Bloaters Ego Inflated By Vase Scalp - Great Yarmouth Town vs. Boston Town

Spectator at The Wellesley

I've been wanting to visited Great Yarmouth's fantastic Wellesley ground for a long time and upon seeing the FA Vase draw a couple of months ago I placed my faith in the weather goods and booked my train ticket. Their opponents in this Second Qualifying Round were Boston Town of the United Counties League Premier. While the visitors were a division above their hosts, they had only won twice in the league this season and so their was the potential for a shock. This was both sides first game in The Vase this season although Boston had a good run to the second qualifying round of The FA Cup where they came unstuck against Kings Lynn of The Northern Premier League.

Kick off in front of the fantastic grandstand

The game has a very quiet start and as the half goes on, both sides get in to half decent positions but fail to create any real chances of note. The  first proper chance comes to Great Yarmouth as following an overlapping run from the winger, he is able to get a shot away which flashes just wide of the post. They almost create another chance shortly afterwards as the ball is headed back to the edge of the area but the Boston defence is able to hack the ball away. Boston's first chance is a low shot inside the area which the Yarmouth keeper does well to get to down to. The Yarmouth keeper is again called in to action to save a drilled free kick from some distance out. Yarmouth then almost create a good clear cut chance but the ball bounces away from the forward at the vital moment. The Boston keeper is then almost caught out as he leaves his goal but the home side fail to take advantage. Boston come closest to opening the scoring right at the end of the half. The Yarmouth players are relieved to see a cross from out wide hit the bar and out to safety.

Covered benches down one side of the pitch

The rain which arrived towards the end of the first half is now torrential as the second half begins. Unlike the first half, the second is a lot more open and end to end. Yarmouth take the lead as the midfielder is allowed to run with the ball to the end of the area and his low shot beats the keeper to put the home side one up. Boston have a good chance to equalise when following a good break, the forward slots the ball just wide but he was also flagged offside. It is then Yarmouth's turn to create a chance on the break and this time the ball is dragged wide from just outside the area. The home side then have a good period of possession as they look to kill off the tie but they can't find the vital second goal. They are almost made to pay when a ball in to the area pings around the box but Yarmouth manage to eventually clear the ball. In the closing stages, Boston win a free kick on the edge of the area but it is put well wide as Yarmouth hold on to claim the win.

Yarmouth on the attack. You can just make out the Scroby Sands Windfarm in the background

It takes a long time to get to Great Yarmouth from London but The Wellesley Ground makes the visit well worth the trek. To get to Great Yarmouth you have to take a train to Norwich and change there for a train to Yarmouth. The journey takes around two and a half hours. The town has the usual seaside arcades and attractions and it is also home to one of the biggest market places in the country. Before the game I went to two pubs with the same name. The first Kings Arms is located on King Street and is a short walk from the sea front. The second The Kings Arms is a five minute walk from the ground is ideal if you want to watch the lunch time kick off. The clubhouse was friendly and you can watch the game from here if you want to stay warm. While I was waiting for my train, I popped in to The Gallon Pot which is close to the station. 

Another view of the fantastic stand