Mental Hospital site

Sunday 1 March 2026, Witnesham wasps 4 Claydon Athletic 0 - Peter Cocker Senior Cup, St Audry's Sports and Social Club

One of my rare visits to watch Sunday football, chose this game as thought it would be a bit more than a park pitch. It was - on the site of the old Mental Hospital, Woodbridge Town did think of moving here. Poor pitch but railed on one side, concrete dugouts. Large cricket pavilion/social club. One further football pitch the other side of the cricket square.

Witnesham got off to a plying start and were two up within the first 10 minutes, then continued to dominate the half. Second half, was far more even, but Claydon could not get a goal back and then on the break, Witnesham added a third on 75 minutes and a fourth goal, 3 minutes later.

Witnesham keeper then stepped up to take a penalty on 83 minutes- but missed!

Much needed win

 Saturday 28 February 2026, Ipswich Town 3 Swansea City 0 - Championship, Portman Road

After the two defeats at Wrexham, a good win was needed to follow up the good result, mid-week at Watford

Town youngster shine again

 Friday 27 February 2026, Arsenal Under 21s 0 Ipswich town under 21s 1 - PL2, Boreham Wood FC

Another good result for this young Ipswich team, and a chance to see the young England/Arsenal superstar Dowman in action. The Arsenal youngster coming back from injury but showed enough in the 45 minutes he played to see why he is so highly rated with a couple of strong runs leaving Ipswich players in his wake.

However, Arsenal did not have much else to offer, in the end they just seemed to have one attacking plan- the long throw!

Ipswich scored early on and could have had two more before the break, Arsenal did have more of the ball in the second half but only had one real scoring chance, and that was in the final minutes of the game.

An Arsenal player got a red card in injury time not that many of us in the crowd realised at the time!

Visit was worth it for the ground, but not the football on display

 Tuesday 24 February 2026, Bath City 0 Weston-Super-Mare 0 - National League (South) Twerton park

A very poor game, only highlight - a Red card! But what a ground, a 'must' visit on any football fans wish list.

The combination of stands, the old terracing, the press box, gantry, stuck amongst houses on a very hilly side of the city - close to the city centre in distance but millions of miles away in architecture and design - but both worth a visit.

Wet Flanders Sunday

3 Games on a wet Sunday in Flanders.

Game 1 - FC Latem Under 17s 6 VV Volkegem Under 17 'B' 0 - Flanders Regional Under 17 League, Complex Hoge Heirweg

Game 2 - Racing Waregem 0 KFC Marke 0 - 1e Provincial West Falnders League, Mirakel Stadion

Game 3 - SC Zulte Waregem 2 RSC Anderlecht 4 - Jupiler Pro League, Elindus Arena

Game 1:

20 minutes on the bus from Gent Station got me to the outskirts of the city, and  a short walk of 5 minutes got me to the ground- old low seated stand on one side and a smaller modern stand on the other side, G3 Pitch (much needed, due to heavy rain). Club house also gave you a view of the pitch and a small junior pitch on the other side of the clubhouse.

Clubhouse selling hot drinks (and beer) and even had BBC Match of the Day on a big screen.

Football wise - very different to our U17 football- obvious that their were a number of Under 15's playing- some looked good and obvious playing in older age group because of their skill but others seemed to be just making the numbers up. However it was worth the effort as game played on the main pitch. FC Latem were 2 up in 8 minutes and added a third goal later in the half. Second half continued to be dominated by the home team and  a further 3 goals were added.

Then I had a choice of the bus back to Gent, a short break then the train to Waregem or a bus to Deinze, an hour for lunch then the train to Waregem, I opted for the Deinze route.

Arriving in Waregem, it was still raining, managed to get a bus halfway, but still meant a 15 minute walk to my next game at Racing Waregem.

Game 2:

Drawn to this game by the stadium- the colours of the seats and the name of the stadium, however the heavy rain did not show it in it's best light - arrived and lucky I still had 10 Euro cash as no cards taken, then in the large clubhouse you had to buy tokens from a machine before you got drinks - a system that did not seem popular with either the home or visiting fans.

Two stands, the one on the clubhouse side with the red and yellow seats and a large stand the other side, concrete, more basic and only used by 3 people during this game. Plastic pitch was good news as not sure many grass pitches at the level would have been playable.

A game that neither side dominated and no surprise that the game finished 0-0.

Lucky for me that the rain stopped just before the end of the game as it was a 25 minute walk, partly down a main road with open fields either side to the 'big' game of the day back in Waregem.

Game 3:

After rain all day, quite happy to be in hospitality and plenty of free beer, also seat was still in the stand above hospitality, so did not need to sit with the 'prawn sandwich' brigade, and that stand had an old school English ground feel. Anderlecht had a large following, so a great atmosphere. The big surprise was how Anderlecht won this game. The home side were on top from the start but a combination of poor finishing and good goalkeeping meant it was still still 0-0 till the 37th minute. Anderlecht appealed for a penalty for handball, game carried on, 5 minutes later, game stopped VAR got involved and the penalty was given! Anderlecht were one up.

Then the 'lesser known' Hazard took over and suddenly Anderlecht were 3 up as we went back to hospitality for more beer and cakes! Second half was the home team pull one gaol back before Hazard added a 4th and then the home team got a consolation in injury time. More beer and Frites with Mayo and then the 

 easier (and shorter) walk back through the city centre to the station and the short train trip back to Gent.

Great trip - one annoying thing- all 3 top division games, saw a DJ pitch side before kick off- and hour of 'Euro Garage' music before each game is not needed!!!

Saturday Brugge double

Saturday 21 February 2026 - Game 1 - Club YLA 2 RSC Anderlecht Women 3 - Super League Women, Municipal Sports Centre Aalter

Game 2 - Club Brugge 2 Oud-Heverlee Leuven 1 - Jupiler Pro League, Jan Breydel Stadion

 Game 1:

Rail replacement day - so it was going to be tight and plenty of walking - could of gone for an easier double somewhere else but I wanted to go to Brugge as trying to visit ever ground, Ipswich have played at in Europe. Buses left on time and a 20 minute walk to the ground in Aalter. The town is close to the main motorway between Gent and Brugge and closer to Gent. The ground is on the edge of the small town, so a walk from the train station but arrived an hour before kick off, got my ticket  and went in, good news clubhouse open and hot drinks and beer on sale, and the club house was above the mains stand and you could watch from there. The stand was quite modern and probably held a few hundred. opposite was a covered terrace, to the left was a grass  bank with the hockey clubhouse behind it. the other end backed on to the athletics ground. The site also had more pitches , swimming pool and paddle courts.

First thing to notice, was how low the crowd was compared to this level in England, maybe not helped by not playing in Brugge ( this is the Club Brugge women's team but play under a different name) and playing on a Saturday.

It was an end to end game from kick off to the finish, the visitors going ahead on 26 minutes only for Club YLA to get back on level terms 9 minutes later. On 61 minutes the home side went in front after a great goal only for their keeper to let a corner go directly into the goal on 67 minutes, both teams still pressed forward and it was Anderlecht who got the winner in injury time.

Then a 20 minute walk- and getting the bus to Brugge with a few minutes to spare to make sure I had at least 90 minutes to get from Brugge Train station to the ground.

Game 2:

Connecting bus from station was easy to get and arrived as rain was more of a drizzle - joined loads of Brugge fans in a 'fan park' behind one of the stands- beer, frites and tv showing an afternoon game, entered the ground and it is feeling it's age - but still a good atmosphere, maybe more British than the usual Ultra orchestrated feel you get at many top league European games. For a team in the Champions League a new ground is needed, especially if they wish to make more from hospitality but for me, I loved it, felt more like watching a game in the 90's in the UK before all the new stadiums were built.

Football wise, Brugge were on top most of the game but found it hard to break the opponents down, partly due to resting players for their next European game.

Afterwards got the bus back to the station (Number 30) be warned it is packed, so if not in a hurry have another beer at the ground or even walk back as the bus struggles to get going at first due to the heavy traffic around the ground.

Bus replacement to Gent was still running but I opted for the train and one change  my preferred route back. 

Out of town and out of sorts.

Friday 20 February 2026, KAA Gent 0 Cercle Brugge 1 - Jupiler Pro League, Planet Group Arena

Not a fan of out of town stadiums, and with the heavy rain, not great when looking for a bar- one found, close to the ground- a restaurant, that has set up a bar area for match days. However, once in the ground, it is impressive, and you can walk almost round the whole ground on the wide concourse, food and beer options aplenty and fast service- needed with ethe amount of beer being sold.

As not full- could choose to sit anywhere, Brugge only had a few hundred fans present, even with their city being just a few miles down the motorway - not helped probably by the 8.45 lick off.

Cercle Brugge were close to bottom of the table but that would surprise anyone who watched this game as they managed to make Gent look very poor, Brugge hit the post then took the lead on the stroke of half time with a deflected shot. It got worse for Gent on 50 minutes when one of their players got a straight Red Card for a very nasty challenge. It could have even been worse as they then gave away a penalty on60 minutes only for the home keeper to save it.

This lifted both the home team and the crowd and Gent pressed for an equaliser but Cercle Brugge held on for an unexpected win.

Leaving the ground was easy and did spot shuttle buses back to the city centre, however, I walked the 10 minutes or son to the closest tram stop.

TOP TIP

I did not know about this so had to rush to visit on the Saturday morning- but if in Gent, well worth a visit. The City Museum has been holding a football exhibition, marking 150 years of football in Gent, 125 years of KAA Gent, women's football and also looking at the other clubs in the city.

Even has a mock up of the bedroom of a certain Kevin De Bruyne - when he was 10- with a Michael Owen quilt cover. Best bits were the pictures of the old stadium, old match posters and tickets - well worth a visit and runs till the end of May.

Red Star Away win but this time in France

Thursday 19 February 2026, Lille OSC 0 Red Star Belgrade 1 - Europa League Play-Off, Stade Pierre-Mauroy

Weekend of football planned in Belgium but spotted that Lille may be in a home Europa League play-off game on the Thursday, so Eurostar booked and then just had to wait to see if my plan would work out. It did and a ticket was easily purchased as they only managed to fill half the ground ( guess may be very different in next round).

Plenty of Red Star fans in the main square and I let them leave for the stadium before I grabbed the Metro a few minutes later - first problem - the police closed the path to the ground from the Metro - so if not in the away section, had a longer walk to the ground. Very impressive stadium, roof closed, good sight lines from any seat. Be warned if going to a game in Lille, not all turnstiles were open and the body searches took a while - even so, both Red Star and Lille ultras managed to get pyro in! So I would recommend getting to the ground early and give yourself plenty of time as you queue to get in.

Football wise, Lille were very poor and very surprised to see that they ended up overturning this result with an away win in Serbia, playing Giroud from the start may of helped, he only made a late cameo appearance here. Red Star at the time seemed happy with the narrow win but in hindsight they should have gone for more goals in a game that they controlled easily for most of the 90 minutes.

With Red Star fans kept in the ground afterwards, it meant the path to the tube was open and was back in the city centre within 15 minutes. Train the next day  booked  for Gent

Cup exit

Tuesday 17 February 2026, Ipswich Town Under 21s 2 Blackburn Rovers Under 21s 3 (AET) - Under 21 PL Cup, Portman Road

First of all a cracking attendance, about 800 more than the last U21 game played at Colchester! Hopefully that experiment of playing U21 games across the county border will end in May.

Ipswich are top of the U21 League and for the first half an hour, you could see why- two up and a numerous other chances whilst Blackburn just had one chance. However, just before the break Blackburn got a goal back against the run of play then were level within a few minutes of the second half starting. Remainder of the half saw Ipswich with most of the ball but it was Blackburn who always looked the most likely to score as their forwards were far more direct when they hit Ipswich on the break.

Half term and no announcement on the tannoy, so at 90 minutes over 300 people left, not realising it was a cup game, those left witnessed a further 30 minutes of dross from both sides and as it seemed it was going to be an even longer night with a penalty shoot out, a tired Ipswich challenge meant a soft penalty was given and Blackburn converted the spot kick and  progressed to the last 8. 

Potential title challengers

Saturday 14 February 2026 - West Wratting 4 Soham Town Rangers Reserves 0 - Bull Lane, Cambridgeshire County League, Premier Division

Easy win for the home side and only surprise is that we saw no goals in the second half. The home side scored in the 6th, 10th, 31st and 42nd meeting in a first half where they totally dominated their opponents.

Second half did see Soham improve but the hosts should have had a 5th when they did score but the Ref was too far away to see that the ball had easily crossed the goal line. The lino was one of the visitors, who was even further away from the goal.

No doubt about this game being on as the pitch was in superb condition, a slight slope probably helps with drainage. Roped off on 3 sides, 2 dugouts and surrounded by hedges, giving the pitch an enclosed feel. Clubhouse was small but had a full bar and hot drinks and burgers also on sale.

The home team have games in hand on a number of the teams above them, expect them to be top 3 finisher by May. 

Rain in the first half and raining goals in the second!

Friday 13 February 2026, Colchester United Under 21s 5 Watford Under 21s 2 - Professional Development League, Florence Park

Cold, very wet, windy and as the bottom pitch on the site- muddy! However we were warmed up by some good entertainment. Colchester taking the lead on the half hour against the run of play only for Watford to get level from the penalty spot on 36 minutes.

Second half, rain stopped and the goals poured in, Watford taking the lead on 50 minutes only for Colchester to add 4 more goals in the 54, 72, 84 and 88th minute for a great win for the home team.

Beat the rain- again

 11 February 2026, Kidlington 1 North Greenford Utd 1 - Combine Counties, Premier Division, North, Yarnton Rd

Think even Kidlington were surprised that this game passed a pitch inspection- however even with a bit more rain, pitch stood up well and a few players got cramp. due to heavy pitch only person who really suffered was the ref- who only lasted till half time!

The visitors took an early lead after just two minutes and seemed to work out how to get by on a heavy pitch quicker than the hosts - quick fast ball over the top was causing Kidlington issues every time whilst Kidlington had plenty of the ball but could not make much from it.

Second half saw Kidlington improve, and create a number of chances and again they had most of the ball. North Greenford, seemed happy to sit back and soak up the pressure, Kidlington hit the post from a header late on and it looked like the visitors would escape with the 3 points but in the 86th minute, Kidlington won a penalty and a well taken spot kick, ensured the points were shared. Quite a bit of injury time with North Greenford on top- maybe they should have been more positive in the in the second half earlier on and they would have added to their opening goal.

Very basic ground, but does the job- very surprised to read that it had hosted Step 4 football last season.

Beat the rain - play the G3 card

Saturday 7 February 2026, Cambridge City Development 1 Great Shelford 6 - Cambridgeshire County League, Premier Division, Sawston G3

City started on top and had two great chances in the first two minutes but that was followed by two great chances for the visitors!

Shelford, the League leaders soon got on top and took the lead on 18 minutes, it then got a lo32nd minute t harder for the home team when their centre half got sent off in the 32nd minute, probably the right decision but not great seeing the visitors pressurising the ref to give a red card.

Shelford extended the lead on 37 minutes when the home keeper failed to hold onto a shot and it was an easy tap in for the visitors. Tow great solo goals were added in the 40th and 44th minute.

Great Shelford added two further goals in the 57th and 80th minutes before the home team got a consolation goal in the 81st minute.

Two minutes from the end, a visiting player picked up an injury, he managed to walk off but them seemed to be struggling with his breathing. The trainer and away players went to him - after a  few minutes, the Ref spoke to both benches and decided to finish the game two minutes early, hopefully the player was not in a bad way.  

No Plan 'B'

Saturday 31 January 2026, Ipswich Town 1 Preston North end 1 - Championship, Portman Road

Ref was poor but even so, we seem to lack a Plan 'B' to compete against teams who sit deep.

Winning in the rain

Friday 3o January 2026, Ipswich Town Under 21s 2 Crystal Palace Under 21s 1- Premier League 2, Colchester United, Community Stadium

Spitting as I arrived but within 10 minutes it was torrential rain, and with a strong wind, still getting wet sat 15 rows back! Last year this game would have been called off but Ipswich have worked on the pitch for Colchester over the summer and even with the heavy rain the match was never in doubt.

Ipswich had lost a few games on the trot so needed a win, and after 2 minutes were ahead after a good move. It was then end to end, with both keepers making good saves and could have easily been 3-3 at the break.

Second half continued in the same vain and Ipswich went two up after 53 minutes. Both teams then hit the woodwork and both keepers were still kept busy. A number of subs for each side saw the game get very fragmented, Palace did get a goal back on 84 minutes but Ipswich saw out the last few minutes to get a win from a very entertaining game. 

No defending allowed

Saturday 24 January 2026, Aston Villa U21s 5 Ipswich Town U21s 4 - Bodymoor Training Ground, Premier League 2

What should have been the second game of a double with a Midlands U21 game in the morning, became just the only game I would see today, as my game at Cadbury Athletic was called off very late last night and then when we arrived at Ashby Ivanhoe (our back up game) we found that had also been called off whilst we were on route. So an hour in a coffee shop then a quick beer in Ashby before the short drive to Bodymoor.

Very smart complex with the Academy and Women's set up the furthest from the main road, and most impressive thing? The warm welcome, a number of other clubs could lean from Villa - fans made welcome, stewards smiling and helpful, stewards at car park - plenty of teamsheets plus a tea bar!

Ipswich had been top of the league but had lost last two games, but were on top straight away in this game, however Villa looked very sharp on the break. Ipswich took the lead from the penalty spot on 26 minutes only for Villa to equalise 2 minutes later. Villa then took the lead after 32 minutes.

Ipswich started the second half on the front foot but it was the hosts who went further ahead after 49 minutes witha long range shot that the Ipswich keeper should have stopped. Ipswich still kept pressing and got back on level terms with goals in the 52nd and 54th minute. 

The Villa forward, K Young then put Villa back ahead after 63 minutes, completing his hat trick at the same time. Villa added a fifth goal in the last minute with Ipswich then pulling one back , deep in injury time. Not a day for good defending! 

Home becoming a fortress

Tuesday 20 January 2026, Ipswich Town 2 Bristol City 0 - Championship, Portman Road

Another easy win as Bristol just seemed to give up once the second goal went in.

Suffolk double (well one and half games)

 Saturday 17 January 2026, Ipswich Town 3 Blackburn Rovers 0 - Championship, Portman Road

Then: Woodbridge Town 2 Heacham 0 (Abandoned 45 minutes, fog)  - Eastern Counties League, Premier Division, Notcutts Park

Another good win for Ipswich and a a good journey meant I made the Woodbridge game before kick off, but with the home team two up, in came the fog and that was it for the entertainment today.

Sun even came out

Friday 16 January 2026, Colchester United Under 21s 2 AFC Bournemouth Under 21s 1 - PDL 2, Florence Park

Made a change not to be freezing watch Colchester at Florence Park - the sun even came out in the second half! AFC Bournemouth had plenty of the ball, but when Colchester had it they looked the more dangerous of the teams. We got to the break goalless and did think it might be a goalless match.

However the hosts went in front after 51 minutes with a goal from close range for Lisbie. United did sit back then but the visitors still struggled to give the United keeper much work to do and on 83 minutes Colchester added a second through one of their subs. AFC Bournemouth did score with a minute left but Colchester saw the 6 minutes of injury time out quite easy.

Game played on lower pitch, still a very muddy path to get to the pitch.

Two cup wins in a week

Thursday 15 January 2026, Bromley Under 18s 1 Ipswich Under 18s 2 - FA Youth Cup, Round 4, Hayes Lane

First of all rain all day, but never a doubt the game would be off thanks to a fantastic pitch at Bromley (Blackburn take note!!)
Ipswich go through but Bromley were very unlucky, the hosts were the better team in the first half but a goalie error gave Ipswich the lead after 13 minutes but Bromley got a deserved goal back on 25 minutes.

Second half Ipswich were much better and got the winner after 63 minutes, but Bromley kept working hard and almost got an equaliser in the last minute of injury time.

A cup win for Ipswich, but a very fortunate one.

Into the hat

Saturday 10 January 2025, Ipswich Town 2 Blackpool 1 - FA Cup 3rd Round, Portman Road

Total domination by Ipswich, but failed to get the goals, meaning Blackpool were always in the game, but at least we are in the 4th Round draw on Monday!

Before the main game, was at the training Ground to see:

Ipswich Town Under 18s 2 Millwall Under 18s 4 - Friendly, Bent Lane Training Ground

​Game arranged to give the Ipswich players a warm up for their FA Youth Cup game later in the week. Match played on the pitch normally used by the U16 team. The U16 match was played over Playford Rd on the G3 pitch.

Good even first half with Ipswich coming out on top 2-1, expected more of the same but it was Millwall who were straight on the front foot, and dominated the second half, winning the game 2-4. Ipswich tried to get back in the game and put on a few of their stronger players at subs, meant they had more of the ball but never troubled the Lions keeper.

Rare defeat

Friday 9 January 2026, Ipswich Town under 21s 1 Fulham Under 21s 2 - Premier League 2, Colchester United 

Ipswich top and Fulham third, so expected a good game but football was disappointing tonight, maybe two weaker teams than normal due to FA Cup games on Saturday. Ipswich started well but Fulham soon got on top and scored twice in the first half and could have had more, however the Ipswich keeper will feel he should have done better with both goals.

Second half saw Ipswich make a couple of changes and they were the better team in the second half and got one goal back as Fulham concentrated on defending but also hitting Ipswich on the break. Even with Ipswich now on top, Fulham held on with ease for the win.

Goal Fest kept us warm

Saturday 3 January 2026, Shenfield 6 Bishops Stortford Swifts 7 - Essex Olympian League, Premier Division, St Martin's School 3G

My first 3 choices of games, all in the East Midlands - were all off by 11am and then one in Sussex at noon, so it was just a short trip down the A12 to a 3G pitch at Shenfield - was not expecting much, football wise.

Well I got that wrong - basic 3G set up at the back of our school, large car park but no catering- good news, you can spectate from inside the cage with almost all of one side having a railed off spectator area.

But the facilities may have been basic but the game certainty wasn't!

After just 3 minutes a keeper error gave the visitors an early lead but Shenfield were back on level terms after 9 minutes. Shenfield had plenty of the ball but having just 3 at the back meant Stortford benefited from any quick break, adding further goals in the 17th and 22nd minute, Shenfield pulled a further goal back in the 23rd minute but the visitors had the ball in the back of the net, 3 more times before the break, with one being disallowed.

At half time, bumped into a 'hopper' legend, just back from Morocco, spent the second half with him- we wondered if we would get more goals - we did.

Shenfield looked a much better side, hitting both posts and numerous chances kicked off the line but they were still very vulnerable at the back. Shenfield got it to 3-5 after goals  in the 55th and 71st minute, and a comeback looked on but the visitors got their 6th goal in injury time and then added a further goal 2 minutes later, only for Shenfield to score from the spot in the 10th minute of injury time.

Still time after that for an all player throwing handbags session - and then the final whistle. 

Not as ill disciplined as some of the games I saw in this division last season but still too much verbal abuse from both players and coaching teams, a very young Ref, did a great job in keeping this game under control.

Weather- bloody cold - but with 13 goals to keep us interested, it was no real concern and a quick exit back onto the A12, soon saw us warm back up.