Sussex by the Sea (twice)

 Monday 31 August 2026

11am - Newhaven 1 Haywards Heath 5 - Southern Combination, Premier Division, Trafalgar Ground

Plenty of goals, but after an even first half when Haywards Heath went in just one in front, second half they found their shooting boots and strolled to an easy win, with Newhaven getting a consolation with the last kick of the game. 

3pm - Eastbourne Town 0 Steyning Town 1 - Isthmian League, SE Division, The Saffrons

Large sports complex, shared with Cricket, Hockey and other sports - been in use over 100 years and Ipswich even played here before turning professional. Nice set up and the impressive Town Hall gives the ground a great back drop.

Football wise, a very poor game, with the visitors scoring very early on then very little quality shown by either side. 

Not far for a double

Saturday 29 August 2026

Match 1 - 12 noon, Cambridge Utd Under18s 1 Burton Albion Under 18s 3 - U18 Professional Development League Cup, Group game, Clare College Sports Ground

Match 2 3pm - Netherton United 5 Clacton Town 1 - Eastern Counties League, Division One, North, The Grange

First of all, it was to a leafy part of Cambridge and their training ground, to see their Under 18 team, the old Pavilion from the college is still there (used by the away team) and next door is the new training ground building , recently opened for Cambridge United. The Under 18 pitch is right next to the complex. Burton scored in the 4th minute and never looked in trouble after that, scoring again in the 33 and 42nd minute. Cambridge did get one goal back in the 61st minute.

Then the short drive to Peterborough for the Netherton game, buy doing so, I re-completed the Eastern Counties League. A modern G4 pitch, you can only watch from 2 sides, a modern stand with cover for standing fans, but no seats yet, small clubhouse and quality burgers. Not sure if the club can go up the pyramid, need seats and not sure 2 sided grounds allowed, football wise they won easy and could be near the top come the end of the season, The scored in the 22, 23, 52, 64 and then a penalty in injury time. Clacton got their goal in the 28th minute.

Back to winning ways

Friday 28 August 2026, Ipswich Town Under 21s 4 Blackburn Rovers Under 21s 1 - PL2, Portman Road

An easy win for Ipswich one up after 22 minutes but could have scored at least 4 in the first half. Second half and Ipswich added a second from the penalty spot and a third goal on 61 minutes. Blackburn pulled one goal back but Ipswich added a 4th in injury time.

For the second home Under 21 game on the trot, Ipswich had their keeper going off injured!

Ipswich Cup double

Tuesday 25 August 2026

Game 1:

Ipswich Town Under 18s 0 Stoke City Under 18s 1 - Premier League Under 18 Cup, Group game, Bent Lane Training Ground

Not sure what to expect today, Ipswich hammered by Fulham in their first U18 game and then the following week, they go to Arsenal and win easy.

What we ended up was a very close game, that neither side dominated, Stoke probably had the best of the first 30 minutes then Ipswich got into the game and were on to either side of the half time break. Game then became scrappy with too many free kicks and a umber of bookings. One good pass on 73 minutes inside the Town left back to the Stoke right wing followed by a good cross, saw City score and leave with all 3 points.

Game 2

Ipswich Town Leicester City -   League Cup, Portman Road

Poore game, we struggle to win- lit up by a superb final goal from Nunez

Goals galore

Sunday 23 August 2026, Moreton Hall Youth FC Ferals 4 Glemsford 3 - PSF, Great Barton Playing Field

Another free Sunday and so another Sunday League game, 2 sides from the Bury Sunday League, Moreton Hall came second in the top division last year whilst Glemsford play in Division2.

Moreton Hall had the better players but with no subs till half time, when one turned up after playing golf they were always going to struggle if picking up an injury and that is what happened however they still had enough good players to see the game out with a good win.

Winning start

Saturday 22 August 2026, Ipswich Town 2 Sunderland 1 - Premier League, Portman Road

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Last time it took us quite a few games to get our first win and even longer to get our first home win, but the new signings combined with well with players from last season to see us start win a much deserved win. 

Mediocre

Friday 21 August 2026, Woodbridge Town 0 Felixstowe and Walton Utd 1 - FA Cup Preliminary Round, Notcutts Park

Felixstowe, play a division higher than Woodbridge and had a great season last year but have started this term with a couple of defeats and you can see why, as they struggled to beat a mediocre Woodbridge side.

Felixstowe dominated the first half without making many clear chances, they eventually took the lead in that last minute of the half.

Expected Felixstowe to add further goals in the second half but the game became move even as Woodbridge started to see more of the ball, but football wise it was a poor game with too many obvious dives and so the Ref spent much of the second half, blowing his whistle to stop the game.