That is what you call a stand!

 Sunday 19 July 2026, The Rodings & Waltham 2 Prettygate 0 - PSF, Little Waltham Sports Club

Two teams from the Saturday  Essex Border League playing on a Sunday, thought it may be a clash with cricket but the cricket ground is on the other side of the road in this small village, close to Chelmsford.

Was interested in this game as I think the home team will be at Step 7 this season , the Essex and Suffolk Border League, Premier Division.

First thoughts- the pitch is too small, if not it must be just at minimum size, also a very noticeable slope and after the heatwave, pitch hard and lacking grass. Decent car parking behind the club house and on street in the village, club house has a full bar (cheap)

One stand! Which looks like the old home dug out - made of wood and called the Brian Honeywood Stand, possibly named after a former Ipswich Youth player who went on to both play for and manage Chelmsford City.

Even start to the game before the hosts took the lead on21 minutes and added a second on 44 minutes. No further goals in the second half, visitors were a decent team (from Colchester, play in one of the lower Border League Divisions)

Thank the shot putters

 Saturday 18 July 2026, Chelmsford City 2 Ipswich Town Under 21s 0 - Melbourne Stadium, PSF

A goal in each half secured the win for the home side. The first goal, an own goal by the Ipswich keeper after the ball took a nasty bobble from where the shot's had landed from a recent Shot Putt Competition- the perils of having a football pitch inside an athletics track!

Closer than it sounds

Friday 17 July 2026, Cambridge City 3 Ipswich Town Under 18s 0 -  FWD - IP Community Stadium, PSF

Cambridge went ahead from almost the first attack of the game and added a second direct from a free kick but Ipswich played quite well , just conceding a third goal in the second half.

On plastic

 Saturday 11 July, Witham Town 1 Hendon 0, - PSF, New Rickstones Academy

Witham using this venue whilst work being done to their home ground and pitch.

Latest G3 pitch and well looked after. Game was quite even, with the home ream having the better of the 1st half and Hendon the second, however it was Witham who too the lead from scrappy play around the box in the 84th minute to get a win that was quite harsh on Hendon, who had missed a number of very easy chances in both halves.

Free shirts

Thursday 9 July, Doncaster City 1 Boston United U23S 1 - PSF, Marra Falcons Stadium

A community club, sharing the home of Armthorpe Welfare, and £2 to get in for this friendly but for that you also got a replica shirt for this season, yes just £2!!!!!!

Just one stand and think this club would struggle to the correct ground grading in some leagues. Pitch was hard and not the most even I have seen.

Doncaster were on top and had most of the ball but it was Boston who went in front on 58 minutes only to be reduced to 10 men in the 59th minute, Doncaster got the deserved equaliser  on 78 minutes.

A real community club and hope they do well. 

In the Forest

 Wednesday 8 July 2026, Sherwood Colliery 1 Shirebrook Town 0 - PSF, Debdale Park

Large sports complex, hosting football, Rugby League and cricket, football is on G3, but the ramshackle assortment of stands have been kept in place, plus the additional fact of the ground being surrounded by Sherwood Forest make this a nice place to watch football at.

Sherwood were the better team and even after going down to 10 men in the first half they still scored the only goal and took the deserved win. 

No markings

Thursday 2 July 2026, Wivenhoe Town 1 White Ensign 2 - PSF, Northern Gateway Park

The Sports Park has been opened a few years and is home of both Colchester Rugby Club and the Eastern Rhinos Rugby League club, large complex with numerous grass pitches plus a G3 Cage (used by RL) and the Rugby club have an artificial pitch, fully railed, floodlights and large clubhouse.

7pm kick off and not many football games if any played here, I turned up to find the game in doubt, playing on grass pitch the far side of the rugby club but markings were almost non existent - in the end both teams wanted to play, 3 match officials and with the help of cones on the lines the game went ahead - after a delay of 33 minutes.

What we did get was a very good game, end to end , numerous chances and some good football on display with the Southend club winning it late on.

Wivenhoe have another friendly planned to be played here later in the moth, hopefully this time with the pitch marked correctly.

Large car park, just off the A12, near Colchester Utd, parking is free, just have to put in registration in machine in the café,

North Suffolk Derby , played in South Suffolk

Thursday 21 May 2026, Mutford & Wrentham 0 Halesworth Town 2 - Suffolk Senior Cup Final, Portman Road

Lower league Mutford were fantastic in the first half, but two quick goals for Halesworth saw the contest over. A decent crowd with about 1000 fans travelling down the A12 from North Suffolk,

Crawling over the line

Wednesday 22 April 2026, Charlton Athletic 1  Ipswich Town 2 - Championship, Portman Road

One down in 2 minutes, but a great fightback, weak penalty and still in our own  hands

Still trying to throw promotion away

Sunday 19 April 2026, Ipswich Town 2 Middlesbrough 2 - Championship, Portman Road

3 points needed by both teams but in the end just one point a piece, better for us that Boro - but also good news for Millwall and Southampton.

Broken seats

Wednesday 15 April 2026, Welshpool Town 2 Forden Unted 2 - Central Wales, Northern Division, Maes Y Dre Recreation Ground

My annual work trip to Wales and managed to get another game in, Welshpool have played at a higher level but now find themselves a division lower. Large 120 seat stand, but on closer inspection over 30 of the seats have been vandalised.

Rugby, bowls and cricket next to the football and a further football club have their home pitch a bit further away in the same sports complex.

The visitors were the better team for the whole game, but went behind to Welshpool but Forden were back on level terms 3 minutes later. Forden took a deserved lead on 72 minutes, only for the home team to draw level on 80 minutes.

Forden will wonder how they never left with all 3 points.

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.

Not the result needed

 Saturday 21 March 2026, Ipswich Town 1 Millwall 1 - Championship, Portman Road then onto:

Ipswich Wanderers 3 Kirkley and Pakefield 0, Easter Counties, Premier Division, Humber Doucy Lane

Not a great result for Ipswich Town, brilliant first half but poor in the second, with Coventry the only team to benefit.

Then onto Wanderers:

First visit to Wanderers this season, some improvements to the ground, but still has that classic 'non-league' feel - reason why so popular with ground hoppers.

Visitors had a good first ten minutes, but then it was mainly one way traffic, however Wanderers were only one up at the break, and that was thanks to an own goal!

Two further goals were added in the second half to give the home team an easy win.

Up the A1

Tuesday 17 March 2026, Newark and Sherwood United 3 Wisbech United 0 - United Counties League, Premier North, Fruehauf Stadium

Do not be fooled by the score, this was a very poor game. 0-0 at half time and not sure either keeper made a save, Newark at least started to get chances on target in the second half, the first goal was from the penalty spot after a handball on 66 minutes then a header from close range on 77 minutes for the second goal. A third goal was added on 83 minutes then a Wisbech player was shown a straight red card for a bad tackle on 89 minutes.

Wisbech spent far too much of the game throwing themselves to the floor whilst too many of the home team seemed to want to referee the game rather than play football.

Newark do well to survive on such low crowds and not even playing in Newark! They do seem to have a good set of volunteers, which does help. Stand and covered terrace plus good social club are all OK for this level, pitch is in poor condition, but with two teams using it, not a surprise.

Chose this game as it was my closest new tick and had been thwarted twice this season, first time by an accident then a frozen pitch. Easy journey up but 3 diversions on way back put a further 45 minutes on return trip.

Leicester Double

Saturday 7 March 2026 - 1230pm - Ipswich Town Under 18s 3 Leicester City Under 18s 1 - PL 2 U18, Playford Road Training Ground - then:

3pm - Ipswich Town 1 Leicester City 1 - Championship Portman Road.

First of all the main game in the afternoon, Without trying to sound if I am just moaning again about poor officiating- Ipswich are quite a placid crowd and our Manager hardly ever shouts - but today their was uproar at the end of the game - in fact, not seen a Ref get such abuse for over 50 years at Portman Rd, last time was early 70s when Colin Harper was (wrongly) sent off

The Under 18 game - Ipswich bottom of the league and City near the top but it was Ipswich who came out on to - scored after 6 minutes then a long delay when Ipswich keeper injured his back or neck, the Sub keeper was playing on the other Training Ground for the U16s, so a 10 minute wait till the change was made. Ipswich then added a second goal.

The half time was almost 20 minutes as we could not start the game till the ambulance returned from taking the Ipswich keeper to hospital. City got a goal back late on but Ipswich secured a rare win, with a further goal in injury time.

Playford Rd (First team training ground) being used by the U18 team as their pitch on the Bent Lane site is being re-laid.

Took a while but another good win!

Tuesday 3 March 2026, Ipswich Town 1 Hull City 0 - Championship, Portman Road

Took a while, but we got an incredible goal to beat Promotion rivals, Hull City.

Mental Hospital site

Sunday 1 March 2026, Witnesham wasps 4 Claydon Athletic 0 - Peter Cocker Senior Cup, St Audry's Sports and Social Club

One of my rare visits to watch Sunday football, chose this game as thought it would be a bit more than a park pitch. It was - on the site of the old Mental Hospital, Woodbridge Town did think of moving here. Poor pitch but railed on one side, concrete dugouts. Large cricket pavilion/social club. One further football pitch the other side of the cricket square.

Witnesham got off to a plying start and were two up within the first 10 minutes, then continued to dominate the half. Second half, was far more even, but Claydon could not get a goal back and then on the break, Witnesham added a third on 75 minutes and a fourth goal, 3 minutes later.

Witnesham keeper then stepped up to take a penalty on 83 minutes- but missed!

Much needed win

 Saturday 28 February 2026, Ipswich Town 3 Swansea City 0 - Championship, Portman Road

After the two defeats at Wrexham, a good win was needed to follow up the good result, mid-week at Watford

Town youngster shine again

 Friday 27 February 2026, Arsenal Under 21s 0 Ipswich town under 21s 1 - PL2, Boreham Wood FC

Another good result for this young Ipswich team, and a chance to see the young England/Arsenal superstar Dowman in action. The Arsenal youngster coming back from injury but showed enough in the 45 minutes he played to see why he is so highly rated with a couple of strong runs leaving Ipswich players in his wake.

However, Arsenal did not have much else to offer, in the end they just seemed to have one attacking plan- the long throw!

Ipswich scored early on and could have had two more before the break, Arsenal did have more of the ball in the second half but only had one real scoring chance, and that was in the final minutes of the game.

An Arsenal player got a red card in injury time not that many of us in the crowd realised at the time!

Visit was worth it for the ground, but not the football on display

 Tuesday 24 February 2026, Bath City 0 Weston-Super-Mare 0 - National League (South) Twerton park

A very poor game, only highlight - a Red card! But what a ground, a 'must' visit on any football fans wish list.

The combination of stands, the old terracing, the press box, gantry, stuck amongst houses on a very hilly side of the city - close to the city centre in distance but millions of miles away in architecture and design - but both worth a visit.

Wet Flanders Sunday

3 Games on a wet Sunday in Flanders.

Game 1 - FC Latem Under 17s 6 VV Volkegem Under 17 'B' 0 - Flanders Regional Under 17 League, Complex Hoge Heirweg

Game 2 - Racing Waregem 0 KFC Marke 0 - 1e Provincial West Falnders League, Mirakel Stadion

Game 3 - SC Zulte Waregem 2 RSC Anderlecht 4 - Jupiler Pro League, Elindus Arena

Game 1:

20 minutes on the bus from Gent Station got me to the outskirts of the city, and  a short walk of 5 minutes got me to the ground- old low seated stand on one side and a smaller modern stand on the other side, G3 Pitch (much needed, due to heavy rain). Club house also gave you a view of the pitch and a small junior pitch on the other side of the clubhouse.

Clubhouse selling hot drinks (and beer) and even had BBC Match of the Day on a big screen.

Football wise - very different to our U17 football- obvious that their were a number of Under 15's playing- some looked good and obvious playing in older age group because of their skill but others seemed to be just making the numbers up. However it was worth the effort as game played on the main pitch. FC Latem were 2 up in 8 minutes and added a third goal later in the half. Second half continued to be dominated by the home team and  a further 3 goals were added.

Then I had a choice of the bus back to Gent, a short break then the train to Waregem or a bus to Deinze, an hour for lunch then the train to Waregem, I opted for the Deinze route.

Arriving in Waregem, it was still raining, managed to get a bus halfway, but still meant a 15 minute walk to my next game at Racing Waregem.

Game 2:

Drawn to this game by the stadium- the colours of the seats and the name of the stadium, however the heavy rain did not show it in it's best light - arrived and lucky I still had 10 Euro cash as no cards taken, then in the large clubhouse you had to buy tokens from a machine before you got drinks - a system that did not seem popular with either the home or visiting fans.

Two stands, the one on the clubhouse side with the red and yellow seats and a large stand the other side, concrete, more basic and only used by 3 people during this game. Plastic pitch was good news as not sure many grass pitches at the level would have been playable.

A game that neither side dominated and no surprise that the game finished 0-0.

Lucky for me that the rain stopped just before the end of the game as it was a 25 minute walk, partly down a main road with open fields either side to the 'big' game of the day back in Waregem.

Game 3:

After rain all day, quite happy to be in hospitality and plenty of free beer, also seat was still in the stand above hospitality, so did not need to sit with the 'prawn sandwich' brigade, and that stand had an old school English ground feel. Anderlecht had a large following, so a great atmosphere. The big surprise was how Anderlecht won this game. The home side were on top from the start but a combination of poor finishing and good goalkeeping meant it was still still 0-0 till the 37th minute. Anderlecht appealed for a penalty for handball, game carried on, 5 minutes later, game stopped VAR got involved and the penalty was given! Anderlecht were one up.

Then the 'lesser known' Hazard took over and suddenly Anderlecht were 3 up as we went back to hospitality for more beer and cakes! Second half was the home team pull one gaol back before Hazard added a 4th and then the home team got a consolation in injury time. More beer and Frites with Mayo and then the 

 easier (and shorter) walk back through the city centre to the station and the short train trip back to Gent.

Great trip - one annoying thing- all 3 top division games, saw a DJ pitch side before kick off- and hour of 'Euro Garage' music before each game is not needed!!!