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Tuesday 5 November 2019

Visitors Almost Weather Storm - Corsham Town vs. Hengrove Athletic

Miserable day at Southbank
Last weekend was a bit of disaster, having reached Abingdon only for Town's game to be called off but thankfully in time for me to get a taxi to the Kassam to see Oxford United against Rochdale. As seems to be the trend at the moment (and for this coming bloody weekend too), it seems to relatively dry in the week before hammering down on Saturday. Again I started out heading to Malmesbury but after seeing on Twitter that Corsham foresaw no issues, I stayed on the train to Chippenham and took the bus. Today Corsham were playing Hengrove Athletic from Bristol and even though they were third bottom of The Western League One, their only two wins so far had been on the road so Corsham needed to be wary especially as Hengrove had the better head to head record.

Kick off in the pouring rain
Corsham's confidence was based on the fact it was only meant to be light rain from two o'clock onwards. instead it cained it down for the whole game and some time afterwards. I was concerned when I got there but the referee to his credit was happy to get on with it and even when there was a puddle in one corner we still played on which was down to one of the volunteers sweeping water off the pitch. Unsurprisingly it was impossible to take notes (or straight pictures) but Corsham took an early lead after a swift counter attack. Midway through the half Hengrove get an equaliser with a low driven effort. Neither side let the weather get to them but Corsham waste chance after chance but they get a late winner from a close range set up by a free kick. Credit to all involved for getting the game on and seeing it through.

Hengrove keeper watching on. Note the puddle on the far left
So trains to Chippenham depart from Paddington taking an hour and a quarter. Then from by the river you take the twenty minute ride on the X31 bus into Corsham. I'm glad the weather allowed me to explore the picturesque town and around the edge of the manor house that sadly didn't open until two. Thankfully the enchanting Flemish Weaver which had a great choice of ales and little areas of seating to choose from. For the early kick off, The Royal Oak across the road does the job. The ground is then a ten minute walk from the high street and if it's raining you have to dash between the puddles to avoid getting splashed. The clubhouse had the usual drinks along with the sports channels and they produced a brilliant programme. Absolutely everyone at the club made me feel welcome and I again have to thank all invovled for not making it a wasted trip.




Even wetter side of the ground





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