Excitement all the way

Saturday 14 December 2024, Badshot Lea 2 Harrow Borough 3 - Isthmian League, South-Central, Operatix Stadium

Fantastic entertainment- for a neutral - the young Badshot team were on fire for the first 20 minutes but could not score, then suddenly Harrow seemed to wake up, two quick goals and then a third in first half injury time, It seemed very unfair on Badshot but also it seemed game over.

Badshot started the second half like they did the first, on the front foot attacking with pace and skill and this time they did find the net and got two goals back. It looked like they would get a point, especially after the Harrow keeper got a straight red card, but actually the sending off seemed to wake Harrow up and they held on to get all 3 points.

Badshot have a young team, keep playing like this and they could stay up,  great young skipper and footballer in Kai Allsopp.

Ground is very basic but you get a very friendly welcome.

Even the dog was happy!

Sunday 17 May 2015, Hendon 0 Margate 1, Ryman League Premier Division Play Off Final - Earlsmead

After attending the Norwich - Ipswich play off yesterday it was with much calmer nerves that I attended the Ryman League Play Off as a neutral.

But there was plenty at stake here, with 1200 in the crowd and plenty of those had traveled from the Kent coast. An early sending off meant it was always an uphill task for the home team but the sending off also meant that the match was quite heated both on and off the pitch - but at least the Margate dog enjoyed it.

Heavy pitch, heavy team!

Tuesday 4 February 2014, Billericay Town 2 Harrow Borough 1, Ryman Premier League - New Lodge

A slight break in the rain and this Essex club did well to get a game on. Bottom corner of the pitch was still like quicksand but with the lack of games over the last few weeks - important to get a game on to help pay the bills.

Just under 200 turned up (looked more) and saw the Essex side come from behind to win 2-1. Billericay must have the heaviest front line in the league, but they may have been closer to 20 stone than 10 stone but they were still skilful and worked hard on what was heavy pitch.

The club house was also welcoming, free match team sheets and posters reminding fans of trips to Wembley in the Vase. Well worth the drive to an old but still welcoming ground.