Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Same old same old as Whitley win again
I’ve got into a routine now for vase final day. My mate arrives from Somerset, car to Stanmore for a couple of pints in the ‘Moon’ pub, drive to Northwick Park for free on-street parking a minute from the tube station & then a 5 minute tube journey.
Well, the Moon in Stanmore was fairly busy but mostly with local punters having a Sunday lunch out. But due to Stanmore being within a certain radius of Wembley, no glasses were allowed for our beer. Instead we had to make do with dodgy plastic things that you felt could split down the centre at any second. I fully understand caution for really big, grudge matches but this really seemed like overkill.
My mate is now officially a west country resident despite his protestations, as regardless of him living in the Harrow area for 25 years as a kid, he took the wrong turning on the way to the pub.
Needless to say, the ticket machine at Northwick Park station swallowed my £10 & we had to call for assistance. The machine had to be re-booted and was taken out of action for 10 minutes. We were allowed through the barrier and told to pay at Wembley Park. Again, needless to say, there magically appeared three ticket collectors seconds after I got on the train. To be fair, they were fine about it. I asked why the lady who had re-booted the ticket machine could not sell us a ticket & was told that it was now policy in an attempt to reduce staff. Utterly ridiculous!!!
The two stop return fare cost £7.30!!! as you had to get a travelcard. Checking afterwards, it would have been £5 cheaper if I had an Oyster card. I must invest in one!
We decided to buy tickets for the Coalville end as I’d enjoyed seeing them twice in the earlier rounds and we got nice seats 9 rows from pitchside. A 5-a-side tournament was taking place on the nice carpeted courts just outside the stadium and we enjoyed watching these keenly contested games for a few minutes.
A modest crowd of just over 8000 were in the stadium, the majority of them Coalville or neutral. I suppose the smaller Whitley Bay attendance is understandable due to the expense and distance required to travel and the fact that they’ve been in the final every year for the last 35 years (Or it seems like it!).
The game itself was a fabulous affair full of incident & chances. When one player miss-kicked halfway through the second half, I suddenly remembered that this was only non-league football that I was watching.
Excellent end to end stuff throughout although there was an inevitability that Whitley Bay would once again win the trophy. Although Coalville settled the quicker and had some good chances, the first goal came on 28 mins from Whitley Bay. The right winger comfortably beat his defender and the low cross saw CHOW completely unmarked and he scored easily. Coalville had two glaring misses in this final although when they did score it was a beauty. The best cross I’ve seen in a long time from the left was perfect for the forward who scored from 8 yards despite the keeper almost stopping it. But 4 mins later & Whitley Bay again went in front. A neat inside out turn of the defender resulted in a cross from the right that was met by a beautifully flicked header by KERR that the keeper had no chance with. But Coalville kept coming forward and on 80 mins, a cross from the right was well headed home from where it came from 8 yards. But again the lead didn’t last and on 85 mins a free kick was given 25 yards out. The shot came down off the bar, hit CHOW’s toe and rolled in.
Whitley Bay have now won it three years in a row and despite being given a real test here, seem to win this tournament almost at will. Yet they always fall just short of promotion. Strikers Lee Kerr & Paul Chow could play at a higher level with no problem at all, Kerr would not be out of place in a conference team and yet they seem more than happy not to test themselves at a higher level.
I’m not knocking their achievements or ability in any way, but it’s getting a bit like Man Utd entering the LDV vans trophy and winning at a canter. I really hope that their run ends now and that their tremendous achievement is applauded before people get utterly fed up with the monotony of their final appearances.
So another Vase campaign reaches its conclusion. Big clubs such as Kings Lynn, St Neots, Poole & Coalville threatened only to fall just short. Most deservedly got promotion & I’m sure they can’t wait to play at a higher level. I had glorious days at Raynes Park, Bustleholme & Kings Lynn. Miserable days at Wick, Stotfold & Coalville and classic games at Bloxwich & Wembley itself.
This tournament continues to intrigue and I love the fact that I never have any idea what direction the draw will lead me.
The draw for next years competition is in only 2 months. I can’t wait!
Well, the Moon in Stanmore was fairly busy but mostly with local punters having a Sunday lunch out. But due to Stanmore being within a certain radius of Wembley, no glasses were allowed for our beer. Instead we had to make do with dodgy plastic things that you felt could split down the centre at any second. I fully understand caution for really big, grudge matches but this really seemed like overkill.
My mate is now officially a west country resident despite his protestations, as regardless of him living in the Harrow area for 25 years as a kid, he took the wrong turning on the way to the pub.
Needless to say, the ticket machine at Northwick Park station swallowed my £10 & we had to call for assistance. The machine had to be re-booted and was taken out of action for 10 minutes. We were allowed through the barrier and told to pay at Wembley Park. Again, needless to say, there magically appeared three ticket collectors seconds after I got on the train. To be fair, they were fine about it. I asked why the lady who had re-booted the ticket machine could not sell us a ticket & was told that it was now policy in an attempt to reduce staff. Utterly ridiculous!!!
The two stop return fare cost £7.30!!! as you had to get a travelcard. Checking afterwards, it would have been £5 cheaper if I had an Oyster card. I must invest in one!
We decided to buy tickets for the Coalville end as I’d enjoyed seeing them twice in the earlier rounds and we got nice seats 9 rows from pitchside. A 5-a-side tournament was taking place on the nice carpeted courts just outside the stadium and we enjoyed watching these keenly contested games for a few minutes.
A modest crowd of just over 8000 were in the stadium, the majority of them Coalville or neutral. I suppose the smaller Whitley Bay attendance is understandable due to the expense and distance required to travel and the fact that they’ve been in the final every year for the last 35 years (Or it seems like it!).
The game itself was a fabulous affair full of incident & chances. When one player miss-kicked halfway through the second half, I suddenly remembered that this was only non-league football that I was watching.
Excellent end to end stuff throughout although there was an inevitability that Whitley Bay would once again win the trophy. Although Coalville settled the quicker and had some good chances, the first goal came on 28 mins from Whitley Bay. The right winger comfortably beat his defender and the low cross saw CHOW completely unmarked and he scored easily. Coalville had two glaring misses in this final although when they did score it was a beauty. The best cross I’ve seen in a long time from the left was perfect for the forward who scored from 8 yards despite the keeper almost stopping it. But 4 mins later & Whitley Bay again went in front. A neat inside out turn of the defender resulted in a cross from the right that was met by a beautifully flicked header by KERR that the keeper had no chance with. But Coalville kept coming forward and on 80 mins, a cross from the right was well headed home from where it came from 8 yards. But again the lead didn’t last and on 85 mins a free kick was given 25 yards out. The shot came down off the bar, hit CHOW’s toe and rolled in.
Whitley Bay have now won it three years in a row and despite being given a real test here, seem to win this tournament almost at will. Yet they always fall just short of promotion. Strikers Lee Kerr & Paul Chow could play at a higher level with no problem at all, Kerr would not be out of place in a conference team and yet they seem more than happy not to test themselves at a higher level.
I’m not knocking their achievements or ability in any way, but it’s getting a bit like Man Utd entering the LDV vans trophy and winning at a canter. I really hope that their run ends now and that their tremendous achievement is applauded before people get utterly fed up with the monotony of their final appearances.
So another Vase campaign reaches its conclusion. Big clubs such as Kings Lynn, St Neots, Poole & Coalville threatened only to fall just short. Most deservedly got promotion & I’m sure they can’t wait to play at a higher level. I had glorious days at Raynes Park, Bustleholme & Kings Lynn. Miserable days at Wick, Stotfold & Coalville and classic games at Bloxwich & Wembley itself.
This tournament continues to intrigue and I love the fact that I never have any idea what direction the draw will lead me.
The draw for next years competition is in only 2 months. I can’t wait!
Sunday, April 03, 2011
Coalmen deliver
Kings Lynn 2 Coalville Town 3
02/04/11
I had purposely left Kings Lynn alone in the quarter finals, my theory was that they were likely to beat Rye & I could pick up their ground in the semis.
I love it when a plan comes together, what could possibly go wrong? That would be the game being ticket only. I discovered this about a week before
the game. Cue frantic phone calls to the club, Emails & scouring of their internet site. I got hold of someone at about 3pm on the Monday before the game.
I couldn't attend the ticket office in person, there was no facility to use a credit card, so a postal application was my only route. I left work early, wrote
out a cheque (remember them?), knocked up a SAE & rushed to the post office. I then spent the rest of the week hovering around my letter box in hopeful anticipation.
The ticket arrived on Thursday, so once again I could relax.
A leisurely start on game day, a train to Cambridge, a 10 minute wait for the connection that went straight to Kings Lynn. Desperately easy & I was there in no time at all.
One of my pet loves when ground-hopping is to spot the ground from the train as you pull into the station. The pressure is then off. No scratching your head
wondering which way to go or searching for road names. About a 5 minute walk through a recreation ground and you're there.
A big crowd was expected so I decided to not explore the town and instead head straight for the ground. Lunch therefore turned out to be a cheeseburger from an
outside grill that wafted smoke across the pitch for the whole afternoon. Actually, it wasn't at all bad. Unfortunately, the other burger place went at an absolute snails pace &
I gave up waiting for a half-time cup of tea after only 5 people had been served in 15 minutes.
This ground almost looks out of place in the Vase, it's way to big. Obviously Kings Lynn's financial problems and folding are well documented and I hope they
quickly make their way up the pyramid. A huge, imposing stand that I loved towers over the pitch and the whole of the far side is also covered. The near end behind the goal has
terracing and rails, I couldn't get behind the far goal due to segregation. A smallish bar area is situated under the far end of the stand.
Fair play to Kings Lynn who made a real effort including face painting for kids and merchandise. The programme was okay but strangely basic for
this stage of the competition.
Coalville were 3-0 up after the 1st leg. However, not a single Kings Lynn fan I heard had any doubts that they would get back into this tie. I did laugh when
The great escape music was played over the tannoy at about 2:50. The programme also had details of the 10 greatest comebacks.
But Coalville were the better in this semi and have some superb strikers who could easily play at a higher level.
The wind was taken out of Kings Lynn sails when Coalville scored from a free kick on only 6 minutes. When the second came on 31 mins, it was no
surprise and was fully deserved. Incredibly, at half time, Kings Lynn fans were still talking about pulling the tie back.
When they scored 2 in 2 minutes I even got sucked into believing them for a minute and the place erupted. But then Lynn had a man sent off for two yellows
and the momentum was lost. Coalville scored again with a classic counter attack and it was all over.
Unfortunately, there were ugly scenes at this game which have no place in the FA Vase or any level of football. Crowd trouble on several occasions. Abuse
being hurled at players before the game even started. I twice witnessed the ball being thrown at Coalville players when it went out of play.
I can't comment on the Coalville supporters as i was up the other end. However, a minority of Kings Lynn fans were pathetic and don't deserve their club
to go anywhere near Wembley.
Disappointing scenes on an otherwise excellent occasion on a pleasingly warm afternoon.
Sunday, March 06, 2011
Saturday, March 05, 2011
King Cole march on
Coleville Town 1 Leiston 0
Of the 8 clubs in the quarter finals, I had only visited Poole and therefore there were no nerves when the draw was made. Dunston would be too expensive, I was banking in Kings Lynn making the semis, so Coalville was my choice. I went online to book my train tickets and was stunned when the cheapest option on the outward journey was a first class seat from St Pancras. I was almost excited about this & eagerly rushed to my coach as the train pulled in. The joy did't last long as it became apparent that there was a mix up. The coach had G on the outside & J on the inside and there was mass confusion as multiple people were trying to sit on the same seat. I was lucky to reach my seat early as it turned out to be double booked. The guard looked at my reservation three times along with the other person with an identical piece of paper & rapidly had to improvise, finding seats in weird and wonderful places for disgruntled passengers. You couldn't make it up! Eventually the dust settled and I had a peaceful, comfortable journey although the complimentary coffeee tasted like dish water.
I decided to travel to Loughborough and catch the bus from there, this gave me the opportunity to tick off a pub from the Good pub guide. I didn't have too long so it was just a quick half. The 'Swan in the rushes' is a real ale pub on Loughborough high street with a fine selection of beers. I opted for a pale beer called Harvest pale which did not touch the sides. I learnt that this was named CAMRA champion beer of Britain last year and what a worthy winner.
I found my bus stop with ease and had a ten minute wait on a narrow strip of pavement. People queuing for the bus, mixed with mums with large pushchairs and people coming out of shops caused an almighty log-jam & I was bustled and jostled all over the place and it was a relief when the bus turned up. An elderly lady sat next to me and immediately sparked up a conversation. "I hate it when they start" was her opening remark. My natural sarcasm had to be restrained as I was on the verge of asking her what she expected a bus to do. It turned out that she was a lovely lady and good company. I chatted with her for a good 30 minutes. I hope I brightened her day as she certainly brightened mine.
The bus got caught in traffic when nearing its destination so I hopped off and walked the last 10 minutes. I only arrived with about 15 mins to spare which always irritates me slightly as I don't feel I get to know the ground as well as I might. You walk down a lengthy track with the ground appearing below you. This view reminded me very much of Hertford Town where I spent a few years as their P.A announcer.
The ground was quite nice. An open tented club shop selling scarves and programmes, a couple of refreshment places and a media room. Two seated areas, one on each side. The largest seating area was on the far side, the other cover was a corrugated shed behind the near goal. A huge embankment loomed above the far goal, a feature I loved. A couple of walkers stopped for a free view during the game. I had a bacon roll on arrival as I'd not had other time for lunch due to the length of journey. It really wasn't great despite the pleasant and quick service.
Once again the weather got in the way. Light drizzle turned to heavy drizzle followed by persistent light rain with a sharp, cold wind that slapped you round the cheeks before cutting right through you. My glasses needed windscreen wipers as I had to stand in it as all the covered places were taken. A truly miserable afternoon AGAIN!
The first half of the game was excellent with fast, good quality football and tons of commitment. Coalville hit the bar with a header when it was easier to score and had most of the attacking play. They scored 10 minutes into the second half with a scrambled goal. The game deteriorated badly after this with several lengthy injury stoppages and the ball seemingly constantly going miles out of play over the far touchline with never a spare ball to hand. Leiston had a man sent off for 2 yellows, the second for an elbow and despite a couple of near misses, they couldn't get back into it.
This will not go down as my favourite Vase trip ever. The miserable weather and poor second half the main reason, but this was a tricky ground to reach & I'm pleased to have got it ticked off.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Dunston check in at Stansted
Stansted 0 Dunston UTS 2
A bit of a no brainer in choosing the game for this round. I’m not a great lover of the Essex league and therefore tend not to visit grounds as often as I should. But this North v South encounter at a ground in a league that I hadn’t visited this season ticked all the right boxes.
I always seem to moan about the rail service in this blog but yet again it was weekend carnage. This time, Finsbury Park was shut. All the trains into London were calling at all stops & because of the closure, I had to go into London and back out again. Fortunately, I was not affected by the replacement bus service further up the line from me but there were an awful lot of extremely disgruntled rugby fans having a tiresome journey travelling to Twikenham. One last train question. Why, wherever I sit, do I end up with someone sitting behind me bellowing into a mobile phone?
I examined the Good pub guide but there is no entry in Stansted Mountfitchet. But just one step up the line was ‘The Crown’ at Elsenham. This was only a 2 mile walk from Stansted so I headed off to get there early and would walk off my lunch afterwards. A nice little pub, not overcrowded but with a friendly atmosphere. There is a little restaurant area that is the life-blood of so many pubs these days. I was tempted by the blackboard offering homemade pizza. I asked how long that would take to arrive and was put off by the 30 minute wait until I heard that the dough for the base was all made by hand. 30 minutes it was, but my pepperoni pizza when it arrived was absolutely stunning & was washed down by a pint of London pride.
The walk to Stansted was a pleasure on a no over-busy B road on the most gorgeous of afternoons, a real touch of spring in the air. A mate of mine used to live in Stansted when I was a teenager & I enjoyed walking trough the high street, remembering haunts we used to frequent – Happy days!
The ground was very easy to find. A souvenir programme was produced in good numbers & all the volunteers had made a real effort to organise their big day, a credit to the club!
There is a covered, seating area on the near side & a huge mobile phone mast behind the near goal. The pitch encroaches onto the towns, summer cricket pitch but was fully railed off for this match. One small pet hate of mine is when you cannot walk round the whole pitch and this was the case here with the far corner impassable. All the hard standing was quite narrow and it got a bit congested, especially near the tea hut. There was a bar just outside the ground entrance which I didn’t visit as I didn’t spot it until I was inside.
The pitch was very bumpy and it seemed to affect the passing and shooting of all the players with balls constantly scuffed and otherwise mis-directed.
Stansted started the game quite brightly and brought a few useful early saves from the Dunston keeper.But there is a big, dark cloud with the same Vase itinerary as me & it spread over the ground midway through the half. The gloom seemed to descend on to the Stansted players as their energy and confidence sagged. As the half wore on, Dunston were the side on top although their opening goal came out of nothing. A ball was played into the area, the keeper and defender tripped over each other and the ball spat out to the right touchline. An early cross in caught the keeper in no mans land, I’m not sure if he thought it was going over or just couldn’t reach it, but he stood and watched it drop into an empty net. Dunston were the better second half team by a mile, playing with tenacity and enthusiasm. The second goal on 58 mins was also unusual. A ball through saw a defender just ahead of the attacker. He swung wildly at the ball and missed it completely, letting the striker in. This allowed the striker through and the defender pulled him back. This would have been a certain red card if the referee had not played a good advantage. The striker toed a shot at goal, the keeper made a fine save but it trickled over he line. Dunston saw the game out to win a surprisingly one-sided affair.
I enjoyed chatting with a couple of hoppers from Sussex & Worcestershire. One of them even knew of & reads this blog. This made me a happy man and certainly put the gloss on an enjoyable afternoon.
Friday, January 28, 2011
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