A few games to catch up on since I last blogged. As I am not currently at home, I have not been able to upload pictures. These will follow later
Spennymoor Town 1 v 0 Corby Town Northern Premier League Premier Division 29 August 2016
My first visit to see Spennymoor town play since their exciting playoff win last season at home to Northwich Victoria. Promotion and the opening of a new pub, The Moors Tavern are 2 significant events in the intervening period. In the days after that promotion play off victory, Spennymoor announced the release of several stalwarts of that side. My initial thoughts were of pessimision, but I was wrong. Spennymoor subsequently announced the signing of several players with Conference National League experience. Today was my first chance to see the new look side, but first a visit to the new pub.
The pub has been shut for some time. It was formerly the Salvins Arms but has now been refurbished and is leased to Spennymoor Town to use as a pub/ community attraction/ base. First impressions were favourable. It looks smart and is very popular. Another positive is that it means the club has opened the Tees Crescent Turnstiles again as these are nearest the pub.
The ground itself has been subject of a summer tidy up and a lot of work on the pitch. I think the pitch probably looks better than I have ever seen it.
The game itself was the most one sided 1-0 win I have seen. An early goal for Spennymoor settled the game. However on the basis of chances, Spennymoor should have had double figures. Sides cannot afford to waste the number of chances Spennymoor did.
Still last season these sides were 2 divisions apart andthe fact Spennymoor have deservedly outplayed Corby shows how far the club have come on
The delay in writing this has seen Spennymoor score 5 gols away from home on a couple of occasions, so hopefully the Corby game (and by all accounts the games before that) was a case of the new players getting used to each other.
Harlow Town 3 v 1 Romford FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round 3 September 2016
This was a game I nearly did not get to, and the reason for that is also the reason for the tardyness in my blogging recent games.
The evening before this game, I was hit by a motor car whilst cycling home from work. So what? you say. Well at the time of the accident I was cycling in a segregated cycle lane – ie segregated from the motorised traffic. Little things like that never stopped the motorist from managing to drive his car into me. I initially thought I was ok, but after getting home, I was sick twice in next 12 hours- possibly the shock of ending up under a car with its wheel stopping about 6 inches from my head.
So first thing on the Saturday morning I went to A&E where they spent 5 hours carrying out various forms of scans and treating my wounds. I had bruising to neck and shoulders, hip, backside, arms, wrist and legs amongst other places. I have injured my wrist, so typing has been painful, hence the tardiness.
Anyway, after getting released from A&E, I headed up to Harlow to wach the game. That in itself was probably not a good idea as sitting in a seat for 90 minutes was not the most comfortable with my injuries.
Harlow Town won promotion ot the Rymans League Premier division in the play offs last season. Today they were facing Romford who are in the division below Harlow. I have to say I expected a comfortable Harlow victory.
Today was also non league day, but Harlow seemed to have not got into the spirit and even though there were no Premiership games on today, the crowd at just over 300 was a little disappointing.
As if reflecting this, the Harlow performance in the first 45 minutes was very disappointing. Romford were deservedly leading 1-0 at half time. Harlow did not seem interested in the first half. I tweeted at half time that a potential cup upset was on the cards.
I am not sure what was said at half time in the Harlow dressing room, but it was a different team in the 2nd half. However, Romford battled all the way and it took 2 pieces of brilliance from Alex Read (who else?) to turn the game Harlow’s way. Romford conceded a 3rd at the death when their goalkeeper went up for a corner and Harlow broke away and scored a 3rd. The score line flattered Harlow and was a little harsh on Romford.
Waltham Forest 1 v 3 Stansted Essex Senior League 7 September 2016
Learning my lesson about the need to recouperate after my accident, I decided not to go to the Ascot v Tonbridge Angels FA Cup tie on 4th September and also forego games on Mon 5 and Tues 6 September. However my the Wednesday, I was suffering withdrawal symptoms and decided to head to Wadham Lodge for what should be an easy home win.
As ever, my prediction skills were way off. Waltham Forest were woeful and were rapidly 3-0 down . This would be Waltham Forest’s first defeat of the season and they were playing a side from near the bottom of the table. They were well and truly beaten.
Positives about the game Well the cup of tea was good, the programme was excellent and I met a fellow ground hopper, Brian who ended up here after going to see FC Romania play without realising the game had been switched venue.
As far as Waltham Forest are concerned, things must get better.
Wadham Lodge FC 2 v 0 Barkingside FC Essex Senior League 14 September 2016
This was my 3rd visit of the season to Wadham Lodge, but my first time watching Wadham lodge play. They share their home with Waltham Forest (see previous report). Before tonight’s game Barkingside were 4th top and Wadham Lodge 4th bottom.
Wadham lodge scored a penalty in the first half and got a second mid way though the 2nd half to win 2-0. Barkingside had I think one effort, a weak header, on target all game. They had numerous chances, but failed to get any on target. Some were easier to score than miss!
One oddity near the end of the game came when the Wadham lodge keeper completely lost the plot with one or more of his own players and for several minutes was effing and blinding at one or more of his defenders and it appeared he was going to fight his own players. Eventually, the referee had to intervene and calm the goalkeeper down.
What the cause of this incredible behaviour was I have o idea. It was even more suprising given his side were cruising to victory. I and several other spectators remained at the end just to see what the keeper would do at the full time whistle. The answer is very little. To be hoest, the referee should have sent him off, but I don’t think he booked anyone in the game, preferring to talk to players and if necessary their captains as well.
A deserved win for Wadham Lodge, and a wake up call for Barkingside.
