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)

Rub of the (village) Green

Tuesday 19 August, Great Bentley 4 AFC Pegasus 0 - Essex and Suffolk Border League, Premier Division

An early opportunity to recomplete my second closest Step 7 league, small village. south east of Colchester. Very large village green, dissected by at least two roads. Two pitches, the one used by Great Bentley and one closer to the cricket pavilion/square. The pitch was roped off on one side (but you could watch, from all 4 sides) and two small tent like dug outs. Plenty of parking on the Green, the club house and changing room block were on the other side of the road, club house small but had a good bar and a friendly welcome.

Football wise, Great Bentley dominated from the start and soon found themselves in front after 10 minutes, adding a second after 34 minutes (whilst Pegasus were down to 10 men after one of their players ended up in the sin bin). A third goal was added in first half injury time.

It could have been much more than 3, with Great Bentley creating a number of good chances, whilst Pegasus offered very little.

Great Bentley added a 4th goal at the start of the second half and the only real surprise was that the home team could not add any further goals, in fact Pegasus had more of the ball in the last 20 minutes than they did in the first 70 minutes. 

Storm Darragh does not stop play

Saturday 7 December 2024, Tiptree Heath 5 Sudbury Sports 0 - Essex and Suffolk Border League, Premier Division, Shrub End Sports Centre

3G Pitch but was always planning to come here today, large sports field with a small changing room block, a large number of grass pitches ( 3 games were under way at 2pm, on the grass) and a G3 cage next to the main building. The whole place is run by the Colchester United Community Foundation, field is just 5 minutes from the old Colchester, Layer Road Ground.

No spectator facility inside the cage, 3pm kick off with the lights coming on after 30 minutes of the game. 19 watching at the start but only 5 at 90 minutes!

Second half was played in horrendous conditions, but both teams still attempted to play football, very few fouls and the officials had an easy afternoon.

Tiptree were one up inside three minutes, scoring straight from a direct free kick, then adding a second goal 6 minutes later, they dominated the half and added a third in injury time.

On 48 minutes, a keeper error, gifted Tiptree a 4th goal and they added a 5th after 74 minutes.

Village football

Saturday 18 May 2024, Boxford Rovers 5 Tendring District 0 - Essex & Suffolk Border League, Division 4, Homefields.

Had to stay local, and was just glad it was not one of many games in this league that were called off today. Texted Boxford and got a message back straight away, they even had 5 subs! Well done for Tendring turning up, even with no subs.

A good game that Boxford dominated from the start and displayed some decent football, three nil up at half time, and added two more in the second - some good individual goals, good team goals and at least one down to goalie error!

Large village playing fields, cricket square and two football pitches, with the one used today the furthest from the changing rooms. Grass was rather long and pitch covered in daisies!

Two home made dug outs with a park bench in between gave me a good view of the game.

Village fun

Saturday 11 December 2021, Alresford Colne Rangers 3 Dedham Old Boys 2 - Essex & Suffolk Border League, Premier Division Ford Lane

Had to stay local today and that worked out well as the village team at Alresford served up a great game, feisty tackling, goals, penalties and the bonus f a small but well kept modern clubhouse serving food, tea, coffee and beers! 

Hoppers day out

Saturday 24 October 2020, Boxted Lodgers 1  Belle Vue Social Club 2 - Essex and Suffolk Border league, Division One, King George Playing Field

The number of hoppers present made double figures and they saw a good game, Belle Vue are top of the league but they made hard work of this game and as it stayed close, tempers frayed in the second half- with a 20 player punch up and not great to see some from the sidelines join in.

The referee only booked one player after the fracas, both teams lucky not to lose players.

But some good football, a cracking opening goal plus a cracking header, pity that was an own goal! 

Border League - my annual visit.

Wednesday 15 August 2018, Kelvedon Social 0 Gas Recreation 5 - Essex & Suffolk Border League, The Chase

My annual visit to the Border League, some new clubs this season but it still ,looks like it will be Gas Recreation near to the top of the league.

Only 40 minutes each way, so home before 9pm!

Going places?

Wednesday 1 November 2017, Coggeshall United 5 White Notley 2 - Essex & Suffolk Border League,  West Street

Coggeshall Town only left the Border League a few season ago but they do not look like they will be staying long in the Eastern Counties League, already promoted to the Premier Division and now they may be ready to go up gain, but they are not the only team in the town on the way up.

When Coggeshall Town left the Border League their place was taken by their reserve team (often with a certain Olly Murs in their line up) however in July this year they were replaced by Coggeshall United.

 There are obvious close links between the two clubs but United have their own way to the top lined up, they are currently top of the Border League and with a new Step 6 league to start in Essex next season they may find themselves in it. What is different about Coggeshall United to say 'Team Bury' up the A12/A14 is that they do not just intend to produce players for their landlords. they hope most of their players end up playing higher in the pyramid and maybe some making it into full time football.

I was very impressed with their first half display, fitness, passing, top finishing and an impressive pressing game, all helped by encouraging comments from their coach on the sideline.

They went in at the break 2-0 up but do not let the final scoreline fool you, it was much closer than the 3 goal finishing margin. If White Notley had taken their chances like Coggeshall did theirs it could have easily ended up 5-4.

The player who impressed most was the home teams holding midfield and I think captain, who played very like N'Golo Kante of Chelsea.

Off the pitch, Coggeshall Town, the landlords have put plenty of work into the ground and the pitch was also one of the best I have seen- so two clubs, shared town, same ground and both on the 'up'.

Not far from the Hook

Tuesday 30 August 2016, Little Oakley 2 Alresford Colne Rangers 1, Essex & Suffolk Border League, Premier Division - Memorial Ground

Not that close to the Hook of Holland but close to Harwich where you take the ferry to the Hook, there was even a Hook of Holland FC pennant in the clubhouse! Talking of the clubhouse, how many other clubhouses in the UK are also the village Post Office?

Decent game and decent place to watch football.