Tenant v Landlord

Wednesday 26 February 2020, Kingstonian 3 Corinthian Casuals 1 - Isthmian Premier, St George's Field

You would have thought from the noisier elements of the crowd tonight that there is no love lost between the two sides, but in fact they do get on ( most of the time) and seeing both clubs involved in collecting for local charities tonight, was a positive indication of that.

A number of players had played for both clubs and the supports in the side stand and club bar mixed with no issues. Of course ground sharing is not always a good thing for tenant or landlord and Kingstonian found that out themselves when they let AFC Wimbledon join them at their old ground, a ground that has since been flogged to Chelsea!

Kingstonian have a better current league position and the score would indicate that the higher placed team won at a canter however in fact they never really took control till near the end of the game and only scored their last two goals in the final few minutes.

A visit to Casuals and look round their club house , reminds you of the significant party they have played in the history of football, not only in the UK but in Spain, Brazil and other football places round the world,

Fat lady starting to sing?

Saturday 22 February 2020, Ipswich Town 0 Oxford United 1- League One, Portman Road.

Look like at least another season in League One for us.

With the faithful - and the tourists!

Thursday 20 February 2020, AS Roma 1 KAA Genk o - Europa League, Phase 2, Olympic Stadium

Quite obvious to see that what I had been informed was true, the Italians are not great supporters of the Europa League, plenty of choice for 'print at home' tickets and members of the Roma staff were spotted in the city during the day, attempting to entice tourists to buy tickets, from the number of different languages heard on the bus home, they succeeded plus a number of Scots in the city for the 6 Nations RU game on Sunday.

Not hard to get to the ground, Number 32 bus from close to the Vatican, but with a 9pm kick off not many buses around to jump back on, but they will arrive but not far to walk if you have a city center hotel.

Stadium is modern, good leg room, good views and usual football ground fare on sale. A number of bars on the river bank for beers pre-game. Do need your passport to gain entry.

Small crowd but the Roma Sud Curve and the Genk fans, stuck in NW of stadium made plenty of poise.

Game was very close and Roma will be happy they did not concede an away goal, the second leg should also be close and hard to call the result. Smalling was one of the better Roma players on show.

Back to winning ways - at last!

Saturday 15 February 2020, Ipswich Town 4 Burton Albion 1 - League One, Portman Road

And we score 4 goals!

The 'New' new Roker Park

Tuesday 11 February 2020, Stotfold 0 London Lions 0, Spartan South Midlands League, Division One, New Roker Park

Some do not like new grounds and I missed my large mug of tea from the old Roker Park tea hut, a beer in the nice cosy clubhouse, and yes this did look like a cross between Costa and Toys R' Us shop but for football players and a club this is better. Room to build, a proper car park, a pitch that can survive the rain and lights that made you able to see the whole ground.

We might not love it like the old Roker Park, but football wise it is a step in the right direction.

3 Yellow cards and off!

Saturday 8 February 2020, Sutton Athletic 3 Lydd Town 0 - Southern Counties East, Division One , London Hire Stadium

Home side dominated the first half and went in at the break two up, second half was bit  scrappier and Lydd improved when they bought on a fast winger, he was then taken down by the keeper but the Ref gave nothing. this caused the Lydd number 10 - the most experienced player on the pitch but one who normally plays centre half but today playing as a converted forward to go crazy - Yellow card - sin bin, refused to go, second yellow, went mad again - Red card!

Down to 10 men Lydd actually played better with the  fast winger now playing down the middle but in the last 5 minutes Sutton got back on top and added a third goal in the 89th minute.

The ground is in a very rural setting, but under 10 minutes from the M25 and the Dartford tunnel. An old pavilion housed the changing rooms and the club house - bar, TV plus hatch selling food and hot drinks.

Small home made seated stand on far side and some rudimentary cover on the dugout side. Friendly local and a nice setting to watch football in the winter sun. 

Surprises and not only because Bridon won

Wednesday 5 February 2020, Forest Hill Park 0 Bridon Ropes 3 - Southern Counties East, Division One, Ladywell Arena

Not sure what I was going to get here, athletics track, inner London and on first arrival it seemed to be what I expected, no parking little sign of a football club being here with young athletes training on the track but then came the first of a number of surprises. A programmer was free with admission, a cafe run by the club selling cheap drinks and hot dogs, teams on a board and everyone willing to chat - very friendly.

Football wise just one small stand, and not a great view - we also had some Bridon fans, not expecting much as they had not won for 8 games. We then got a further surprise as Bridon ran out 3-0 winners with the last goal a cracker. the last surprise was the spirit the game was played in, very few fouls and little chatting back to the ref.

Both club deserve praise for whta turned out an enjoyable night in South London

Ten men, mud and a draw

Monday 3 February 2020, Colchester United Under 23s 2 Ipswich Town Under 23s 2 - Florence Park, Professional Development League

Colchester United may call this 'The Talent Factory' but unless it is mud wresting talent they are after they may have to sort the pitches out if is football talent that is wanted.

May make the play offs - if we are lucky!

Saturday 1st February 2020, Ipswich Town 1 Peterborough United 4 - League One, Portman Road

Embarrassing!

Plastic football

Wednesday 29 January 2020, Tiptree Engaine 3 Brantham Athletic Reserves 1 - Essex and Suffolk Border League, ;Premier Divison, Thurstable School G3

A rare evening game in the Border league, plastic pitch but it bought the hoppers out - and they were treated to a good game of football with some good goals - and two gobby goalkeepers!