Maybe not Brechin, but nice hedges!

Saturday 31 October 2020, Northampton Sileby Rangers 2 Burton Park Wanderers 2 ( 4-5 pn penalties) - FA Vase, Fernie Fields 

Brechin City has a famous hedge, but the one in Northampton may not be as famous but is certainly well kept. In fact the whole ground is well looked after, neat, tidy and a joy to visit. 

Football wise, the away team started the better and soon took the lead with the home team equalising from a corner just before the break. They then took the lead with a fantastic goal and it seemed that would be the match winner but then well into injury time Burton got the goal that would take the match to penalties. 

It was the visitors who would then triumph 5-4 after the shoot out.

No Twin Towers or an Arch, but plenty to enjoy

Tuesday 27 October 2020, Wembley 1 Tring Athletic 4 - SSM Premier, Vale Farm

Heavy traffic once off M1 but arrived on time only to find the game kicked off 5 minutes late. Game was a bottom of the table match up with Tring bottom.

Tring went ahead early on with a bit of a fluke but their next two goals were crackers with the last goal the best of the bunch.

Wembley had a better second half but Tring just sat back and soaked the pressure up, Wembley got one back and kept pushing forward without ever really challenging the keeper, Tring then hit them on the break and got 4th goal after 86 minutes,

Tring were the better team but they were helped by the ref who seemed quite lenient when dealing with some perstemt Tring fouling.

Liked the ground with an odd mixtures of stands, terracing, seats and bits of cover, maybe no twin towers or a large arch but plenty of cover to keep you dry and one stand even had seats with tables!

Hoppers day out

Saturday 24 October 2020, Boxted Lodgers 1  Belle Vue Social Club 2 - Essex and Suffolk Border league, Division One, King George Playing Field

The number of hoppers present made double figures and they saw a good game, Belle Vue are top of the league but they made hard work of this game and as it stayed close, tempers frayed in the second half- with a 20 player punch up and not great to see some from the sidelines join in.

The referee only booked one player after the fracas, both teams lucky not to lose players.

But some good football, a cracking opening goal plus a cracking header, pity that was an own goal! 

Left it late

Saturday 17 October 2020, Ampthill Town 2 London Lions 1 - Ampthill Park, Spartan South Midlands League, Division One

Small basic ground, but the visit was made worthwhile by a cracking stand plus the surrounding area- a country park, a cricket ground and across the road the rugby ground plus another football ground.

The game was all action- with plenty of chances at boths ends - London Lions had most of the play in the first half but after 8 minutes the hosts took the lead and for the rest of the half, looked dangerous on the break.

It did not take the Lions long to get back on terms in the second half but they could not go on to win the game as the second half was more of an even contest.

Ampthill came the closes to getting back in front when a free kick hit the bar, however with just 3 minutes left on the clock, Ampthill got the winner. Good game, plenty to entertain.

Goal fest

Saturday  10 October 2020, Shefford Town & Campton 5 Langford 1 - Spartan South Midlands League, Division One, Shefford Sports Club

A basic if modern ground, spacious clubhouse, two small stands - and an excellent playing surface.

Maybe not a ground many hoppers would rush back to visit again, but we should remember that in the end it is the sports, the game that we go to watch and what we had today was a game when one team was totally on song, worked hard, passed the ball well and to top it off scored 5 goals with the final one a peach of chip.

Shefford impressed all over the park today.

Yet another cup game!

 Wednesday 7 October 2020, Walsham-Le-Willows 1 Ipswich Town Under 23s 3 - Suffolk Premier Cup, 2nd Round, Summer Lane

Another cup game and another win! To make it even better, a win with style, opponents also played good football, a good crowd and a world class goal from a young Ipswich centre back!

We might not be able to watch the first team at the moment, but at least the Under 16s and a young Under 23 side are keeping us entertained! 

Landlors v tenants and a cup for the winners!

 Tuesday 6 October 2020, Ipswich Wanderers 1 Coplestonians 0 - Suffolk Senior Cup Final (19/20) - Humber Doucy Lane

Not the greatest game and not one that will be remembered for the football on display, however a great event for both clubs, I am sure they would have preferred to play at Portman Road, but as that could not happen, to play the game at their own home, was a good alternative.

Well organised, a sell out and a close game.

Good to Humber Doucy Lane has lost none of it's charm - the blue and white paint, the corrugated iron fencing and the odd/quant signs. I always try and get to my closest Step 6 ground a couple of times a season, and always made to feel welcome - well done to the Suffolk FA and both clubs.