Ground
Like last year, Ipswich fielded a young (and hungry ) team and like last year this meant an entertaining game, goals and a Town win.
Like last year, Ipswich fielded a young (and hungry ) team and like last year this meant an entertaining game, goals and a Town win.
Saturday, 12 October 2019
Cup form same as league fornm
Saturday 12 October 2019, Berkhamsted 5 Herne Bay 0 - FA Trophy, Preliminary Round, Broadwater
Berkhamsted are top of the league and on this display it is not a surprise and they took that league form into the FA Trophy cup game today and ran out easy winners.
The ground is jammed in between railway, canal, housing and a tennis club but it does the job with a small grandstand (built in 1940) and my mate won the 50/50 draw!
Berkhamsted are top of the league and on this display it is not a surprise and they took that league form into the FA Trophy cup game today and ran out easy winners.
The ground is jammed in between railway, canal, housing and a tennis club but it does the job with a small grandstand (built in 1940) and my mate won the 50/50 draw!
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