Seed Growers Harvest Three Points In Fog - Coggeshall Town vs. Woodbridge Town

Throw up the line in front of the stand at The Crops

Ever since their promotion into The Eastern Counties League from The Essex and Suffolk Border League at the start of this season, Coggeshall Town have been on my radar. They've taken to Eastern Counties football very well, and were top of the table as well as being top scorers in the division. This weekend they were playing the second top scoring team, Woodbridge Town and so it seemed the perfect time to visit. I visited Woodbridge Town's Notcotts Park this time last year when they drew 2-2 with Diss Town in a thrilling game. As the pictures show, it was an extremely foggy day and at times before reaching the ground, I was concerned that the game may not go ahead. The weather however did prevent an exciting match.

Kick off at The Crops as the fog closes in

Woodbridge start by taking the game to Coggeshall and the home keeper has to make a great save from a powerful low drive following a cross into the box. It is however the team at the top of the league who strike first. On their first real attack the Coggeshall player gets the ball into the box and the forward is left alone in the box to power a header into the corner of the net. Woodbridge continue to press and the Coggeshall defence does well to block a shot on the edge of the box. The game is very open even at this early stage and the Woodbridge keeper makes a smart save from a flicked header. Then at the other end, Woodbridge have an effort cleared off the line by the Coggeshall defender. Just before half time, Coggeshall double their lead with a brilliant strike. A Coggeshall corner isn't fully cleared and from the subsequent move, the man is found on the corner of the area and he bends a fantastic shot into the opposite top corner.

The Woodbridge winger strives to get to the ball

The fog is really closing on the start of the second half and it looks like Woodbridge head just over form a corner. Coggeshall then try to punish a poor goal kick from the Woodbridge keeper but the keeper redeems himself by saving the eventual shot on goal. The Woodbridge keeper is then unfortunate to be involved in the third Coggeshall goal. A Coggeshall ball forward leads to a 50 / 50 challenge between the Woodbridge keeper and the home forward, which the keeper just wins but all he can do to hit the ball against the forward and the ball trickles in for the third goal. The home side make sure of the points when they break forward and the attacker is played in before he lashes his shot into the top corner. In the closing stages Woodbridge get a consolation goal when a free kick is played across the six yard box and slotted home from close range.  

Coggeshall attack the clubhouse end in the first half

There is no railway station in Coggeshall. The nearest station is Braintree which can be reached by trains from Liverpool Street which takes just over an hour. From Braintree bus station you can catch the 70 bus to right outside the ground or if you stay on for a stop or two you can explore the town. It is well worth doing this as the town is an interesting mix of buildings on winding, narrow streets. One of these interesting buildings is The Woolpack, a short distance from the centre and is collection of small rooms with a good selection of beers. In the town centre is The Chapel Inn which also had a good selection of ales. The ground is then a five minute walk away. The homey clubhouse had the sports channels for the early kick offs and sold delicious sausage rolls. A really good day all round.

View up the dugout side of the ground