Not The Game I Intended To Watch - Kentish Town vs. Hoddesdon Town

The stand at the Copthall Stadium

I had initially intended to watch Hatfield Town's FA Cup replay against Sawbridgeworth on Tuesday night, but unforeseen consequences meant that I couldn't get to that match. Wanting to catch a game and to visit a new ground I headed to North London for Kentish Town's home match against Hoddesdon Town. I had seen a Kentish home game before but it had been hosted at (Kingsbury) London Tiger's old ground (which I believe is sadly now empty). I'd also been to Hoddesdon before and purchased one of their excellent ninety page programmes. Both sides were looking to bounce back from defeats in the FA Cup on Saturday.

The pitch level view.

The match has a very scrappy start with Hoddesdon just edging it. It is the home side who take the lead perhaps slightly against the run of play. When played through, the Kentish Town striker manages to lift the ball over the keeper and the ball is then forced home. Hoddesdon push on and are unlucky not to level when an effort smashes against the bar. They do get their equaliser when the winger smashes the ball home from an angle after cutting in from the wing. Kentish Town restore their advantage just before half time but I miss this goal as I was in the toilet unfortunately.  

The view from up in the stand.

Hoddesdon go in search for the second equaliser straight from the kick off. It takes a little while for them to get it, but it is well worth the wait. The winger manages to half volley the ball in from the far touchline to send his team mates delirious. The game then really opens and the pacey Kentish Town wingers exploit this to great effect. They restore their lead for a second time when the winger gets to the byline and pulls the ball back for the player to score. The host's fourth is almost exactly the same with the Hoddesdon full backs getting caught out. A mistake from the home keeper makes it a frantic last ten minutes but Kentish Town manage to hold on.

Kick off in the first half.

The ground is kind of in the middle of nowhere in terms of shops and pubs. I went to The Mill near Mill East Station on the Northern Line. From just across the road I got the 221 bus to Edgeware and got off at Page Road around five minutes later. The ground is then a further ten minute walk from the bus stop. There is no bar per say but there is a tea room underneath the stand. I found the ground quite welcoming compared to other multi use based grounds. 

The other end of the ground complete with dusk skyline.