Even time for a chicken shish

Saturday 30 October 2021, Larkfield &New Hythe 1 Bridon Ropes 1 - Taray Group Community Stadium, Southern Counties East, Division One

New club in this division, but look OK on the pitch but also well organised off it- and not just a burger van, but a burger van that sold Chicken shish wraps and baguettes - with a special chili sauce! 

Another fine crop

Thursday 28 October 2021, Ipswich town Under 18s 7 Winslow United Under 18s 1 - FA Youth Cup, 1st Round, Portman Road

Semi-final last year and some might say this the team is even stronger - first game against the team furthest down the pyramid but a professional display was out in.

Curtis Brown was one of a number of Winslow players who put in a great display.

Left it late

Saturday 23 October 2021, Ipswich Town 2 Fleetwood Town 1 - League One, Portman Road

93rd minute winner, sent the home fans home happy!

Raining goals

Wednesday 20 October 2021, Bedfont Sports 7 Sutton Common Rovers 1 - Bedfont Recreation ground, Isthmian League, South Central Division

Loved the ground, various designs of stands, a pavilion type club house with balcony and some sort of clock tower, surround by hedges and the noise of jets taking off.

Then the rain started, just as the teams came out and never stopped - not just rain but heavy rain - and as it was on G4 we knew the game was safe. Bedfont dominated but somehow only went into the break leading by one goal. But the second half saw the rain continue and also the goals go raining in- a further 5 for Bedfont and they also missed a penalty.

A poor journey home as the rain continued to come down heavy.

Handbags at noon

Saturday 16 October 2021, Boston United 1 Stratford Town 1 - 4th Qualifying Road, FA Cup - Jakemans Community Stadium

New ground, decided on hospitality - and a good choice made. Good meal, nice seats but what made it was the warm welcome.

Football wise, home team should be in next round, but some poor finishing and poor officiating meant Stratford get a replay - and they did fight hard to get that.

However a stupid punch up between the Stratford keeper and a Boston forward, saw the home player see red and somehow the away keeper went unpunished. the replay should be a feisty affair. 

Also got to love the new floodlights, ground maybe similar to other new stadia but the floodlights do stand out 

Made hard work of it!

Saturday 9 October 2021, Ipswich Town 2 Shrewsbury Town 1 - League One, Portman Road

A win is a win - but we made hard work of it- but some stand out displays from Donacien, Bonne and Chaplin

Basic ground, feisty game

 Wednesday 6 October 2021, Staplehurst Monarchs 2 Rochester United 1 - Southern Counties East, Division One, Jubilee Field

Very basic set up at this newly promoted Kent club, made bearable by having an excellent burger van which also did hot drinks, beer and gin and tonics!

The ground may be basic bout plenty to entertain the fan - poor first half but second half saw a cracking opening goal for Rochester, who them had a penalty saved, hit the bar then conceded an equaliser with fives minutes to go, and then the home side got a late winner in injury time and then Rochester were lucky to finish with 11 men after the last action in the game was poor challenge on the home keeper by a Rochester forward.

When it is wet, stay close to home

 Saturday 2 October 2021, Ipswich Wanderers 6 Cornard United 1 - Humber Doucy Lane, Thurlow Nunn, Division One, South.

Work commitments, heavy rain and shortage of fuel - so it was a trip to my closest Step 6 ground - always dry here, and plenty of goals to see. No wonder groundhoppers love this ground!