Wednesday, 8 August 2018
Silky football
Thursday 2 August 2018 , FK Buxoro 2 PFK Metallurg Bekabad 1 , Uzbekistan Super League, Bukhara Arena
Just spent 2 weeks in Central Asia, a week trekking in Tajikistan and a further week visiting 3 of the 'Silk Cities' in Uzbekistan, did not plan to see any football but did hope to maybe see a couple of stadiums, however the 'groundhopping' gods were smiling and whilst in Bukhara spotted that a game was on.
Only 80p to get in so not a bad start and UI was joined by 12,000 locals. Football was OK, not helped by a poor pitch but the first two goals were great.
The stadium had an east European feel even if it had been built after the Russians left, all stands having a roof was a surprise but the highlight? the 4 floodlight pylons - all like mini Post Office towers - the sight of them was worth the 80p alone!
Just spent 2 weeks in Central Asia, a week trekking in Tajikistan and a further week visiting 3 of the 'Silk Cities' in Uzbekistan, did not plan to see any football but did hope to maybe see a couple of stadiums, however the 'groundhopping' gods were smiling and whilst in Bukhara spotted that a game was on.
Only 80p to get in so not a bad start and UI was joined by 12,000 locals. Football was OK, not helped by a poor pitch but the first two goals were great.
The stadium had an east European feel even if it had been built after the Russians left, all stands having a roof was a surprise but the highlight? the 4 floodlight pylons - all like mini Post Office towers - the sight of them was worth the 80p alone!
Saturday, 21 July 2018
Back home, against a new club (with some old habits)
Saturday 21 July 2018, Holland 5 Clapton CFC 0 - PSF, Eastcliffe
A memorable day, Holland back at Eastcliffe after 3 years at Clacton and the opponents a new fan owned club - Clapton Community FC. After a number of years being in dispute with the owners, the fans decided to start their own club.
May be a new club but same old habits - kick off was 30 minutes late, my third Clapton away game and none have started on time. They did bring over 50 fans down from East London, plenty of singing a couple of flags and a drum!
Holland have a good new set up and the pitch was in great condition when you think how little rain we have had. They were also much better on the pitch, young fit and should be pushing for promotion this season.
Clapton struggled but it was their first ever game, they will improve and should also be looking for promotion from their division.
A memorable day, Holland back at Eastcliffe after 3 years at Clacton and the opponents a new fan owned club - Clapton Community FC. After a number of years being in dispute with the owners, the fans decided to start their own club.
May be a new club but same old habits - kick off was 30 minutes late, my third Clapton away game and none have started on time. They did bring over 50 fans down from East London, plenty of singing a couple of flags and a drum!
Holland have a good new set up and the pitch was in great condition when you think how little rain we have had. They were also much better on the pitch, young fit and should be pushing for promotion this season.
Clapton struggled but it was their first ever game, they will improve and should also be looking for promotion from their division.
Friday, 20 July 2018
Dobra the star of 10 man win
Thursday 19 July 2018, AFC Sudbury 0 Ipswich Town Under 18s 2 - PSF, King's Marsh
Played the whole second half with 10 men, but result was never in doubt.
Played the whole second half with 10 men, but result was never in doubt.
Wednesday, 18 July 2018
Manager a bit happier?
Tuesday 17 July 2018, Crawley Town 0 Ipswich Town 1 - PSF, East Court (East Grinstead Town)
OuR new manager wants to change our style of play, to focus on a pressing game - rumour has it, it did not go to plan at Braintree on Saturday.
So I made the drive down to Sussex to see if his public criticism of the players had worked, plus it gave me a chance to get my first new ground of 18/19 season.
Good news is we won, the new winger looked good and it was a nice new ground to visit - other than that, the jury is still out.
OuR new manager wants to change our style of play, to focus on a pressing game - rumour has it, it did not go to plan at Braintree on Saturday.
So I made the drive down to Sussex to see if his public criticism of the players had worked, plus it gave me a chance to get my first new ground of 18/19 season.
Good news is we won, the new winger looked good and it was a nice new ground to visit - other than that, the jury is still out.
Saturday, 16 June 2018
Cycling - Suffolk knows how to entertain
Wednesday 13 June 2018, Women's Tour, Stage 1 - Framlingham to Southwold via Ipswich
If you want a stage race run well, in particular the first or last stage- Suffolk is your place- no wonder British Cycling keep returning.
Another great event - and all free!
If you want a stage race run well, in particular the first or last stage- Suffolk is your place- no wonder British Cycling keep returning.
Another great event - and all free!
Saturday, 9 June 2018
CONIFA - Manx men not happy
Sunday 4 June 2018, Barawa 2 Ellan Vannin 0 - CONIFA Group A match - Haringey Borough, Coles Park
My second day of CONIFA football, and another match to remember - all the three games I had seen were on G4 pitches but the first two were at modern and very new stadiums, the pitch at Coles Park was new but the rest of the ground still has a great tatty inner city feel to it.
Barawa were actually the tournament hosts, a small port region from Somalia and those living in London had setup their own FA, not sure how many of the players actually had Somalia roots but they were certainly good footballers , but Ellan Vannin (Isle of Man) were obvious a very professional set up, and they dominated the first half but could not get the much needed first goal. As the acme progressed, Barawa improved and in the end took a much deserved win.
Then the fall out! Only two teams qualified from the groups and the Manx men ended up in third, we left the ground thinking that was it but the Manx FA decided to appeal, questioning how many Barawa players had links with that part of Scalia but it just seemed sour grapes and the appeal was thrown out, and the Isle of Man then decoded to sulk and head back across the Irish Sea.
My second day of CONIFA football, and another match to remember - all the three games I had seen were on G4 pitches but the first two were at modern and very new stadiums, the pitch at Coles Park was new but the rest of the ground still has a great tatty inner city feel to it.
Barawa were actually the tournament hosts, a small port region from Somalia and those living in London had setup their own FA, not sure how many of the players actually had Somalia roots but they were certainly good footballers , but Ellan Vannin (Isle of Man) were obvious a very professional set up, and they dominated the first half but could not get the much needed first goal. As the acme progressed, Barawa improved and in the end took a much deserved win.
Then the fall out! Only two teams qualified from the groups and the Manx men ended up in third, we left the ground thinking that was it but the Manx FA decided to appeal, questioning how many Barawa players had links with that part of Scalia but it just seemed sour grapes and the appeal was thrown out, and the Isle of Man then decoded to sulk and head back across the Irish Sea.
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