Champions but defeat today

Saturday 11 April 2026, Great Shelford 1 Orwell 1 - Cambridgeshire County League, Great Shelford Recreation Ground

Great Shelford won the league during the week, and with Orwell closer to the bottom a home win was expected, however it was Orwell who took the lead on 5 minutes and continued to look dangerous on the break. Shelford had plenty of the ball but today the final pass was missing. They got back on terms after 24 minutes, direct from a free kick.

Second half was much the same, Shelford having most of the play but Orwell looking dangerous on the break, as the game went on, Great Shelford got more frustrated and in injury time, one of their defenders got a red card.

The Recreation Ground is in the middle of the village, has an enclosed feel due to trees on one side, roped off on both sides and plenty of benches around the pitch, all that gave a good view of the game.  Very modern pavilion, shared with cricket and bowls - serving hot drinks at half time. Like Foxton, during the week, another quality pitch in this league. 

Early goals

Wednesday 8 April 2026, Foxton 0 Hardwick 2 - Cambridgeshire County League, Premier Division, Hardman Road

What a beautiful setting for a game, an English village green, the football pitch next to a cricket square, a bowls green and overlooked by the local church.

Football wise, Hardwick were the better team scoring their goals in the second minutes of each half, Foxton made the game competitive but an easy win for the away team.

Poor second half

Monday 6 April 2026, Ipswich Town 2 Birmingham City 1 - Championship, Portman Road

Greta result, terrible second half of football!

Barleylands

Saturday 4 April 2026, Hashtag United Development 1 Wakering Sports 4 - Barleylands, Essex Olympian League, Premier Division

Strong wind, however both teams till attempted to play football and unusually from my experience of the games I have seen in this league, no real bad tackles or arguing- helped by some good officiating.

Wakering had most of the ball in the first half and went in front after 14 minutes however Hashtag were back level 5 minutes later, with probably the best goal of the game, Wakering went back in front after 42 minutes.

Second half, Wakering had the advantage of the wind behind them but it took them a while to work out best how to use, it, once they di they added goals in the 62nd and 65th minute.

After that, Wakering sat back and allowed Hashtag to have most of the ball, some good passing moves but they could not get any further goals back.

Hashtag have obviously put some work in to Barleylands, a number of junior pitches and a big youth set up - not sure how connected they are to the current Step 5 Hashtag Utd and what will happen next season with Hashtag Utd moving closer to London.

Pitch had a slope (Hashtag name it Pitch 5) fully railed and 2 wooden dugouts. Clubhouse open and hot drinks and food available, large complex of pitches with another junior club next door (FC Redwing)  and Toby FC  to the North East.

Last minute defeat

Saturday 28 March 2026, Ipswich Town Women 1 Southampton Women 2 - WSL 2, Portman Road

Looked like it was going to be a great day for the hosts, fantastic chance withing the first minute, should have scored and could have also seen the Saints down to 10 players, however the Ref ignored the foul (played advantage) and then Ipswich missed a very easy goal chance when the ball ran free - and 2 minutes later Saints were in front!

Ipswich then had most of the play for the rest of the half, however when Saints did get forward they looked more clinical in their finishing. Ipswich did get back on terms after 27 minutes.

Ipswich still had most of the play in the second half, this half was more scrappier, and as we got towards the end it looked like the points would be shared, however in the 6th minute of injury time, the visitors were rewarded with a (very soft) free kick on the edge of the box, the initial shot was kept out however the ball was deflected to a Saints player for an easy tap in.

A very disappointing result, the men's First ream manager was in attendance with his daughter, but maybe not a surprise, the Club CEO, Mr Ashton seemed to be missing!

Windy

Tuesday 24 March 2026, Woodbridge Town 1 Haverhill Rovers 2 - Eastern Counties, Premier Division, Notcutts

My third attempt to see a game at Woodbridge this season, first one never started, floodlight failure then second abandoned because of fog at half time, this game did finish but still spoilt by strong wind and poor match officials.

This game was also re-arranged after lights had failed the first time, Haverhill had the strong wind with them in the first half, and managed to get one goal, in the last minute of the first half.

Haverhill added a second on 67 minutes but after that it was all Woodbridge, but they only managed to get one goal back on 88 minutes, 10 minutes of injury time played but Haverhill managed to hang on for the win.

A large number of Ipswich Town academy players watching as one of their team mates was on the loan at Woodbridge, coming on in the second half, hitting the bar and getting an assist for the consolation goal 

Loads of chances but no goals

Monday 23 March 2026, Ipswich Town Under 21s 0 Burnley Under 21s 0 - Premier League 2, Portman Road

Not sure how this game ended up 0-0, Ipswich had most of the play and created some good chances, visiting keeper made a few good saves and Ipswich also hit the bar. Burnley may have had less of the ball but also hit the bar, had a first half penalty saved and saw two great chances hooked off the line and also missed a few sitters. So some great entertainment but no goals.,

Disappointing to see that teamsheets only available for scouts.