Spotted this game on twitter and thought worth a look on the way to a game slightly further north. The pavilion is owned by Bedfordshire FA, New G3 pitch, with modern changing room/meeting room block- large car park. Hard standing inside the cage for spectators for 3/4 of the length of one side of pitch.
Right next to Cranfield United, but no access from United, you have to drive through a very new housing estate to get to the Pavilion, surrounded by marsh and fields- would not be a great place to watch a game in winter- plenty of lost balls!
RAF started quickly and were two up in 7 minutes, obvious they were used to playing together and also very fit, however by about 30 minutes the Fire Service were getting their game together, they obviously had some very good players, who had played at a good level in non-league, just not used to playing as a team together. They had got it back to 2-2 by half time then dominated the second half, just losing their way a bit when making a number of substitutions and then having to play very negatively for the last 10 minutes when the RAFs superior fitness started to tell. Both teams have good twitter feeds to spot future games.
Then:
Saffron Dynamo 2 Burbage & Huncote 2 ( away win on penalties - 4-5)
Leicestershire & Rutland Senior County Cup 1st Rd, Kings Park
A deserved win for the lower league side, as no programme, not sure how strong a side Saffron put out. The visitors looked sharper and were two up at the break, however their keeper got injured early on and was hopping for the rest of the game, but Saffron failed to trouble him much in the first half. Saffron slightly improved in the second half, getting one back after 61 minutes then as Burbage retreated, attempting to hold on, Saffron got back on terms with 3 minutes left on the clock.
Penalty shoot out- feared for the visitors as their keeper was struggling to just stand up! The Home keeper saved the first Burbage penalty, but it was re-taken as he moved off the line, only for the re-taken penalty to miss the target, advantage Saffron. however Saffron then missed their third penalty and then their first penalty, when it went to sudden death. A well deserved win for Burbage.
Surprised how far the pitch is from the club house, but at least a walk on hard standing, and fenced. Pitch is 3 sided, with fans only allowed on 2 and half sides of the pitch to watch the game. Good idea by Saffron not to charge admission, but still did not attract many.
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