Magpies Slay Dragons - Wivenhoe Town vs. Dereham Town

Wivenhoe try to keep out Dereham out in the first half

This weekend I headed out past Colchester to Wivenhoe for their Eastern Counties Premier Division match against Dereham Town. Ever since I saw Wivenhoe play at Edgeware's sadly departed White Lion Ground in my early days in London, I had wanted to visit Wivenhoe. This game was vital for both teams for different reasons. The hosts needed a win to pull away from the relegation places and were five points away from guaranteed safety. The visitors needed the three points to consolidate their place at the top of the table and with it a place in the Ryman League. Dereham were on a run of ten consecutive victories and beat Wivenhoe 3-0 in the reverse fixture.

Kick off at Broad Lane

Dereham have an early chance on the break but the defence is able to get back and block the ball and only give away a corner. They have another chance soon afterwards but they miss the target with a free header. Dereham come close from the edge of the area as Wivenhoe struggle to get in to the game. The away side finally take the lead when a an effort bounces back off the cross bar and the ball is headed home from close range. Dereham double their lead when a cross from deep is headed home at the back post despite the keeper getting a hand to the ball.

Covered standing behind one goal

Dereham move further ahead when a looping cross is nodded home for the third headed goal of the afternoon. Wivenhoe get on the scoreboard with a fantastic effort. The Wivenhoe player brings the ball under control and smashes an unstoppable effort past the keeper. Dereham create a few half chances but most there chances are put well over the bar. As the game wares on, Wivenhoe begin to create a few chances of their own. The best of this comes when the striker is free at the back post but he puts his effort wide from close range. Dereham add a forth late in the game and with Wisbech Town losing, they only require three points to claim the title.

View from the stand

Wivenhoe is a quaint town on the River Colne and it is worth having a walk along the river before moving inland to Broad Lane. Next to the river is The Rose And Crown which has several ales (and one flat cider) and is perfect on sunny days. On the walk to the ground is The Horse And Groom which also had several ales and did nice looking food. The walk from the station is an uphill half hour walk. I think there are a couple of buses from the station to the ground. Trains to Wivenhoe depart from Liverpool Street and the fast train takes just over an hour. The club house is quite large and has a big screen for the half time scores. It also has this;

Which shows the locations of the other teams in the division which I think is a fantastic idea. 

The programme was also fantastic, despite my applauding photography. There are a lot of detailed articles including the most in depth match reports I think I've seen in a programme.

The dugout side of the ground

Late Peanlty Wins It For Geordies - Biggleswade United vs Hanwell Town

Second Meadow in near darkness

My parents were visiting this weekend and we had intended to have a trip out to the coast to watch Rye United. Unfortunately the continually damp weather meant that game was in doubt (it did in fact go ahead) so we went for a safer bet and went to Biggleswade United against Hanwell Town in The Spartan South Midlands Premier Division. I'd been to Biggleswade to see Town play Berkhampsted in the same division a few seasons ago and I always wanted to return to see United. Neither side had a chance of promotion or relegation but Biggleswade were keen to beat last seasons points tally and Hanwell wanted to finish inside the top five. The home side were also keen to avenge the four nil defeat they suffered at Reynolds Field earlier in the season.

Kick off at Second Meadow

The early stages are extremely uneventful with either side creating any chances despite both attempting to play good football. Biggleswade have a half chance when a free kick goes across the face of the goal but no one can quite reach it. The home keeper is first called in to action to make a save low down to his left. He is beaten a minute later, when the Hanwell winger has time to pick his pass and the ball is slotted past the goalie. This lifts Hanwell and they have a header cleared off the line before they miss another headed chance at the back post.

Covered accommodation behind the dugouts

Hanwell have a chance to double their lead straight away but the close range effort is somehow cleared off the line. Hanwell have another chance cleared off the line as they press for the vital second goal. However, it is the home side who get the second goal of the game. A cross is partially blocked and loops in to the air and the Biggleswade player is left to pick his spot to level the game. This sparks Hanwell back in to life and they come close when they hit the bar with an effort from the edge of the box. Hanwell do eventually get their second goal from the penalty spot. The Hanwell player burst in to the box and despite going away from goal, the keeper comes out and the referee points to the spot. The ball is smashed home and Hanwell see out the final minutes to claim the three points.

Biggleswade looking for the opening goal of the game.

Biggleswade is just under an hours train journey from Kings Cross and trains depart on a regular basis. Second Meadow is a further brisk twenty minute walk away from the station. In between the station and the ground on the High Street is The Golden Pheasant which is a brilliant pub and had at least five ales on. There are also at least another two pubs on or just off the market place. The club house is welcoming, has ESPN and the usual selection of drinks.

A tidy effort from Biggleswade for this level. There was a lot of update info on goings on at the club and had a detailed history of the home side.

Side on view of the stand

Owls Claim Spoils In Six Pointer - Sheffield Wednesday vs. Blackburn Rovers

View from the bar

This weekend I was visiting friends in Sheffield and so I took the opportunity to visit Hillsborough for the relegation six pointer between Sheffield Wednesday and Blackburn Rovers. Blackburn's problems this season have been well documented and were on an alarming run of results which had seen them slide down the league table. Wednesday have had an indifferent return to The Championship following promotion last season but 4 points from the last two games had given them renewed confidence. On a personal level, I was disappointed that Michael Antonio was to play no part in the game as I'd seen him start out at Tooting and Mitcham and it would have been good to see him at a higher level.  

The South Stand

Wednesday are on top at the start but are pegged pack when Chris Kirkland gives away a needless penalty and Blackburn's top scorer Jordan Rhodes slots home. Wednesday get the equaliser ten minutes when Jermaine Johnson beats a couple of players and smashes a low shot past the keeper. Wednesday take the lead with a penalty of their own when the Wednesday player is fouled at the back post and it is Leroy Lita who dispatches the spot kick.

The North Stand

Blackburn dominate the start of the second half as Wednesday sit back and it looks at times as if Wednesday are happy with 2-1. Rovers come close a couple times and the inevitable equaliser comes from a Scott Dann header at the back post. This looks to have rattled the hosts but it Johnson who pops up with a cracker to win the game. He picks the ball up in midfield, rides a couple of chances and beats the keeper with another low shot. This knocks the stuffing out of the visitors and Wednesday hold on to win a vital three points.

The West Stand which houses the away fans

Sheffield Station is at least two miles away from Hillsborough and the easiest way to get there is the tram and the Leppings Lane stop is a two minute walk away from the ground. There are a number of pubs close to the ground but the best pubs in Sheffield are on Kelham Island which is a short taxi ride or thirty minute walk away. We went to The Gardeners Rest but The Kelham Island Tavern and The Fat Cat are also phenomenal pubs. Beer was available in the Spion Kop and I should imagine it'd be on sale in other parts of the ground.

The programme was a fairly standard football league effort with the usual player interviews and reports on previous matches. As you'd expect from a club which such a history, there are a few interesting articles about past players etc but the best one for me was the article detailing events regarding a specific score line. 

The extremly vocal fans of the Spion Kop

Unhappy Easter For Fleet - Fleet Town vs. Thatcham Town

Calthorpe Park in the spring sunshine

I'd meaning to visit Fleet Town for a long time but never actually made it. I'd always considered it close enough for a week night visit but the train times never fell right. So Easter Monday provided a perfect opportunity as I didn't want to venture too far out of London as I was at work the next day. They were at home to Thatcham Town in the Southern League Central Division One. I'd seen Thatcham last season claim a one nil win at home to Abingdon at Waterside Park. The two sides were level on points in the bottom half of the league but neither side were in danger of relegation.

Early first half action with the stand in the background. 

The opening stages are quite tense and there are few chances. The first chance comes from the penalty spot following a clumsy challenge by the Fleet defender. The Thatcham player takes no chances and smashes the ball straight down the middle to give his side the lead. The game continues to be tight and Fleets first chance comes when they win a free kick in a decent position but the keeper easily claims. Fleet then lose the ball in midfield but Thatcham fail to make the most of the opportunity that is presented to them.

1-0 Thatcham

The Fleet keeper is called in to action early in the second half, saving down low to his left. The game continues to be scrappy and it soon becomes clear that Thatcham are a lot stronger on the ball. Fleet have another chance when a corner isn't fully cleared but they fail to trouble the Thatcham keeper. The home side create another clear cut chance with a fantastic cross field pass but the attempt is straight at the keeper and he soon makes another good save from close range. Thatcham though add a second late on the game to seal the victory.

The tree lined dugout side of the ground

Fleet is reached by a fifty minute journey from Waterloo and the there are four trains an hour. Calthorpe Park is about a twenty five minute steady walk down one straight road so is pretty easy to find. On the walk to the ground is The Emporium which I popped in to, to watch a bit of the Chelsea vs. Manchester United cup game. The Oatsheaf just down the road is a bit more upmarket but is more of a restaurant. The clubhouse was pretty large and had a big screen for the half time scores and again there were no pies on sale but the burgers made up for their absence.

The programme is a little on the thin side but the articles inside make for a decent amount of reading and there is a lot of info on the other Fleet sides.

Side on view of the stand

Late Show Maintains Winning Run - Eynesbury Rovers vs. Bugbrooke St Michaels

Covered accommodation at The Alfred Hall Memorial Ground

I'd been trying to go to Eynesbury Rovers for a number of weeks but the recent weather has meant that the trip continued to be postponed. Finally this week I was able to get there for a United Counties League Division One match against Bugbrooke St Michaels. This match also meant that I'd been to games in ten different level 5/6 leagues this season. Eynesbury were on an impressive run of form which had seen them win eleven out of their previous twelve games which included a 9-0 win away at Northampton ON Chenecks. Bugbrooke were having a decent season themselves and sat in sixth place in the table.

Another view of the stand just before kick off.

The game has a scrappy start and the hosts create a half chance but the effort is blocked by the Bugbrooke defence. Eynesbury take the lead soon afterwards when the ball is lashed home from just outside of the penalty area. They almost double their lead but the chance goes begging. Bugbrooke win a free kick in a decent position but the Eynesbury keeper is able to punch the ball clear under pressure. Eynesbury then have another chance to double the lead but the effort is easily saved by the Bugbrooke keeper. Just before half time, the visitors win a penalty for a handball offence and the ball is smashed home straight down the middle.

Small shelter located behind the dugouts

Bugbrooke complete the turn around a minute in to the second half when a long ball forward beats the defence and the ball is put past the advancing keeper. Bugbrooke are well on top at the start of the second half and Eynesbury begin to resort to long balls. As the half wears on, Eynesbury begin to have the majority of the ball and of the chances and they have a great chance when the forward is played in but his chipped effort goes just wide. They have a similar chance shortly afterwards but the keeper saves with his legs. The home side get the equaliser they deserve with a cracking half volley from the edge of the box. They retake the lead shortly afterwards when a free kick from out wide is left by the Bugbrooke defence and the striker is free to slot the ball in at the back post. They add a forth late to maintain their fantastic run of form.   

Headed effort from Eynesbury in the first half.

The closest station to The Albert Hall Memorial Ground is St Neots which is a brisk twenty five minute walk away. Trains to St Neots depart from Kings Cross on a regular basis and the journey takes between forty minutes and just over an hour. Before the game I went in to town centre and visited The Pig And Falcon which has an impressive selection of ales. On the market place there is The Corner Bar which has Sky Sports. The clubhouse also has Sky Sports and they have drinks promotions on match days - I had two bottle of Becks for £4.

Another great full colour programme from Eynesbury. There was a good article about abandoned games and there were plenty of stats regarding the numerous sides the club runs.

Eynesbury look for the equaliser in the second half

10 Man Ropes Hold On - Eltham Palace vs. Bridon Ropes

Crowd watching on at Green Court Road Sports Club

I was meeting friends later in the day so I need an early kick off somewhere close to London. There were a couple of early kick offs in the Kent Invicta League and the easiest one to get to was Eltham Palace vs. Bridon Ropes. This was my first game in the Kent Invicta League which was started last season to provide a stepping stone between the county and senior leagues. Both sides were in the top half of the table but neither had a chance of catching the top four. The reverse fixture in December ended in a seven nil win for today's visitors and so the hosts were looking for revenge.  

Kick off at Green Court Road Sports Club

Bridon Ropes take the lead in the opening minutes, a long ball forward finds the forward who slots the ball past the Eltham keeper. The hosts almost equalise soon afterwards but the Bridon goalkeeper makes a good save from a close range header. Eltham then put together a good passing which results in the ball going in to the net but it is disallowed following a tight offside call. The home side then win a free kick in a good position out wide but the ball in is a poor one. Bridon have one final chance but the effort from outside the box goes well wide.

Bridon Ropes celebrate the early strike.

Bridon have a chance early in the second half but the Eltham keeper is able to get behind the scuffed shot from the edge of the box. Eltham then have a great chance to equalise following a defensive slip but they fail to make it count. Bridon are then reduced to ten for what appears to be a stamping incident on the far touch line. From the following free kick Eltham have the ball in the net but it is disallowed again for offside. The Eltham winger then sends in a wicked dipping half volley but the Bridon keeper makes a good save. Bridon then have a chance to seal the game after the Eltham midfield gives the ball away but the keeper is able to keep his side in the game. Eltham have a great chance from a free kick but the player fails to get any power behind the header and the chance goes begging. 

Bridon try to clear their lines in the first half

The closest station to the Green Court Road Sports Club is Swanley. Trains here depart from Victoria on a regular basis and the journey can take between twenty five and fifty minutes depending on what service you catch. The walk takes around quarter an hour. As this was an early kick off I didn't try to find a pub before the game, but I didn't see any on the walk to the ground. The bar at the ground looks quite new and has Sky Sports and serves tasty looking toasted sandwiches. From the stand you can see The Shard and Canary in the far distance.

The programme is full colour and doubles as the entrance fee which is great value. It is a brilliant for this effort and even has a quiz and a word search!

Match action from the interior of the stand

Gate Survive Late Penalty Drama - Margate vs. Canvey Island

Snow and standing water at Hartsdown Park

Once again, the weather meant that a lot of games were called off and I was forced out to the coast again to see a game. Earlier in the season I made the same journey only for the game to be called off an hour before kick off but I felt more confident this time. Margate were hosting Canvey Island in the Ryman Premier League and both sides needed the points to improve their chances of finishing in the play offs. Before kick off, Canvey were in the final play off spot, one place and one point above Margate who also had a game in hand. I visited Canvey's Prospects Stadium in one of my first seasons of watching non league football for a Ryman League game against Tooting and Mitcham.

Kick off at Hartsdown Park

Canvey make a dream start as they take the lead within five minutes. Following neat build up play the ball is played in to the box and the striker tucks the ball home. The visitors go two up shortly afterwards with another close range finish. They almost go further ahead but the cross bar saves following a free kick from just outside the box. Margate finally get a shot on target but it is a tame effort which the keeper easily deals with. They do get back in to the game with a finish from close range following a good passing move.

The Margate keeper watches the free kick on to the bar

Margate almost equalise a few moments in to the second half but the effort from just outside the box smashes in to the snow behind the goal. Margate dominate possession but they fail to carve out any clear cut opportunities. Canvey have a great chance to seal the win when the player is played through but the keeper is able to save. With little time left, Margate win a free kick on the half way line and push everyone forward and the ball is played in to the area where the referee notices a push and gives Margate a penalty! The penalty is duly dispatched to complete the comeback. But there is still more action to come. Canvey get the ball forward and create a one on one chance and the striker takes a heavy touch and there is a coming together between the striker and the keeper and the linesman signals for a penalty! The Margate keeper guesses correctly to save a deserved point for the home side.

Margate fans congregate behind the goal for the second half

Fast trains to Margate depart from St Pancras every hour and the journey takes around an hour and a half. Slower trains depart from Victoria and the trip lasts the best part of two hours. Hartsdown Park is a brisk twenty minute walk from the station. In the opposite direction to the ground is The Northern Bell which is a great pub which serves a couple of ales and is popular with visiting fans. While I was waiting for the train home I popped in to The Shakespeare where you can enjoy a pint while looking out to sea. The clubhouse is quite big and has lots of serving staff which is good. Unfortunately, you can not buy a pie at the ground as they don't sell.

The programme is full colour and is very glossy. The detailed match reports are impressive and there is plenty of reading for the long trip home!

View from the back of the terrace