Season over, and even got an ice cream

Saturday 31 May 2025, Beacon Hill Rovers 1 Herongate Athletic 2 - Essex Olympian League, Division One, Wickham Bishops Sports Ground

Another Essex Olympian game watched this month, watched Herongate beat the Champions last week (easily) and today they were the away team. Herongate dominated the first half but unlike last week, they could not convert any of the chances they made, a few headers just went over the bar, keeper made a few good saves and the final cross was poor at times.

Beacon Hill did not offer much but worked hard and were always in the game. Second half was more even but Herongate still lacked the final ball, and it was Beacon Hill who took the lead after 55 minutes, it did look like the forward had pushed the defender but the ref waved the protests away.

This upset the Herongate players and resulted a few minutes later, one ending in the sin bin.

After the good result last week it looked like Herongate would end the season with a defeat but in the first minute of added time they got back on terms and 4 minutes later they got the winner. They had probably been the better team over 90 minutes but I for one thought Beacon Hill deserved at least a point.

Large sports field with the pitch close to the car park, roped off on 2 sides and permanent dug outs, small club house selling beer but a sit was a fun day, we also had a number of bouncy castles, food and ice cream sellers and a tent showing boards marking the history of the Beacon hill club, including a copy of their first ever programme from a cup game v Heybridge Swifts in 1949.

Not a great last day as a Senior Club

Friday 30 May 2025, Trimley Red Devils 2 Whitton United 0 - Suffolk FA Senior Cup Final, Portman Road

Whitton United decided to take voluntary relegation and leave senior football, but tonight gave them a chance to go out with a bang - , leaving as Senior Cup winners.

But we had no bang, it was more like a damp squib - Trimley soaked up the early pressure, then went in front before the break and dominated most of the second half and finished the game with a late goal.

It does indicate that Whitton will not find the Suffolk and Ipswich League as a stroll in the park next season.

Quality finish

Thursday 29 May 2025, AFC Kesgrave 0 Ipswich Wanderers Development 1 - Suffolk FA Junior Cup Final, Portman Road

Large crowd at a game that promised much at the start but ended up being quite scrappy, Wanderers had the best of the first half, numerous chances then getting the only goal of the game after 34 minutes. One of the best finishes seen at Portman Road this season.

Second half was more scrappy not helped by numerous subs, AFC Kesgrave saw more of the ball in the second half and were the better team for the last 15 minutes of normal time, but Wanderers weathered the storm and had most of the ball in the 6 minutes of injury time ( well 6 minutes added on but Ref ended up allowing 8 minutes of injury time).

At least Bungay scored!

Monday 27 May 2025, AFC Sudbury Women 5 Bungay Town Ladies 1 - Suffolk FA, Women's Cup Final, Portman Road

Expected this game to be one sided, and was worried when Sudbury went ahead after just tow minutes that thus game would become a hammering - after 34 minutes it was 4-0 but Bungay kept working and with the keeper making some good saves and the woodwork also helping, no further goals were added in the first half.

Sudbury added a 5th goal in the 50th minute but Bungay had improved defensively and the biggest cheer of the night was in the 75th minute when Bungay got their (well taken) late consolation. 

Bye, bye

Sunday 25 May 2025, Ipswich Town 1 West Ham United 3 - Premier League, Portman Road

Another home defeat, we were were on top for much of the game but yet again could not get the goals we needed - and ended up losing to a poor West Ham side.

So goodbye to the Premier League - will not miss you! 

Lost today but Champions

Saturday 24 May 2025, Herongate Athletic 3 Corinthians 1 - Essex Olympian League, Division 1, Herongate Recreation Ground

Corinthians needed 2 points from 2 games to win the Championship, but the team looked to be missing many of those who played last Saturday. It was Herongate who seemed more 'up' for the game with their midfield dominating the much changed away side.

It was the home side who took the lead on 17 minutes then one of their better players added a second with a cracking shot from distance that completely fooled the Corinthians keeper.

We then started to see some of the ill discipline from the Corinthians team that was very evident last week, not helped by having two club linesman unlike last week where 3 neutral officials were in place. Herongate then added a third in injury time, from a header after the home player was left unmarked.

Herongate thought they had a 4th goal in the second half but the Corinthians linesman had seen an infringement, and the Ref took his word for it and disallowed the goal, this led to some ill feeling and some shouting between various players/managers/coaches - and ended up with the Ref ( who had a good game) sending off the Corinthians linesman!

The Corinthians management were not prepared to replace him, but in the end one of the Corinthians supporters took the flag, so at least the game could continue.

I thought we would have more bother but word came through that Harold Hill were also losing so the result would not matter, this seemed to calm things down and  in injury time, Corinthians got a consolation with a low driven shot into the corner of the net.

So Corinthians put in  a poor display, seemed to be missing numerous players, their first league defeat of the season, but they were still crowned champions, with one game to go.

Like last week at least two Essex Olympian League Officials were present, this time wearing EOFL Logo fleeces, too cold for Polo shirts, but again did not seem to be concerned about the ill discipline of Corinthians, I did stand near them at one stage and they seemed more concerned that they were not given enough free hospitality tickets at a recent cup game! Priorities!!

No need for it

Saturday 17 May 2025, Corinthians 2 Harold Hill 0 - Essex Olympian League, Div 1, Stambridge Memorial Ground

The venue is superb for this level, fully railed, lights, dug outs and a clubhouse, with plenty of memorabilia from Corinthians games plus a bar.

Football wise, this was 1st v 2nd, with Corinthians 2 points in front and both teams having 2 further games after today.

Quickly became obvious that both teams had a number of good players, some very experienced, a few maybe coming to the end of their playing days. Both teams produced some good moves, Harold Hill almost taking the lead in the first few minutes, Corinthians did hit the post but Harold Hill just edged it as the better team in the first half, what was disappointing is that the players challenged every decision the officials made, with the Corinthians team ( and their manager/coach and dug out)  being the worst offenders. Just before the break two players got involved in a tussle, Ref spoke to the linesman but then called the wrong Corinthians player over, this caused more abuse to come from their coaching team, but the Corinthians captain kept quiet as he was the real offender, in the end the Ref got it right and booked both players ( he could have sent both them off)

Second half was still very even, then Corinthians got a penalty, on 57 minutes, but that was well saved, however this did seem to cause Harold Hill to lose their shape and Corinthians got on top and went ahead with a cracking direct free kick on 69 Minutes, scored by their skipper, who many may think was lucky to still be on the pitch. 

Corinthians now had full control and added a second goal on 79 minutes, but the game had now got very niggly and there was still time for a Corinthians player to get a red card in injury time.

Game over and Corinthians now just need 2 points from 2 games to win the league , but no time to celebrate as both teams now decoded to have a brawl with one Corinthians player wanting to fight every one.

Even with the skirmishes it was a good football game, and not sure why both teams thought they needed to behave like this, Corinthians being the worst offenders - For me what was the most disappointing aspect of the day, was present at the game were 2 or 3 senior officials from the Essex Olympian League, wearing their branded ( free?) Polo shirts, but none had the moral courage to step in and help the match officials, part of the game they spent by the home dig out and would have witnessed 40 plus minutes of abuse coming from the bench, including the constant intimidation of the young linesman. They could and should have told the bench to behave.

Thursday, I witnessed a game that was a great advert for this league, but today, stills aw a good game but ruined by the poor behaviour of the Corinthians team and coaching staff and compounded by the presence of weak league officials, who lacked moral courage to step in when they should of.

Quality at the bottom of the pyramid

Thursday 15 May 2025, South Essex United 1 Ekco Park 0 - Essex Olympian League, Div 4, South east, Basildon, Post Office, Sports & Social Club

Had a night off and fancied ticking a new ground, Ford Social Club in Basildon  - and South Essex keep their twitter feed updated, checked with club and told game now at the Post Office Club, no problem, still a new ground.

This is quite close to the bottom of the pyramid but it would be hard to tell as both teams helped give us a cracking game with some very good football, both teams with a mix of experienced players and those starting in the men's game. Certainly seen many games much higher up the pyramid who would have struggled to display some of the quality football we saw tonight.

South Essex are to of the league and unbeaten but Ekco gave them a a very good battle. Only surprise, just the one goal and that took 51 minutes for South Essex to get that, they also missed a penalty after 77 minutes.

​This game was certainly a great advert for the league.

Game of two halves and a strange penalty

Tuesday 13 May 2025, Hackney Wick 2 Rayleigh Town 0 - Eastern Counties League, Division One, South- Spa Road

First time I have been back to Spa Road for a while and the ground has changed very little - and unlike my last visit, a decent crowd today- which meant chaos on the road up to the car park.

Football wise, Hackney had finished so far ahead on points ahead of others they were always going to start as favourites and that seemed the way as they took the lead from a towering header from a great cross in what was the first attack of the game. they added a second goal and Rayleigh did well to keep the deficit down to 2 goals.

Expected the same in the second half, but it was Rayleigh who were on top and Hackney were saved by a great save from their keeper then the real fun started. The Ref gave Rayleigh a penalty, the striker took ages to take it, stuttering run - and all the sort of tricks you often see in the Premier League - but the Ref was have none of it, so blew his whistle and gave an indirect free kick to Hackney! To be honest the Rayleigh players and bench took the decision well, as many other clubs in the league/ or at this level would have gone ballistic.

Hackney saw the rest of the game without incident and got the promotion that their football over the season deserved.

Finals day - Ipswich and Cambridge

 Sunday 11 May 2025

Portman Rovers 0 Kitchener Taverners 1

Peter Cocker Senior Cup Final

Whitton Sports Centre, Pitch 'A', Ipswich

​

Ipswich Sunday Morning League, finals day with the Junior Cup Final being played on Pitch 'B'. A competitive game which was quite even with Taverners having the best chances but after half and hour a Portman Rovers player got a straight red for a nasty challenge. Just before the break Taverners went ahead, with a great free kick from just outside the box, with the ball being curled low round both the wall and the keeper.

Second half, Taverners had most of the ball but could not make the advantage of having an extra man pay. Portman Rovers actually had most of the ball in the last 15 minutes as some of their more experienced players came on from the subs bench and they  really went for it as they attempted to get back on level terms. Taverners managed to hold on for the victory.

Sports centre has 3 pitches, the sports centre is now past its best.

A short drive up to Cambridge:

Jesus College 0 Trinity College 0 ( Jesus win 5-4 on penalties)

Cuppers Cup Final

Grange Road (Cambridge RUFC)

A poor standard of football but this visit was more about the venue than the game. Jesus were clear favourites as they play in a higher division, speaking to a number of the students, they expected an easy Jesus win. However it was Trinity who had the better of a poor game, especially in the second half. Neither team had many chances and the two keepers were probably two of the better players.

Football skill may have been lacking in the game, but we did see some fantastic  penalty kicks, but we then had a couple of misses and Jesus won it with probably the worst penalty of the shoot out!

Cracking venue with a very large wooden stand with bench seating, other side of the pitch is the pavilion/bar and that also had covered seats in front of that and further seats on the roof of the building. A small terrace to one side and some rake seating the other side. before 1970 this ground would have seen some of the greatest Rugby players show their skills off and can imagine there were some quite big grounds.

I have been for Rugby Union before, but very few football games played here and even the Cuppers Cup Final is not played here every year.

VAR Killing the game

Saturday 10 May 2025, Ipswich Town 0 Brentford 1 - Premier League, Portman Road

First of all Brentford were slightly the better team - and probably could have stepped up a gear and our home form is poor and we deserved to go down but today a game again was spoilt by a poor Ref and VAR.

The Brentford goal came from a 3 times taken corner, Brentford certainly know how to get the most out of set pieces. But the Ref was so poor that even the Ipswich manager for once was critical and he is right- VAR is destroying football. 

However as seen at Orient today, officials make mistakes, but what is unacceptable is the misuse of VAR, going to VAR after being surrounded by visiting players then ignoring our players as they did not surround him.

The we have the failure to add on time for time wasting - this Ref was certainly the worst we have seen this season and it was a very low bench mark in the first place

Just please do not introduce VAR to the Championship

First time winners

Thursday 8 May 2025, Hadley 4 Welwyn Garden City 2 - Herts FA Charity Cup, Final, Herts FA County Ground

Always find it strange that some County FAs have their own ground, especially when no club side seem to use it as a ground- maybe even stranger when Letchworth Eagles play at a ground not as good less than 200 meters away!

Ground has all you need, a very good main stand, plenty of covered standing and a cafe that sold hot drinks, food and booze and had no trouble coping with the 200 plus in attendance- and some of the Hadley fans seemed to be on a mission to make sure every can of beer was sold!

Hadley started off in a hurry and within 2 minutes were one up and dominating but Welwyn had a purple patch half way through that half and found themselves 2-1 up - but then disaster- straight Red card and down to 10 men.

Second half was all Hadley, took a while to get back on terms but in the end won quite easy with a cracking goal from distance by one of their centre backs, being the goal of the day.

115th time this cup has been held and neither Hadley or Welwyn had won it before. 

Back to losing ways

Tuesday 6 May 2025, Ipswich Town Under 21s 1 Fleetwood Town Under 21s 2 - Professional Development League, Bent Lane Training Ground.

After a run of wins, Ipswich finished the season with a loss. Not helped after going behind after just 2 minutes!

Dominated the game but good saves, bad misses and the woodwork meant it was Fleetwood who got all 3 points.

Left it late

Saturday 3 May 2025, Buntingford Town 1 London Lions Development 0 - Herts Senior County League, The Bury

Chose his game as result could decide who takes the third relegation place. lucky that I arrived early as game kicked off at 2pm, even if all social media and Full time had it as 3pm.

Even first half hour with the the young London Lions team probably having a slight upper hand. After 38 minutes some tricky footwork ended up with a London Lions player being tripped and penalty awarded, not the best penalty and so the home keeper saved it. The last play of the half saw Buntingford have their best chance from a goalmouth scramble.

Second half was quite even but it looked like a goalless draw, that would have been a good result for London Lions, but deep into injury time, Buntingford got a winner, but there was still time the home team to concede yet another penalty, but the keeper yet again kept the resulting spot kick out,

The result means a win in their last game, would see Buntingford stay up and it could be the visitors, London Lions, who end up getting relegated instead.

Nice ground, edge of the village by a newish housing development, pitch fully railed with the clubhouse elevated giving a good view from the balcony. Behind one goal is a grass bank with a couple of park benches.