Closer Than We Thought - Blackstones vs. Birstall United Social

Green surrounds at Lincoln Road

It's a dilemma that has dogged me ever since I started watching football - my Mum's birthday coincides with the start of the season and it's always a toss up between seeing a game and potentially not getting much at Christmas. Fortunately I was able to do both as we met up in Stamford and Blackstones were hosting Birstall United Social in Division One of The United Counties League. Stamford is a stunning town and I had really enjoyed my two previous visits when seeing games at Worthorpe and Borderville. The United Counties League started with a hop weekend the previous Friday which put Irchester clear at the top of the league. In all honesty I knew next to nothing about Birstall other than this was their first game in this league having moved over from The East Midlands Counties League. 

Caught out by the early kick off

It doesn't take long for the first competitive goal of the season to be scored. The Birstall keeper tries to play the ball out but it is seized upon by the Blackstones forwards and the ball is slotted into the corner from the edge of the box to make it one nil. They nearly get a second when the Blackstones forward just beats the Birstall keeper to a long bouncing ball but his chipped effort goes just wide. I'm reliably informed that Blackstones got their second goal just before half time - it wouldn't be the only goal I'd miss.

Blackstones attacking in the first half

At the start of the second half a quick, drilled Birstall free kick catches Blackstones half asleep but the visitors fail to take full advantage. Blackstones then take over and Birstall almost gift them the third, fortunately the keeper is able to save the day after the ball was given away on the edge of the box. They do get the third as the referee plays a good advantage after the winger is clipped and he crosses the ball before it is tucked in at the near post. Birstall get the goal they deserve with a cracking half volley that dips just under the bar. The next day we see in The Non League Paper that Birstall scored twice which we sadly missed!

Aerial combat in the second half

To get Stamford from London, you need to first take a train to Peterborough from Kings Cross and the fast trains take three quarters of an hour. Then from there you get the train for one stop into Stamford. As I mentioned earlier, Stamford is a gorgeous place and it really is worth exploring before a game. I've highlighted pubs in previous Stamford blog posts but I checked out a couple of new ones this time round. Firstly for the end of the cricket I popped into The London Inn which had lots of big screens and a wide choice of beers. Then there was the cosy The Kings Head which had a good selection of ales. The ground is then a twenty minute walk from the town and you'll do well to receive a better welcome. The clubhouse had a couple of hand pulls on including Betty Stogs from The Skinner's Brewery. In a season that will see plenty of debate regarding programmes, the Blackstones effort was excellent.

Further Lincolnshire greenery