 |
| A picture taken while on ball boy duty |
This weekend I ticked off a ground I'd be meaning to visit for a long when I travelled to The Old Northamptonians Sports Ground for the United Counties League Division One game between Northampton ON Chenecks and Buckingham Town. The Chenecks are the football team of the grammar across the road - hence the Old Northamptonians section of the name. The Chenecks part is an amalgamation of the houses of the school. I saw Buckingham Town a couple of seasons ago in an FA Vase match against Ascot United and on that day they claimed a one nil away win. At the start of play, Chenecks were fifth from top while Buckingham were fifth from bottom.
 |
| Kick off at The ON sports ground |
Both sides have early free kicks in decent positions but these are both wasted. Chenecks have the first clear cut chance as the forward is played in and Buckingham are relieved to see the ball hit the side netting. The home side are played in again shortly afterwards and this time the effort is straight at the keeper. Chenecks create another chance as the forward cuts in but his poor effort goes well wide. Buckingham then create their first chance with a great ball in to the box but no one is able to make contact. Chenecks then hit the post with a corner and this would not be the first time that they would be denied by the woodwork. Buckingham take the lead slightly against the run of play with a great looping effort after the forward broke free of the defence. Chenecks then the hit the post again with a header from a corner and Buckingham just manage to scramble the ball away from another corner shortly afterwards. The home side then hit the bar twice in a minute with consecutive headers and the visitors manage to get to half time one up.
 |
| View towards the clubhouses |
Chenecks finally get the equaliser early in the second half. The forward is able to chip the ball over the advancing keeper after a long ball forward. Buckingham almost retake the lead as the forward bursts in to the box but the keeper is able to make a decent challenge. It is then Buckingham's turn to hit the frame of the goal as they again come close to regaining the lead. They have a further chance but the right winger drags his effort wide of the goal. The visitors come desperately close as the forward rounds the keeper and the defence is able to get back and scramble the ball off the line. Chenecks then begin to get back in to the game and the Buckingham keeper makes a good low save from a flicked effort from a free kick. Chenecks take the lead for the first time in fortunateness circumstances as a bending cross is headed pass the Buckingham keeper from close range. Buckingham then go in search of the equaliser and the forward if almost through but he is denied by a great tackle. In the closing moments Chenecks almost make it three but the chance is wasted as the home side claim a two one win.
 |
| Chenecks on the attack in the first half. |
The Old Northamptonians Sports Ground is about a forty minute walk from Northampton Station. There is a bus which runs from the town centre to very close to the ground on Billings Road. Trains to Northampton depart on a regular basis from Euston and the journey takes around an hour. As with before the Northampton Town game I visited the excellent
Malt Shovel which has a fantastic array of ales and Belgian beers. Do be wary of the Barbar honey beer which turns out to be over 8%. Further in to town on the walk to the ground is
The Wig and Pen which also had a great selection of beers and had Sky Sports. I think there are two clubhouses at the ground. I visited the rugby club one which offers an elevated view of the pitch. I also think there is a bar just behind one of the goals but I didn't see anyone in there.
If the rugby team are at home the same time as the football club make sure you buy the right programme! Both programmes did the job in providing info on the visitors and the leagues in general.
 |
| Final stages of the game under moonlight |
No comments:
Post a Comment