And finished!

Saturday 26 June 2021, Harold Hill 'A' 2 Debden Park 2 - Mid Essex League, Division 5, Henderson Sport and Social Club

Eventually the season finishes, and the last game for me in this pandemic effected year, saw a competitive game in the lower reaches of the pyramid, just off the A12. First v Second with the title up for grabs, a point was enough for the home team to win the league, a good way to finish the season.

Longest season, almost over

Saturday 19 June 2021, Belton 3 Yarmouth United 6 - New Road, Sports and leisure centre, Offside Trust, Invitational Cup, semi-final

The venue, just outside the village, large car park next to changing room/pavilion. 3 pitches with the one used by Belton the furthest away. Wooden rails on dug out side with advert boards, two substantial dugouts and a wooden tea hut (shut today)

Yarmouth ran out easy winners, they are a new team but seem to be made up of quite experienced players and looked like a few may have played at a higher level in the past. The home side had a number of youngsters in their team. Belton Reserve team were playing away in the other semi.


Football wise, not a great game but 9 goals, and plenty of funny moments made for an enjoyable afternoon. Yarmouth got two early goals then Belton got one back from the spot, Yarmouth added a third before the break.

Second half, saw Yarmouth run amuck, scoring 3 more goals before Belton got two very late consolations.

Funniest bit was when a Yarmouth player went to ground in the penalty box, Belton players shouted to closest defender 'no foul' so he never- but he also failed to tackle or get the ball, so the Yarmouth player just got up and scored!

June football - too bloody hot!

Saturday5 June 2021, Gayton United 1 Wells Town 1, Wells win 5-3 on penalties - Norfolk FA Junior Cup, Semi-final, Lime Kiln Road

The ground is well worth a visit, pitch roped off, enclosed feel as the pitch is only sports facility on the field, two dug outs, very small changing room block and small committee room, which was acting a sale point for beers.

But the real draw is the stand/container on the far side - not exactly sure why it is there, did see something similar in Romania.

The visitors took an early lead in the 4th minute and did seem the better team, particularly with their fast breaks, Gayton had most of the ball but were wasteful in front of goal, however they did manage to get back on terms with one of the last kicks of the first half.

Maybe a combination of heat, fitness and numerous substitutions, but the second half was a disappointment after the competitive first 45 minutes, very disjointed,  Wells had a header tipped over by the home keeper but that was about it for clear chances till right at the end when a scramble saw Wells tap the ball in- but rightfully flagged for offside. Think most of the 200 plus crowd and the players realised after about 70 minutes that this would end up being settled with penalty kicks - and it was. Gayton missing their second kick and that it- Wells progressing to the final. With a similar sized crowd at the other semi, the final should see a good crowd.