The futbology App made me go!

 Tuesday 28 November 2023, Ipswich Town under 17s 1 Millwall Under 17s 1 - PDL Under 17 Cup, Playford Road G3 Pitch

Cold night, but joined 49 others watching a game on the astro at the Training ground- most there as parents but joined by a few 'hoppers' all there to tick the G3, as someone had put it on the App!!

Goal frenzy

Monday 27 November 2023, Colchester United Under 21s 3 QPR Under 21s 6 - Professional Development League, Park Drive, Maldon

For 28 minutes it looked like an easy game for Colchester, two up and cruising but then it all clicked for Rangers and the goals poured in, for a great away win.

Favourites win

 Sunday 26 November 2023

Another double day!

1030am - Holbrook Swan 0 Borussia Martlesham 3 - Ipswich Sunday Football League, Premier Division, Reade Field

Reade Field is in the Holbrook village, a village playing field with a children's playground, plus an old pavilion/large shed /wooden changing room block. The field feels enclosed , as houses one side and the back of the shops the other, field not visible from the road. The Holbrook Swan team take their name from the local pub, which does back onto the field. The field is owned by the Royal Hospital School and lease to the village for one Reed a year ( not sure what value that is with current currency exchanges!!!)

Chose this ground, as had not been before and also thought football may be of good standard as the visitors had a good run in the national FA Sunday Cup last season. i seemed to have chosen well as both teams attempted to play a passing game, and with the help of a good ref, we did not have the niggle/dirty games you can get on a Sunday. Goalless at half time as both teams missed good chances, but in the second half Borussia dominated and their first two goals were almost identical, coming from powerful headers from corners. In the end it was an easy win, from what was an enjoyable game to watch. End of the game, just a 20 minute drive to Felixstowe for the next game.

1pm

Ipswich Town Women 8 Sutton Coldfield Town Women 0

Women's FA Cup, 2nd Round

At Felixstowe and Walton United

Higher placed Ipswich gave their midland opponents a football lesson, could easily have been double figures on what was very cold afternoon on the coast. stand out player was Lenna Gunning-Williams, who bagged a hat trick ( she is on a season long loan from Spurs)

Felixstowe doing well financially from having Ipswich sue their ground as the food counter queue never seemed to go down from kick off to the finish.

Good to see the 'Spanner; bench in place.

Cold but sunny

Saturday 25 November 2023, Double game day in Surrey:

1230 - Spelthorne Sports 2 Camberley Town 2 - Combine Counties, Premier Division, South, Spelthorne Sports Club - then:

3pm - Chertsey Town 2 Southall 1, Isthmian League, South Central Division, Alwyns Lane

Like a number of hoppers used the early kick off at Spelthorne Sports to get two games in:

1230pm

Spelthorne Sports 2 Camberley Town 2

Camberley started well and got on top and took the lead on 16 minutes, with the home team struggling to put a few passes together, however in the 25th minute they got back on level terms. 10 minutes later, direct from a free kick, Camberley were back in front again but Spelthorne only took 3 minutes this time to get back on term.

In the second half, a surprise to me, it was Spelthorne who were the team on top, but the game kept being interrupted as both teams committed a number of petty fouls. The home saved their best chances to the end and in the last 5 minutes they had two great chances to win the game.

The ground is very basic, next to a busy road, two small seated stands and a small standing cover, clubhouse is outside the ground, but a tea bar was open next to the changing rooms. A quick exit afterwards for the 15 minute drive to Chertsey.

Chertsey Town 2 Southall 1

Big game in the division, second v first. Even arriving with just 10 minutes to spare, still managed to fin a street car park space quite near.

Entered a ground where the bar and food stalls were doing good business, surprised to see so few Southall fans in attendance. Clubhouse is decorated in tribute to the Chertsey team who won the FA Vase.

Great start for Chertsey as they were in front after just 1 minute, and they continued to dominate with their main striker having numerous chances, Southall were disappointing and played little football and were happy to just lump it up front. However on 29 minutes they were back level after scoring from long range. 

Second half, saw Southall down to 10 men after 51 minutes - defender sent off as he looked like he was the last man when fouling, Chertsey scored from the following free kick after Southall failed to clear the initial kick.

Southall then decided to play football and even with 10 men got on top, over 6 minutes of injury time and for every attacking set piece the visiting keeper went up front, made for great entertainment but they could not find the equaliser and Chertsey could not add a third goal, even with no keeper between the posts.

I had seen Cherstey away earlier in the season, and noticed their away support included some pensioners, all dressed like they had just left a Madness gig, the OAP Scooter club! Today there were even more of them, American Flying jackets DM boots and even one pork pie hat and all looked 65 plus!

Football disco

Friday 24 November 2023, May & Baker 2 Southend Manor 2 - Eastern Counties League, Division 1, South, Parkside Aveley.

A very cold night close to the M25, even first 15 minutes then the home team dominated the rest of the half but somehow failed to score- Southend struggled to deal with every corner that May & Baker had.

Second half, was bit scrappier but in the 71st minute the home team took the lead from a well struck shot and added a second from the penalty spot 7 minutes later, that seemed game over as Southend had not offered much going forward, then in the 86th minute a goalmouth scramble saw the visitors get a goal back and then totally against the run of play they drew level in the last minute. The Ref found about 11 minutes injury time but no further goals.

Not many more games left for May & Baker here, as they prepare to move to their new ground, they had the small bar open tonight as the main bar had a birthday party on, so the game was played out to the sound of loud 80's disco music!.

Ipswich have the last laugh

Thursday 23 November 2023, Brantham Athletic Under 18s 0 Ipswich Town under 16s 0 ( 2-4 on penalty kicks) - Brantham Leisure Centre, Suffolk FA Under 18 Midweek Cup

A disappointing game with very few goal scoring chances, Brantham were on top for most of the first half but let Ipswich off with some poor finishing, and Ipswich themselves missed one good chance when their forward blasted over when he should have hit the target.

Second half saw Ipswich start to dominate possession without threatening the goal, so no surprise that it went to penalty kicks. The second half saw Brantham attempt to intimidate their younger opponents however it was Ipswich who had the last laugh.

Good to see 2 Ipswich 1st players turn up to watch the game.

Cold days arrive

Tuesday 21 November 2023, Ipswich Town Under 21s 1 Millwall Under 21s 1 - Professional Development League, Bent Lane Training Ground

Winter has arrived, damp, cold wind- but cheered by a feisty, competitive game in which Ipswich had to work till the end to get a point.