Never get wet here

Saturday 17 October 2026, Egham Town 4 AFC Portchester 2 - Isthmian League, South Central Division, Runnymede Stadium

Well, you would never get wet here watching a game, a decent seated stand however also 5 covered terrace stands!

Game was only a few minutes old and the first strong tackle went in, not a dirty foul but set the tone for the game with plenty of tough challenges/fouls from both sides.

Home side went in front after 3 minutes but Portchester were back on terms 3 minutes later. then the first of 2 Egham penalties, this one on 10 minutes as Egham took the lead again.

Portchester got back level on 48 minutes as the tackles/fouls were still keeping the Ref busy and on 65 minutes Egham went ahead again from the penalty spot, the Portchester player also got his second yellow card and an early bath.

Worth the wait

Saturday 4 January 2025, Lewes 2 Cheshunt 2 - Isthmian League, Premier - Dripping Pan

Yes, I know - not sure why it had taken me so long to visit, I knew the ground would be great, I had even had a quick look in on the way to a Brighton-Ipswich game a few years ago,

I am sure most on here have been, but if you like me, have put it off- do not wait much longer - it is worth the trek - the food, beer, beach hut executive boxes, stands, the wall, the terracing and even the statues to remember two women pirates! The ground has it all.

Football wise, Lewes were mid table and the visitors near the bottom, however it was Cheshunt who dominated the first half and took the lead after 25 minutes. Lewes looked out of sorts, with their number 9 Botti looking very poor. Game was delayed for a while as a member of the crowd had to replace an injured lino!

Second half was more even but Cheshunt still looked like the team more likely to score, on 60 minutes a Lewes attack again came to nothing, ball cleared to midfield, picked up by Alfie Allen of Lewes who hit a long distance shot, top corner of the net.

This gave Lewes the boost they needed and the last 30 minutes were much more even and with just 3 minutes to go Lewes took the lead, however Cheshunt then went straight up the other end and equalised. Lewes will be gutted that they never held on to their lead for the last 3 minutes but Cheshunt will be disappointed that they ever let Lewes back into the game after they had dominated for so long.

Saved by the plastic

Wednesday 1 January 2025, Ascot United 1 Binfield 0 - Isthmian League, South Central Division, Racecourse Ground 

Original destination was Flackwell Heath for a 1pm kick off, Ref said pitch Ok just after 12 then 3 minutes later, changed his mind!

So used the plastic card and took the short drive to Ascot to get a new tick, other options were all revisits but games went ahead, Chesham and Marlow,

Even first half with Ascot taking the lead on 42 minutes, second half was all one way traffic with Ascot on top, so a fairer representation on league positions.

Only real shock in the second half, was for all their attacking, Ascot could not add a second goal.

Many have visited here, and with all the rain, obvious that this is an expensive G4 pitch, well looked after as it played perfectly.

Only two small seated stands, but a good bit of cover for those standing outside the club house. Modern clubhouse that was  doing a roaring trade in both beer, hot drinks and food.  

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.

A home at last for the oldest club in London

Saturday 24 August 2024, Cray Wanderers 1 Lewes 3, Isthmian League, Premier Division, Flamingo Park

Decent crowd for the first Saturday game at Flamingo Park - with plenty from Lewes. Cray started well but within 10 minutes Lewes were on top and three up by half time with the best goal in the 23rd minute when the Lewes played lobbed the keeper from 30 yards.

Second half Cray got on the front foot, got one goal back and one disallowed but even when Lewes had a player sent off, the Sussex club saw the game out quite easy.

Large club house, the old Dock Labour Board Social club - balcony shut today, so disappointing for those who wanted a picture from a raised platform. Good bar, and even a live band. large (un-made) car park. Club shop had a good selection of old programmes and free timesheets for the  Lewes game.

Club on the up, team going opposite way

Saturday 20 January 2024, Raynes Park Vale 1 Marlow 4 - Grand Drive, Isthmian League, South Central Division

Club always confident game would be on, and arrived to be made very welcome - a club on the up, even if after a good start to the season, the team is certainly not on the up!

Clubhouse full and an outside bar was also doing well, quality burgers, pitch slopes in a number of directions!

First 5 minutes was end to end at a frantic pace then Marlow took control, their two wingers destroyed the Vale defence every time they broke and they scored in the 10th, 13th and 21st minute. It looked like they would score every time they attacked, then from a corner Vale got a goal back in the 33rd minute.

Second half saw Vale dominate possession, but not really threaten the Marlow goal, the opponents seemed happy to sit back, defend well and not add to their own goal tally. Vale kept going till the end, but right on full time, Marlow added a 4th goal.

Impressed by the Ref, who was helped by two teams who hardly moaned and very little diving or the theatrics that you get at many games.