Promotion Six Pointer Well Worth Long Trawel - Lowestoft Town vs. Madistone United

There was a decent crowd at Crown Meadow for this top of the table clash

Yet again, the weather made choosing a match tricky. After looking at the forecast and numerous forums it appeared that the Ryman Premier Division game between Lowestoft Town and Maidstone United seemed the best bet. It promised to be a good game as both sides badly needed the three points. Lowestoft to keep in touch with the play offs and for Maidstone to stay with Dulwich in the race for the title. I probably should have stayed away for Lowestoft's sake as the previous times I watched them in big games they had lost. Firstly in the FA Vase final against Kirkham and Wesham (now AFC Flyde) and in the Ryman Premier League play off final against AFC Hornchurch. I'd seen Maidstone before at their previous home of Bourne Park in Sittingbourne (which I believe is now vacant) and at their impressive new Gallagher Stadium. Maidstone were also responsible for the biggest winning margin I'd seen in a game when they beat Corinthian 9-0 in the FA Cup.  

The main stand at Crown Meadow

Lowestoft are nearly gifted an early goal when the Maidstone centre badly misjudges a back pass and he is relived when the winger puts in a poor cross. They have another chance as the ball falls kindly for the forward in the box but he shot is far too weak to worry the keeper. Another poor back pass almost plays Maidstone in to trouble but they are able to clear the danger eventually. Lowestoft are making all of the running and another chance is created by a good knock down and the Maidstone centre back is able to mop up the danger. Lowestoft then put a decent ball in to the box but the headed effort is well wide. Maidstone really struggle to get going in the first half and it takes a great sliding tackle to prevent the Lowestoft forward getting through on goal. Despite not really getting in to the game the visitors are still level at half time.

A first half Lowestoft corner

It is Lowestoft who continue creating chances in the first half and the winger shoots wide after a good run. Shortly afterwards the Maidstone keeper is almost caught out by a cross but he is able to tip the ball over the bar. Maidstone now begin to come in to the game but they manage to waste a free kick from a decent position. They do get a better ball in a few minutes later and the forward heads the ball wide. The Lowestoft keeper then misses the ball following a corner and he is relived that no one gets a touch. The Lowestoft defence is then alert to hack a goal bound effort off the line as the visitors really begin to threaten Lowestoft. They then come even closer when a deflected effort hits the bar. After that let off Lowestoft take the lead. The forward is allowed to cut in and he bends a fantastic shot past the keeper. The lead does not last very long though. Another Maidstone effort is deflected and this time the ball loops in to the back of the net. As the game gets close to full time, Lowestoft think they should have a penalty but the referee is not impressed. Then in injury time Lowestoft get a late winner. A free kick from wide is hit towards the near post and the ball is poked home. In the final seconds Maidstone are reduced to ten men when the midfielder is sent off following a fairly innocuous looking challenge. No other side in the top six win and so Lowestoft move to within two points of the play offs while Maidstone remain three points behind Dulwich.

The Lowestoft fans and players celebrate the winner

Lowestoft is a very long way from London but the game defiantly made it worth it. The journey takes over two and a half hours. You have to take a train from Liverpool Street to Ipswich and change there for the train to Lowestoft. Lowestoft is the most easterly settlement in the UK and Ness Point in the very most easterly point. The point is about a ten minute walk from the station. It is not very well signposted and I nearly turned back after walking through a large industrial estate. Before the game I went to The Hearts Of Oak which is very close to the ground. The walk from the station to the ground takes no more than ten minutes. The clubhouse is quite large and sells a couple of local beers. I enjoyed the Canary Pale Ale which was produced by the Green Jack brewery. During the first half I had some chilli nachos which were amongst the best football food I've ever had. After the game I visited The Factory Arms and The Banks Stores which both did the job while I was waiting for my train.

The programme was a great effort as are many from East Anglian clubs. There is a lot of reading for the long journey back and the flashback section was particularly interesting.

Looking towards to the dugout side of the ground