Moneyfields Fail To Cash In On Lead - Moneyfields vs. Longwell Green

Train line end at Moneyfields Sports Club

It was FA Cup weekend once again and I made the long trip to Portsmouth for the tie between Moneyfields of The Wessex League and Longwell Green of The Western League. Moneyfields had made a good start to the season and were sitting third in the table having lost just one of their seven games so far this season. Longwell Green have had a mixed start season and were in mid table. Longwell Green also had an away tie in the previous round, beating Bradford Town of The Western League Division One. Moneyfields beat another Western League side Cadbury Heath who are yet to lose a league game this season.

Kick off at a very sunny Moneyfields Sports Club

The game has a very scrappy start and the first effort of note is a Longwell shot from the edge of the area which goes well wide. Moneyfields' first chance should really deliver a goal. After breaching the offside trap, the ball is squared along the edge of the six yard box but the Longwell defender makes a great saving tackle. They do take the lead shortly after when the Longwell keeper can't keep out a header despite getting a lot on the ball. The visitors almost equalise straight away with another header but the ball is kept out. Moneyfields come close to adding a second but the Longwell keeper claims bravely at the feet of the striker. They do double their lead when a long ball forward isn't dealt with and the forward calmly lobs the ball over the keeper. Longwell claim a goal back just before the half time whistle to set up an interesting second half.

The stand in one corner of the ground

The second half has a tetchy start and the home side almost extended their lead but fail to take their chance. Longwell are then reduced to ten men when the player receives a second yellow card. The Longwell keeper then makes another vital save from a Moneyfields free kick. Longwell are then awarded a penalty for handball. The Moneyfields keeper is able to save the penalty but the rebound is smashed in to complete the comeback. Longwell then almost take the lead for the first time when they hit the post but the rebound is put wide. It becomes ten vs. ten when the Moneyfields player is shown a second yellow card. Both teams franticly try to find a winner but the game ends in a draw.

The tree lined dugout side of the ground.

The closest station to the ground is Fratton, but the number 14 bus from outside Portsmouth and Southsea Station is the best way to get to the ground. The bus departs every half hour and the journey takes around twenty minutes. The ground is then a five minute walk from the bus stop to the ground. Quick trains to Portsmouth and Southsea depart from Waterloo and can take between an hour and a half and two hours. In between the bus stop and the ground is The Jolly Taxpayer which is perfect for a pre match pint. There are plenty of pubs around Portsmouth and Southsea Station if you wish to stay in the town centre. The clubhouse has Sky Sports and also serves tasty looking meals.

The programme is quite detailed and includes detailed match reports and a round up of what else is happening in The Wessex League. There is also plenty on the history of both sides and there are travel details for upcoming away games.

There was a decent crowd at The Moneyfields Sports Club