Is it ever warm in Maldon?

Tuesday 28 February 2023, Colchester United U21 3 Swansea City U21 4 - Professional Development League, Park Drive, Maldon

Cold wind at Maldon and unlike my last visit, you had to pay this time - good news that the tea hut was open again (card only). Even first 20 minutes then Swansea scored on 23 and Colchester fell apart and conceded again 2 minutes later and were all over the place, however they recovered and pulled one back on 333 minutes then went level on 45 and should have scored again in injury time.

Second half, saw chances at either end and Colchester took the lead on 57 minutes. Swansea then made a number of substitutions and that helped them take control of the game, scoring in the 64th and 69th minute and they should have had a few more before the end. Ref did well to keep control of that last 20 minutes, a number of players could have seen red but in the end only a couple of yellow cards were shown.

Goalie errors give the 'B' team a win

Monday 27 February 2023, Ipswich Town U21 0 QPR 'B' 3 - Professional Development League, Bent Lane Training Ground

Sunny afternoon, but still chilly and our first sight of a 'B' team in the U21 League, Ipswich team were mostly Under 18 the exception was the keeper Nick Hayes, in his 20s and returning from injury - he was certainly 'rusty' as two terrible errors by him gave QPR goals in the 7th and 23rd minute, he could not be held at fault for the other Rangers goal, which came in the 21st minute.

Ipswich improved in the second half but the game was over as a contest after 30 minutes.

New substantial white plastic post and rail set, now in place on the near side of the pitch for spectators to stay behind/lean on.

Great dug outs/holiday chalet

Saturday 25 February 2023, Herne Bay 1 Averley 2 - Isthmian League, Winch's Field

Not a great game, but sun out (still cold) however the highlight? the dug outs - more like beach chalet!

Luxury dug out!!

Great atmosphere, poor match

Thursday 23 February 2023, Lech Poznan 1 FK Bod/Glimt 0 - Euro Conference League, Play-off, INEA Stadium

Let us get the easy things out of the way first - this was very poor game, neither team played well and Poznan were lucky to get away with a win. 

The other easy thing to say, this is a fantastic stadium, and it looks better at night and is certainly one of the best grounds in Europe.

The other fact is (that I can now confirm) that the supporters/Ultras at Poznan produce one of the best match day atmosphere's in Europe - non-stop singing, even a quick 'Poznan' . The more amazing thing is 90 minutes of non-stop singing when the state of the football would send most crowds to sleep.

Happy 90th , Bobby

Saturday 18 February 2023, Ipswich Town 4 Forest Green Rovers 0 - League One, Portman Road

Much needed win, on what would have been the 90th birthday of Sir Bobby Robson

Improvement

Friday 17 February 2023, Ipswich Town U21s 0 Millwall U21s 1 - U21 Professional Development League, Bent Lane Training Ground

We may have lost however after recent displays this was an improvement with the new Irish players adding to the quality of the squad.

Top entertainment and a friendly welcome

Wednesday 15 February 2023, Burnham 2 Harefield United 1 - Combine Counties league, Premier Division, North, 1878 Stadium

What a welcome! Met by a committee member, told about ground and the bar and food offerings- cheap and quality hot food available plus a printed programme. Can it get better? Yes!

The football from the home team in the first half was quality then Harefield came back into the game in the second half and even had a goal disallowed in the last minute- this  is why we like non- league football. 

No defending

Tuesday 14 February 2023, Ipswich Town U18s 2 Bristol City U18s 1 - U18 Professional Development League, Bent Lane Training Ground

Neither teams seemed keen on defending so a surprise we only saw 3 goals, however good entertainment on a sunny day.

Looks like the Play-offs!

Saturday 11 February 2023, Ipswich Town 2 Sheffield Wednesday 2 - League One, Portman Road

Great second half display but with Plymouth also winning - maybe now we will have to settle for the Play-offs.

Big crowd, not put off by late start or the cold!

Wednesday 8 February 2023, Old Southendian 1 Catholic United 2 - Essex Olympian League, Garon Park

Local Derby, 2nd v 3rd and a rare evening game, some would expect a big crowd but then add in artic conditions, a G3 cage and a 8.30pm kick off- I think a crowd of over 100 is good going - imagine if you played that in late April or May?

Obvious that there is an appetite for Step 7 evening football - event at 8.30 at night!

Two early goals from Catholic and thought they would run away with it, but in the second half they seemed happy to sit back and soak up the pressure- only conceding one goal. 

Once played at Wembley

Wednesday 8 February 2023, Cambridge University Men's 1st XI 2 Nottingham University 2nd XI 2 - BUCS, Midland Division, Tier 1-1A, King's and Selwyn College, Playing Field

Should have been watching a College team linked to Cambridge United, but wrong venue given, however this was a good replacement- Cambridge winning till the 87th minute.

Just 19 watching, just think over 70 years ago Cambridge used to play Oxford at a packed Wembley Stadium - seems just Rowing and Rugby have the high priofile sporting status now,

Easy win

Saturday 4 February 2023, Moulton 5 Eaton Socon 0 - Spartan South Midlands, Division One, Brunting Road

The hosts scored after just 2 minutes, from a lad making his debut, after that the game was fairly even - the visitors probably having slightly more of the ball.

Second half was a different matter with the hosts adding 4 more goals, Eaton Socon had a player sin binned just before the break but were back to 11 players when they let the next goal in on 58 minutes after a superb bit of skill by the young number 11, a great pass that his teammate finished with a neat lob. The young lad has been approached by a number of clubs higher up the pyramid but he ahs decided to stay with Moulton for this season.

The same player was then taken down for a penalty, Two further goals were added with the last in injury time as Eaton Socon finished with 10 players- no sending off, just an injury and they did not have a full bench of subs!

Annihilation

Friday 3 February 2023, Ipswich Town Under 18 2 Liverpool Under 18 0, - FA Youth Cup, 5th Round, Portman Road

What a great display by this young Town team, a great win and we even saved a penalty.

Easy win, long trip home

Friday 3 February 2023, Colchester United U21 3 Cardiff City U21 0 - Professional Development League, Maldon and Tiptree FC

Proper ground (ish) free to get in and the sun was out, what is there to moan about? Football wise not the greatest game, however Colchester did score 3 great goals with the first the pick of the bunch.

No league title this season for the young Clarets

Wednesday 1 February 2023, Chelmsford City U19  0 Aveley U19 2 - National League U19 Alliance, Division A, Moulsham School

Chelmsford are Divisional Champions and also National Cup winners but currently are some way behind the top two.

Both teams looked well coached but neither keeper had to make one save in the first half as both defences were well on top. Team talks must have worked, as in the 48th minute Chelmsford had the first goal attempt of the game, with a header just missing and then Aveley had shot saved in the 50th. Time for a further chance each before Aveley went ahead in the 52nd minute with a glancing header. Numerous substitutions made the game disjointed, however Chelmsford had most of the possession, but in the 86th minute Aveley added a second, to secure an important away win.

The G3 pitch is on the school campus, it does have a spectator area inside the cage, however that is on the school side and so only able to be used by pupils. Parents and others have to watch from outside the cage on a public footpath that separates the cage/school from a local playing field. The path is tarmac and so no issue watching the game.

Back to the 'Doucy'

Tuesday 31 January 2023, Ipswich Wanderers 6 Hadleigh United 0 - League Challenge Cup, 4th Round, Humber Doucy Lane

My 6th visit to the 'Doucy' this season new bar almost finished but better news, Bovril avaible at the Tea Hut!

Football wise, a penalty and red card ruined this as a game, Hadleigh kept it to 3 goals, till the home side added the last 3 goals right at the end.