North Norfolk Cup Final fun

Friday 27 May 2022, Watlington Sports and Social Club Reserves 1 AFC Lynn Napier Reserves 2 - Charlie Day Cup Final (NW Norfolk Saturday League) at Station Road (Heacham FC)

Good opportunity to tick off Heacham before they enter the Eastern Counties League next season - tidy set up, well organised club, pavilion selling beer, hot drinks and burgers, small stand but no seats and stand stuck behind dug outs, good sized car park, pitch railed on 3 sides. Still work to be done, requires seats and floodlights.

Lynn Napier who had won the 3rd Division soon got on top against their opponents who had finished in the bottom half of the Second Division, took the lead in the 20th minute and made numerous other chances but failed to add to their one goal. Watlington had one attempt headed off the line but other than that did not really threaten the Lynn Napier goal.

Second half was more of a contest and Watlington got back on terms in the 53rd minute then had a short spell when they were on top. Lynn Napier then made a few changes and their young winger made a quick impact, making numerous chances, and Lynn Napier took one of those chances to get back in front. However they still could not add to their total so there was always the danger of giving away a goal on the break. Last few minutes saw some niggly challenges and with 5 minutes to go a Lynn Napier player received a red card, most in the crowd were amazed that the Watlington Number 9 did not join him for an early bath. Lynn Napier then saw the stoppage time out to win the cup.

May be end of season but sill competitive

Saturday 21 May 2022, Hutton 'A' 2 Burnham Ramblers Reserves 3 - Mid Essex League, Premier Division, Hannakins Farm

My first venture into this league and was impressed how competitive the game was and the skill on display. Ended up being a great game to watch.

Hutton started off on top however Burnham had their moments, but after 38 minutes the home team took the lead.

Within 30 seconds of the second half starting, Burnham were level and very quickly got on top, with their young substitute impressing, Within 20 minutes they were 3-1 up and cruising, Hutton then got back into the game and equalised in the last minute however Burnham had no real problem seeing the added time out.

Hannakins Farm has rural feel, surrounded by trees with a very large community centre, but that has no facilities for spectators. The pitch is G4, but has hard standing on one side and railed on two sides, with lights. 

Champions finish with a win

Saturday 14 May 2022, Belstone 3 Wingate and Finchley Development 0 - Herts Senior County League, Medburn Ground

Home team had won the league last week, so a good crowd present to see them presented with the trophy.

Both teams wanted to play football with the home side looking slightly shaper and far more organised. Two up at half time however the visitors also had a number of chances.

Third goal early in the second half meant as a contest the game was over, Wingate being unfortunate that Lino was not that fit so not up with play and missed the obvious offside.

No further goals as Belstone missed numerous chances, many due to 'end of season' greed hitting the home team. Last quarter of the game saw Wingate chasing shadows at times, and though the game was not dirty, maybe frustration got the better of one of the visitors as he received a straight red card for a two footed challenge towards the end of the game.

Nice setting to watch a game, superb pitch for Step 7, small but modern clubhouse and a fully railed pitch. Very friendly welcome by Belstone officials, even got a free cup cake at half time!

Cup woe and cup glory

 Tuesday 10 May 2022, Cup Double.

2pm - Coventry City Under 23s 5 Ipswich Town Under 23s 4 (aet) - Professional Development League, Play-offs, semi-final, Coventry Building Society Arena 

Then a drive down the M40 to:

7.45pm - British Airways 5 Woodley United 0 - Combine Counties, Division One Cup, 3rd Round, The Orchard

Not sure how Ipswich lost this game, dominated the first half after giving away a goal early on and went in at the break 2-1 up but should have been 4 or 5 up.

Second half was a tighter affair but Ipswich still created the better chances, however City got back on terms and then Ipswich hit the bar in the last minute of the game.

Ipswich had a perfect start to extra time, scoring withing 40 seconds and could have added more, then it all started going wrong, a needless penalty given away got City back on terms, However Ipswich got the best goal of the game before the break to go back in front. Just 15 minutes to go- then red card, penalty and a header from close range gave City the win that few expected during the game. Humphreys from Ipswich being the star of the match. 

Then down to Heathrow area for:

British Airways dominated the game from the start, going ahead on 10 minutes and adding two further goals at the end of the half and two more in the second half plus missing numerous chances.

Good footballing team, plenty of skill on show but have some very unpleasant players who constantly, moan at the ref, dive, blame each other , wind up the opponents- no need to do it as they are a good footballing team.

The ground is very run down but a small team of volunteers from Bedfont were at the game and seem to do most of the administration for BA FC, some doubt on when are where the semi final will be played.

Both in the Play-offs bur miles apart on the pitch

 Saturday 7 May 2022, Eastbourne Borough 2 Dartford 7 - National League, South, Priory Lane

Both teams already in the Play-Offs but not sure Eastbourne will be in them for very long! Dartford got a goal very early on then the hosts got back on terms very quickly with a goal by Charley Kendall, and then the hosts dominated for about 20 minutes, ref missed an obvious push, Dartford broke quickly , scored and got themselves back in front, and then it was contest over as every time Dartford attacked they scored! Even the second Eastbourne goal was scored by a Dartford player!

Champions! Well the Under 23 team

 Tuesday 3 May 2022, Ipswich Town Under 23s 3 Sheffield United Under 23s 0 - Professional Development League Two, South, Portman Road

Easy win and now the Play-offs lie ahead.