A cup win!! Plus we made it look easy!

 Tuesday 30 August 2022, Ipswich Town 6 Northampton Town 0 - Papa Johns Trophy, Portman Road

A cup run???

Double game day, plenty of goals and a historic stand

Monday 29 August 2022, Hillingdon Borough 2 Brook House 3 - Combined Counties League, Division One, Middlesex Stadium - 11.30 am

Marlow 1 Sutton Common Rovers 2 - Isthmian League, South Central Division, Alfred Davis Memorial Ground - 3pm

Arrived early at Hillingdon, after an easy trip round M25 and found gate open and no one taking admission, told by visiting official that sometimes they do not bother! Had a good chat and was informed that an Indian lady owned the ground and the clubhouse was only open for wedding hire- also had a good chat about too many clubs in the area and the division having so many clubs sharing grounds.

Just before kick off the Indian lady came round taking our £5 admission and then her and her son set up a stall selling burgers and hot drinks.

For those who have not been to the Middlesex Stadium for a while this season they have reduced the size of the pitch , the old lines are still there but the width of the pitch has been drastically cut.

Football wise, Hillingdon were on top in the first half but a very young Brook House defended well, second half the visitors grew in confidence, got two quick goals and added a third from the penalty spot before Hillingdon got two goals back very late on. A good win for Brook House. then a short drive west to Marlow:

The ground is well worth a visit to just sit in the main stand or sit and have a drink in the bar under the stand.

Football wise, Marlow started the game in a play off position whilst Rovers were mid table, the first 20 minutes went with the form book as Marlow dominated but after failing to score they then struggled to make any clear chances, whilst Sutton Common Rovers took their limited chances and scored tow goals from headers.

Second half was much of the same, with Marlow having plenty of the ball but not making the visitors keeper work whilst Rovers made the home keeper work hard on the many chances they made often from a quick break. Marlow eventually got a goal back late on however Rovers held on to get the 3 points, a win they deserved however Marlow felt cheated as deep in injury time the Ref failed to give Marlow what was an obvious penalty. 

Points dropped - or were they stolen?

Saturday 27 August 2022, Ipswich Town 2 Barnsley 2 - League One, Portman Road

Great at times, poor at others - but plenty of excitement - Barnsley happy to spoil the game, helped by yet another poor set of match officials. 

Entertaining

Friday 26 August 2022, Ipswich Town U21 4 Hull City U21 2 - Professional Development League, Bent Lane

Cracking game, very competitive, 6 goals and a few bookings.

Ipswich on top for first 20 minutes with just one goal to show for it. the goal woke Hull up, who then got on top and scored two quick goals but Town got back on level terms just before the break.. Second half saw Ipswich dominate and add tow further goals, one direct from a free lick and the last from the penalty spot.

The Ipswich Training Ground, is split by Playford Road, for the past few years most U23/21 and 18 games have been played on the main Playford Rd site, but today the game was played over the road at Bent Lane.

Nice set up but game was like an episode of TOWIE

Wednesday 24 August 2022, Barnston AFC 1 Hatfield Peverel 0 - Essex and Suffolk Border League, Premier Division, High Easter Road

Greats et up, two good pitches, one fully railed, modern clubhouse, with nice bar. Good volunteer base, only downside - the team! They won. but spent the whole game arguing, swearing, little discipline - more like an episode of TOWIE than a football match!

No grass

Saturday 20 August 2022, Eaton Socon 3 Holmer Green 1 - Spartan South Midlands League, Division One, River Road

A very basic ground, a work in progress but they will get there with floodlights to arrive next month.

Football wise, Step 6 new boys, Eaton Socon will do well this season but as they like to play good football, their biggest obstacle may be there own pitch! Bumpy, little grass and in poor condition after just a few games.