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| The stand at The Westwood Recreation Ground |
My parents were visiting this weekend and we had initially chosen to go to Rye for a day trip on the Saturday but Rye United's withdrawal from The Sussex County League forced a rethink. We eventually settled on Salisbury which allowed me to take in The Wessex League game between Bemerton Heath Harlequins and Lymington Town. I had visited Salisbury itself previously for an FA Cup tie between City and Grimsby Town and I was impressed by the town. Back to today's game and Bemerton were sitting in third and were close to scoring their hundredth league goal of a productive season. Lymington were in the bottom half of the table having conceded nearly ninety league goals. The stage was therefore set for a 0-0.
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| Different angled kick off shot |
The grass on the pitch is quite long and it takes a little while for both sides to adapt. Bemerton are played in via a free kick in the early stages and the Lymington keeper makes the first save of the game with his feet. The home team have another chance from a set piece shortly afterwards but the glancing header goes just wide. Lymington almost create their first clear cut chance of the game and the Bemerton defender is switched on to cut out the through ball. The visitors are now getting in to the game and the forward drags a chance wide of the goal. The Bemerton keeper then almost gifts Lymington the opener as he spills the ball but the chance is put well over. The home side soon have two chances in quick succession as the Lymington defenders put their bodies on the line to keep the game goalless. Both sides have half chances before half time but the game is nil nil at half time.
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| Lymington attack The Clubhouse Stand in the first half |
Bemerton start the second half on top and create a couple more half chances. Lymington's first chance of the half is a free kick from just outside the area which is deflected wide to safety. They then come even closer as the left back cuts in and his long range effort hits the post. Lymington do score the first goal soon afterwards. Bemerton give the ball away in the midfield and the ball is played through to the forward who slots the ball home to give his side the lead. Bemerton believe that have equalised as the Lymington keeper drops the ball in to his own net. The referee first appears to give the goal before changing his mind much to the annoyance of the home fans. Lymington get in decent positions to find the vital second goal but they lack the final touch to make the game safe. They are almost given a helping hand in finding the second goal as the Bemerton centre back slices the ball over his own bar. As the game enters the closing stages, Bemerton pile forward and the pressure eventually pays off. A free kick from the half way line finds a Bemerton head at the back post and Harlequins have their equaliser. They try and push on for a winner but the game ends in a draw.
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| Bemerton on the attack in first half |
Salisbury is a fascinating place to visit and their is a lot to see. There is a concentration of attractions around the cathedral which itself is of course worth seeing. Trains to Salisbury depart from Waterloo and the journey takes around an hour and forty minutes. The Westwood Recreation Ground is a long way from the town centre. The R1 bus departs from the town centre and takes you to within five minutes walk from the ground. The buses depart every ten minutes and the journey takes around a quarter of an hour. The clubhouse was quite large and had Sky Sports. Unfortunately the bar is not open at half time which is something I'd never seen at a ground before. In the town itself we went to
Cloisters for a post match drink and food. Closer to the station is
The Cat Tavern which had a few ales on and is great for while you wait for your train.
A good programme was produced for the game. There was a detailed history of the Harlequins which sheds some light on the origin of the clubs interesting name.
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| Covered standing next to the main stand |
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