First SSML Game Of The Season - New Bradwell St Peter vs. Chesham United Reserves

The windmill looking over the action at Bradwell Road

In past seasons I've regularly attended games in the Spartan South Midlands League but the match in division one between New Bradwell St Peter and Chesham United Reserves was my first this season. This was also the first time I'd watched a game involving a reserve side and I was a little unsure about the quality but this proved to be unfounded in the end. As with Worthing United earlier in the season, New Bradwell were without a league win this season while Chesham were comfortably in mid table. I'd already seen Chesham's first team in action in the FA Cup against Northwood.

Kick off at Bradwell Road

The opening period of the first is largely uneventful with both sides trying to adapt to the heavy pitch. Chesham have the first couple of chances. Firstly the striker is played through but the keeper makes a good save and they are in again shortly afterwards but this time the effort goes just wide. New Bradwell have their first chance but they can't add the finishing touch following a good passing move. There is a lengthy delay following a 50/50 challenge which injures the ankle of the Chesham player. After the resumption of play Chesham have another couple of chances but the half ends goalless. 

Chesham attack in the first half

Chesham almost take a lucky lead early in the first half but the New Bradwell keeper is able to save from his own player and he makes another save from the resulting corner. New Bradwell come close from a free kick but the Chesham keeper makes a good save at his near post. Chesham then miss a chance from close range but then New Bradwell begin to take a hold of the game and the Chesham keeper makes a couple of decent save. Then possibly against the run of play Chesham take the lead. A ball across the six yard box is prodded past the keeper. The goal was harsh on New Bradwell but they get a chance to level from the penalty spot a couple of minutes later which they take. In the final moments a New Bradwell player hits his own post and the game ends in a draw.

The changing room side of the pitch.

Bradwell Road is a twenty minute brisk walk from Wolverton Station which is served by trains from Euston. They depart on a regular and the journey takes just under an hour. Five minutes from the ground is The Foresters Arms and even closer to the ground is The New Inn. Both felt like real locals but were both decent enough. The clubhouse is worth a visit for the vocal regulars and has Sky Sports.

The programme was full colour and had a good history of the visitors. As with Newhaven earlier in the season, the price of the programme doubles as the entry fee and so provides great value.

Bradwell Road under lights