Six goals on the back pitch

Saturday 1 April 2023, Ipswich Wanderers Under 23s 3 Wickham Market Reserves 3 - Suffolk and Ipswich League, Division 3, Humber Doucy Lane, (Back pitch)

Had to stay close to home as going out in the evening, first choice was a senior Border League game in Essex, game was on but venue changed then I spotted on twitter that Wanderers U23s had a game on the back pitch, as just 5 minutes from home, this became first choice with a bonus of a 2.30 KO. ( Plus a new tick on Futbology!)

Coplestonians had a big cup game on the main ground, which was a bonus as the bar, tea and burger hut were open. Entry to the back pitch is via the main ground and a gate at the back of the stand. The pitch is behind the far stand (dug out side).

The pitch was in poor condition - but playable and not too heavy, only football furniture are the wooden dug outs.

The Division is mainly made up of Reserve teams, and at the start of the day, the young Wanderers team were at the top of the table, but it was Wickham who started the better and took a 3 goal lead, scoring in the 7, 27 (penalty) and 33 minutes. Wanderers had a few chances and had hit the post on 20 minutes.

Just before the break, Wickham had a player  sin- binned for dissent, forgot that was still used in some leagues as hardly ever seen now. Wanderers got a goal back just before the break, when Wickham attempted to play out from the back.

Second half saw chances for both sides, Wanderers showed more of the form that had seen them get to to the top of the league and scored a cracking direct free kick on 60 minutes and then got the equaliser from a header from a corner on 68 minutes.

Still time for chances at both ends but it finished all square, a cracking match, helped by a very good Ref letting the game flow.

Fog clears, to let the goals in

Tuesday 18 January 2022, Ipswich Wanderers 5 Coggeshall United 0 - Easter Counties League, Division One South, Humber Doucy Lane

A foggy start to the game, not helped by Coggeshall in their army style desert combat football shirts- but the fog cleared and the goals came in- wanderers now top and dominated the game other than the last 10 minutes when the visitors actually had most of the play, but that did not stop wanderers adding a fifth goal in the last minute.

When it is wet, stay close to home

 Saturday 2 October 2021, Ipswich Wanderers 6 Cornard United 1 - Humber Doucy Lane, Thurlow Nunn, Division One, South.

Work commitments, heavy rain and shortage of fuel - so it was a trip to my closest Step 6 ground - always dry here, and plenty of goals to see. No wonder groundhoppers love this ground!

Landlors v tenants and a cup for the winners!

 Tuesday 6 October 2020, Ipswich Wanderers 1 Coplestonians 0 - Suffolk Senior Cup Final (19/20) - Humber Doucy Lane

Not the greatest game and not one that will be remembered for the football on display, however a great event for both clubs, I am sure they would have preferred to play at Portman Road, but as that could not happen, to play the game at their own home, was a good alternative.

Well organised, a sell out and a close game.

Good to Humber Doucy Lane has lost none of it's charm - the blue and white paint, the corrugated iron fencing and the odd/quant signs. I always try and get to my closest Step 6 ground a couple of times a season, and always made to feel welcome - well done to the Suffolk FA and both clubs.

Best ballboy in football

Monday 7 May 2018, Ipswich Wanderers 0 Fakenham Town 1 - Eastern Counties, Premier Division, Humber Doucy Lane

Wanderers have had a wretched season and Fakenham have not fared much better, so not sure what I was expecting when 2 of the bottom 3 teams met.

The game was close and Fakenham won it with a late goal just after wanderers had one disallowed at the other end.

plenty of way ward shooting, kept the oldest (and best) ball boy in the UK busy. Lets us just hope both teams are around next season, especially Wanderers, one of my closest non-league clubs, and love the quirky stands, the mass of corrugated iron - and always someone to chat with about football. A real friendly club who today gave everyone who paid to get in a free beer!

Exciting to mundane

Saturday 26 December 2017 - Ipswich Wanderers 1 Felixstowe & Walton United 0 - Thurlow Nunn Premier Division, Humber Doucy Lane

Ipswich Town  0 QPR 0 - Championship, Portman Road

Boxing Day and an Ipswich double: Starting with an Eastern Counties game in East Ipswich, Wanderers were second from bottom and Felixstowe top but the first half was very close and Wanderers were making up for a lack of skill in producing a great work rate.

 The second half saw Felixstowe get on top and dominate the game but Wanderers were still dangerous on the break and from one of their rare attacks they took the lead. Felixstowe could have had a late penalty but in the end, their own poor finishing cost them victory.

If Wanderers manage to put the same side out every week and keep playing like today they could yet save themselves from relegation. If Felixstowe continue to play like toady they will soon see themselves leapfrogged in the table but possibly two teams.

Second game was at Portman Road, Ipswich had the best chances in the first half but the second half saw both teams fail to really test either keeper. QPR did lose a player to a second yellow card but their was little time for Ipswich to make any benefit from having an extra man, so it ended up all square.

Boxing Day, great day for football but not great football for the day!

Saturday 26 December 2015, Ipswich Wanderers 1 Brantham Athletic 1 - Thurlow Nunn Premier Division, Humber Doucy Lane

Decent crowd, not that cold, and the spectators could chat about Christmas as the football was nothing to write home about!

No bottle!

Wednesday 8 May 2013, Suffolk Senior Cup Final, Whitton United 1 Ipswich Wanderers 1 (Wanderers win 3-2 on penalty's) Portman Road


I like a bit of non league football but sometimes get annoyed when many journalists use the non league as some great example to the professional game. Pretending that all in the non league game is great.

Now this final had some pluses, a good crowd, local rivals and plenty of goalmouth action but also highlighted that not all is rosy in the non league garden.

Arguments between fans and stewards (not helped by a number of jobsworth stewards) arguments and threats from committee members from one of the competing clubs and then quality forwards not having the bottle to take a penalty in the shoot out and leaving the task to two 16 year olds!

Then we had a terrible refereeing display - hardly spotted a foul but then ended up sending off a Whitton player in extra time - but I am still glad I went and will be at the Premier Cup Final next week.