Wood Lord Over Ites - Lordswood vs. Sheppy United

Stormy skies over Martyn Grove

I've seen Lordswood away in a couple of cup games (Billingshurst in the vase this season and at Mile Oak in the same competition immediately spring to mind) and I'd meaning to visit for a little while. Saturday just gone they were playing Sheppy United in The Southern Counties East Premier and with the two teams in sixth and fourth places, it looked like it should be a good game. I visited Sheppy's Holm Park ground for a game with Hollands and Blair a couple of seasons ago in their Invicita League days and the ground has changed significantly since my visit. Lordswood had lost their last two games and the reverse fixture in September finished in a three all draw so I was hoping for a similar number of goals today.

Fortunately the rain cleared before kick off

Shepppy settle quickly and a decent passing move only falls short when the final ball is played just too hard. It doesn't take long for the hosts to settle too with Lordswood also lacking the final killer pass. Sheppy win a couple of free kicks in decent positions but the deliveries fail to find their targets. After the second Sheppy free kick, Lordswood break out with the final shot going just wide. Towards the end of the half, Lordswood twice come close to taking the lead. Firstly when the attacker gets to the byline he flashes the ball across goal but there is no one there to apply final touch. Then from a corner kick, they have a headed effort cleared off the line.

Lordswood attack the tree lined end

Sheppy start the second half like they did the first, getting behind the Lordswood defence and again the pass fails to find its target. The visitors get behind the Lordswood defence down the middle this time and it takes a great last ditch Lordswood tackle to stop the attacker in his tracks. Lordwood's first effort of the half comes with a shot from the edge of the box which goes wide and straight away, Sheppy counter with the Lordswood goalie making a great save with his legs to keep the scores level. The winner comes when Sheppy have two chances to clear a Lordswood ball into the box and Lordswood eventually take advantage to scramble the winner in from close range.

Sheppy look for an opening in the first half

To get to Lordswood from London you first have to take a train from Chatham from either Victoria or St Pancras with the journey taking between forty minutes to just over an hour. It looked like the best options for pubs was to stay in Chatham and I was more than happy to revisit The Northern Seaman which has a great selection of beers including The Golden Seahawk from The Cotleigh Brewery. Then just next door is The Britannia  where I had a pint of The Fine Light Ale from The Maidstone based Goachers. The 166 bus takes you to the Lordswood Tesco which is a ten minute walk from the ground - the bus taking twenty minutes depending on traffic. The football club share the clubhouse with the rugby club who were at home and provided the pre match and half time entertainment. The clubhouse had a great atmosphere as well having Sky Sports and a good selection of drinks. I really enjoyed my much belated visit to Martyn Grove.

A decent number of fans traveled from The Isle