eppinggas
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Post by eppinggas on Apr 12, 2024 9:28:52 GMT
Pakhtakor Tashkent boys yellow vs blues. Sadly not Pakhtakor, Olympic Tashkent or any of the other Uzbek super or pro league teams as the games fell on days where we had stuff planned rather than down time, but I had to get my fix from somewhere. No idea what the score was as it was a kick around between what looked like a bunch of mates. Free to get in. Crowd 5. Football in Uzbekistan is quite popular but the people here only wanted to talk about the bigger European sides rather than a mediocre perenially under achieving third division outfit. Even our distinctive shirt and nickname didn’t provoke much discussion. The Uzbek national team lost 3-2 on penalties to eventual winners Qatar in the quarter finals of the recent asian cup so they may be on the up and would love to see them qualify for a future world cup competition. Fascinating country with gentle, kind and honest people. Don’t believe the rabid red top headlines about them being the most miserable people in the world. Murdoch’s arse wipe rags don’t know their arses from their elbows so cannot distinguish between being reserved, private and serious from being miserable. They are anything but. Travel definitely broadens the mind. Shame you couldn't get in a league game, hey ho, not the end of the world... Uzbekistan is very niche. A little more routine for me, Red Star Paris for me next Friday, can't wait. |
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Post by Mrs V Smegma on Apr 13, 2024 9:18:01 GMT
Yes would have loved to have an Uzbek ground on My Football Map. Nice one Red Star. Hope you have a great time. My West Ham supporting friend and I may do a couple of cheap weekends abroad next season as we are starting to exhaust nearby grounds.
Did you decide which game(s) you were going to do when in Bath?
Either Merthyr Town or Welton Rovers for us today
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Post by eppinggas on Apr 13, 2024 9:38:56 GMT
Yes would have loved to have an Uzbek ground on My Football Map. Nice one Red Star. Hope you have a great time. My West Ham supporting friend and I may do a couple of cheap weekends abroad next season as we are starting to exhaust nearby grounds. Did you decide which game(s) you were going to do when in Bath? Either Merthyr Town or Welton Rovers for us today Still not sure when I'm in the west country next. Hopefully by the end of the month. I'm lucky because I live close to Stansted and in the off-peak months there are loads of cheap flights to Germany. Typically £35-£50 return (though I noticed that they are nowhere near so cheap as we head into May / June). I've spent hours trying to work out how get to Kaiserslautern. Almost impossible to get a game in flying Friday and back Sunday. Frankfurt Hahn is a nightmare and looking at the reviews, must be the worst airport in Germany, possibly in all of western Europe. Likewise getting to Eisenhuttenstadt on the Polish border is tough. (Ref "The Turning Season" - Michael Wragg) One more trip to Germany this season - I think I'll just get cheap flights first and take in anything down to Liga (tier 3). Below that it is a bit of a mess with 5 mostly semi-professional regional leagues at tier 4. I look forward to my foreign trips like I used to look forward to Rovers games... |
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Post by Mrs V Smegma on Apr 13, 2024 19:30:54 GMT
Merthyr Town vs Hendon, Southern League South Premier
Entertaining game between two evenly matched sides at Penydarren Park, which bears more than a passing resemblance to Twerton and which is probably the best non-league ground I have visited this year. Two decent stands on either side, one standing and the other seated and a covered terrace behind one goal.
Hendon created a number of decent chances in the first half but were denied by a string of excellent saves by home keeper Jaimie Cogman. They did take the lead through a scrappy goal from about 2 yards out when the home defence failed to clear their lines and the ball was rammed home after several attempts. Merthyr had the chance to equalise shortly afterwards when awarded what looked like a soft penalty. There was definitely some contact but in truth the home player went looking for it. Justice was done though when the Hendon keeper saved low to his right. Merthyr were now on top and created some good chances of their own and an entertaining first half could easily have yielded a few more goals than the solitary one described above.
Second half was less entertaining with Merthyr having the bulk of possession and chances but Hendon still posing a threat on the break. The home side got the equaliser they deserved through another scrappy but strange goal . Firstly they thought a shot from inside the box had crossed the line, ref waved play on, a fierce shot cannoned off the post and then another shot through a crowd of bodies was cleared but adjudged this time to be a goal. The game ended with Merthyr on top but unable to fashion a winner and the 1-1 draw was a fair result. Ref was excellent but had an easy afternoon as both teams played the game in the right manner.
Attendance 861. Admittance £12, £2 for a decent hard copy programme, £3 for some excellent chips with curry sauce and £2.60 for two teas.
Boris’ boy Ollie played on left wing but was anonymous and subbed just after the hour mark. Lewis Powell was not in the squad and no idea if he is still with the Martyrs. We saw him score 4 goals on loan to Cinderford earlier in the season. The Hendon match day squad is also interesting and I doubt that you would find a more eclectic and diverse range of names in any other team.
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Post by eppinggas on Apr 14, 2024 8:37:59 GMT
Wingate & Finchley 1 Haringey Borough 0 (Isthmian Premier, tier 7). The 'other' North London derby, just 4.4 miles between the Clubs as the crow flies. I saw Wingate at Concord Rangers last week, time to take in a home game. A slight faff getting there as I took the wrong turn off of the North Circular. Google directions got me there for 2:55pm, though missed kick off due to slow turnstiles. The Maurice Rebak Stadium set up is a quite unique one. The main Stand backs onto the main Stand of Finchley RFC. There is a really big bar area on the ground floor and I guess the two Clubs share this. The main stand is probably 25 yards away from the pitch. There is some terracing in front of it that means you have to climb up 5 or 6 steps before getting to pitch level. Anyhow, when you get there it's a really good playing surface. Terraces around the 3 other sides and some cover. Glorious sunshine with a bit of a breeze. Wingate should claim a play off place, Haringey are already relegated. Wingate big No 9 (impossible not to think of Devon White) caused a bit of a threat. After 10 mins the best player from last week (Reuben) found himself on the edge of the 6 yard box, unmarked, keeper stranded. It must be a goal! Groans as he slams it the wrong side of the post (impossible not to think of Gareth Taylor at Wembley). HT 0-0. Maneuvered myself to the bar. THIS IS HOW YOU RUN A BAR. The two efficient bar staff had already poured out 10 pints of the 4 draught beers available. Beer in hand and paid for in 20 seconds. Praise be to Wingate & Finchley bar staff. Second half Wingate had the wind behind them and pushed Haringey back. Wingate No.7 roasted the Haringey RB, skipped along the bi-line, squared it, and the simplest of tap ins for the big No.9. Credit to Haringey they put in a good shift for an already relegated side, but I can't remember them having a shot on target. Haringey No.8 was getting frustrated and left his foot in a few times. The very good referee had a word with him and the game passed without a yellow card. No back chat, no bad fouls, no foul language. Both sides and officials a credit to football. All in all a very enjoyable afternoon in the summer sunshine which even the North Circular couldn't spoil. Entry: £12. No paper programme. A pint of Cruzcampo £5:50. But it was fresh and crisp and served quickly. Take note other football Clubs! Attendance: 343. Good luck to Wingate in the play offs. Good luck to Haringey next season. Proper Football Clubs. Attachments:
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Post by Mrs V Smegma on Apr 17, 2024 8:52:53 GMT
Local derby between Champions Worcester City and mid-table Worcester Raiders Hellenic Prem
Game was switched from City’s Claines Lane ground to Raiders impressive Sixways Stadium, former home of the Warriors RUFC team
Game was entertaining and proved a canter for City - perhaps unsurprisingly given the way they have stormed to the title. They are a very good side at this level and I think if they can retain and build on their better players will do well in the Southern League next year . They have the potential to be a Conference side and possibly even a lower level EFL club
City created loads of chances in the first half. An early header crashed off the bar and they spurned a couple more before taking the lead in fortunate circumstances. Target man Dylan Hart saw his shot take a wicked deflection past Raiders Keeper. Livewire winger Elliott Hartley added a second just before half time with a decent strike from outside the box after good build up play. A third was duly added in the second half through another decent strike from Kyle Belmonte and the scoring was wrapped up the scoring with about 5 mins to go through another good finish by sub Insall from a good run and cross from the left. Had they been more ruthless in front of goal they could easily have reached double figures. Left winger Liam Lockett was the chief culprit missing some gilt edged chances when he could easily have been going home with the match ball. One miss in particular was a horrible scuff wide of the post after he had done all the hard work wriggling through the raiders defence. He is a good player at this level though and is one that EFL clubsought to be looking at as is Hart who was a threat throughout.
Final scoreline of 4-0 flattered raiders who although not awful and had a couple of chances of their own were distinctly second best throughout. Att 1658 (a bit disappointing given that it was a derby). Admittance £8, hard copy programme £2, £4.25 for an excellent but small pasty and an eye watering £2.50 for a tea. City have plans for a new ground which they will need at the higher level. They could do worse than ground shsre with Raiders as Sixways is an impressive stadium and well up to EFL standards I would have thought. Raiders average attendance last season was slightly over 300 so they will rattle around in it
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Post by Mrs V Smegma on Apr 19, 2024 23:50:39 GMT
Stonehouse Town vs Shortwood United - Hellenic League 1.
Dead rubber local derby at the amusingly named Ben’s Takeaway Stadium between two mid table teams who with no prospects of either promotion or relegation.
First 30 minutes were dire without a single passage of decent play but the game improved from that point onwards. Both sides started to create chances with a Shortwood shot smacking on to the post and some profligate finishing resulting in a goalless first half. This continued into the second 45 but we had some good strikes and goals to enjoy. Shortwood took the lead soon after half time with a smart finish from one of their players after cutting in from the left flank. Home side equalised about 10 mins later with a carbon copy replica and in a topsy turvy game the visitors retook the lead with another crisp finish after the initial shot had been blocked. The game was starting to open up but it was not until about 2 minutes to go that Stonehouse scored the pick of the goals with a cross from the left which was planted back into the opposite corner. They scored a very similar winner a minute later to secure a slightly fortuitous win and local bragging rights.
Admittance £5, £1 for a tea and £1 for a really good flapjack. Attendance an impressive (for this level) 172.
An entertaining game mostly played in the right spirit and well refereed. Stonehouse’s ground is also quite nice for this level
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Post by Mrs V Smegma on Apr 20, 2024 23:23:14 GMT
Ilfracombe Town vs Nailsea and Backwell Toolstation Western League Prem at picturesque Marlborough Park.
A pretty poor game to be honest between two teams also with nothing to play for. Chances were few and far between in a pretty awful first half and a bobbly dry pitch did not help. Ilfracombe took the lead mid way through the second half in disputed circumstances when the Nailsea defence stopped for an offside decision that never came and one of a cluster of home players tucked the ball away. They had a couple of half chances to put the game to bed but the inevitable happened in about the 10th minute of added time when a free kick was swung in from the right and one of the Nailsea subs was left unmarked and headed home from about 8 yards out to give them a point they just about deserved. The Nailsea management team constantly moaned at the ref throughout the game so from that perspective I was hoping they would lose. Ironically it was a home player who was sin binned for dissent just before the end. Ref wasn’t very good but got more erratic over time with the barrage of verbals he was getting from the away dug out. It would have served them right if he had made a mistake that cost them the game.
Despite the low quality game it was a good afternoon out and I really like Ilfracombe’s ground which looks like it has been hewn out of a hillside. It has a small chapel perched on the hill above one end, and from the side opposite the clubhouse you can see the sea. It was a glorious sunny day today so being out in the elements was really enjoyable.
Admittance £8, £4 for gravy and chips and £4.10 for an excellent pint of Shipyard American Pale ale. No programme and attendance was 72 though looked much less than this
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eppinggas
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Post by eppinggas on Apr 22, 2024 16:08:35 GMT
April 18th Red Star Paris 0 Dijon 2 (National, tier 3 France). Red Star is the traditional Club In Paris. Formed in 1897 by a certain Jules Rimet. The Red Star is nothing to do with Communism, but is 'probably' linked the the Red Star shipping company. However they are very definitely left leaning. They've spent a lot of their time down in tier 3-5 recently. But they are on the rise now and it has the working class/community feel of a (sort of) French version of Union Berlin. In an interesting twist they are now owned by 777 Capital - which caused a big fan backlash - lots of "777 OUT" banners. The Stade Bauer is in St-Ouen, about 2 miles south west of the Stade de France where the Liverpool fans had so much trouble with the locals at the CL Final. It's an'edgy', firmly working class area, but keep to busy well lit streets and I was assured it would be fine. I took my daughter who's only previous game was a dire Bristol Rovers loss away at Cambridge Utd. Walking from the Metro the heavens opened and it was a fairly miserable shuffle into the stadium through deep puddles. Red Star top of the league, green & white stripes and a win would seal promotion. Only one side of the stadium has been completed, a tiny stand to the left for mostly away fans in front of a large triangular block of flats. A building site to the right, and literally nothing the opposite side of the pitch. Despite the layout the Ultras and Red Star supporters made a lot of noise, set of green and white flares, and with a DJ pumping out music it was a cracking atmosphere. First half the occasion felt like it had got to Red Star, a lot of mis-placed passes and not a lot of quality. Both wingers looked good, but not a lot of threat to the Dijon goal. After 20 minutes disastre. Sacre bleu! Red Star gave away a silly corner. Dijon scored straight from it, headed in. Poor defending. It stayed like this til HT. Beer queue. Excellent. There was a 'bier only' queue, and there was one choice of local lager. No faffing about. 2nd half the noise was still good and surely Red Star would get back into it. 50 minutes in and Dijon attacked down their left, whipped a ball in for a simple tap in. Zut alors! Merd! I had my head in my hands. Emotionally invested, but I don't know why. Red Star had their chances, but it just wouldn't go in. The support never wavered, the goal wouldn't come. One hilarious moment where there was a Red Star wild shot - it was high and wide and actually went through an open window of the block of flats. A big cheer. And the window was shut and the ball didn't come back. FT 0-2. Damn, not the promotion party I had promised my daughter. But wait - the fans have invaded the pitch, they're going crazy. Transpires results elsewhere had helped and Red Star were promoted to League 2. I'm drinking lager in the stand, now I'm on the pitch. In England this would probably get me a 5 year banning order. Big celebrations. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and remarkably, so did my daughter. Entry 14 Euros (nice seats, great view). No programme (paper or otherwise that I could see). 2 pints of local lager 12 Euros. Attendance: est 5000. |
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Post by eppinggas on Apr 23, 2024 16:51:47 GMT
April 19th. FC Paris 2 Valenciennes 1 (Ligue 2, 2nd tier). Game 35 of the season and I have not missed one of the 92 goals scored. Just sayin'. FC Paris have a short, but strange history. They have a longer history than bristolcity1982 though. Formed in 1969 they merged with Stade St Germaine to form PSG in 1970. They split from PSG in 1972 because the Mayor of Paris thought that PSG was based outside of Paris and wanted the main Parisien Club to be closer to 'home'. After just one season in Ligue 1, FC Paris launched themselves into obscurity. They only got back to Ligue 2 10 years ago. They play at the 10,000 capacity Stade Sebastien Charlety in the south of Paris. Red Star Paris north Paris, working class, left wing. FC Paris south Paris, suburban, right leaning. They are now effectively owned by Bahrain. As crowds continued to be low, this season they offered free entry. All season! Only 20 mins down the RER 'overland' train to Cite Universitie and a 10 minute walk to the ground. It was dead. Very few bars in the area. All a bit bleak. Found a bar and chatted to some English footy fans based in Paris. A couple of them used to use the Epping car park to get the tube into London. And one of them played in the Essex Olympian League. I wasn't at Disney Paris but "It's a small world after all". Anyway - still very quiet. I mentioned it must be a tiny crowd with just 30 mins to kick off. Was politely informed it was 90 mins to kick off as I'd got my UK/French times mixed up. Oh dear. Another hours drinking. On finally getting to the ground at 6:50pm, there was a massive queue. A slow queue. My QR code hadn't been processed correctly. I finally got through the turnstiles to hear groans. Valenciennes had gone 1-0 up (just checked on-line, good strike to be fair). Home crowd filled just the one stand. Away support - est. 25-35 sat in glorious isolation the other side of the ground. Stewards pointed me to a place high up and out the way. Not a great view. Free entry - why can't you just sit where you like? Anyway, needed to use the washroom facilities due to the additional lager time. So a quick visit there on the way to re-seat myself. Big cheer goes up. FC Paris have equalised. Doh! 2 goals missed. Found a seat nearer the Ultras and to be fair they did generate a decent atmosphere in a soulless bowl of a stadium. 25 mins in and I actually witnessed a goal. Decent cross from the FC Paris right and struck home from just left of the penalty spot. HT. No refreshments available. Poor show. Second half not much to write home about. Valenciennes are rock bottom with just 2 wins all season. FC Paris in the play-off positions. Didn't seem to be that much between the sides 1st half though. 2nd half Valenciennes just did a bit of a Gallic shrug of the shoulders and gave up. Game finished at 9pm. Marched back up the road, jumped on the RER and was at the Eiffel Tower by 10pm. Good public transport in Paris. Entrance: Free. Though I made a 5 Euro donation. No programmes, paper or otherwise that I could see. No beer available. Cheap day out. Attendance: 3,131. This was nowhere near Championship standard. FC Paris will struggle horribly if they go up. Unless Bahrain decide to pump some serious money in. |
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Post by Mrs V Smegma on Apr 23, 2024 23:19:19 GMT
Welton Rovers vs Ilfracombe Town at West Clewes Recreation Ground, Toolstation Western Prem
Very entertaining game and the second time I have seen Ilfracombe in 4 days. They were much better tonight than on Saturday and similarly Welton were a better side than the one beaten by Hallen in the Les Phillips cup back in the autumn.
Ilfracombe took the lead in the first minute when a defence splitting ball was finished off by their CF. They had the better chances in the first half to extend their lead and it was no surprise when they did so just before half time after their right winger tucked the ball away after being allowed to make yards. Welton got back into the game just after the break with an excellent goal by their winger Marcel Lewis who was their best player tonight. He acrobatically hooked the ball in from a good cross from the right which looked to be going beyond him. Ilfracombe restored their lead on the hour mark when home keeper could only parry a shot onto the post and the rebound was fired home. Welton then got a fortunate second when a well struck shot looped off someone’s head and into the net. The Welton keeper (who did not have a good night) then needlessly and rashly conceded a penalty by sliding in when he should have stayed on his feet. The penalty was duly despatched and just when it looked like Ilfracombe would see out the game and return home with the points, Welton scored two goals in added time to steal a point. Their third was a high quality free kick from some way out and the equaliser was a bit spawny with another deflection that was nodded towards goal and went in. Visiting keeper will also want to erase his evening from his memory bank and Ilfracombe will wonder how they managed to throw away a two goal lead twice. They just about shaded the contest but a case can be made for Welton deserving a point for never giving up.
Ref was Ok but one of the linos had a shocker consistently getting offside calls spectacularly wrong to the annoyance of both sides.
Entrance £7, hard copy programme £1, ham salad roll £1.50, pasty £2 and a tea £1.50. Friendly little club and I spent most of the second half chatting to fellow gasheads who were season ticket holders but now go to West Clewes instead. Att 69.
One of the most entertaining groundhopping evenings this season
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Post by Mrs V Smegma on Apr 25, 2024 23:28:17 GMT
Gillingham Town vs Bitton AFC Toolstation Western Division 1 - Woodwater Lane.
3rd bottom vs 3rd top so on paper a bit of a mismatch. However first half was entertaining and even with home side just about shading it on balance of play and chances. Bitton went ahead after about 10 mins when a through ball found their CF in loads of space on the left, he cut inside and placed the ball into bottom left corner. This was shortly after one of their players hit the bar. Gillingham then hit the bar themselves from a thunderous shot from about 30 yards out which cannoned back off the woodwork. They got an eqauliser when a decent cross from the right was headed in from close range.
Bitton took control in the second 45 and had the home side pinned in their own half for long periods. They took the lead with a goal that was disputed for offside when a deep ball forward was flicked on and ended up in the net. They scored a good third with a thumping header from a corner and wrapped things up in the final minute when home defence decided to play statues and Bitton CF was allowed to walk the ball round the keeper and then roll it into the unguarded net. Final score 1-4 to Bitton which was a fair reflection of the game as Gillingham totally ran out of steam and ideas after the restart.
Admittance £6.50 (like all Toolstation clubs free for Armed Forces), £2 for hard copy programme, £2.60 for a pasty and £1.50 for a very welcome half time tea (surprisingly cold for late April). Attendance 41 and the ground is very basic with a small stand on one side and a micro covered terrace behind one goal. Quite how long this level of football can be sustained given the apparent lack of interest from the town is open to question.
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Post by eppinggas on Apr 26, 2024 8:54:57 GMT
Gillingham Town vs Bitton AFC Toolstation Western Division 1 - Woodwater Lane. 3rd bottom vs 3rd top so on paper a bit of a mismatch. However first half was entertaining and even with home side just about shading it on balance of play and chances. Bitton went ahead after about 10 mins when a through ball found their CF in loads of space on the left, he cut inside and placed the ball into bottom left corner. This was shortly after one of their players hit the bar. Gillingham then hit the bar themselves from a thunderous shot from about 30 yards out which cannoned back off the woodwork. They got an eqauliser when a decent cross from the right was headed in from close range. Bitton took control in the second 45 and had the home side pinned in their own half for long periods. They took the lead with a goal that was disputed for offside when a deep ball forward was flicked on and ended up in the net. They scored a good third with a thumping header from a corner and wrapped things up in the final minute when home defence decided to play statues and Bitton CF was allowed to walk the ball round the keeper and then roll it into the unguarded net. Final score 1-4 to Bitton which was a fair reflection of the game as Gillingham totally ran out of steam and ideas after the restart. Admittance £6.50 (like all Toolstation clubs free for Armed Forces), £2 for hard copy programme, £2.60 for a pasty and £1.50 for a very welcome half time tea (surprisingly cold for late April). Attendance 41 and the ground is very basic with a small stand on one side and a micro covered terrace behind one goal. Quite how long this level of football can be sustained given the apparent lack of interest from the town is open to question. Fair play for getting midweek grass roots games in - particularly in the bitter cold of late April (which it shouldn't be)! Re: sustainability. I guess at this level (tier 9?) the players would have to play for free (maybe some expenses paid) and a small army of volunteers keep the Club alive. They must have overheads and bills to pay. I think it's so important to keep these local Clubs alive. I'd do a "thumbs up". If I knew how. |
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Post by Mrs V Smegma on Apr 26, 2024 10:34:21 GMT
This time of year there are loads of games - catch ups on postponements, play off semis and finals, cup competition finals etc so you could easily do a game every day of the week if you wanted to depending on how low a level you are prepared to watch.
Last night’s game was level 10 (step 6) as will be tonight’s fare of Hellenic League 1 play off final between Malmesbury Victoria and Sporting Club Inkberrow. The home side should win based on final league standing and having seen both sides previously but I have a sneaky feeling that the underdog may triumph tonight. I also think Oldie may be celebrating the Hellenic prem play off outcome next tues.
We will be dropping down to County league level next week in a bid to secure my Hammers supporting friend’s 100th game in a season. I reckon I will get to about half this. I really enjoy these games and going to small towns that we would otherwise pass by. Both of us are bored by prem/EFL though 50 of my friend’s games will have been West Ham ones and he is renewing his season ticket next year.
Level 7/8 (Southern League) is the sweet spot for value and quality in my opinion though I personally enjoy some of the games we see below this. I’m the one usually dragging my friend off to exotic places like Inkberrow or Ilfracombe as entitled prem fans think they have a right to higher quality football 🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂
In a couple of weeks time we can take a short breather and then begin the cycle all over again in July
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Post by Mrs V Smegma on Apr 26, 2024 23:07:26 GMT
Malmesbury Victoria vs Sporting Club Inkberrow - Hellenic L1 playoff final
Malmesbury is a pretty and small town in Wiltshire and Victoria’s amusingly named Flying Monk ground is both quirky and quaint. This was an excellent game and the quality displayed by both sides throughout belied their lowly status in football’s Pyramid. Both sides had good chances in an exciting first half but it was the home side who broke the deadlock on the half hour mark when a free kick was swung into the box from the left and was headed home from close range by the home CB. It was a pretty poor goal to concede. Inkberrow had some good chances , most notably when their no 9 who was a threat throughout was clean through with just keeper to beat and then had his shot blocked by a home defender who had tracked back.
Second half continued in the same vein but Inkberrow were now really taking the game to Victoria without having the luck of the bounce or quite being able to crack open the Vics defence. They conceded a sloppy second goal against the run of play when Vics sub wriggled through some unconvincing challenges to square the ball to 3 unmarked team mates, one of whom rounded the keeper and tucked the ball away.
Inkberrow made a couple of changes which improved them and 5 mins after conceding the second goal, their persistence paid off when diminutive winger Connor Stanley - arguably the best player on the night - burst between 2 defenders and netted. By now Inkberrow were throwing the kitchen sink at Victoria and the game threatened to boil over but stayed just the right side of hard but fair, but they just couldn't quite fashion another opening. Victoria held on and saw the game out to claim the right to play in Hellenic prem next season. They are a good side at this level and justice was done over the course of the season as they finished 17 points above Inkberrow but on the night the better team lost. I enjoyed this game more than any other this season and both sets of players were a credit to their clubs. The ref was pretty terrible but fortunately didn’t manage to ruin the game despite trying his best to. £5 to get in, £7 for a decent double cheeseburger and £1 for a hard copy programme. Attendance an impressive 504 and the ground felt pretty rammed. Tonight will have been a decent earner for Victoria. Both sides have some good players for this level including Inkberrow’s amusingly monikered Jay Higgins-Pugsley. My view based on all the games I’ve seen this season is that the Hellenic Lesgue teams are better than their Western league counterparts
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Post by eppinggas on Apr 27, 2024 10:13:22 GMT
Malmesbury Victoria vs Sporting Club Inkberrow - Hellenic L1 playoff final Malmesbury is a pretty and small town in Wiltshire and Victoria’s amusingly named Flying Monk ground is both quirky and quaint. This was an excellent game and the quality displayed by both sides throughout belied their lowly status in football’s Pyramid. Both sides had good chances in an exciting first half but it was the home side who broke the deadlock on the half hour mark when a free kick was swung into the box from the left and was headed home from close range by the home CB. It was a pretty poor goal to concede. Inkberrow had some good chances , most notably when their no 9 who was a threat throughout was clean through with just keeper to beat and then had his shot blocked by a home defender who had tracked back. Second half continued in the same vein but Inkberrow were now really taking the game to Victoria without having the luck of the bounce or quite being able to crack open the Vics defence. They conceded a sloppy second goal against the run of play when Vics sub wriggled through some unconvincing challenges to square the ball to 3 unmarked team mates, one of whom rounded the keeper and tucked the ball away. Inkberrow made a couple of changes which improved them and 5 mins after conceding the second goal, their persistence paid off when diminutive winger Connor Stanley - arguably the best player on the night - burst between 2 defenders and netted. By now Inkberrow were throwing the kitchen sink at Victoria and the game threatened to boil over but stayed just the right side of hard but fair, but they just couldn't quite fashion another opening. Victoria held on and saw the game out to claim the right to play in Hellenic prem next season. They are a good side at this level and justice was done over the course of the season as they finished 17 points above Inkberrow but on the night the better team lost. I enjoyed this game more than any other this season and both sets of players were a credit to their clubs. The ref was pretty terrible but fortunately didn’t manage to ruin the game despite trying his best to. £5 to get in, £7 for a decent double cheeseburger and £1 for a hard copy programme. Attendance an impressive 504 and the ground felt pretty rammed. Tonight will have been a decent earner for Victoria. Both sides have some good players for this level including Inkberrow’s amusingly monikered Jay Higgins-Pugsley. My view based on all the games I’ve seen this season is that the Hellenic Lesgue teams are better than their Western league counterparts Non-league play-offs are great entertainment (and value). By strange coincidence I saw this the other day... www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0w0rp10pzqo |
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eppinggas
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Ian Alexander
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Post by eppinggas on Apr 27, 2024 10:17:42 GMT
Malmesbury Victoria vs Sporting Club Inkberrow - Hellenic L1 playoff final Malmesbury is a pretty and small town in Wiltshire and Victoria’s amusingly named Flying Monk ground is both quirky and quaint. This was an excellent game and the quality displayed by both sides throughout belied their lowly status in football’s Pyramid. Both sides had good chances in an exciting first half but it was the home side who broke the deadlock on the half hour mark when a free kick was swung into the box from the left and was headed home from close range by the home CB. It was a pretty poor goal to concede. Inkberrow had some good chances , most notably when their no 9 who was a threat throughout was clean through with just keeper to beat and then had his shot blocked by a home defender who had tracked back. Second half continued in the same vein but Inkberrow were now really taking the game to Victoria without having the luck of the bounce or quite being able to crack open the Vics defence. They conceded a sloppy second goal against the run of play when Vics sub wriggled through some unconvincing challenges to square the ball to 3 unmarked team mates, one of whom rounded the keeper and tucked the ball away. Inkberrow made a couple of changes which improved them and 5 mins after conceding the second goal, their persistence paid off when diminutive winger Connor Stanley - arguably the best player on the night - burst between 2 defenders and netted. By now Inkberrow were throwing the kitchen sink at Victoria and the game threatened to boil over but stayed just the right side of hard but fair, but they just couldn't quite fashion another opening. Victoria held on and saw the game out to claim the right to play in Hellenic prem next season. They are a good side at this level and justice was done over the course of the season as they finished 17 points above Inkberrow but on the night the better team lost. I enjoyed this game more than any other this season and both sets of players were a credit to their clubs. The ref was pretty terrible but fortunately didn’t manage to ruin the game despite trying his best to. £5 to get in, £7 for a decent double cheeseburger and £1 for a hard copy programme. Attendance an impressive 504 and the ground felt pretty rammed. Tonight will have been a decent earner for Victoria. Both sides have some good players for this level including Inkberrow’s amusingly monikered Jay Higgins-Pugsley. My view based on all the games I’ve seen this season is that the Hellenic Lesgue teams are better than their Western league counterparts Non-league play-offs are great entertainment (and value). By strange coincidence I saw this the other day... www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0w0rp10pzqoI had pencilled in Canvey Island for a new ground this afternoon. The word "play-offs" jogged my feeble memory. Off to Wormley Rovers vs Clapton Community FC Thurlow Nunn Division 1 south POSF (by coincidence I saw the league fixture, first game of the 2023-24 season). |
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Post by Mrs V Smegma on Apr 27, 2024 23:42:28 GMT
Nimby tossers in Inkberrow village it would seem. Quite how having a couple of small stands will increase traffic is beyond me.
Forest Green Rovers vs Notts County EFL league 2 today at the New Lawn Stadium.
Decided to do this one as my regular groundhopping companion was at the London Stadium and I have never been able to get tickets when we have played them. Not a great watch tbh but I have seen worse. County had all the possession but did bugger all with it. They were quite lop sided too preferring to send everything down the right when tricky winger Jodi Jones was often in acres of space. It was odd how they did not give him more of the ball.
Chances were few and far between and FGR took the only clear one of the game with about 15 mins to go. Some truly awful defending ended up with a shot from inside the box which County keeper did well to stop but could only parry to midfielder Charlie McCann who rammed home the rebound. Interesting to see Macaulay Langstaff who does pick up good central pockets of space and isn't easily knocked off the ball. He was absolutely starved of service though despite County having almost 70% possession. He’d feel right at home here. Didn’t think Christian Doidge was up to much on this showing and Matt Stevens was only given a 3 minute cameo so impossible to judge him. I like the look of both Langstaff and Jones but according to County fans the latter is returning to Coventry and they think they will get a 7 figure sum for the former.
Glad to have done this one as I can’t see FGR bouncing back to the EFL.
£24 entrance, £3 for the park and ride bus. Avoided the vegan food and there was no programme because FGR are “a sustainable club”. Att 3610 about a third of whom were county fans.
Ground is a pain in the arse to get out of and it took me an hour to get back to the park and ride despite being among the first out of the ground
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eppinggas
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Ian Alexander
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Post by eppinggas on Apr 28, 2024 8:02:31 GMT
Nimby tossers in Inkberrow village it would seem. Quite how having a couple of small stands will increase traffic is beyond me. Forest Green Rovers vs Notts County EFL league 2 today at the New Lawn Stadium. Decided to do this one as my regular groundhopping companion was at the London Stadium and I have never been able to get tickets when we have played them. Not a great watch tbh but I have seen worse. County had all the possession but did bugger all with it. They were quite lop sided too preferring to send everything down the tight when tricky winger Jodi Jones was often in acres of space. It was odd how they did not give him more of the ball. Chances were few and far between and FGR took the only clear one of the game with about 15 mins to go. Some truly awful defending ended up with a shot from inside the box which County keeper did well to stop but could only parry to midfielder Charlie McCann who rammed home the rebound. Interesting to see Macaulay Langstaff who does pick up good central pockets of space and isn't easily knocked off the ball. He was absolutely starved of service though despite County having almost 70% possession. He’d feel right at home here. Didn’t think Christian Doidge was up to much on this showing and Matt Stevens was only given a 3 minute cameo so impossible to judge him. I like the look of both Langstaff and Jones but according to County fans the latter is returning to Coventry and they think they will get a 7 figure sum for the former. Glad to have done this one as I can’t see FGR bouncing back to the EFL. £24 entrance, £3 for the park and ride bus. Avoided the vegan food and there was no programme because FGR are “a sustainable club”. Att 3610 about a third of whom were county fans. Ground is a pain in the arse to get out of and it took me an hour to get back to the park and ride despite being among the first out of the ground £27 to watch very average football, in tier 4, and you can't even get in and out the ground. I would imagine this fixture does not perform well in 'value for money' league table... |
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Post by Mrs V Smegma on Apr 28, 2024 8:25:34 GMT
Definitely not Epping. No love lost from County fans on FGR being relegated either. The ground is simply in the wrong place for the level of football it is supporting and I imagine the clubs ethos whilst admirable imho drives cost up too.
Personally I’ve no axe to grind with them and have found their fan base to be friendly rather than twattish like Yeovil and I like that they have their own identity and are a bit different. Wanted to do it even if this will only boost my 92 drive for an insanely short time. It will help my National league stats too.
Can’t think I will be rushing back there again though….
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