Last Warm Up Game - Beckenham Town vs. Maidstone United

Near cloud free skies over Eden Park

For my final game before the real deal starts up again, I travelled on the tram down to Beckenham for their home friendly against Maidstone United. When I first started to ground hop I travelled to Eden Park for a Surrey Senior Cup game against Met Police and the score that night was 2-4. Considering Beckenham had conceded six in two of their previous friendlies, I was hoping for goals again. My main memory of Maidstone is travelling to Sittingbourne to watch Tooting in an FA Cup tie which the Terrors unfortunately lost on a day with similar weather to this match day.

Shortly after kick off on the pristine playing surface.

My hopes for goals is satisfied after only 30 seconds when the keeper makes a hash of a clearance and the Maidstone striker smashes the ball home from just outside the box. The game then becomes a midfield battle and the referee to his credit lets a lot go in an attempt to let the game flow. The away side double their lead when the keeper doesn't come out for a through ball and the Maidstone player squares the ball for his team mate to knock the ball in. Beckenham begin to get more of the ball in the Maidstone half but fail to create a serious chance before half time.

First half action with the clubhouse in the background.

The second half further satisfies the hunger for goals! Maidstone get their third when the Maidstone player loops the ball over the keeper from just outside the area. They then extended their lead from the penalty spot following a hand ball in the box. Beckenham manage to force a few corners and it is from one of these corners that they pull a goal back. The big centre back is allowed to head the ball home from just outside the six yard box. The away side restore their four goal cushion when the Maidstone substitute is allowed to waltz his way through and he puts the ball past the keeper.

A Beckenham corner in the first half.

As I said at the start of the post I got the tram to Elmers End and this is a half hour or so walk to the ground. However, Eden Park Train Station is literally next door to the ground. Trains to this station depart from London Bridge and take around twenty minutes. On my first visit to Beckenham I went to the The Rising Sun which was decent enough as far as I can remember (I didn't get very drunk, it was a few years ago!). The clubhouse has been done up in recent times is a decent size.

A great to watch football.