Great start then boredom!

Tuesday 17 December 2024, Ipswich Town Under 21s 1 Colchester United Under 21s 1 - Professional Development League, Bent Lane Training Ground

What a start - less than 30 seconds into the game Ipswich were in front, fantastic finish from a tight angle, Colchester hit back on 10 minutes when Kai Martin, who netted a hat-trick for Colchester’s U18s in a 3-2 victory over QPR at the weekend, out muscled two Town players out of the way to score- and that was with Martin looking the smallest player on the pitch!

Ipswich then dominated for the next 80 minutes with Colchester just having two attempts on goal, one from a free kick. Hpowever even with all their domination , Ipswich never really looked like adding to their first minute goal.

Ipswich fielded a very young U21 team today, guessing a few of the usual starters may turn out for an Ipswich Town XI tonight in the County Premier Cup at Leiston.

Excitement all the way

Saturday 14 December 2024, Badshot Lea 2 Harrow Borough 3 - Isthmian League, South-Central, Operatix Stadium

Fantastic entertainment- for a neutral - the young Badshot team were on fire for the first 20 minutes but could not score, then suddenly Harrow seemed to wake up, two quick goals and then a third in first half injury time, It seemed very unfair on Badshot but also it seemed game over.

Badshot started the second half like they did the first, on the front foot attacking with pace and skill and this time they did find the net and got two goals back. It looked like they would get a point, especially after the Harrow keeper got a straight red card, but actually the sending off seemed to wake Harrow up and they held on to get all 3 points.

Badshot have a young team, keep playing like this and they could stay up,  great young skipper and footballer in Kai Allsopp.

Ground is very basic but you get a very friendly welcome.

No cup joy this year

Wednesday 11 December 2024, AFC Bournemouth Under 18s 3 Ipswich Town Under 18s 2 - FA Youth Cup, round 3, Silverlake Stadium, Eastleigh

Did not expect much from this young Ipswich team as not had a great season, but in the end they were unlucky to go out, with the ref being the only person in the stadium who did not see a blatant penalty for the Town that the Ref just ignored.

Impressive stadium and bonus of cracking chicken burger and chips!

For once, McKenna got it wrong

Sunday 8 December 2024, Ipswich Town 1 AFC Bournemouth 2 - Premier League, Portman Road

Kieran McKenna has got very little wrong since arriving at Ipswich, but the blame for defeat lies at his feet today, for once he failed to use his subs early enough.

Not sure we can afford many more home defeats like this.

Where Leeds got booted out of the FA Cup

Layer Road was the home of Colchester United for many years, and the scene of a great giant killing, when the Essex team knocked Leeds United out of the FA Cup.

The ground, is no more- new houses on a site called Turnstile Square, but great to see a physical reminder put in place to remind people that this was once the home of thousands of supporters every other weekend. 

Not sure this is the right place for the second sign spotted! 

Storm Darragh does not stop play

Saturday 7 December 2024, Tiptree Heath 5 Sudbury Sports 0 - Essex and Suffolk Border League, Premier Division, Shrub End Sports Centre

3G Pitch but was always planning to come here today, large sports field with a small changing room block, a large number of grass pitches ( 3 games were under way at 2pm, on the grass) and a G3 cage next to the main building. The whole place is run by the Colchester United Community Foundation, field is just 5 minutes from the old Colchester, Layer Road Ground.

No spectator facility inside the cage, 3pm kick off with the lights coming on after 30 minutes of the game. 19 watching at the start but only 5 at 90 minutes!

Second half was played in horrendous conditions, but both teams still attempted to play football, very few fouls and the officials had an easy afternoon.

Tiptree were one up inside three minutes, scoring straight from a direct free kick, then adding a second goal 6 minutes later, they dominated the half and added a third in injury time.

On 48 minutes, a keeper error, gifted Tiptree a 4th goal and they added a 5th after 74 minutes.

A game no one deserved to win

Tuesday 3 December 2024m Ipswich Town 0 Crystal Palace 1 - Premier League, Portman Road

A poor game, but one we had enough of the ball to win- but struggled with the final ball, going to be a long winter.

Almost threw it away

Monday 2 December 2024, Ipswich Town Under 21s 3 Swansea City Under 21s 2 - Professional Development League, Bent Lane Training Ground

Ipswich started on the front foot and were three up within 14 minutes and it looked like it was going to be a very one sided game, however Ipswich failed to add any further goals in the first half even though they dominated most of the possession.

Second half was also played mostly in the Swansea half however even with most of the play, Ipswich only made one good chance that the Swans keeper had to save.

The Welsh side got one goal back on 55 minutes and then they added a second on 82 minutes, it should never have been this close a game, however Ipswich managed to see the rest of the game out to ensure they got all the three points.

Home at last

Saturday 30 November 2024, Cambridge City 1 Tilbury 2 - Isthmian League, North, FWD IP Community Stadium

I saw Cambridge City play at Milton Road in 2010, 14 years later and they are back playing at their own home after many years of sharing grounds.

The new home is impressive and is still a work in progress, and the club made sure the 1.500 fans enjoyed their first game here, it looked like it would be a fairy tale return home when at half time they were one up, but Tilbury improved in the second half to go back south with all the points.

Another poor display

Tuesday 26 November 2024, Ipswich Town Under 17s 1 Cambridge United Under 17s 5 - PDL Under 17 Group cup game, Needham Market FC

Another poor display by the Ipswich Academy team, three down at the break, did pull one back after 86 minutes only for Cambridge to score two further goals in the last few minutes! 

Just brilliant!

Sunday 24 November 2024, Ipswich Town 1 Manchester United 1 - Premier League, Portman Road

All about the new manager at United, one down in 2 minutes but then the boys turned it on, we should have had all 3 points. 

No swearing?

Sunday 24 November 2024, Playford 1 Northam Celtic 1 - Ipswich Sunday Morning League, Div 3, Kesgrave school G3

A game that seemed out of place on a Sunday morning, no swearing, no real bad tackles and very little arguing - but somehow the Ref still booked at least 2 players, maybe 3!

Sunny but windy, it looked like it would finish 0-0, mainly down to good goalkeeping by both keepers but the home team broke the deadlock in the 83rd minute, close range header after keeper had misjudged the cross from an in-swinging corner.

Old school 3G- looking almost black from amount of rubber pellets, hard standing spectator area inside the cage on one side.

Complex also has grass pitches, and a veterans game was kicking off at 1230 ( time changed from 2pm due to Ipswich being at home.) 

Wind assisted

Saturday 23 November 2024, Thorpe Athletic 1 Cressing United 1 - Essex and Suffolk Border League, Premier Division, Kirby Playing Field

Had to stay local and was pleased to see this game was on, so saved me going to a match on 3G. This was 3rd v 4th and one of the home coaching team said we had chosen a poor game to watch as not much skill on show, however to be honest with the strong wind, I was actually surprised how much good football was played!

Cressing had most of the play in the first half but Thorpe looked the more dangerous team as they broke fast and created the best chances and no surprise when they took the lead after 21 minutes.

16 minutes later and Cressing were back on terms - in strange circumstances. Wind assisted! A Cressing player just seemed to be punting the ball up front from the half way line, but the strong wind got hold of the ball, propelled it about 12 foot in the air and then it came back down , beat the keeper and ended up in the goal.

Second half was much scrappier and the only real point of note was a Cressing player getting 10 minutes in the sin-bin after showing descent to the lino.

Pitch is outside the village, down a narrow track, next to a tennis club. Changing room block in one corner, pitch roped on one side.

Not our best Youth team

Friday 22 November 2024, Peterborough United U18 4 Ipswich Town Under 18 1 - PDL Group Cup, Bent Lane Training Ground

For pitch counters, an opportunity missed today as the game was played on the U16 pitch not the usual U18/21 pitch. Peterborough home game but hosted by Ipswich.

Good first 30 minutes, chances at both ends and then Ipswich took the lead after 28 minutes. Then it was all Peterborough!!

Back on level terms after 32 minutes then in front after 37 minutes.

Posh continued to dominate in the second half, with a great solo dribble and finish making it 3-1 after 60 minutes then they added a 4th direct from a free lick on 71 minutes.

Changed a bit since 82

Wednesday 20 November 2024, Cambridge Utd U19 SP 2 Watford U19 WA 3 - National Football Youth League, South Premier 2, Western Park, Northstowe

Like a return home for myself as I spent a few of my first years in the Army at Oakington Barracks,  now demolished and it will soon become part of Northstowe, a brand new village/small town to the north of Cambridge, close to the A14.

A caged G4 pitch, on the edge of one of the new housing developments, some grass pitches close by, small car park but an impressive changing room/community centre attached to the cage, which has a café- and they sold Bovril! Also attached is lawn bowls green. The cage has hardstanding spectator area on one side of the pitch, almost 3/4 of the length of the pitch.

Cambridge started the day on top of the division, this team is part of a partnership between Cambridge United and Cambridge Regional College and they had 5 teams playing today at various venues. This, I think is their senior team.

You can tell this is a level or two behind Academy football but still some decent skill on show on what was a very competitive game, Cambridge dominating the first 20 minutes and going one up after 23 minutes, but a soft penalty on 38 minutes let Watford back in the game and they took the lead just before the break after the home keeper just seemed to stand and watch a shot go in.

Second half and Watford were on top and they added a third goal, Cambridge got one back but never looked like they were going to get back on terms. Game got a bit feisty at the end with a player from each side being booked.

A ground of 8 stands!

Saturday 16 November 2024, Harrogate Town 2 Chesterfield 1 - League 2, Wetherby Road

Slowly getting closer to the 92 - bad journey so arrived with 15 minutes to spare, impressed by amount of helpful stewards, ground is quirky with 8 different stands!

Chesterfield have some of best players in this league and dominated possession in the first half but struggled to get a shot on target and it was Harrogate who got closest when they hit the bar.

Second half- and obvious that Harrogate had realised taht Chesterfield were struggling to hurt them, so the home team were more attack minded this half and took the lead after a great free kick hit the post and a home midfielder was first to react to slam the goal in.

Paul Cook had seen enough and made a mass substitution, and one of those who came on, scored with his first touch. Many may have thought Chesterfield would now push on for the win, but it was Harrogate who scored again - disallowed (off side) but then they got a deserved winner at start of injury time. 

Poor ref

Saturday 9 November 2024, Cressing United 1 Hashtag United Development 4 - Essex Saturday Premier Cup, 1st Round, Cressing Sport & Social Club

You know when you have a poor ref - when he easily upsets both sides - sent a Hashtag player off (should have been a yellow) then ignores the Cressing linesman and allows a few dodgy offsides.

That aside, Hashtag deserved the win and should be one of the favourites for this cup

10 men again

Monday 4 November 2024, Ipswich Town Under 21 1 AFC Bournemouth Under 21 2 - Professional Development League, Portman Road

First half saw Ipswich have slightly more of the ball but never really threatening the visitors keeper, whilst Bournemouth took the one real chance they made to lead by the one goal at the break.

Second half started and a mix up at the back almost gifted Bournemouth a second goal, after that it was all Ipswich but again never really troubling the keeper, with most shots from distance. Bournemouth then created just their second chance of the half and doubled their lead. Ipswich then got the best goal of the game, Morgan finishing a good move with low shot.

Then the ref blew up due to a head injury to a Bournemouth player, spoke to the lino and booked an Ipswich player, five minutes later he books the same player again and Ipswich down to 10 men. Bournemouth see the game out even with 10 men Town having most of the play.

Cheats

Saturday 2 November 2024, Ipswich Town 1 Leicester City 1 - Premier League, Portman Road

Another poor ref, who fell for the cheating tactics of Leicester .. will we ever get a win?

Euro trip - October 2024 - Part 3 -Switzerland

 Sunday morning- 9am train from Bregenz to Zurich - my planned game at 12am had been changed to 11am kick off, it would be tight- but should make it on time - I did ..by 10 minutes but when I arrived, pitch empty game had been moved back to 12 noon!!

Sunday 27 October 2024
12 noon
Zurich City SC 0 FC Wiedikon ZHH 0
2 Liga Region Zurich Gruppe 1
Sportanlage Neudorf

F & N
Attendance: 75 h/c

The complex is in Oerlikon, next to the Zurich Ice Rink, it has 6 pitches 4 on one side of the road along with a changing room block and café. The main pitch is on the other side of the road next to another grass pitch.

There was another lower level game on the main G3 pitch on the changing room side. By game was on the main grass pitch, railed on one side and seating along one side which included part of it under cover. Dug outs and electric scoreboard on the other side of the pitch.

I was surprised, and pleased to see the game had 3 qualified neutral match officials ... and they were needed.

The game was feisty from the start, a number of yellow cards shown but the Ref kept very cool and did not fall for the gamesmanship, displayed by both sides - with Zurich City being the worst offenders.

In the 74th minute a home player received a second yellow card for diving, I thought this may start a few more scuffles but the game finished with the other 21 players on the pitch, but then it kicked off with one of the Zurich City coaching team getting a red card, one of the subs from Zurich City who had come on with about 20 minutes to also wanting to argue with everyone then a Zurich City supporter, also joined in on the pitch confronting most of the visiting team whilst his partner attempted to drag him back off the pitch!

Great public transport in Zurich, meant I was at my main game with plenty of time to spare, was surprised that not many other fans were on the trams, as the game was 1st v 2nd in the Super League

FC Zurich 1 Servette 3
Swiss Super League
Letzigrund Stadium

Admission: 45 Swiss Francs, print at home
Programme: Free inside the ground - easy to pick up, not many home fans bothering.
Attendance: 16239

Tickets were still on sale at the game, and when I entered the ground with 45 minutes to spare it was still quite empty - in the end the home fans packed the SudKurve and the stand , I was sat in- East stand was full but the expensive seats in the West were empty and Servette had very fabs in attendance- and what a game the away fans missed!

Right from the start of the game they looked the sharper team and no surprise when they took the lead on 32 minutes, thought that might give Zurich the kick up the arse they needed but the second half continued in the same vein, two further goals from Servette and Zurich still lacking a final pass. The Zurich subs made a slight difference and they did get a goal back in the last minute of the game, but a great win for Servette who went top with Zurich dropping to third place.

Great tram times afterwards meant I was back in the city centre in less that 30 minutes after the game ended. Zurich may have been poor on the pitch but the support from the SudKueve was fantastic throughout the game. The stadium looks far more impressive from the outside rather than the view from inside.

Fun part, 10 minutes from the end a Zurich fan left in disgust at the display by his team - but somehow he had unbolted his seat and took it with him!!

Euro trip - October 2024 - Part 2 Austria, Liechtenstein, Austria

 Friday 25 October train from Frankfurt to Bregenz in Austria, plan was to watch the Second Division Derby game in Bregenz but that was moved to Saturday for live TV. So found 3 further options, like to use public transport but was not sure how reliable it would be so hired a car for 24 hours. this made it easier but in hindsight could have used public transport as in the Vorarlberg region is very good and their own transport APP is very easy to use and gives up to date times.

A short drive up into the mountains and the Friday night game:

Friday 25 October
FC Hittisau 1 SC Austria Lustenau II 2
Vorarlbergliga
Sportplatz Hittisau

Admission: 6 Euros
Programme: Nil
Attendance: 79 h/c

Arrived as getting dark but you are right up in the mountains, surrounded by alpine scenery. the pitch has been cut into the hillside, so on the dug out side you have behind it a large stone wall that holds the rest of the hill back. On the other side is decent stand with a small hut selling beer. Behind the goal are the changing rooms, club canteen and some covered seats and standing. Beer and food on sale, just stuck to coffee as driving plus Currywurst and Pommes! The block behind the goal reminded me of the new set up at Melton. Pitch was astro.

Visitors were the more dominant ream, however it was the host who had the first 3 clear chances in the game. The visitors then got a penalty in 28th minute but it was easily saved.

The visitors took the lead on 62 minutes only for the home team to get back on terms in the 82nd minute, but the game was won by Austria Lustenau Amateurs in the 86th minute with a great individual goal, however there was still time left for the visitors to go down to 10 men after one of their defenders got a second yellow card.

Short drive down to next village where I was staying, a couple of beers and then ready for a Saturday with 3 games, in 2 countries whilst driving through a third!

After a short 15 minute drive on Saturday morning, I was in the village of Egg, 500 m above sea level to see a team, with a great name, sponsored by a brewery and a ground that could be part of the set for the 'Sound of Music'.

Saturday 26 October
11am
FC Egg 1 FC Wolfurt 1
Eliteliga Vorarlberg
Sportanlage Junkerau

Admission: 8 Euro
Programme: Nil
Attendance: 229 h/c

A level higher than Friday night and football was of a higher quality but the star of the show is the ground itself, set amongst the mountains with a great view every way you look, helped by a cracking blue sky and the sun shining.

One large stand/clubhouse/changing room complex on one side, all wooden, with 3 rows of seats then room to stand and drink behind. The club house was doing good business in beer plus Wusrts. A second beer stall by the electric scoreboard.

Even game, with both teams struggling to get a shot on target, the home team went in front on 79 minutes after a dreadful keeper error, he tried to do a quick kick, it hit the back of a retreating opponent and bounced to a home forward who only had to nod in with a header from 2 metres. It looked like the home team were going to get al 3 points until deep in injury time, the visitors hit the post from a direct free kick and a visiting forward was first to react to tap in and gain his team a point.

A number of German hoppers present, with numerous other local games on offer in the afternoon, but I had decoded on a slightly longer drive, to knock off another country - still only 50 minutes vis a Swiss motorway to end up in Liechtenstein for a 4pm kick off

4pm
USV Eschen/Mauren 0 SC YF Juventus 1
Swiss 1 Loga Classic Gruppe 3
Sportpark Eschen-Mauren

Admission: Not sure as was already in ground but late arrivals were charged
Programme: Free 4 sheet programme, with admission and copies in clubhouse
Attendance: 250 h/c

Hard to believe this was the ground where Liechtenstein played home international games, part of a large sports complex on a main road away from the two small towns/large villages.

Main pitch, has one large stand with a clubhouse/VIP bar at top - can also watch games on the G3 pitch behind the stand from the clubhouse. Can watch game from all 4 sides but the main stand is the only place with cover or terracing.

Competitive game but the 'Swiss' Juventus were always in control, and the win was not a surprise, the only real surprise was that they only got the one goal, which was in the second half and helped the visitors from Zurich maintain their second place in the league.

Again amazing scenery, however only once the cloud lifted and from a distance as the ground sits in quite a vast and flat valley floor..

Another drive of under an hour gave me time to book into hotel in Bregenz, return the car and get public transport to the last game of the day.

8.30pm
SC Schwarz Weiss Bregenz 1 Austria Lustenau 1
2 Liga
ImmoAgentur Stadion

Admission: 20 Euro, print at home
Programme: Free, but again most home fans did not bother picking one up
Attendance: 5500

Some suggested this may be the biggest 'Derby' game ever to take place in Vorarlberg, as Austria Lustenau have to share the ground of Bregenz. Not a full house, but with both stands on either side of the ground full but plenty of standing space behind the goals. Late kick off as game on TV. Hosts started as favourites as were sitting third in the league.

Seemed to be a bigger deal for Lustenau as their ultras arrived in good numbers and got behind their team throughout the game. I was sat in the main stand and there was no segregation in that stand. Athletic track round the pitch gave it a feel of the Withdean.

The visitors looked the sharper ream whilst the host final pass was quite poor, the visitors went ahead in 35 minute but 4 minutes later one of their better players chose to handle the ball to stop a certain goal - red card however Bregenz missed the resulting penalty. Bregenz did get level in the last minute of the half.

Even with just 10 men, Austria Lustenau were not that troubled by the hosts and probably still deserved a point. Public transport back to the hotel, and happy to have the extra hour in bed as the clocks went back as had an early start with a train to Zurich in the morning.