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.