Bore draw

Saturday 22 November 2025, Ipswich Town 0 Wrexham 0 - Championship, Portman Road

We huffed and puffed but in the end, Wrexham held on without too much difficulty - not enough firepower upfront at the moment 

Dominating

Friday 21 November 2025, Leicester City U21 0 Ipswich Town Under 21 2 - Premier League Cup, Leicester City Training Ground, Seagrave

First of all, must say how impressive the set up is, and could not see it all as dark - plus a friendly welcome. One large stand on the side of the main pitch, toilets in the stand and a coffee van doing good business with hot drinks plus hot food.

The Ipswich Under 21 team have had a great start to their first season in PL2, but no wins so far in their Group cup games, but that changed tonight with a totally dominant display. Taking the lead on 14 minutes through Fletcher and spending most of the game in the City half. The hosts had one good chance on the break but greed took over and the breaking player wasted the chance.

Second half was more scrapper however Ipswich were still the dominant team, even if City did create a bit more. Ipswich scored a second through Eze after 66 minutes and even after losing a player to a red card after 86 minutes, Ipswich still had no problem ensuring they left with all 3 points.

Need the money

Tuesday 18 November 2025, Stowmarket Town 1 Soham Town Rangers 3 - Eastern Counties League, Challenge Cup, Greens Meadow

A night off from meetings and a number of local games to choose from, any new tick over 150 miles awa, so had to stay local for a re-visit. Chose Stowmarket over Needham or Bury as heard Stow are in a bad way financially and need the cash.

First half was quite even, with Stow taking the lead after 19 minutes, Soham then started to get on top helped by the home skipper ending up in the sin bin, Stow kept the lead till half time, thanks partly to the (clever) time wasting during the 10 minutes their skipper was in the bin.

Second half saw Soham take control, , level with a soft goal on 56 minutes then ahead after a great goal on 57 minutes after a period of slick passing. Stowmarket are a young team and lacked a older head to get a grip after the second went in, so heads dropped and the second goal killed the game off, Stow had plenty of the ball but never threatened the away keeper.

Soham added a third goal after 82 minutes.

Beat the storm

Saturday 15 November 2025, Bugbrooke St Michaels 2 Newport Pagnell Town 3 - Birds Close, United Counties League, Premier Division, South

As well as Storm Claudia, I also had to get home early tonight- thought I would end up at at 3G or 4G cage close to home then saw this game was on- and with a 2pm kick off, made it possible - not sure why 2pm as lights worked - maybe not good enough for a 3pm kick off?

All facilities on one side of the ground, good clubhouse and car park parking was well managed.

Newport Pagnell dominated the first half created a few good  chances so it was a total surprise when Bugbrooke took the lead after 28 minutes, Newport eventually got back on terms thanks to an own goal after 40 minutes.

Second half looked like it was also going to mostly one way traffic after Newport Pagnell got a very quick goal, however this one was disallowed and the scorer was then yellow carded and then sent to the sin bin after berating the Ref. This was the signal for the visitors to lose any control of the game they had, they seemed to think every decision was going against them and their attitude was pretty poor. At the same time the home side improved on their poor first half display and their young subs also contributed to a more even half. On 74 minutes Newport Pagnell did get a second goal but 5 minutes later the home team were back on level terms  however 5 minutes later the visitors got the winning goal.

On the way they played in the first half, Newport Pagnell looked a good team, but less said the better about their second 45 minutes!

Outclassed

Saturday 8 November 2025, Harold Wood Athletic 1 Catholic United 5 - Essex Olympian League, Premier Division, Harold Wood Recreation Park

Nice easy trip down the A12 to get to this game, just a public park, with 3 pitches, games on all three, and all home teams representing Harold Wood Athletic.

The main game was on the pitch that runs parallel with the entry road and was roped off ( poorly) on all 4 sides, with a slight slope on the pitch.

The club house is large, modern and a bit of a surprise when this is just a park- the clubhouse overlooks the cricket pitch, full bar and good choice of hot food.

It only took the visitors from Southend 4 minutes to open the scoring after a defensive mix up at the back and a second goal was added after 30 minutes after an error by the 'Wood' keeper.

Second half was also dominated by Catholic, adding two more goals in the 56th and 59th minute with the goal on 59, a great individual goal. Harold Wood got one back from the penalty spot on 73 minutes but Catholic Utd finished stronger and added a 5th goal on 89 minutes.

How did we not win?

Tuesday 4 November 2025, Ipswich Town 1 Watford 1 - Championship, Portman Road

More wasted chances, another missed opportunity.

Sussex by the Sea ( In the rain)

Sussex Double

Saturday 1 November 2025,  Worthing 3 Hampton and Richmond Borough 0 - National League, South, Woodside

Followed at 545pm by - Lancing 1 Newhaven 3 - Southern Combination, Premier Division, Culver Road 

No time to get in the Sea but still got wet! Heavy rain at the first game, meant still damp at the second!

Second game, was the third of the day from the Sussex hop, but only one I watched as went to Worthing instead for my first game. Superb stadium for this level and plenty of food and drink outlets pitchside- a few League clubs could learn something there, football wise it tuned out to be an easy win for Worthing.

Lancing was a short drive but rain was still coming down and parking was an issue, however good news, once a parking solace was found the rain did stop. Lancing is also the home of Sussex FA but other than one stand is till quite basic but at least with an artificial pitch the game was always going to be played.

Newhaven started the stringer, no real surprise as Lancing were just one place off the bottom of the league, however Lancing started to get back into the game and got back on terms and it was only in the last 20 minutes of the game did Newhaven get back on top and secure all 3 points.