Wake Rebellion Falls Flat Against Bugbrooke Conquerors - Bourne Town vs. Bugbrooke St Michaels

Shot of  Abbey Lawn with Bourne Abbey in the distance

So after a couple of weeks of needing to be close to London I able to spread the net a bit wider this weekend. Which was just as well as Storm Deirdre was coming in from the west and so I needed to be in the east and Bourne Town provided this with their home against Bugbrooke St Michaels in Division One of The United Counties League. The title comes from Bourne's nickname The Wakes which originates from Hereward The Wake who was from the surrounding area and stood up to William The Conqueror. I had been to Bourne once before for a school cross country event and my vague memories were that aside from nearly collapsing, it was a very pleasant place. Back to the present and both sides were next to each other in mid table with Bourne having a much worse goal difference - something that wouldn't have improved come five.  

Kick off at Abbey Lawn

Even though the storm wasn't there at kick off it was still incredibly cold so the match notes a bit on the brief side! Bugbrooke take the lead when Bourne fail to fully clear a corner and the ball is forced in from close range. They have a great chance to double their lead but the attacker drags his shot wide when in on goal. Bourne again fail to fully clear a Bugbrooke set piece and they are again punished when the ball is slotted home. Bourne's best chance of the half comes when they are played in goal before the Bugbrooke goalie makes a good save at his near post.

First action in the shadow of the stand

By the start of the second half the freezing rain had appeared (see the next picture) making football and note taking extremely difficult. Bourne have the first chance of the half as a shot goes just wide following a pull back. Bugbrooke get their third with the best goal of the game when a free kick from the edge of the box flies into the top corner. Bourne have another chance but the forward bends his shot wide after powering the visitor's defence. Bugbrooke add two more goals to complete a clinical five nil win.

Bugbrooke on the attack as the weather deteriorates

It can take a little while to get to Bourne from London but it really is worth it. You first need to get a train to Peterborough from Kings Cross with the quick trains taking forty five minutes. Then from the bus station you take the 101 bus right into Bourne and this section also takes about three quarters of an hour. I visited two fantastic pubs before the game, the first one Smith's had four ales on offer including a dark wheat beer which was an interesting concept. Then just across the road is The Jubilee Garage which also had a good selection of beers and ales as well as the sports channels. Abbey Lawn is just a five minute walk from the town centre and there is a great mix of cover on the clubhouse side of the pitch. The clubhouse had the usual selection of drinks and the welcome from absolutely everyone (even a bit of a joke with the ref) was excellent. An awesome trip back to Lincolnshire!

Taking shelter in the first half