200 Not Out - Sleaford Town vs. Long Buckby

Eslaforde Park.

My first ever game was Scunthorpe United vs. Scarborough on the 22nd April 1995 and The Iron won 3-1. Sixteen years later, I visited my 200th ground. To mark the occasion, I meet my Dad half way between Scunthorpe and London for Sleaford Town's home game against Long Buckby. The away side had a hundred percent record in the league and their only defeat all season was against opposition from a higher level in the FA Cup. The hosts are having a difficult start to the season and had only won three games in the league so far.

Long shadows just after kick off.

The match gets off to a scrappy start as the bobbly pitch makes passing football quite difficult. As the game goes on, Long Buckby begin to show their class. The centre forward shows some brilliant touches and he manages to create a few half chances. Sleaford try mainly try to catch the visitors on the break and try their luck from distance as they are aided by a very strong wind. Sleaford do manage to get through on goal but the striker's chipped effort goes just over the bar. After that it is all Long Buckby but they fail to score and the teams go in level.

A Long Buckby attack in the first half.

The unbeaten visitors take the lead with a scrappy goal immediately after half time. This goal really opens up the game but neither side can find the killer final ball. The second Long Buckby goal comes when a ball over the top isn't dealt with and the striker slots the ball past the keeper. After that the tackles start to fly in from both sides and the game threatens to boil over. The home side are reduced to ten men when the Sleaford player goes over the ball but it was probably a harsh sending off. Long Buckby see out the rest of the game to maintain their perfect record in the league.

Opposite side of the pitch to the stand with the clubhouse in the background.

Sleaford is an attractive market town and it is worth having a walk around before the game. There are also a lot of pubs for pre match pints. We visited the Weatherspoons and The Barge And Bottle, which also does decent food. The ground is a fifteen minute walk from the station. To get to Sleaford from London, I got a train from Kings Cross to Grantham and got the Sleaford train there. The journey was just shy of two hours. The clubhouse is quite new and has a big screen. I recommend trying the home made soup from the tea bar. Now that I've reached two hundred grounds, I'm looking forward to the next hundred! 

Arty(ish) floodlight shot.