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Post by Mrs V Smegma on Aug 14, 2024 23:02:06 GMT
Clevedon Town vs Portishead Town - Toolstation Western League Prem at the Everyone Active Hand Stadium.
Clevedon were losing play off finalists last season whilst Portishead ran away with the Division 1 title. This local derby was the first time the two sides played each other in a league encounter for over 50 years and the first time they have ever met in the Western league.
Home side created the better opportunities in the first half with a couple of good long ranges efforts which either drew a decent save from Possett keeper or whistled over the top. Both teams pretty much cancelled each other out until about 20 mins to go when Clevedon took the lead in fortuitous circumstances. Right back Oscar Bridgeman burst down the wing took a touch too far away from goal bur fired in a cross which took a large deflection to land at the feet of their no 11 who could not miss from a few yards out. The visitors equalised almost immediately with another huge slice of luck. Home defender handled just outside the box and resultant free kick was hammered into the wall and span into the net with home keeper totally wrong footed. Clevedon still had the better chances with some slick quick passing moves looking great until breaking down when they reached the box. Final score 1-1 and not a brilliant game tbh.
Admittance £6, £2 for hardcopy programme, £3 for sausages and chips and £1 for a tea. Pretty good value overall even if the game itself wasn’t brilliant. Attendance an impressive 462 for this level
Lots to like about Clevedon. They have a wonderful mural on the wall behind one of the goals that was created by local artists and tells the story of the club. Their stadium is decent for this level with a really nice stand down one side and covered terracing down the other. It could easily support a higher tier of football and is better than some conference grounds i’ve been to. The club have also been really generous in supporting a good friend of mine with his first published book on European groundhopping - helping him organise and host a book launch in the town in the summer. They are also threatening to produce a retro kit from their past - chocolate and sky blue quarters. I don’t buy other team’s kits as a point of principle but will make an exception if this one happens as it will be unique and a real talking point.
I wish them well for the coming season and hope they regain their Southern League status which they relinquished in 2015. A local side I have a soft spot for. I think ex Rovers director Barry Bradshaw was a director here too for a few seasons
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Post by eppinggas on Aug 16, 2024 10:29:50 GMT
Clevedon Town vs Portishead Town - Toolstation Western League Prem at the Everyone Active Hand Stadium. Clevedon were losing play off finalists last season whilst Portishead ran away with the Division 1 title. This local derby was the first time the two sides played each other in a league encounter for over 50 years and the first time they have ever met in the Western league. Home side created the better opportunities in the first half with a couple of good long ranges efforts which either drew a decent save from Possett keeper or whistled over the top. Both teams pretty much cancelled each other out until about 20 mins to go when Clevedon took the lead in fortuitous circumstances. Right back Oscar Bridgeman burst down the wing took a touch too far away from goal bur fired in a cross which took a large deflection to land at the feet of their no 11 who could not miss from a few yards out. The visitors equalised almost immediately with another huge slice of luck. Home defender handled just outside the box and resultant free kick was hammered into the wall and span into the net with home keeper totally wrong footed. Clevedon still had the better chances with some slick quick passing moves looking great until breaking down when they reached the box. Final score 1-1 and not a brilliant game tbh. Admittance £6, £2 for hardcopy programme, £3 for sausages and chips and £1 for a tea. Pretty good value overall even if the game itself wasn’t brilliant. Attendance an impressive 462 for this level Lots to like about Clevedon. They have a wonderful mural on the wall behind one of the goals that was created by local artists and tells the story of the club. Their stadium is decent for this level with a really nice stand down one side and covered terracing down the other. It could easily support a higher tier of football and is better than some conference grounds i’ve been to. The club have also been really generous in supporting a good friend of mine with his first published book on European groundhopping - helping him organise and host a book launch in the town in the summer. They are also threatening to produce a retro kit from their past - chocolate and sky blue quarters. I don’t buy other team’s kits as a point of principle but will make an exception if this one happens as it will be unique and a real talking point. I wish them well for the coming season and hope they regain their Southern League status which they relinquished in 2015. A local side I have a soft spot for. I think ex Rovers director Barry Bradshaw was a director here too for a few seasons £6 for step 5 is good value. Would be interested in details of the European ground hopping book. Off to Baden-Baden next month...
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Post by Mrs V Smegma on Aug 16, 2024 19:25:46 GMT
Will publish a link to Dave’s book as soon as it is out there. He is doing some final quality checks and has already tweaked it a few times from first proofs. I am looking forward to getting my hands on a copy as the photos he takes are excellent. At his book launch in Clevedon he took us through some of the photos, the history of the grounds and why they have been selected for inclusion. It was a really interesting couple of hours, topped by watching a short film at the Curzon about the Clevedon mural.
Dave’s mission was to see a game in every UEFA country - amazingly if I heard Dave correctly covering 4 different continents.
Enjoy Baden Baden and I look forward to the write up.
New York Stadium for me tomorrow (only ever done Millmoor) and then FK Bokelj in Montenegro the following sunday
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Post by eppinggas on Aug 18, 2024 8:28:45 GMT
Enfield Town 1 Weston-super-Mare 0. National League South. Glory hunting on my first game of the season at the giddy heights of step 2. Just one junction on the M25, easy to get to, loads of free parking. Enfield were promoted via the play-offs last season and this was their first home game at this level. Enfield Town is a supporter owned Club formed in 2001 and now a division above 'the original' Enfield FC - who look like they are moving in the opposite direction. Weston were originally formed in 1887, disbanded and re-formed either side of the two world wars. Their claim to fame is that in their first 132 years, they were never relegated. Noted former player Ollie Watkins (on loan, 10 goals in 24). Notable current player Reuben Reid. Enfield play at the art deco, listed Queen Elizabeth stadium, but they are now calling it the Dave Bryant Stadium, which sounds less grand. Enfield in white tops blue shorts, Weston in yellow. Weston took control early on and dominated possession. Enfield were only edged out 2-1 away to Torquay away in their first outing, but they looked miles of the pace in the first half here. They hung on though. Some poor delivery from Weston in the final third and a few desperate Enfield blocks keeping the score level. Late on in the first half and a rare trip towards the Weston goal, a stupid lunge in the box - penalty. No complaints. 1-0 Enfield and I jumped into the short bar queue for HT refreshments. Second half Enfield looked a bit more composed on the ball and for 15 minutes or so looked the better side. Last half hour it was all Weston. But again the final ball was lacking. They rarely shot when they had the chance. Tippy tappy around the box until Enfield got a boot in and the opportunity was lost. A draw would probably have been a fair result, but Enfield come away with their first win in the Conference South. Only a couple of yellows. Officials did well. Enfield manager a bit gobby. Entrance: £15. 36 page programme £3 (bit toppy, mostly adverts, but some good articles). 2 pints of Cruzcampo £11. So all in all £29. As you approach the £30 mark, feels a bit more like you're a customer - rather than a supporter of grass roots football. They were charging £1 for the team sheet - a piece of A4 ffs! I am a tight arse though. I guess this is the problem with supporter owned Clubs who climb the pyramid - someone has to foot the bill for the increased overheads the higher you go. Attendance: 769 (tbc). Attachments:
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Post by eppinggas on Aug 25, 2024 15:53:06 GMT
Weston-super-Mare 2 Chelmsford City 0 (National League South). Having watched Weston at Enfield Town the previous week... by a strange set of circumstances I found myself in Weston at 2:15pm on Saturday... The ground is a long way from the busy sea front on the Somerset riviera. So not quite sure why I had to pay £2 to park my car in a field. £16 entry. £3 programme. But at least the team sheet was free (unlike last week). The rain had swept through earlier and the afternoon was blue skies, but with a strong westerly blowing across the pitch. One big stand behind the goal. Some seats along one side of the pitch, but most people content to stand. Quite a few beer and food outlets, no queues. £5:80 was steep for a San Miguel - but it was Weston-s-M branded glass and I 'think' you get a refund if you take the glass back. I kept mine. A game of little quality as both sides battled with the conditions. Both sets of management let themselves down. Constant swearing and abuse of the officials. It started early on with the Weston Manager & Assistant. Pathetic behaviour from allegedly 'grown men'. I think only the Chelmsford Ass. Manager was booked - though they all should have been. Chelmsford did get the ball into the net around 40mins, but it was ruled out for off-side. 0-0 at HT. Defences on top. Chelmsford probably the better side, but 0-0 a pretty accurate reflection of the quality on show. . Around 10 minutes into the 2nd half Weston had swift counter and a 1 on 1 which the keeper just managed to keep out. A few substitutions livened up Weston and they were gaining a bit of a foothold. The opener came from a bit of quality Reuben Reid assist, McCootie scored. Even home supporters felt it was well off-side, but 1-0 Weston. Chelmsford were spurred into action, pushed forward, left holes at the back and Reuben Reid tucked home on 80 minutes from a counter attack. More pressure from Chelmsford, but rarely threatened the Weston goal. Quite a lot of time wasting from Weston at the end and a fair few injuries. Final whistle after 5pm. Chelmsford probably brought along 40-50? A few of them seemed a bit gobby. Not a great advert for the National League south to be honest. I'll probably revert to my favoured steps 3-5 in future. Entry: £16. £2 to park?!? Programme £3. San Miguel £5.80. Attendance: 902. Didn't look that many. Maybe they were sheltering out of the wind. Attachments:
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Post by Mrs V Smegma on Aug 25, 2024 18:52:10 GMT
Double header from Montenegro today
Pt 1 OFK Grbalj vs FK Lovcen a localish derby of sorts, home side bing really close to the apartment we are staying in and visitors from the town of Cetinje some 40 miles west.
Caught the second half on spec as kick off for my planned match (Bokelj) was shifted back an hour. Free entrance to the uncovered stand along one side of the pitch though there are plenty of free vantage points around the ground anyway. My new best friend G Translate helped me discover that at the start of the second half it was 0-0 and the home side were playing in Unterhaching kit of red shirts and blue shorts albeit with white socks instead of blue so I was kind of rooting for them. Predictably though they fell apart in the second half.
Their LB had a terrible time and gone done on the outside 3 times before being subbed . The goals that followed were also in part due to a defence that appeared to be non existent at key moments. First goal cross from right, unmarked forward who leaped into the air and steered the ball on the volley past keeper. Second goal left back done like a kipper, defence backs off inviting forward to shoot and he has plenty of time to pick out the corner of the net. Third goal LB again done, ball across the box straight to feet of LW who also has time and space to pick his spot. Grbalj missed a couple of presentable chances but Lovcen got a 4th in predictable manner as replacement LB was rounded and centred ball fell to the feet of an unmarked away player. Grbalj’s humiliation was topped with ten minutes to go when one of their subs was shown a straight red for a needless of the ball kick at a Lovcen player. It was petulant but not particularly threatening. Interesting to see what the ref blew for and let go. Plenty of sniper in the crowd fouls given but an agricultural challenge which totally flattened a Lovcen player went unpunished as did a couple of episodes of Lovcen players deliberately yeeting the ball away to prevent quick free kicks being taken - automatic yellow in UK.
Final score 0-4. Guessing attendance about 150.
Talking to my neighbour at the Bokelj game, Grbalj are limited because Tivat airport won’t let them have floodlights as the ground is bang under the approach path to the airport. They also have no money so cannot afford better players and have to sell their best to survive. I am currently watching one play for Bokelj and he looks an exciting bag of tricks. Report on that game to follow shortly
Edit - standard is about what I’ve seen at Southern League level
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Post by Mrs V Smegma on Aug 26, 2024 0:58:17 GMT
So on to second game of the evening - FK Bokelj vs Sutjeska - Montenegrin League 1 in Bokelj’s extremely photogenic Stadion pod Vrmcem in the pretty town of Kotor. Arrived in good time, walked around one side of the ground ( with amazing free views) and got to the entrance on the other side to join a large queue which was not moving. Started to panic and thought I would be watching from one of the free viewpoints when the crowd started to subside. Fortunately it was only the Rozzers frisking everyone on the way in - not sure why as I saw no hint of trouble despite Sutjeska having a large contingent of noisy ultras there.
The only place to watch the game at Bokelj is on the single unsegregated seated terracing that runs along one whole side of the pitch. According to Wiki it accommodates about 2000 so given the ground was pretty packed I'd guess attendance was about 1800.
Home side made all the running in the first half and carved out at least 4 clear chances that they proceeded to squander. Sutjeska hardly had a sniff in first 45 and Bokelj should really have been out of sight. 0-0 at half time.
Second 45 started in the same vein with more Bokelj chances and profligacy and then you know the script - long ball out wide on the left, whipped in cross, glancing header and 1-0 to the visitors. Worse followed seconds later when a corner was turned in with ease from just inside the near post - a really soft goal to concede. Bokelj continued to make and waste chances and in added time the visitors rubbed salt into the wounds by scoring a third when home defence were caught on the break still vainly pursuing something to salvage their evening. Final score a massively flattering 3-0 to the visitors which was daylight robbery given the chances Bokelj created. Stand out player was their right winger Vasilije Cavor whom they recruited from L2 neighbours Grbalj. He really is a bag of tricks, pacy and direct and although clearly prefers his right, can use both feet. I liked the fact that he switched from right to left flank and was almost equally as effective there. Don’t be surprised if he pops up at a bigger club in one of the stronger european leagues. I think he would look good in the quarters. As expected , there was quite a delta in standard between L2 and L1. I think Bokelj would give us a good challenge, but maybe with defensive weaknesses that we could exploit. Unbelievably entrance was free so excellent value for money even with the €3.60 I had to pay for parking. An excellent way to round off an excellent week in Montenegro
Some Cavor highlights.
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Post by eppinggas on Aug 27, 2024 6:52:45 GMT
A Montenegro double header certainly raises the 'niche football report' stakes. Makes me more determined to make the trip to Eisenhuttenstadt happen this year...
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Post by Mrs V Smegma on Aug 31, 2024 23:40:14 GMT
Westbury United vs AFC Totton FA cup 1st Qualifying round at Platinum Hyundai Park
Southern L1 vs big spending Southern Prem league leaders who featured ex Gas loanee Scott Rendell and new signing ex premier league forward Charlie Austin in their ranks.
Both sides had early chances, with Totton hitting the post from a header and a shot from distance excellently tipped over the bar by home keeper Johnny Hill. Totton had almost all the possession but Westbury took the lead with their first serious attack. An incisive burst through the middle was finished in style by home RW. Totton had all the ball now but were creating very little and Westbury were content to soak up the pressure and hit them on the break through their two pacy and skilful wingers, with LW Marcel Lewis particularly catching the eye. 1-0 at HT
Second half continued in the same vein and ten mins in home side extended their lead direct from a corner which Totton keeper flapped into his own net. 10 mins later a quick burst down the left, Lewis cuts inside and calmly finishes inside the far post. Totton are starting to panic by now and throwing everything at the Westbury defence who held firm. Keeper Hill was in fine form and pulled off a string of fine saves, one in particular from an almost point blank range header which he pushed over the bar being the pick of them. With about 5 mins left on the clock Totton grabbed what proved to be no more than a consolation. A whipped in cross from the right was looped back into the opposite corner of the net by Rendell who aside from this had a poor game. Austin was awful. Westbury comfortably saw out the remaining few minutes to record a famous victory and progress to the furthest stage of the cup that they have been to. Final score a deserved 3-1 victory for Westbury. Serves Totton right for the blatant unpunished trip by their manager on Mustapha Carayol as he was flying down the wing in the televised FA cup 6-1 thrashing we inflicted on them in 2011.
Nice set up at Westbury with plenty of space to improve. There are 3 small covered stands - two behind one goal and one on the halfway line all of which would benefit from demolition and rebuild. It is also cool that you can see the white horse chalk figure behind one end whilst play is in progress. £10 entrance, £1 hard copy programme, £3.50 for a Pukka Pie and £1.20 for a tea. Attendance an impressive 428. I seem to be a lucky omen for Westbury as I’ve seen them 3 times now and they have won them all. They are well organised and have some tidy players. Keeper Hill and CB Aaron Cockerill are decent at that level but LW Lewis was the one who caught my eye. He is young and a product of the Chippenham acadenmy. One I’d want to keep tabs on.
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Post by eppinggas on Sept 1, 2024 7:57:18 GMT
Witham Town 1 Sheringham 0. FA Cup 1st Qualifying round. Out in the wilds of Essex to Witham (sort of inbetween Chelmsford and Braintree). Witham are step 4 and Sheringham step 5. A very odd set up at Witham. Gained entry to the ground at 2:35pm, time for a pint. Nope. To access the bar you have to go back out through the turnstiles and round to the main entrance. Decent bar area, but with no access to the ground. Eh? Anyway, had a pint. No sign of a programme (paper or otherwise). An easterly breeeze meant it was decidedly chilly for August. The ground is quite barren. 2 small stands, covered terrace most the way round, but all a bit of a corrugated iron / meccano set feel to it. The London - Colchester trains regularly just behind one of the terraces behind the goal. Must be very bleak mid-winter. A very dry pitch and a bit bobbly. Witham white shirts blue shorts vs Sheringham in all red. Sheringham (The Shannocks) formed in 1897, a wiki entry reveals very little of note in their history. I know it has a nice upmarket beach though. Witham didn't take long to assert control and pin Sheringham back in their half. Witham hit the post and it all looked like a very one-sided affair. However HT 0-0. Second half the same story as it looked like men against boys. Then I overheard a conversation and it transpired that only one of the Sheringham starting XI was over 20. So it was quite literally men against boys. A bit of a kerfuffle just outside the Witham dugout saw a red card branded to the Ass. Manager. It was discussed quite loudly later by him... apparently a Witham player had called the lino a CU next tuesday. Lino flagged. Ref said "whodunnit"? And to avoid going down to 10 men the Ass. Manager said it was him. He is not expecting to pay the FA fine. Anyway the pressure told and finally Witham scored - placed low to the keepers left from the edge of the box. More Witham pressure, but no more goals. In fact Witham eased up and nearly conceded an equalizer late on from a long ball over the top. Would have been daylight robbery though and could easily have ended up 5 or 6 nil, but 1-0 enough to see Witham through. Unlikely to get through to Wembley though. Entrance £10. No programme. 2 pints of Morreti £9.80. (Had to round up a card payment to £5, the other £4.80 with 'cash'.) Attendance: 181 Attachments:
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Post by eppinggas on Sept 1, 2024 8:24:38 GMT
Westbury United vs AFC Totton FA cup 1st Qualifying round at Platinum Hyundai Park Southern L1 vs big spending Southern Prem league leaders who featured ex Gas loanee Scott Rendell and new signing ex premier league forward Charlie Austin in their ranks. Both sides had early chances, with Totton hitting the post from a header and a shot from distance excellently tipped over the bar by home keeper Johnny Hill. Totton had almost all the possession but Westbury took the lead with their first serious attack. An incisive burst through the middle was finished in style by home RW. Totton had all the ball now but were creating very little and Westbury were content to soak up the pressure and hit them on the break through their two pacy and skilful wingers, with LW Marcel Lewis particularly catching the eye. 1-0 at HT Second half continued in the same vein and ten mins in home side extended their lead direct from a corner which Totton keeper flapped into his own net. 10 mins later a quick burst down the left, Lewis cuts inside and calmly finishes inside the far post. Totton are starting to panic by now and throwing everything at the Westbury defence who held firm. Keeper Hill was in fine form and pulled off a string of fine saves, one in particular from an almost point blank range header which he pushed over the bar being the pick of them. With about 5 mins left on the clock Totton grabbed what proved to be no more than a consolation. A whipped in cross from the right was looped back into the opposite corner of the net by Rendell who aside from this had a poor game. Austin was awful. Westbury comfortably saw out the remaining few minutes to record a famous victory and progress to the furthest stage of the cup that they have been to. Final score a deserved 3-1 victory for Westbury. Serves Totton right for the blatant unpunished trip by their manager on Mustapha Carayol as he was flying down the wing in the televised FA cup 6-1 thrashing we inflicted on them in 2011.Nice set up at Westbury with plenty of space to improve. There are 3 small covered stands - two behind one goal and one on the halfway line all of which would benefit from demolition and rebuild. It is also cool that you can see the white horse chalk figure behind one end whilst play is in progress. £10 entrance, £1 hard copy programme, £3.50 for a Pukka Pie and £1.20 for a tea. Attendance an impressive 428. I seem to be a lucky omen for Westbury as I’ve seen them 3 times now and they have won them all. They are well organised and have some tidy players. Keeper Hill and CB Aaron Cockerill are decent at that level but LW Lewis was the one who caught my eye. He is young and a product of the Chippenham acadenmy. One I’d want to keep tabs on. Well born grudge Sir!
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Post by eppinggas on Sept 8, 2024 9:02:49 GMT
Hullbridge Sports 1 Buckhurst Hill 0 (Essex Senior League step 5). A 50 minute drive to Hullbridge - sort of between Chelmsford and Southend. It is very badly sign-posted from the A130 and Google directions bailed me out. Hullbridge were formed after WWII. Established by the owner of the Anchor Inn - the original Hullbridge shirt matched the colours of the pub flag - green and gold quarters. Sadly that has been abandoned and they now play in blue & white stripes, vs Buckhurst Hill (The Stags) in their away shirts red & white stripes. Big car park. 2 small stands as you enter the ground and a large well equipped clubhouse. One covered terrace behind one end, rest of the ground uncovered. A crisp pint of Staropramen and kick off. Overcast, with hardly a breath of wind. A very dry bumpy pitch. Stags settled quickly and were in control most of the first half. Their No.10 was causing problems, but Hullbridge hung on. Around 30mins in and a good cut-back from the Stags had the ball on the edge of the 6 yard box - surely he couldn't miss. He missed, the ball flashing the wrong side of the post. Stags did get the ball into the net around the 40 minute mark, but it was ruled off-side, and no complaints. Well apart from the Stags Manager who I remember from previous games keeps up a constant barrage of criticism against the officials and his own side. The officials did very well. I really don't know what his problem is. Second half Hullbridge stepped it up and looked the more likely to score. They also had a goal ruled out for off-side, and again no disputes. An open game, quite physical, but played in good spirit. The officials were very good. As the game headed deep into injury time it looked like a 'very good 0-0' kind of game. But no. A hopeful long ball from Hullbridge had a forward chasing a lost cause. As the ball approached the byline in the box it bobbled, there was a gentle coming together with the keeper and basically the forward fell over. Penalty?!? You what Ref?!? The home supporters actually started laughing. The officials had 95 minutes in total control and no mistakes and then this? It was an absolute howler of a decision. Hullbridge tucked the penalty away, and 2 mins later full time. I am not sure if the Stags manager spontaneously combusted or not. Entry: £8. £1 for a small but perfectly adequate programme. 2 pints of Staropramen £10. Attendance: 141 A lot to like about the Hullbridge set up. If you can find it.
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Post by Mrs V Smegma on Sept 12, 2024 15:53:22 GMT
Off to FC U Criova 1948 vs Unirea Ungheni tonight - Romanian 2 liga. Impressive futuristic stadium - supposedly 5th biggest in Romania. Wondering if will be a few 000 rattling around in it. Overnight sleeper train to Moldova and planning to visit FC Victoria Chisinau on Sat
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Post by Mrs V Smegma on Sept 12, 2024 21:24:46 GMT
As suspected guessing crowd tonight was about 1000 - 200 of which were from visitors Ungheni rattling around in the 30K+ capacity Ion Oblemenco Stadium, supposedly the 5th biggest in Romania. A stadium even more ill fitting for the club playing there than the ludicrous Reynolds Arena Darlington used to play in. Pretty low quality game with neither side really deserving to win. Craiova took the lead in the 10th minute when a cross from the right was flicked onto the head of a completely unmarked home player who really couldn’t miss from about 5 yards out. It was a shockingly bad goal defensively. Both sides created and wasted good opportunities through poor finishing mostly headers or tame shots straight at either keeper. Arguably the visitors created the better ones but neither keeper had a difficult save to make.
Lead was extended with about 15 mins to go with another terrible defensive show. Free kick from the left was placed right onto the head of giant CB who again was totally unmarked 5 yards out and could not miss. 2-0 then to Craiova. No player stood out for skill and quality but Craiova do have two of the shortest players I’ve ever seen. The Romanian one was quite effective but we did laugh at his little legs going like hummingbird wings to keep up with everyone else on the pitch. I reckon he might just about fitted inside a dalek.
The stadium itself is very impressive and futuristic and we had great seats on the halfway line for 20 RON each (about £3.30). Home fans did make a bit of noise but it was pretty lost given the empty seats around the small pocket of them. Craiova seem to have a bit of a chequered history and there are two rival clubs in the city who lay claim to be the heirs to a previous iteration of Universitat Craiova. Wiki did not give me any info on the visitors though they seem to be from a small town north of Craiova. This was the only league game on during our time here so Hobson’s choice. Glad to have done it for the ground but wouldn’t rush back for the footy which I don’t think was as good as Montenegro prem. Craiova is also a town that actually does merit the s**thole song unlike the rest of the country. Hoping that Saturday’s game in Chisinau is better fare
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Post by eppinggas on Sept 13, 2024 10:03:51 GMT
I'm going to struggle to keep up with the standard of these 'niche' football matches. Flying to Baden-Baden tomorrow, then an hour on the train to catch SC Freiburg vs VfL Bochum. Tickets only released for general sale this morning, procured a terrace spot for 22 Euros. My back up was VfL Mannheim, but that got moved to Friday night. Second back up was Buhlertal FC in the back end of nowhere! (But where England trained in the 2006 World Cup). Freiburger FC (German National football champions in 1907) vs Durbachtal down in tier 6 of the Verbandsliga Südbaden on Sunday.
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Post by Mrs V Smegma on Sept 14, 2024 18:12:15 GMT
FC Victoria vs Speranta Drochia Moldovan L1 (2nd tier).
This definitely is niche even by my recent standards. 2nd vs 1st, at the grandiose sounding Joma Arena - a ground with one small covered bank of seats down one side and capacity of 2000 and nothing else. Standard of the football was about Bristol Suburban L3 if that. Home side made all the early running and took the lead with a simple goal - good ball played out wide to the left. Inch perfect cross onto the head of CF who headed back across goal into the left hand corner. They extended their lead shortly after when a quick raid forward was finished by one of their midfielders. Both sides created chances - most notably a Drochia long range effort which clipped the bar. They got back into the game with a rare home defensive error which left several players on the overlap, a quick pass out to their bunter in midfield and he lashed a shot into the top of the net. Victoria got a third just before the break when a corner from the right was headed in by a totally unmarked player. 3-1 then at half time.
Almost immediately after the break it became 4-1 when Drochia keeper treated a routine catch as if the ball were a wet bar of soap, popped it up and over his head leaving the Victoria player with the easiest tap in from a yard out he will ever have in his life - even the scaly thing couldn’t have missed it. Victoria had several good chances to extend their lead including a thumping free kick that came back off the post but the game petered out with a 4-1 home win. Comedy moment of the match was the Drochia subs warm up routine which they appeared to have lifted straight from the lead in to the Teletubbies. Att 13 (I counted them all) including 2 very soggy Brits. It’s been raining stair rods here in Chisinau all day and the only way this game survived was because it was on an artificial pitch. I swear one of the 13 was an old guy with a beard and plans for a large wooden boat tucked under his arm. They let us in free at the ground. No idea if this is normal or if it was because they were sorry for us looking like drowned rats. Great experience and pleased to have another niche groundhopping country notch on my belt
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Post by Mrs V Smegma on Sept 14, 2024 18:13:40 GMT
I'm going to struggle to keep up with the standard of these 'niche' football matches. Flying to Baden-Baden tomorrow, then an hour on the train to catch SC Freiburg vs VfL Bochum. Tickets only released for general sale this morning, procured a terrace spot for 22 Euros. My back up was VfL Mannheim, but that got moved to Friday night. Second back up was Buhlertal FC in the back end of nowhere! (But where England trained in the 2006 World Cup). Freiburger FC (German National football champions in 1907) vs Durbachtal down in tier 6 of the Verbandsliga Südbaden on Sunday. Not really a contest Epping. Enjoy reading your write ups wherever you go as we seem to move in geographically different circles
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eppinggas
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Ian Alexander
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Post by eppinggas on Sept 16, 2024 8:51:04 GMT
September 14th. Bundesliga. SC Freiburg 2 VfL Bochum 1. An early cheap flight from Stansted to Baden-Baden/Karlsruhe. Longish wait for a bus to Baden-Baden train station. Just missed a 'cheap' train, had to wait for an ICE train - which is twice as quick and twice as expensive. Anyway 40 Euros and I'm at Freiburg for 1pm. Followed the crowd to a tram and a 15 minute trip to the Europa Park stadium to the north of Freiburg. No bars or pop-up bars en route to the 10 minute walk to the game?!? Easy entry to the ground to be greeted by literally dozens of food & drink outlets. All well staffed. Hardly any queues, even at half time. Beer (Rothaus Pils, 5.1%) a very reasonable 5 Euros a half litre. The mandatory bratwust 4.5 Euros. I only managed to get tickets the day before - courtesy of the secondary re-sale market (not sure why they would leave general sale to the very last minute)? The ground is a little soulless, a relatively new 34k capacity concrete structure. The south end is a big terrace where I had my ticket. Another pocket of terracing on the north side - one for home, one for away supporters. The 'posh' seats didn't look 100% full. Bochum didn't quite sell all their allocation. Not a hint of trouble, Bochum fans mingling with Freiburg on the concourse. Great atmosphere on the terrace, which was full ages before kick off. An older couple had allowed me to squeeze off of the gangway for a great view. A very high energy game with both sides employing a high press. Freiburg more on the front foot and had a number of chances which they failed to convert. Late in the 1st half a rare Bochum attack and they had an overlap on their left as they attacked the South terrace. A ball whipped in and Boadu clinically tucked it away. Then a Freiburg mistake in mid-field and the Freiburg keeper is miles off his line, Miyoshi struck from his own half and the keeper scrambled back to just hook it clear off of the line and spare his blushes. 1-0 to Bochum at the interval and very much against the run of play. Half time beer and reclaimed my space. Freiburg kept up the pressure and it finally told. Adamu broke through, had a 1 on 1 with the keeper and he smashed it home in front of the south terrace to the keepers top left. More pressure ensued and after a Freiburg corner the ball pinged around the box and finally bundled in, again by Adamu. Another late Freiburg goal ruled out (quickly) by VAR right at the end of the game. Quick visit to the washroom facilities post game. Civilised queue and spotless. German efficiency and all that. A 15 minute walk to the Sbahn and whizzed back to Freiburg station. Then a walk back through the very picturesque cobbled streets of Old Town to the Schwabentor (historic gate} to the City. Walked up the hill to an excellent vantage point and found a bier garten overlooking the City. Enjoyed a couple of pints of Furstenburg lager and watched the sun go down over the Rhine valley. Yes, twas a good day. Entrance: 22 Euros. Programme available - but quite big and my German is sub-optimal. 3 X Bier 5 Euros each, Bratwurst 4.5 Euros. Free local public transport on game day. Note the entry price is LESS than a number of National League charge. Madness. Attendance: 34,100
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eppinggas
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Ian Alexander
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Post by eppinggas on Sept 16, 2024 8:52:46 GMT
I'm going to struggle to keep up with the standard of these 'niche' football matches. Flying to Baden-Baden tomorrow, then an hour on the train to catch SC Freiburg vs VfL Bochum. Tickets only released for general sale this morning, procured a terrace spot for 22 Euros. My back up was VfL Mannheim, but that got moved to Friday night. Second back up was Buhlertal FC in the back end of nowhere! (But where England trained in the 2006 World Cup). Freiburger FC (German National football champions in 1907) vs Durbachtal down in tier 6 of the Verbandsliga Südbaden on Sunday. Not really a contest Epping. Enjoy reading your write ups wherever you go as we seem to move in geographically different circles I should have added a smiley face to my initial comment. Sounds like you were lucky to escape the really heavy rain in central Europe. I would have to say that Moldova League 2 is niche on a whole new level!
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eppinggas
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Ian Alexander
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Post by eppinggas on Sept 16, 2024 10:22:33 GMT
September 15th. Freiburger FC 2 SC Durbachtal 0. Verbandsliga Sudbaden (tier 6). Freiburger were once the dominant force in Freiburg - German national champions in 1907. Oh, they have fallen a long way. Formed in 1897 they were still in tier 2 in the early 80's. SC Freiburg passed them in that decade and down the leagues Freibuger FC went. They now play at the Dietenbachpark, to the west of the City. Before the game some sight-seeing and a climb up the hills. Stunning panoramic views from the Aussichtsturm Schlossberg (155 step tower). Back into town and Tramline 3 drops you to the south of the park and it's a 10 minute stroll to the stadion. There is no sign of life. Is there actually going to be a game on? "Stadion" is a bit of a stretch. The Roskopf Arena has a grass pitch and cover from the elements, and references to Freibuger FC past. Quaint. Nice. But. They actually play on the artificial pitch adjacent. I dislike artificial pitches. Particularly when they are in a cage. An hour before kick off and still very little sign of life. Finally a trickle of people start to arrive. 7 Euros entrance, and a complimentary programme covering the next 4 games for the seniors and the U23's. There was a bier & bratwurst outlet and things were looking up - bright sun, blue skies, and a bottle of Freiburger lager for 3 Euros. Excellent. KO 2:30pm. Game was going to script with Durbachtal (mid-table) comfortably on top and Freiburger (bottom, 2 points from 5 games) struggling. Freiburger got back into it though. They hit a post, and gained in confidence. More pressure from them and a breakthrough - Freiburger score! A good run from Agbodenou, a pass across the box and Dämpfle knocked it in. 2nd half and Durbachtal were pushing forward. A cross from their left struck a defender in the box on the shoulder. Penalty. Looked a bit harsh, but home support didn't complain and neither did the players. Game very well refereed and no backchat from players or coaching team. Penalty was saved to the keepers right. Around the 75th minute a Freiburger attack, ball not cleared and finally stabbed home by Pergjeqaj. That's how it ended up, Freiburger just about deserving the 3 points. Tram back to town, an ICE train back to Baden-Baden, bus to the airport and 10:30pm flight back to Stansted. 4:30 am left Epping Saturday, back just after midnight Sunday. A fine trip and would thoroughly recommend to anyone contemplating a trip to Baden-Wurtemmburg. Entry: 7 Euros. Free good quality 16 page programme. Biers 3 X 3 Euros each. Wurst grill Euros 3.50. Attendance: 200. (Match details courtesy of www.suedbadens-doppelpass.de/freiburger-fc-mit-erstem-saisonsieg/)
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