Start with a point

 Saturday 30 July 2022, Ipswich Town 1 Bolton Wanderers 1 - League One, Portman Road

Not sure how we did not win or how Bolton finished with 11 players - but plenty to be happy about.

Hopper delays!

Friday 29 July 2022, Lutterworth Town 3 Rothwell Corinthians 2 - United Counties Premier Division, South, Dunley Way

Great at 7.30pm kick off, so will not home late- Wrong! 

First of all this was first game of UCL Groundhop and the hopper coach from Nottingham had broken down on the M1! Kick off delayed to 7.45pm, in the end kicking off at 7.51pm with hoppers still missing, they arrive then the lino gets injured and throw in a 20 man brawl in the second half meant not home till just before 1am on Saturday!

Ground basic, but friendly staff and a cracking game, Lutterworth 3 up at the break but in the end only win by one goal. 

Last warm up game, now the real work starts.

Tuesday 26 July 2022, Ipswich Town 3 Southend United 1 - PSF, Portman Road

More minutes in the legs, a few goals but too many sloppy passes - will need to be better come Saturday.

Radio Town

Saturday 23 July 2022, Barkingside 0 Catholic United 0 - Marconi Sports Ground, PSF

Barkingside playing all their pre-season games on neutral grounds, so this Step 6 v Step 7 game took place just off the A12 in Chelmsford.

Good competitive game and entertaining enough even with no goals. Catholic United easily matched their opponents who play a step higher.

Not many substitutions till late on so the game kept flowing and even on a hot day like this, no extra water breaks were taken. Star of the show was the Ref, who kept the game flowing and explained any decision he made to the players.

Sports ground is very basic, hidden away down a track behind the hospital next to the old Marconi HQ. Modern if basic/no frills changing room complex, a number of pitches, most for younger players as site also used by Chelmsford City Youth set up.

A set of derelict wooden dug outs, with the remains of poles from an old pitch rail are still in place to the side of the field but no longer a pitch next to them 

Marconi and Chelmsford famous for being the home of radio and good to see two large radio masts visible just beyond the ground.

Was it worth it?

Wednesday 20 July 2022, Hastings United 1 Ipswich Town Under 23's 2 - PSF, Pilot Field

A new ground for me, a day off work and a chance to catch a game at Pilot Field - was it worth the effort??

Horrendous trip thanks to the protest at Dartford Crossing/M25 then on way back roadworks close to the ground, on the A21, Dartford Crossing then usual A12 delays!!

Game was OK, too many substitutions in Second half, Ipswich on top in first half but just got the one goal, Hastings started the second half brighter and scored on 49 minutes, looked like Ipswich were out of it but then regained the leader with a good goal, got back on top and the home keeper then made some great saves to keep it as  a one goal margin defeat.

Was it worth it? Think so, liked the ground, even with the distance from the pitch because of the old grassed over speedway track. Well worth a visit for any football fan.

Good win, simple transfer and a new ground!

Saturday 16 July 2022, AFC Wimbledon 0 Ipswich Town 3 - PSF, Cherry Red Stadium @2.30pm

Denmark (Women) 0 Spain (Women) 1 - Euro Championships, Group game - Brentford Community Stadium @8pm

Good work out for Ipswich , two good goals for Sam Morsy, some feisty tackles and as Ipswich also had two other games that day, we only had 3 substitutions. Attendance low and that was with a good contingent from Ipswich.

Then an easy trip by Public transport to Brentford

Good turnout of Danish and Spanish fans, with local pubs by Kew Bridge packed, mixed with numerous UK Football fans and young families - almost a full house so a great atmosphere.

Draw was enough for Spain and they dominated the game - however it was Denmark who looked more dangerous in the first half as they were excellent on the counter attack.

Second half saw Spain continue to dominate and have the better chances, but just before the end Denmark almost scoured taht would have seen them go through, however the Spanish keeper saved the day. Last minute Spain got a simple goal from a header to get the win that their overall play deserved. 

Dark horses?

Saturday 9 July 2022, Stanway Pegasus 4 Long Melford 0 - PSF, Stanway School

New team in the league, first time at Step 6 and have a feeling after today they could be dark horses in the Division.

Facilities wise, G4 Pitch, a cage and rest very basic with seats/stand still to arrive.

Competitive- all you can ask for

Wednesday 6 July 2022, Coggeshall Town 0 Ipswich Town Under 23's 1 - PSF, West Street

Friendlies can be quite pointless, often see just as an extension of training but as  a paying customer all you should be concerned about is that you get a competitive game. We certainly not that last night at Coggeshall, just one goal but opportunities at both end, robust tackling and plenty of skill on show by both teams. 

More Welsh football - but in the South this time.

Friday 1 July 2022, Undy AFC 0 Newport County 7 - PSF, The Causeway.

On my walking trips to North wales, have managed to get a game in on most trips, this time a walking trip to the Wye Valley enabled me to get  game in South Wales 

Basic ground, cracking clubhouse - long seated stand of about 4 rows of seats on one side and small covered terrace on other side- 3 sided ground as just grass behind far goal.

Big crowd to see the local derby and good fund raiser for Undy.

Some feisty tackles and Undy and Newport were both up for the contest. County were 3 nil up at half time and added 4 more including a penalty in the second. Undy had very few chances but never let their heads drop - and Newport never relaxed and took it easy, looking to score every time they got the ball, a good entertaining game.