Blues Coast Home In Storm - Arlesey Town vs. Huntingdon Town

The main stand in the gloom at Armadillo Stadium

For the final game in the south before my return to the north for Christmas, I beat the severe delays out of Kings Cross to see the Southern League Premier Division match between Arlesey Town and Hungerford Town. The visitors were on a high after beating Leek Town to reach the last sixteen of the FA Trophy at the weekend. Arlesey had won their last two games as they looked to recover from a run of four defeats. Both sides were in mid table and Hungerford were showing signs of struggle following their promotion via the play offs at the end of last season.

The Arlesey side await the opposition before kick off

Arlesey have a shout for a penalty in the early stages following a hand ball from a cross in the box but the referee isn't impressed. Hungerford then have a header cleared off the line from a corner kick. Arlesey then begin to dominate the game. They have a driven effort from a corner which goes just and then following a quick break they are able to take the lead. The away side then almost gift Arlesey a second with a defensive error but the keeper is able to make amends. They do make it two shortly afterwards as the Hungerford offside trap fails and the forward is able to prod the ball past the onrushing keeper. They almost make it three as the forward puts the ball wide after being played in. Hungerford then have a chance from close range but the ball is put well over. Arlesey do make it three just before half time as the forward produces a great from a narrow angle.  

Further covered accommodation behind the dugouts

The home side go even further ahead at the very start of the second half as the forward is played in and he makes no mistake. Hungerford then have their best spell of the match so far. Firstly, a long throw in to the box causes confusion before the defence can scramble the ball away. They then come close with a diving header which goes just wide. They do eventually score from the penalty spot. The winger is tripped and the forward makes no mistake from the spot. Hungerford score again to make it 4-2 but Arlesey add a fifth before the end.

Uncovered terracing behind one of the goals

Trains to Arlesey depart from Kings Cross and the journey takes around forty minutes. The walk from the station to the ground takes around forty five minutes. Very close to the station is The Old Oak which was very popular with the locals and had Sky Sports. Just about half way in between the station and the ground is The White Horse which had a couple of ales on and is a good half house. There are also a couple of chip shops in between The White Horse and the ground. As you can tell from the pictures The Armadillo Stadium is quite new and the clubhouse was close large and had the usual selection of drinks.

 

A good programme was produced by Arlesey. I've left the programme in London, but from memory there was a lot of good reading in it.

The Arlesey defenders await a Hungerford cross.