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Post by baselswh on Sept 22, 2021 13:32:54 GMT
Yes. But their progress up the leagues is not formalised until promoted (invited to) tier 11. A lot of Clubs went under during Covid, so a lot of dust still waiting to settle. Okay Epping got that. Although exactly how the word "formalised" is used here is not clear to my pea brain. I say why,there is or was such a level as low as 18 I think.So there must of been a 17 16,15 etc too.That's formalised. Not trying to be awkward ,honest. |
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Post by eppinggas on Sept 22, 2021 16:09:56 GMT
Yes. But their progress up the leagues is not formalised until promoted (invited to) tier 11. A lot of Clubs went under during Covid, so a lot of dust still waiting to settle. Okay Epping got that. Although exactly how the word "formalised" is used here is not clear to my pea brain. I say why,there is or was such a level as low as 18 I think.So there must of been a 17 16,15 etc too.That's formalised. Not trying to be awkward ,honest. No problems. I meant as in there is no formal rules for promotion to, and relegation from, tier 11. So I think there is more of a 'discussion' between tier 11 teams and the FA and the multiple lower leagues that 'in theory' feed into them. Perhaps a bit like the old applying for re-election to Division 4. I'm not even sure if there are formal tiers below tier 11. Once you're in tier 11 - yes, you have a path to the premiersh*t. Getting to that tier is the problematic / murky bit. And as Irish stated, a lot of Clubs chose not to go there anyway... All this talk of tier 5 and below. Gracious, it's not like Rovers are in any danger of dropping out the League. Oh, hang on. |
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Post by irishrover on Sept 23, 2021 8:39:54 GMT
Okay Epping got that. Although exactly how the word "formalised" is used here is not clear to my pea brain. I say why,there is or was such a level as low as 18 I think.So there must of been a 17 16,15 etc too.That's formalised. Not trying to be awkward ,honest. No problems. I meant as in there is no formal rules for promotion to, and relegation from, tier 11. So I think there is more of a 'discussion' between tier 11 teams and the FA and the multiple lower leagues that 'in theory' feed into them. Perhaps a bit like the old applying for re-election to Division 4. I'm not even sure if there are formal tiers below tier 11. Once you're in tier 11 - yes, you have a path to the premiersh*t. Getting to that tier is the problematic / murky bit. And as Irish stated, a lot of Clubs chose not to go there anyway... All this talk of tier 5 and below. Gracious, it's not like Rovers are in any danger of dropping out the League. Oh, hang on. Yes - like I say up here the discussion is often more incentives for clubs to join the pyramid. Most years they are a couple of teams short and have to try and encourage purely amateur clubs to step up into the pyramid and not many are interested in the increased costs and organisational stress. It's not actually a particularly attractive offer if you're a well-run amateur club. |
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Post by eppinggas on Sept 24, 2021 8:00:24 GMT
No problems. I meant as in there is no formal rules for promotion to, and relegation from, tier 11. So I think there is more of a 'discussion' between tier 11 teams and the FA and the multiple lower leagues that 'in theory' feed into them. Perhaps a bit like the old applying for re-election to Division 4. I'm not even sure if there are formal tiers below tier 11. Once you're in tier 11 - yes, you have a path to the premiersh*t. Getting to that tier is the problematic / murky bit. And as Irish stated, a lot of Clubs chose not to go there anyway... All this talk of tier 5 and below. Gracious, it's not like Rovers are in any danger of dropping out the League. Oh, hang on. Yes - like I say up here the discussion is often more incentives for clubs to join the pyramid. Most years they are a couple of teams short and have to try and encourage purely amateur clubs to step up into the pyramid and not many are interested in the increased costs and organisational stress. It's not actually a particularly attractive offer if you're a well-run amateur club. After further discussion with Millwall Sean - I can confirm that Epping Town FC did actually exist higher up the pyramid. (I also didn't bother to check en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epping_Town_F.C. earlier). Another little snippet about their demise. Not only was Stan Bowles playing for them - he was on £200 a week and part of the deal was that he was driven to and from games in a Rolls Royce. A local colourful character supplied the motor. He also wouldn't play on Tuesdays or Thursdays because that was when Walthamstow dogs were on! When the backers pulled out, the debts couldn't be repaid, and we know what happens next... I also got my timings wrong as Epping Town FC was actually dissolved in 1985. That's the year after Stan Bowles retired from professional football... |
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Post by eppinggas on Oct 10, 2021 8:25:30 GMT
Hoddesdon Town 0 Saffron Walden 5. Essex Senior League (tier 9). Combining two things I like doing, I cycled across the Lee Valley from Epping to Hoddesdon Town - a distance of 11 miles. Entrance £8. Small bar had no draft beer, just bottles at £3 a pop. As usual people in and behind the bar were all very polite. 0-0 at HT, though pretty clear that Saffron Walden (SW) looked leaner and fitter. SW No 10 OTI looked pick of the bunch. Very fit, held the ball up well, physical presence - he might well play higher up the pyramid. SW No 7 CALVER was decent - though spent most of the game lecturing the referee rather than playing football. SW went 1-0 from an OG, and Hoddesdon heads dropped. The flood gates opened and it was just a question of how many. Looked like the crowd was split 50/50, SF brought a few along and made it a decent atmosphere. Hoddesdon had an elderly cheerleader who's limited repertoire included "happy happy Hoddesdon" and "Hoddesdon - you're playing well in every position". Repeatedly. The latter is unlikely to catch on.
A decent game of football, pretty well officiated (again). A 13 mile cycle ride home via an establishment where I was able to properly rehydrate.
Pub trivia fact. Saffron Walden are the oldest senior football Club in Essex, established in 1872.
Result
Hoddesdon Town £22.70 (beers, snickers bar, programme, entry)
Bristol Rovers FC £0
Attendance: 206.
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Post by eppinggas on Oct 17, 2021 8:53:29 GMT
Enfield Town FC 2 Worthing 2. Isthmian Premier League (Tier 7). Top of the table clash. A short trip across the Lee Valley to Enfield. Enfield Town are 100% fan-owned and split from Enfield 20 years ago. They play near their traditional home just of the A10 in the Grade 2 listed Queen Elizabeth II art-deco Stadium, the pitch is inside a running track. Plenty of free parking. Worthing were leading the division and were favourites to get promoted in the curtailed 2019-2020 season. Dean Cox in the Worthing squad (ex-Orient) and Lyle de la Verde lined up for Enfield - crikey! When Rovers had him on loan from Fulham the general consensus was there was no way we would be able to sign someone with that much quality. Looks like things just didn't work out for him. He had a quiet game. Very good quality game overall with two attacking teams. 2-2 was a fair reflection of the game, maybe Worthing a little better over 90mins. Adam Cunnington came on as a sub for Enfield when they were 1-2 down and linked well with their big No.10. Bars were very busy before the game and half-time. Fosters £3.80, Kronenbourg £4.20. A lively atmosphere. Enfield are well supported and very much part of the community. They could well make it to the National League South. A decent afternoon, I may be back...
Result
Enfield Town FC £21.50 (£11 entry, 2 pints, and a an over-priced programme).
Bristol Rovers FC £0
Attendance: est. 450-500? I can't find the official number yet, will update later.
Edit: I did Enfield Town FC a disservice. Official attendance 615.
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Post by eppinggas on Oct 24, 2021 9:27:26 GMT
Brentwood Town 3 Basildon United 2. Isthmian League North Division (tier 8). 20 minute drive along leafy country lanes to Brentwood. Loads of free parking. Brentwood is home to "The Sugarhut" nightclub and is stamping ground for TOWIE. Yikes. Luckily only relatively 'normal' people were in attendance. Brentwood is a prosperous commuter town and maybe I was expecting better facilities. The main structure of the stands and clubhouse are wooden and the whole ground had a bit of a ramshackle feeling. One of the stands looked just like our very own Family Stand. At least it didn't sit uncomfortably in the middle of a terrace. Volunteers and Bar staff (as ever) were polite and welcoming. Spitfire lager £4 a pint. Bit of a local derby with Basildon. In sharp contrast to Brentwood, Basildon is a tough new town with a bit of a bad reputation. A full blooded game. Brentwood went 1-0 before HT. Brentwood keeper spilled an easy chance for Basildon to equalise early in the 2nd half. Brentwood were the better side and kept it on the floor, going 3-1 up. The second goal had a hint of handball about it, and the Basildon players appealed. But the referee stood his ground (what else could he do) and I thought both sets of players conducted themselves well in a pretty physical game. Basildon got one back at the death, but not enough time to get an equalizer. Home win by a goal seemed about right. Was it better than a 300 mile round trip to the Mem and minimum spend of £100 to watch the Gas lose 1-3 at home to Newport? Yup. Result Brentwood Town FC £19.00 (£10 entry, 2 pints, and a £1 programme). Bristol Rovers FC £0 Attendance: I thought I heard 177, which looked about right. I can't find the official number yet, will update later. Edit. Great news, my hearing is OK. 177. www.footballwebpages.co.uk/brentwood-town/attendances |
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Post by irishrover on Oct 26, 2021 17:23:10 GMT
So I'm definitely not going to it but FC United take their bow in this quite cool endeavour in Warsaw tonight!
Creating links with similar clubs across Europe has always been a key part of FC's activities but this is the 1st time there's been a formal competition. I will be going to some of the games after Christmas I think - would love to go to the one in Milan, Brera FC. Look up their ground - it's amazing!
One of the best experience I've ever had watching football was travelling to watch FC play a pre-season friendly against Austria Salzburg (the fan owned club that formed when Red Bull took over and renamed the original club). It was just such a great laugh - beer, sausage, a stadium under a bloody great mountain and top class local welcome. I think somewhere down the line it's been forgotten that football is supposed to be 1st and foremost about having fun.....
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Post by eppinggas on Oct 31, 2021 8:58:12 GMT
Buckhurst Hill 3 Haverhill Borough 2. A short 7.5 mile cycle ride to Buckhurst Hill (Thurlow and Nunn South - tier 10). Buckhurst Hill had won their previous 2 games 5-1 and 6-1 away. Apparently they had a few out with Covid on Saturday. £6 entry included a small programme. Nice new Clubhouse. As ever in the lower leagues, polite staff and a smile as they serve you. No draft beer though. I thought beer a bit steep at £3.50 a can of stella and £3 a can of Doom Bar, but you know the money is going to a worthy cause. Buckhurst Hill were very comfortable on the ball. They missed about half a dozen clear cut chances before going ahead from a corner. A defensive lapse made it 1-1 at HT. Buckhurst Hill scored from another corner and it looked like it would be a big score as Haverhill chased shadows. One appalling Buckhurst Hill back pass later and Haverhill managed to get into the opposition half and score. Then it was the Alamo as Buckhurst Hill attacked at will and Havering clung on for dear life. Very late on - the breakthrough came and Buckhurst Hill secured the points. Without a full strength squad they looked very good. They are second in the league with 4 games in hand. Players 2,7,9,10,11 all looked like they were playing well below their level.
Result
Buckhurst Hill £12.50 (£6 entry, 2 pints, and a free programme).
Bristol Rovers FC £0
Attendance: I'm not sure they publish them this far down the league... estimate 50-60. Though a supporter was saying Spurs and Orient both at home always dents the numbers.
Edit: Official attendance 75.
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Post by eppinggas on Nov 7, 2021 9:51:01 GMT
Redbridge 2 Sawbridgeworth Town 0 (Sawbo is what the locals call them). Essex Senior League, tier 9. NOT Dagenham and Redbridge! A shortish drive over to Barkingside from Epping (both on the Central Line, but Barkingside is on the Hainault loop). Redbridge were formerly called Ford United, I remember that name from the FA Cup many moons ago. They ended up playing at Barkingside and changed their name to attract more local support. I would say, on balance, they would have been better off marketing as the 'works team' - though Ford left stopped producing cars at Dagenham in 2002. Ford still produce just engines there now. Easy parking next to Barkingside tube station - astonishing! The Clubhouse looked like it had had a recent refurbishment. The bar had about 8 beers on tap - none of them available. Bottle of Peroni £3 a bit steep. Redbridge quickly established control and Sawbo were defending deep and when in possession just lumped it desperately forward. Redbridge No. 7 a very quick, tricky winger that Sawbo couldn't get anywhere near and just kicked him when they had the chance. The referee let a lot go and I think a few yellows (mostly to Sawbo) might have calmed things down. The Sawbo bench didn't 'coach', they just spent the game abusing the officials. The language from the players was pretty industrial. Would I want to take children to listen to grown men swearing at each other for 90 mins? Anyway - Redbridge scored in both halves (a deflection and near post header from a corner) and I don't think Sawbo had a shot on target. Entertaining enough as the tube trains rumbled by. The ground was very run down. A rusted corrugated roof provided cover over the stand. Ground perimeter fencing was a bit ramshackle and fallen down in places. A bit depressing really. The ground is located on a prime spot next to the tube - sadly this will probably be a block of flats in the future. Redbridge up to 3rd, Sawbo one from bottom and deservedly so on that showing.
Redbridge £11.00 (£5 entry, 3 bottles of Peroni, and a free e-programme - which I don't like. I would rather pay a £1 for a couple of pages of history).
Bristol Rovers FC £0
Attendance: 56. The 're-branding' of Ford United does not appear to have worked.
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Post by eppinggas on Nov 8, 2021 9:02:29 GMT
FC Romania 1 Dunstable Town 2 (Southern Football League, League Cup Round 2). Seemed appropriate to take in a lower league cup game whilst my boycott of Rovers continues (the Gas at Poxford in the FA Cup today). Both Clubs play in tier 8 Southern League Central - Dunstable currently 3rd, FC Romania 9th. FC Romania were formed by Romanian workers in East London in 2006. They have risen from Sunday football below tier 11 and have received good press coverage as they have climbed up the leagues. They share with Cheshunt - only a 10 minute drive from Epping (well 10 minutes on a Sunday afternoon, about 50 minutes in the rush hour). Cash only at the turnstiles - had to find a cashpoint sharpish. Made kick off with about a minute to spare - only because there was a minutes silence for something/someone. FC Romania had a few players who were definitely not Romanian - not a problem, a reflection of their inclusivity. FC Romania were by far the better team, ball on the floor, some neat passing. Dunstable scored against the run of play with a well executed counter attack, and were up at the break. FC Romania equalised with 'a screamer' early in the second half and were dominant. They were hit on the break again as Dunstable scored their second. Despite unrelenting pressure, FC Romania couldn't get a goal back. Finished 1-2 to Dunstable. Boo. A good turn out for a Sunday cup game and obviously a lot of Romanian support, but quite a few other supporters in merchandise that were English. As an ex-pat side they have a strong "DNA". They made a bit of noise. I enjoyed it far more than I thought I would. Could be back for a league game.
Fun fact. The only time I have come across Dunstable is in a Fred Wedlock (RIP) song about the "The Handy Household Help". Other titles were suggested were Best Universal Grit & Grime Effluent Remover (BUGGER), and Finest Universal Cleaner Known (you know).
"It will clean the streets of Dunstable and will renovate a Constable". Though could well be "renovate YOUR constable", which is a bit smutty - so I think it probably is...
Result
FC Romania £14.80 (£8 entry, pint of Kronenburg, coffee and a programme).
Bristol Rovers FC £0
Attendance: Estimate 150. Will update if I find the official stat.
Edit. Official attendance :89. It sounded more with the Romanians in good voice...
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Post by irishrover on Nov 9, 2021 14:05:32 GMT
FC Romania 1 Dunstable Town 2 (Southern Football, League League Cup Round 2). Seemed appropriate to take in a lower league cup game whilst my boycott of Rovers continues (the Gas at Poxford in the FA Cup today). Both Clubs play in tier 8 Southern League Central - Dunstable currently 3rd, FC Romania 9th. FC Romania were formed by Romanian workers in East London in 2006. They have risen from Sunday football below tier 11 and have received good press coverage as they have climbed up the leagues. They share with Cheshunt - only a 10 minute drive from Epping (well 10 minutes on a Sunday afternoon, about 50 minutes in the rush hour). Cash only at the turnstiles - had to find a cashpoint sharpish. Made kick off with about a minute to spare - only because there was a minutes silence for something/someone. FC Romania had a few players who were definitely not Romanian - not a problem, a reflection of their inclusivity. FC Romania were by far the better team, ball on the floor, some neat passing. Dunstable scored against the run of play with a well executed counter attack, and were up at the break. FC Romania equalised with 'a screamer' early in the second half and were dominant. They were hit on the break again as Dunstable scored their second. Despite unrelenting pressure, FC Romania couldn't get a goal back. Finished 1-2 to Dunstable. Boo. A good turn out for a Sunday cup game and obviously a lot of Romanian support, but quite a few other supporters in merchandise that were English. As an ex-pat side they have a strong "DNA". They made a bit of noise. I enjoyed it far more than I thought I would. Could be back for a league game. Fun fact. The only time I have come across Dunstable is in a Fred Wedlock (RIP) song about the "The Handy Household Help". Other titles were suggested were Best Universal Grit & Grime Effluent Remover (BUGGER), and Finest Universal Cleaner Known (you know). "It will clean the streets of Dunstable and will renovate a Constable". Though could well be "renovate YOUR constable", which is a bit smutty - so I think it probably is... Result FC Romania £14.80 (£8 entry, pint of Kronenburg, coffee and a programme). Bristol Rovers FC £0 Attendance: Estimate 150. Will update if I find the official stat. That sounds like good value. FC United finally had a home game on Saturday against the brilliantly named Gainsborough Trinity who I learned had once been football league club and have . They've had a very inconsistent season but they won this game. Played very well for 70 minutes to build and 3-0 lead and then very nearly threw it away by switching off for 20 minutes and clinging on for a 3-2 victory. Excellent atmosphere as ever and supplemented by the appearance of Cloudwater beer on tap which you definitely get at the Mem! |
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Post by eppinggas on Nov 9, 2021 17:17:08 GMT
FC Romania 1 Dunstable Town 2 (Southern Football, League League Cup Round 2). Seemed appropriate to take in a lower league cup game whilst my boycott of Rovers continues (the Gas at Poxford in the FA Cup today). Both Clubs play in tier 8 Southern League Central - Dunstable currently 3rd, FC Romania 9th. FC Romania were formed by Romanian workers in East London in 2006. They have risen from Sunday football below tier 11 and have received good press coverage as they have climbed up the leagues. They share with Cheshunt - only a 10 minute drive from Epping (well 10 minutes on a Sunday afternoon, about 50 minutes in the rush hour). Cash only at the turnstiles - had to find a cashpoint sharpish. Made kick off with about a minute to spare - only because there was a minutes silence for something/someone. FC Romania had a few players who were definitely not Romanian - not a problem, a reflection of their inclusivity. FC Romania were by far the better team, ball on the floor, some neat passing. Dunstable scored against the run of play with a well executed counter attack, and were up at the break. FC Romania equalised with 'a screamer' early in the second half and were dominant. They were hit on the break again as Dunstable scored their second. Despite unrelenting pressure, FC Romania couldn't get a goal back. Finished 1-2 to Dunstable. Boo. A good turn out for a Sunday cup game and obviously a lot of Romanian support, but quite a few other supporters in merchandise that were English. As an ex-pat side they have a strong "DNA". They made a bit of noise. I enjoyed it far more than I thought I would. Could be back for a league game. Fun fact. The only time I have come across Dunstable is in a Fred Wedlock (RIP) song about the "The Handy Household Help". Other titles were suggested were Best Universal Grit & Grime Effluent Remover (BUGGER), and Finest Universal Cleaner Known (you know). "It will clean the streets of Dunstable and will renovate a Constable". Though could well be "renovate YOUR constable", which is a bit smutty - so I think it probably is... Result FC Romania £14.80 (£8 entry, pint of Kronenburg, coffee and a programme). Bristol Rovers FC £0 Attendance: Estimate 150. Will update if I find the official stat. That sounds like good value. FC United finally had a home game on Saturday against the brilliantly named Gainsborough Trinity who I learned had once been football league club and have . They've had a very inconsistent season but they won this game. Played very well for 70 minutes to build and 3-0 lead and then very nearly threw it away by switching off for 20 minutes and clinging on for a 3-2 victory. Excellent atmosphere as ever and supplemented by the appearance of Cloudwater beer on tap which you definitely get at the Mem! Enfield Town and Clapton Community FC are both fan owned and both seem to be enjoying an upwards trajectory. I didn't realise that Saffron Walden were also fan-owned (5-0 winners at Hoddesdon recently). There seems to be a growing disenchantment and disillusionment with the premiers**t and traditional EFL 'basket case' football ownership model. So maybe that is why we are beginning to see a growth of the Fan ownership model lower down the pyramid. Fans are closer to the Club. The "DNA" is stronger. Just checked - currently only Exeter City, Newport County and AFC Wimbledon are majority fan owned in the EFL. But there are a fair few in the higher tiers of non-league. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Fan-owned_football_clubs_in_EnglandPersonally - I think it's the way forward. I'll definitely try and tick off my other more local ones - Chelmsford, Fisher, Grays, Hendon - all within striking distance. |
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Post by eppinggas on Nov 10, 2021 9:45:34 GMT
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Post by eppinggas on Nov 14, 2021 9:28:45 GMT
West Essex 1 White Ensign 0. Score at HT - match abandoned. Essex Senior League (tier 9). WE vs WE, bet that doesn't happen anywhere else. 30 minute drive through heavy traffic to Wadham Lodge at Walthamstow. Unfortunately Wadham Lodge is about 100 yards inside the ULEZ - which may account for the sparse crowd. Plenty of parking. 3 pitches here and it is also home to Clapton Community FC on the 2nd pitch. West Essex share the main 'stadium' with Walthamstow, currently top of the league by some way. £7 entry including a small programme. West Essex were formed in 1989 and were born out of West Essex cricket Club who hail from Highams Park, about a mile up the road from. White Ensign were formed in 1951 and are from Southend. Good first half. Some tough tackles flying in, but the referee kept control without issuing any cards - they tend not to lower down the leagues. West Essex more composed on the ball and had two very quick forwards (9 and 20) and were causing problems down the centre and left. The goal came from a well worked move on the left side of the pitch. A beer at HT (£3.70 Heineken) and I was looking forward to the 2nd half. At about 4:10pm there was no sign of the teams. It transpired that the officials changing rooms had been broken into and all their valuables stolen. Well, it is Walthamstow. A small crowd were left disappointed, but understood the decision. I presume the game will have to replayed.
Result
West Essex £10.70 (£7 entry inc. programme, pint of Heineken).
Bristol Rovers FC £0
Attendance: Estimate 40. Will update if I find the official stat.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 15, 2021 17:50:58 GMT
   cheshuntfc.com/matches/2021-22/2522/cheshunt-vs-berkhamsted/Cheshunt 1 v 0 Berkhampstead Sat 13 Nov, 2021. FA Trophy 1st Round Cheshunt Stadium. Att: 187 Goalscorer tall Cheshunt centre forward #9 Unlucky to be sent off after one yellow maybe for overcelebration, then a second for flooring the opposition centre half #5 who kept going down crying, despite being the biggest lad on the field, a giant. £12 adult drake, £6 duckling concession. |
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Post by eppinggas on Nov 21, 2021 9:21:58 GMT
Sawbridgeworth Town 0 St Maragaretsbury 0. Sawbridgeworth Town (Sawbo)won 4-2 on penalties. Essex Senior League Errington Challenge Cup. 20 minute drive through Harlow to leafy Sawbridgeworth. Both Clubs in tier 9, and I had seen the thuggish, swearing Sawbo away to Redbridge a few weeks back. Had they changed their ways? Of course not. No 5 swore the most, followed by the keeper. "f*c*ing push up, f*c*king hell Ref, that's our f*c*ing ball". Over and over again. A poor boggy pitch given we haven't had much rain. A decrepit Club house which made the old Rovers SC bar look like the Ritz. No draft beer and no-one behind the bar. To the game. St Margaretsbury (SM) tried to play football on the bumpy boggy pitch, but both teams ended up hoofing it long as the tackles flied in. Sawbo right back targetted the quick SM No 7 winger and should have gone in the book after 5 mins. SM took a bit of retribution, resulting in the Sawno RB limping off. To be replaced by a rather 'big boned' chap who for some reason thought he was the 4th official. Not an athlete or a footballer. This sub was subbed around the hour mark. I didn't see him get injured. Sawbo 10 kept leaving his boot in. Sabo 8 was slow, but made up for that by kicking people. Sawbo sweary No. 5 looked and behaved like that bloke down the pub who likes to 'get involved'. An overheard conversation and very clear that SM were not happy at half time. Their younger, fitter, better players were just getting a kicking. SM had a couple of chances to score and I was obviously willing them on. Not to be. To penalties and Sawbo sneaked home. Their No 8 hitting the winner, a mis-hit down the middle which bobbled along the ground before going in off the keepers outstretched leg. The good news was no traffic on the way home and I was able to make the Union Berlin thrashing of Hertha.
A 2-0 absolute thrashing.
I don't like Sawbo. Horrible little Club. I feel sorry for the volunteers and small number of supporters having to endure that crap on a regular basis.
Just saw that one of the officials was Craig Charles. Bet he can't wait to get back to Radio 6. Makes you wonder why officials put up with it?
Result
Sawbridgeworth Town £16 (£9 entry inc. programme, 2 pint cans of Stella).
Bristol Rovers FC £0
Attendance: Estimate 40. Will update if I find the official stat.
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Post by eppinggas on Nov 28, 2021 9:22:28 GMT
Southend Manor 0 Stansted 1. Essex Senior League (tier 9). Manor struggling, Stansted near the top of the division. Good timing. With the missus at the Roslin Hotel and me on cab duty - had an afternoon to kill. Good fortune had Southend Manor (est 1955) playing just up the road in Southchurch Park. A nice park sandwiched betwixt Thorpe Bay (posh) and a red light district (as I was informed by my brother-in-law). Bike in the back of the car and had a rather bracing cycle up and down Southend sea front before the game. It was so cold I had a coffee instead of a beer before kick off. It was that cold. Wind was left to right (north to south) and gusting up to around 40mph in the light rain. Stansted had the wind 1st half. A credit to both teams that both tried to play decent football in the horrific conditions. Stansted on top. Fortunate with their goal. A long shot took a big deflection and looped over the Manor keeper with a large chunk of wind assistance. Stansted had the ball in the back of the net shortly afterwards, but was given off-side. Stansted LB was having problems, but Manor didn't target him enough. He eventually got booked i the second half, one of the few times it looked like he hadn't actually committed a foul. HT whistle and the small crowd ran to the Clubhouse for warmth. Decent clean bar (draft beers available), hot & cold snacks. A Guinness with my brother-in-law, nephew and his daughter (aged 5). It was her first game, bless her. With a stiffening wind at Manor's back - they should have had an advantage. The rain was now actually horizontal. Sadly Manor couldn't capitalise in the conditions. Lack of a decent final ball and an unwillingness to shoot meant the game finished 1-0. A game played in very good spirit. Well officiated. My nephew knew one of the Manor management team from his Southend United supporting days. Apparently Manor had quite a few of youngsters playing and the new owner has plans to re-develop the ground. Good luck to them. Proper grass roots Football Club.
Fingers crossed they stay up and "Sawbo" claim one of the relegation slots.
Result
Southend Manor £13 (£7 entry inc. programme, 1 pint of Guinness, 2 coffees).
Bristol Rovers FC £0
Attendance: Estimate 50. Will update if I find the official stat.
Edit: Official Attendance. 27. Therefore 15% of the crowd were my extended family! (Though I don't think the 5 yr old were have paid and been counted. So with 3 that's still 11%).
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eppinggas
Administrator
Ian Alexander
Don't care
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 8,619
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Post by eppinggas on Dec 5, 2021 9:15:44 GMT
St Margaretsbury 1 West Essex 3. Essex Senior League (tier 9). SM only one place above the relegation places before today. 25 minute drive through leafy lanes to Stansted Abbotts. New Clubhouse, draft beer, no hot food though. Small, but quaint ground. After watching SM kicked out of a cup game, I was sort of supporting them. Oh dear. The SM manager and assistant were an utter disgrace. Abusing the officials throughout and really unpleasant and aggressive to the West Essex bench. WE took the lead after about 2 minutes. No defending down the SM left flank and they walked it into the net. One of the SM CB's was at least a couple of stone over-weight. But he actually had a good game and his long balls to the big No. 9 was the only real SM attacking threat. SM No.9 headed in the equalizer from a corner. HT 1-1 and a swift walk back to the Clubhouse for a coffee and to warm up. Second half the game degenerated as did the behaviour of the SM bench. Small crowd. Not surprised as I wouldn't want to attend games where the bench regularly tells the ref and other team to f*ck off. Also called the WE manager a f******g c*n* a couple of times. SM were leaving the boot in. Their captain and No.10 was warned a couple of times that he was on his last warning - before leaving his boot in a further couple of times without a yellow being shown. WE scored a decent second from distance and in off the post. Hurrah. SM then had their left back sent off for an off the ball incident. It looked likely to boil over after every 50/50 ball. It did a couple of times. The referee lost control very early on - but had a really hard job to do. WE killed the game off with a third and justice was done.
Result
St Margaretsbury £12.30 (£7 entry inc. e-programme, 1 pint of San Miguel, 1 coffee).
Bristol Rovers FC £0
Attendance: 31.
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eppinggas
Administrator
Ian Alexander
Don't care
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 8,619
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Post by eppinggas on Dec 12, 2021 17:16:51 GMT
Bath City 0 Hungerford Town 1. The dizzy heights of National League South in tier 6. Nice to re-visit the Golden Fleece in Twerton, bringing back memories of happier times watching Rovers in the early to mid 90's. Not a lot of quality and some of the sides I've watched in tier 7 would definitely have given them a good game. Bath just about edged the first half, 0-0 was about right though. A beer at HT with my son and a 'lost Gashead' who now watches Bath. Drinks were ordered on an App and waiting for us (well ours were a bit late, but obviously a good way to serve more people in a very limited amount of time). An early 2nd half penalty for Hungerford was saved. Bath then dominated and there was a lot of frustration with the referee and lino running the popular terrace. Chap from Yate Town came on as a sub for Bath as they looked increasingly likely to score. Hungerford then snatched the lead late on. Kitchen sink time for Bath, but it wouldn't go in. Finished 0-1 and Bath were very unlucky not to take something out of the game. I did not see Eric Cantona, but I did see Ken Loach.
I like Bath City. Fan owned and looking to upgrade their stadium, currently being blocked by the Council. They could well be on the rise. Good luck to them.
After the game popped in the Crown in Twerton. £7.80 for 3 pints! Happy days.
Result
Bath City £17.80 (£14 entry, sadly programmes had sold out. 1 pint of Thatchers Dry).
Bristol Rovers FC £0
Attendance: 1207 (If I heard correctly). Good turn out. A much younger demographic than at Rovers.
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