A rare occurrence for me lately, a second consecutive week of Tuesday night football. With a number of games to choose from I eventually settled on a two hour journey up the M1 to Leciestershire and a top-half versus bottom-half clash in the Midland League Division One, Hinckley v Stafford Town.

The Ground
Hinckley currently play their home games some 10 or so miles North of the town at the former home of Ibstock Town, The Welfare Ground. This is now logistics country. On the way to the ground from the motorway you will pass an Amazon fulfilment centre, Stobart, MTS Logidstics and Premier Logistics depots. Not forgetting that Hinckley are sponsored by another logistics company, DPD. A landscape that was once littered with 
winding gear from the mines is now peppered with large warehouses and containers.
The football stadium is part of a larger complex, the Ibstock Miners Welfare Sports & Social Club which also caters for bowls, has a 3G five-a-side pitch and is home to the local pigeon fanciers. There is ample parking adjacent to the ground, which is accessed through a brick-arched turnstile bearing the name of the original owners, Ibstock Welfare FC. The ground itself has been completely re-badged for Hinckley AFC (with a nod towards local Sunday side Sporting Dynamo, who also play here), with the club logo adorning the clubhouse, the stands and the Portakabin that serves as a small bar and club shop inside the ground.
The facilities are all on the car park side of the ground. The club shop, a snack bar, the dugouts and all of the covered areas are along this side of the pitch. The are two covered stands, either side of the rear wall of the main club building. Nearest the entrance is a white-posted covered standing area with a small seating area further down the ground.The ground has been around for quite a while and, as such, has plenty of character about it, something that was also noted by The Wycombe Wanderer on his visit here to watch Ibstock United just before they went out of existence.

The Background
When Hinckley United folded back in October 2013 a group of supporters got together and formed a new team, Hinckley AFC, owned and run by the supporter's trust. The new club came into being in 2014 and was placed in Division One of the Midland League three steps below the level that United played at before they went under.
Stafford were promoted back to Division One in the Summer after spending a season in the Staffordshire County League. So far it has not been a an easy transition back into Step 6 life. Going into this game they were just a point above basement boys Nuneaton Griff and could only show two wins and eight points from their 17 games. Those two wins both came early in the season, the first being a 2-1 victory against Hinckley in the reverse of tonight's game. The last win in any competition came early in September and their last 6 league games had all ended in defeat, conceding 29 goals an scoring just 4 themselves.
Hinckley, meanwhile, were placed 6th with 26 points from their 15 games, although they had lost their last league game, a 4-0 home defeat Leicester Road, who were also formed after the demise of Hinckley United and actually continue to play at United's old De Montfort Park ground.

​The Game
The game started at a frantic pace. From the kick-off Stafford attacked but when their foray fizzled out, Hinckley were quick to break to the other end of the pitch and start a raid of their own. In fact, within the first five minutes the home side could easily have been two goals to the good, with both Green and Richards coming very close, the second after two consecutive corners caused chaos in the Town defence with Richards seeing his effort hacked off the line by a grey-clad defender.
Hinckely continued to make the running in the game but could not completely relax with the lively-looking Kyle Ashman giving their defenders plenty to think about on the rare occasions that the ball found him.
17 minutes in, Hinckley won a free-kic kjust outside the box. Bekir Halil curled an effort around the wall which beat George Hill in the Stafford goal but, unfortunately for the home side, also just beat the keeper's left-hand post. However, Hinckley were now completely in control of the game and it seemed just a matter of time before they made their dominance count.
Just before the half-hour mark though football played one of its little tricks that so often happen. Totally against the run of play a Stafford throw-in was flicked on by Ashman. Ed Page latched onto it, drove into the box holding off a challenge as he did, and slipped the ball under the advancing debutant Elliott Taylor to score his first goal for Stafford and give them a very surprising lead. 0-1

The goal served to galvanise both sides but Stafford's joy was only to last for 4 minutes when, on 31 minutes, some great work on the right-hand side led to a low cross laying a tap-in on a plate for Shane Benjamin. 1-1. This would surely be the boost that the home side needed to go on and win the game? However, despite plenty more pressure before the end of the half and at least one more effort being cleared off the line, they couldn't grab a second and had to be happy with a share of the first half spoils.

HT Hinckley 1 Stafford Town 1. Not sure how this game was level at the break. Stafford would be pleased with their night's work up to this point, but surely Hinckley would make their dominance pay as the game wore on.

​The second half, however, started with Stafford looking a little livelier and Hinckley looking flatter. It was a much more evenly contested game at this point. Then, on 56 minutes, came the moment that swung the game in favour of Stafford. The ball broke to the feet of Kyle Ashman some 25 yards out. He unleashed a swerving effort that seemed to deceive Taylor and flew into the top corner. It was a great strike but I think the home keeper will be disappointed not to have saved it. 1-2

Hinckley continued to huff and puff but didn't really cause Hil any moments of concern until the 72nd minute when Thompson got on the end of a free-kick inside the box. However, even then the Stafford stopper needn't have been worried as the ball was sent sailing over his bar when it really should have been the equaliser.

Hill finally got his hands warm when he was forced into a couple of good stops in the last five minutes, the second of which was a superb tip over the bar from a Ky Green header. A great save which turned out to be the one that kept the three points in the bag for his team.

FT Hinckley 1 Stafford Town 2. A superb three points for Stafford, well deserved on the effort they put in. Hinckley, after dominating the first half but failing to take advantage, were disappointing in the second period, conceding a goal and then failing to make the Stafford keeper make a save until 2 minutes from time. 
​
​Hinckley: Taylor, Reuben, Rowe, Kendrick, Green, Ball, Thompson, Halil, Benjamin, Richards(c), Hirst. Subs: Cross, Giles, Brown, Commins, Webster

Stafford Town: Hill, Marshall(c), Jessup, Turner, Wright, Webb, Milgate, Ashman, Page, Baker, Heath. Subs: Dufft, Redford, Marshall, Kelly, Concar

Att: 120
Ground Number: 221
Entrance: £6.00
Programme: £1.50

​After another enforced break due to business travel it was back to some live football on Tuesday night. Not a new ground this time, but a return to Northamptonshire for the United Counties League Cup tie between runaway Division One leaders Long Buckby and high-flying Premier League side Loughborough University.

The Ground
It's been almost five years since my first visit to Station Road. That evening the home side, bottom of the Premier League, had given themselves some hope with a 3-2 home defeat of Oadby Town. Ultimately, however, it proved in vain and they were relegated at the end of the season.
By the time I got to Long Buckby the small car park at the ground was full but there was still plenty of parking available on Station Road itself. Access to the ground is via a narrow path that leads past the clubhouse, alongside the cricket pitch and another football pitch, and finally to a double turnstile. As I remarked on my first visit, that passing through the turnstile actually takes you into a courtyard, off which is the refreshments bar and the toilet block. The opposite side of the courtyard is the back of the main stand which runs over half the length length of the pitch on the Station Road side. The rest of the ground, which has not noticeably changed since my first visit, is unremarkable save for the dugouts on the opposite side to the main stand.

​The Background
Long Buckby went into this game leading Division One by 16 points, having lost just once in the league. They were hosting Premier League Loughborough University, sixth in their table but on the back of a 5-2 defeat at Lutterworth Town in their last game.
As far as I could see, there was no previous history between these sides in either league or cup.

​The Game
Loughborough took the lead as early as the fifth minute after a defensive mix-up allowed Will Dawes to nip in, round the keeper, and slide the ball into an empty net to make it 0-1.

After going behind the hosts stepped their game up and, arguably, had the better chances in the remainder of the half. In fact, only two minutes after losing the goal they came very close to levelling the game. Bucks Number 11, running from just inside the Loughborough half, skipped through a number of challenges and unleashed a low drive to the Scott Martin's left. The keeper got down to it and somehow managed to deflect the ball up and over the bar for a corner. It was a good response from Long Buckby and showed that they weren't going to roll over to their higher ranked opponents.

The game continued to ebb and flow with the home just about edging the play. However,just before the half-hour mark, Bucks had their keeper to thank for keeping them in it when he produced a superb one-handed stop to prevent a header from Connor beating him.

HT Long Buckby 0 Loughborough University 1. Very much a contrast in styles across the pitch. Loughborough certainly playing the more cultured style of football but, on a very wet and boggy pitch, Long Buckby's more direct approach caused plenty of problems. The home side have a right to feel slightly aggrieved at being behind, after creating more chances than the Scholars.

​Loughborough appeared for the second half looking as if they had been given a wake up call from their coaches at the break. Within four minutes of the restart they had doubled their lead and once again it was the dangerous Will Dawes who got the goal. This time his low drive from a very narrow angle, squirmed through the hands of the Bucks goalkeeper and dribbled over the line. Possibly an own goal but, as it was on target, I think the striker will be claiming it. 0-2

Four minutes later and with The Scholars now having the bit firmly between their teeth, Dawes went from goal scorer to goal provider, jinking past a defender to the by-line and squaring for Tom Iaciofano to slide the ball home from close range. 0-3

Loughborough were now, effectively, home and hosed, but they were not letting up. Iaciofano got his second and The Scholar's fourth with a sublime, outside of the left foot, finish into the far corner. 0-4

The game had now well and truly gone for The Bucks. After more than holding their own in the first half they were being given a footballing lesson by the University in the second period. To make matters worse they were reduced to 10 men in the 83rd minute after their Number 2 received a second yellow for an off-the-ball trip on a Loughborough player.

Five minutes later and the home side were down to 9 men with Number 6 getting a straight red for a lunge just outside the box. Loughborough also withdrew Tope Fadahunsi at this point, even though they had no further substitutes. Originally I thought that the referee had sin-binned the defender, but it appears it was just a coaching decision. The wait for my first sin-bin goes on.
Immediately after the red card Loughborough substitute, Ollie Jarrett, was on hand to tap in another low cross to make it 0-5.

FT Long Buckby 0 Loughborough University 5. A harsh lesson for The Bucks in the second half. A young and talented Loughborough side, featuring four debutants, gave them the run around after the break. However, it was plain to see why The Bucks are pushing for promotion this season.

Loughborough University: Martin, Fadahunsi, Davis, Sackey-Mensah, Townrow, Parsons, Iaciofano, Ogunmekan, Warwick, Dawes, Connor. Subs: Wright, Hilton, Bryan, Jarrett

Att: 
Ground Number: Re-visit
Entrance: £5.00
Programme: £1.00

​It was another one of those days spent keeping an eye on Twitter trying to see which games were on and which had fallen foul of the weather. On the plus side I had quite a long list of potential games and, as luck would have it, number two on the list survived the early rain.

The Ground
The Runnymede Stadium, which Egham have played at since their foundation in 1963, is a fine example of a traditional style non-league football ground. There is cover on all four sides of the ground which adds to the atmosphere of the stadium, giving it a hemmed in feel. The stadium is accessed through a fairly recent-looking housing development but has managed to retain a reasonable sized car park and clubhouse (which is separate from the ground itself. Access is through a turnstile that brings you in just to the side of the goal at the clubhouse end. The main stand, tea bar and players facilities are to your left. There are covered standing areas behind both goals and low, covered stand all down the side of the pitch opposite the main stand. The ground has a capacity of 5,500.

​The Background
Before the game there were three points between the sides. Egham sitting just below mid-table with their visitors four places better off. Neither side could lay claim to any great form in recent weeks. Egham, despite winning their last league outing 4-1 at Camberley Town, had only picked up a single point in the four games previous to their trip to Krooner Park. Badshot Lea had also won last time out, 3-2 at Abbey Rangers, but had also lost 3 of the previous five before that.
The sides had not met in a league clash since The Sarnies promotion season of 2012-13, a season in which The Baggies finished seventh. Egham won both league encounters that season, 3-0 at Goldalming's ground where The Baggies were ground-sharing at the time and 3-2 in this corresponding fixture. There was, however, an early season 2-1 FA Cup victory for Badshot Lea.

The Game
The Baggies started the game at a much higher intensity than their hosts and this was shown by the fact that for the first 15 minutes the majority of the play was in the Egham half of the pitch.
Former Sarnie, Meschach Williams, was causing the home defence some problems with his pace and trickery. However, the away team failed to take advantage of their early possession, and as the game wore on the home side began to play themselves back into contention.
It was a full bloodied contest with some hefty challenges all across the park, some of which were deemed a little too robust for the referees liking and Badshot Lea found three of their players names in the little black book well before half-time.
Some hefty challenges going in at times and the visitors pick up 3 yellows
After weathering the Baggies' opening storm it was Egham who probably came the closest to scoring in the first 45 minutes when Kiemon Robinson's low, driven cross only just evaded the boot of the sliding Thomas at the far post.

HT Egham Town 0 Badshot Lea 0. The visitors opened well but the game was fairly even for the last 30 minutes. If anything Egham created the most clear cut opportunity but neither side good grab the opening goal.

​After the break Badshot Lea came out early but Egham, not making the same sluggish mistake that they made in the first half, were on the front foot. Taking the game to their visitors right from the whistle.
Five minutes into the second period Baggies keeper Kallum Lunn was called upon to make a fingertip save to prevent Egham's top scorer, Luke Maguire, from breaking the deadlock. Lunn was certainly no the busier of the goalkeepers.

However, even Lunn's agility could not prevent the home side from taking the lead in the 71st minute. Kiemon Robinson swung in a tantalising corner which a number of players challenged for at the near post. No-one, including the keeper, got a touch on the ball and it bent straight into the net to make it 1-0.

The Baggies tried valiantly to respond but Egham remained solid at the back, seeing out the remainder of the game without too many alarms.

FT Egham Town 1 Badshot Lea 0. A low-scoring but entertaining game. The Baggies opened so well that it looked initially as if it was just a matter of time until they went ahead. The Sarnies weathered the initial storm and the remainder of the first-half was an even affair. IN the second-half it was again tight but Egham probably had the upper hand and just about deserved their three points.

Egham Town: Daley, Peden, Whorms, Da Costa(c), Sobalak, Humphries, O'Connell, Maguire, Thomas, Mbengui, Robinson. Subs: Ejiwunmi, Hassan, Rodrigues, Toney, Tomkins

Badshot Lea: Lunn, Pound, Roberts(c), Headley, New, Lloyd, Cadete, Blake, Williams, Lewington, Medcraft. Subs: Gorman, Pilling, Khadka, Cotton, Ciardini

Att: 
Ground Number: 220
Entrance: £7.00
Programme: Online only

Last week was another barren football week for BotP. Even a potential trip to a German tier 5 game fell through due to work commitments and with more travelling on the near horizon, it was good to have a chance to get out and about this Wednesday. After much musing and checking of weather, I finally decided to head South and take a look at the Southern League Premier South clash between Farnborough and Hendon.

​The Ground
Cherrywood Road, or The Easy as HGV Stadium to give it it's current name, is a ground befitting of Farnborough's recent past as a National League (Conference as it was at the time) side. There is a large car park within the boundaries of the stadium (£2 to park) which is a god-send on a damp, chilly evening. Entrance to the ground is through a turnstile complex adjacent to the clubhouse and main seating area, the Charles Mortimore Stand. Looming above and to your right as you enter is the 1300 seater Prospect Road End (PRE). Opposite the entrance is the East Stand which runs the full length of the ground and features covered terracing towards the PRE, the dugouts spanning the centre-line and covered seating at towards Moor Road End. There is a complete, covered, shallow terracing at the Moor Road End, traditionally the section set aside for visiting supporters in games that require segregation. In all the ground has a capacity of 7,000.

​The Background
Prior to kick off both sides were sitting at the wrong end of the table. Farnborough just above the drop zone with 13 points from their 13 games. Hendon, however, were in a far worse situation, second from bottom, three points from the safety line and on a run of three straight defeats. After the departure of Jimmy Gray a few days ago, the club announced their new manager, Lee Allinson just prior to the game. Last season saw the sides draw 1-1 in this fixture. A draw would not be of much use to either side at this stage of this season.

​The Game
There was a bizarre start to the game, not to say a terrible start for the away side. We were only 4 minutes into the game when a ball into the Hendon box caused absolute chaos. In the confusion a hasty clearance cannoned into a group of players and dropped into the back of the net. 1-0. The goal was eventually given to Farnborough captain Tom Leggett but it was such a mess that I initially thought that it was an own-goal and the Farnborough stadium announcer gave it to Connor Cullen. Whatever the case, it was a shambolic piece of defending which the home side were more than happy capitalise on.

​With the rain continuing to fall the game was never going to be a classic, especially with two teams scrapping for results at the wrong end of the table. Farnborough continued to boss the game completely but, despite having the ball in the Hendon half of the pitch almost constantly, failed to add to their lead for almost 30 minutes.
​

​When the second goal did come, however, it was worth the wait. Cullen, who had seen the first goal taken away from him, got his name on the score-sheet with a cracker of a strike from the edge of the box, the ball flashing past Grace into the far corner. 2-0
Suddenly, as if realising that the game was slipping away, Hendon woke up. They created more opportunities in the final 10 minutes of the half than they had managed in the previous 35. Liam Beach in the home goal finally got his knees dirty, but Hendon could not find a finish to bring them back into the game.

HT Farnborough 2 Hendon 0. In the main a comfortable half for Farnborough. Hendon showed some signs of revival after going 2-0 down, but need to improve in the second-half if they want to get anything from the game. In many ways they must be grateful that they are only two goals down at the break.

​There were still signs of some extra Hendon verve as the second-half began but, again, they lacked any real cutting edge and, despite having more possession, failed to really threaten the Farnborough goal.
A minute before the hour mark Farnborough then closed the game down. Andrew Sealey-Harris picked the ball up on the right-flank, jinked inside his man and struck a rocket of a left-footed drive past Grace to make it 3-0.
There was no way back for Hendon after the third goal but, just to make sure, the home side grabbed a further goal on 83 minutes when a corner from the right was allowed to drop into the centre of the Hendon six-yard box area. Farnborough's CJ Fearn was first to react, forcing the ball over the line to put the icing on the cake. 4-0

FT Farnborough 4 Hendon 0. A very good three points for the Yellows who controlled the game from start to finish. They looked very lively going forward and on this form shouldn't have too much difficulty pulling away from the relegation spots and possibly pushing towards a play-off place. On this showing, there is plenty of work for Hendon's new boss Lee Allison to do, although there were some brief spells where they showed that he does at least have something to work with.

Farnborough: Beach, Oyenuga, Alowade-Williams, Fearn, Brice, Francis, Sealey-Harris, Ten-Grotenhuis, Cullen, Leggett(c), Young. Subs: Charles-Smith, Coles, Owens, Emmanuel, Akongo
Hendon: Grace, Hall, Panter, Manesiol, Hamblin(c), Noel-McLeod, English, Hope, Calcutt, Mitchell, Charles. Subs: Tingley, Todd, Ogbonna, Luther, Jonas

Att: 176
Ground Number: 219
Entrance: £12.00
Programme: £2.00

​After a week in Germany and no game for me last week (or again next week as it happens) I was happy to be out and about again  for a midweek trip down to Surrey and a new stadium to boot. My chosen game was Godalming Town v Farnham Town, the reverse of a fixture I saw at Farnham's Memorial Ground 18 months ago.

The Ground
Godalming's ground, The Bill Kyte Stadium, carries the name of their legendary former President, Mr Bill Kyte who, before his death aged 98 in February last year, had been with the club for 57 years. There is a very touching tribute to the man they called Mr Godalming Town on the club's website (Bill Kyte).
Parking at the ground is limited to players and club officials but there is a large car park on Wey Court just a few hundred yards from the entrance to the ground. Admission is through a single turnstile that brings you into an area below pitch level and directly behind the main stand. In this area is the clubhouse, the snack bar and toilets as well as a large whiteboard that is used to display the teams (I love this. More grounds need this sort of arrangement). There are few steps up, either side of the main stand which also houses the changing rooms, that take you up to pitch level. Aside from the aforementioned main stand, there is also covered standing provided behind both goals. The amenities at the ground give away the fact that the team played two steps higher not that long ago. The ground has a good feel to it and some character and, as Shorts Man (see below) pointed out, it would be great to see the place full one day.

​The Background
The game this evening was a Combined Counties Division One Challenge Cup match, a trophy currently held by Frimley Green.The sides couldn't have been coming into the game in much different form. Farnham, currently sitting in second place, were on a run of six games unbeaten in all competitions, which included five consecutive victories with only two goals conceded. Godalming, despite having won their last league outing 4-2 at home to Ash United, had lost the previous 4 in all competitions, sat third from bottom and had, only the previous evening, suffered the resignation of their manager Les Cleevely. Add to that the fact that the team had been pulled together at short notice, and all pre-match indications pointed to a Farnham victory. What no-one had taken into account was that I was going to attend the game (more of that later).
I'd like to add at this point that I picked up quite a bit of the local news (manager leaving, team changes etc) from Dave Fiddler, aka Shorts Man who got a few mentions the last time I saw these sides meet back in February 2018 (Shorts Story). It was great to catch up with Dave in person, chew the cud a little about football, rugby league and current affairs. Dave is still out there in all weathers, supporting The G's in his shorts and, this particular evening, a T-shirt! when every else was wrapped up in jumpers and jackets. All I can say is that he is from the North. They are a different breed. Nice bloke and a great supporter of the club. They are lucky to have someone like him.

​The Game
The game started off as the form book would have it. Farnham settled the better and looked eager to establish themselves. This they did as early as the 8th minute when a break down the left saw the ball fed into the box to the feet of captain Charlie Oakley. His deft back-heel was nicely into the path of Jack May but his shot was parried by Adam Giles in G's goal. The ball fell back to Oakley who arrowed a left-foot effort into the corner of the net to make it 0-1.

The goal was like an alarm clock to the home side. Almost immediately, they roused themselves and began to look for a way back in. The breakthrough didn't take too long either. After 17 minutes they were level after a lovely move down the left and a lovely, crisp angled drive from Ben Bauchop found the far corner of Boughton's net. 1-1
Eight minutes later and the home side had completed the turnaround. Lively winger Reece Weekes found some space on the edge of the box but saw his shot (yes, shot. Not what I had mistakenly tweeted at the time) come back off the post. Donte Lodge-Francis was first to react though, snapping up the loose ball and planting it into the Farnham net. 2-1

HT Godalming Town 2 Farnham Town 1. A very good response from the home side who seemed to need the wake-up call of going a goal behind to get themselves going.

​If Farnham had started the first half well, this was eclipsed by the way that Godalming came out all guns blazing for the second period. Within three minutes of the restart Lodge-Francis chanced his arm from outside the box and saw his effort squirm through Boughton's grasp and into the net. 3-1.
Three minutes later came the goal of the game. Darren Wheeler picked the ball up out on the left, danced past a few tackles and then clipped a delightful shot, with the outside of this right foot, past Boughton and into the far corner. 4-1
The game looked to be done for Farnham after only 6 minutes of the second-half and just before the hour mark the home side sealed the deal. Good work down the left saw the ball fed to Lodge-Francis for a simple finish to claim his hat-trick. 5-1

Farnham, to their credit, steadied the ship a little after this second-half onslaught. They even managed to get a goal back after 64 minutes when Karma Thomas was presented with a tap-in to make it 5-2. However, the initial flurry after getting one back didn't lead to any more and it was Godalming who almost increased their lead when Weekes struck a post shortly after Thomas's goal.

FT Godalming Town 5 Farnham Town 2. Three goals in twelve minutes at the start of the second-half ended the game as a contest. Farnham kept fighting and got themselves a consolation goal but never really threatened to make it a close finish.

So, the form book was turned upside down. Maybe, given my record of watching Farnham, it wasn't such a shock. This was the third time that I had seen them play and the third time that I had seen them lose. I think it may be a good idea for me to steer clear of their games for a while, but I am determined to see them win one day. Meanwhile, I am happy to take donations to charity for me to take my jinx to another club.
Just before posting this I saw an announcement that fourth goal-scorer Darren Wheeler has been announced as interim manager. Congratulations Darren!

Godalming Town: Giles, Hardisty, Francis, Mbele, Scotcher, Sellick(c), Villa, Bauchop, Lodge-Francis, Wheeler, Weekes. Subs: Cavender, Grant, Carter
Farnham Town: Boughton, Mitchell, Smith, Sowden, Harper, Branch, Pegg, Meaton, Oakley(c), Thomas, May. Subs: Nash, Corbett, Sharratt, Kerrison

Att: 
Ground Number: 218
Entrance: £8.00
Programme: £2.00

What a weekend! Non-League Day, 1st Round of the FA Vase and, to top it all off, it was also time to celebrate our wedding anniversary. So, after dinner and a night out watching The Stranglers and Alice Cooper in Brimingham, there was just time to quickly knock out a sluggish Dudley Parkrun before heading over to Stourport for my chosen game, and then finally gathering some brainpower together for my brother-in-law's charity quiz night in aid of Acorns Children's Hospice. The less said about our quiz performance the better, so here's what happened at the football.
I love the FA Vase, so much so that I gave up a fairly rare opportunity to watch my home town side Stourbridge play in favour of a trip to Walshes Meadow, current home of West Midland Regional League Division 1 side Droitwich Spa, as the locals took on Step 5 outfit Whitchurch Alport.

The Ground
It was good to read in the programme that there are plans afoot for The Saltmen to move back into Droitwich. However, for the time being, they are playing their games at Stourport Swifts' Walshes Meadow ground on the banks of the River Severn.
The ground is hemmed in the the river side by a dense row of tall trees from which stray balls often have to be retrieved with the aid of a long pole. The dugouts are also situated on this side of the ground as too is the snack bar. There is a single covered seating stand on the opposite side of the pitch.

​The Background
Whatever happened in this game, some club history was already being made. Neither Droitwich nor Whitchurch had ever made it into the First Round of the competition before, so this was a big day for both sides.
Plenty of Whitchurch supporters had made the trip down from Shropshire and were already in good voice as the teams appeared. Their chants being countered by a smaller, but equally vocal, group of local supporters.

​The Game
A feisty start to the game. The Alport goalkeeper and defence seem to have some kind of feud brewing with Spa number 10 James Lemon. The game was only a few minutes old when the referee had to intervene as a spot of wrestling between Lemon and David Parton in the Alport goal. There followed a few meaty challenges on the Droitwich striker, a theme that continued throughout the first half. 
There were chances at both ends in the opening ten minutes, Matt Oliver twice made good stops to keep out Alport whilst Lemon and Collins were making life difficult at the other end for the Alport defence. Whitchurch occasionally showed signs of their higher league ranking, once or twice cutting through the Spa midfield and mounting what looked like dangerous attacks. Each time, though, Droitwich held firm, defending stoutly and countering with raids of their own. Matt Oliver was then called upon to make a brilliant save, getting a fingertip to Joe Cuff's rasping effort.

From a neutral's point of view the game was fascinating. The lower ranked side were working incredibly hard and were undoubtedly the better side. Whitchurch were hanging in there but there was always the thought that they would step it up a gear and begin to take control. For a small time midway through the first-half, this appeared to be the case. Maybe Droitwich couldn't keep the pace up for the 90 minutes, or maybe Alport were beginning to recover from the initial onslaught? Whatever the case the Step 5 side looked as if they were beginning to assert themselves. Credit again to The Saltmen though, after a short breather, back they came, stunting Alport's revival and finishing the half the stronger team again.

HT Droitwich Spa 0 Whitchurch Alport 0. Great work-rate from Droitwich. They clearly have a game plan to play a high intensity style and it certainly worked for the first 45 minutes. Can they possibly keep up the pace for another 45?
​
​The start of the second-half seemed to answer yes to my half-time question. Straight from the whistle Spa were back on the offensive. Twice, within 3 minutes of the restart, Parton was forced to go full length to prevent Collins from opening the scoring. The Saltmen continued to knock on the door with no sign of a let up in their energy levels.
Whitchurch were then quite lucky to keep their captain on the pitch. After picking up a yellow in the first half, Darren Campion committed what looked like a second bookable offence only for the referee to show leniency and let him off with a talking to, much to the annoyance of the noisy Spa contingent in the main stand.
Just past the hour mark came the inevitable breakthrough. Another period of pressure from the home side culminated in the ball dropping to the feet of Jordan Cox whose right-footed shot beat Parton to make it 1-0.

Of course, at this point, you would think that a Step 7 side 1-0 up against a Step 5 side would pull 10 men behind the ball and defend their lead. Not this team. Alport tried to raise their game and, as in the first half, had a short period where they again looked as if they might be getting a foot-hold, with Stephen Jones having their best effort with a free-kick going just wide. Droitwich were having none of it though and almost doubled their lead on 71 minutes when Collins shaped a lovely free-kick around the wall only to see it come back off Parton's left-hand post.
The reprieve for Alport was short-lived though. Seven minutes later it was two and it was Jordan Cox again, this time latching on to hesitancy from the Alport keeper to rob him of the ball and drift an effort into the far corner for 2-0. Cue wild celebrations from the home support.

Try as they might there was no way back for Alport now and even after going two up, Droitwich were not letting up. There was no hint of sitting deep and hanging on for the whistle. If anything they looked hungry for a third goal.
​
FT Droitwich Spa 2 Whitchurch Alport 0. A thoroughly deserved win for The Saltmen. They were the better side from the first minute until the last. Having not seen either side play before, I don't know if Whitchurch had an off day, if Droitwich played out of their skin or if it was a combination of the two. What I can say is that Droitwich's work-rate was too much for Alport on the day. Thanks to both sides for playing their part in providing great entertainment and best of luck to them both for the remainder of the season.

Droitwich Spa: Oliver, Phillips, Brookes, Dugmore, Hunt(c), Rudd, Davis, Tilbury, Collins, Lemon, Cox. Subs: Morris, Burgess, Tilley, Crowther
Whitchurch Alport: Parton, Minshall, Pickerill, O'Neill, Dickin, Campion(c), Jones, Griffiths, Hughes, Robinson, Cuff. Subs: Johns, Burzynski, Bath, Dunne, Skelton, Ellis

Att: 203
Ground Number: 217
Entrance: £5.00
Programme: £1.00

​Without noticing, I have been drawn towards Combined Counties games this season and this Tuesday evening was no different. A first ever trip to leafy Ascot was on the cards as I headed off to check out the Combined Counties Premier League leaders in action at home for the first time this season.

The Ground
The evening was all about the re-opening of Ascot United's ground, together with their brand-spanking new 3G pitch The stadium is situated within the grounds of Royal Ascot Racecourse, snugly wedged between The Straight Mile and Royal Ascot Golf club. In fact Ascot Racecourse are the club's landlords. This was my first visit to The Racecourse Ground so I can't compare the new ground with the old one. However, what I can say is that first impression is that there has clearly been a lot of hard work done at the ground and, I would say, plenty more still to do on the surrounding area. 
Upon arriving at the ample car park, I was surprised to see so many cars especially as I was 45 minutes early for kick-off. It soon became clear that the reason for so many vehicles was that the club has a thriving mini-soccer scene with session staking place on the new surface prior to this evening's Combined Counties game. As a mini-soccer coach myself, I am always heartened to see so many local kids - boys and girls - getting involved with game and it's fantastic see a club like Ascot United embracing youth football in such a way and sharing their superb facilities.
Back to the new ground. It's shiny. A shiny new pitch, shiny new fencing, shiny new dugouts and a rather unique terrace on the car park side of the ground with a covered seating area raised above the level of the pitch along with covered standing outside the clubhouse.
Personally I'm still not 100% certain about 3G pitches. I completely understand why clubs install them and I don't have any particular beef about the pitches themselves any more - current technology seems to have produced a very playable surface - but the old-fashioned football supporter in me still likes to see a bit of mud and a slick grass surface. Having said that, I am sure that we will continue to see more and more artificial surfaces in non-league and it certainly won't stop me watching the game.

​The Background
Despite having played all eight league games away from Ascot, The Yellamen were coming into this match unbeaten, having only dropped two points - a 1-1 draw with Hanworth Villa - and were sitting pretty at the top of the league. Guildford, meanwhile, were down in 15th spot having won two and drawn three of their nine outings this season. City's main problem had been scoring goals, with just 7 in 9 games. Their strong point, however, was that they had also only conceded 7 goals, a great statistic for a team in the lower half of the table. In fact, only two teams had conceded fewer, Abbey Rangers and this evening's hosts.
Ascot transferred from the Hellenic League at the end of last season and, as far as I can make out, this would be the first meeting, certainly competitively, between the teams.

​The Game
With kick-off delayed by 10 minutes (crowd congestion?), there was time to do a circuit of the new ground and take a good look around before we got under way.
Both sides struggled to get a hold on the game in the early encounters and this was to become a feature of the first half, with neither side able to take control. The reason for Guildford's low number in the goals against column was quite apparent from the start. A well organised back line protected by a solid midfield who were always on hand to drop into defence when called upon. Ascot tried switching the ball from flank to flank but got very little change from the Sweeney defence.
Arguably the best chances of the half fell to Guildford who were finding some success with raking diagonal balls to the speedy Eli Ogunseye on the left flank. His pace was causing all sorts of trouble for the home defence but the final ball was still lacking.

HT Ascot United 0 Guildford City 0. At half-time I tweeted that the home side were certainly not having it all their own way. I can't think of a better way of summing up the half.

​We didn't have long to wait in the second half before the deadlock was broken, four minutes to be exact. However, it did not go the way that the majority of the 400 supporters would have wanted. Guildford, immediately on the front foot broke forward with the ball ending up at the feet of Dan Stewart some 25 yards out, he took a couple of strides before firing a low drive past the outstretched hand of Sam Gray into the bootom corner. 0-1
For 10 minutes or so all was looking good for Guildford. Ascot were pushing to get back into the game but the City dfence still looked solid and they were working hard across the pitch to shut down The Yellamen ebfore they could get up a head of steam. Unfortunately for City midfielder Wayne Ridgeley, already on a yellow from the first half, took matters a little too far with a late challenge in the centre of the pitch leaving the referee little choice but to produce a second yellow and the red card.
It was going to be a tought last 33 minutes for Guildford now. Down to 10 men and defintiely on the back foot.
It was looking like just a matter of time before Ascot fouind and equaliser and went on to win the game. They were now awarming forward at every opportunity but Guildford seemed quite comfortable and happy wirth their defensivve ability, happy to sit deep and soak up the Ascot pressure.
Possibly the biggest turnign point of the game came on the 67th minute when it looked to everyone in the ground as if Ascot were about to get that illusive goal.Somehow though Billy Irving flung himself at the goal-bound effort and managed to clear the ball off the line with the keeper beaten. It was a magnificent effort freom the defender, not only saving his team from being pegged back but inspiring his team-mates to continue their fight for the points.

We approached the last 5 minutes of normal time with the game being played almost exzclusively in the Guildford half of the pitch but, as often can happen in these situations, Guildford managed to break downfield. One Ascot player was clearly struggling with an injury, then captain Louis Bouwers slipped at an inopportune moment leaving Dan Stewart to sieze his opoortuntiy, bursting past the stricken defender to slide the ball under Gray much to the delight of the supporters behind the goal. 0-2

This goal knocked the stuffing out of the Ascot team but they continued to push forward, desperate to save their unbeaten record. It was, however clear that this was not going to be their evening and as we went into time added on, Eli Ogunseye confirmed the result, bursting into the Ascot box and finsihing with aplomb to make it 0-3.

FT Ascot United 0 Guildford City 3. A very good performance from Guildford who clearly had a game plan and executed it perfectly, which I am sure had them dancing in the streets of Freiburg. Not the result that Ascot were looking for but, on the plus side they had a bumper crowd some of whom will hopefully return on a regular basis. They have a lovely new playing surface, a really nice ground and they are still top of the league. So, not all bad.
I, however, may have to stay clear Ascot United games in future. They have only lost two of their fifteen games in all competitions this season. I have seen them play twice. I'll let the reader guess which two games I have seen.....
Finally, great to meet Football in Berkshire's Tom Canning and his crew last night. We have corresponded on a number of occasions but have never been at the same game before as far as we know. Always good to put a face to a name. If you haven't checked out the Football in Berkshire (formerly Football in Bracknell) site you really should - https://www.footballinbracknell.co.uk/
​
Ascot United: Gray, Lock, Etienne, Carey, Bouwers(c), Ellis, Haworth, Denton, Davies, Hodges, Lalustani. Subs: Burden, Bennett, Laflin, Wensley, Richardson
Guildford City: Basey, Mason, Nzelo, Woodhouse(c), Sullivan, Irving, Ridgeley, Dacres-Smith, Harding, Stewart, Ogunseye. Subs: Everard, Pillay, Adams, Ocansey

Att: 396
Ground Number: 216
Entrance: Free / Donation
Programme: Free

​Tuesday's weather in Oxford had been so bad that, even though some games further afield were given the green light, it didn't seem like a good idea to drive through monsoon conditions for over an hour each way. So, I kept my powder dry and hoped that the weather improved enough to get to a game on Wednesday. It did, so my next decision was, where to go. Most grounds that I hadn't yet visited were in the West Country, in and around Bristol. In the end I decided on something of a local derby Southern League Cup game between Slimbridge and Yate Town.

The Ground
Slimbridge's Thornhill Park ground is situated just to the South-East of Slimbridge, between the Bristol Road and the M5. There is a reasonable sized on-site car park, mainly for the use of players and officials. However, there is also plenty of parking in a car park and industrial estate adjacent to the ground. This is where the match-day officials were pointing us when I arrived. Access is via a turnstile that brings you into the ground directly behind one of the goals. Immediately to your right is the clubhouse and snack bar, to your left is a covered terrace directly behind the goal. The main stand runs down the right-hand side, the M5 side, as you enter, with the dugout son the opposite side.
The thing that really struck me when I saw the ground was the pitch. It looked absolutely impeccable. A carpet in fact. Given the amount of rain that we had had recently, which followed a period of almost drought-like conditions, it was in perfect condition. You have to take your hat off to the Slimbridge groundsperson(s) for giving the teams such a great surface to play on.

​he Background
Although these sides are close neighbours they are currently separated by a division after Yate's promotion through the play-offs last season. Recent league encounters between the sides have tended to go the way of The Bluebells, winning four of the last eight league games with two draws and two wins for Slimbridge - both of which came in the 2016/17 season where The Swans won 2-1 at Yate and 3-1 at home. Last season saw Yate take both games, 3-0 at home and 4-1 at Thornhill Park. The Bluebells went on to beat Moneyfields (5-4 on pens) and then Cinderford Town 3-1 in the play-off Final.
The sides have also met in the FA Cup fairly recently with Slimbridge edging a close encounter 2-1 at Lodge Road in the 2006-07 season.

The Game
The game started at a very lively pace with both sides trying to close the ball down quickly all over the pitch. Yate, in particular, were playing a very high press, defending from the front and trying to apply as much pressure as possible to a very young looking Slimbridge side. The Swans clearly like to play the ball out from the back rather than having the keeper launch it (although this would prove to be a useful weapon later) and Yate had clearly done their homework with their forwards working hard to shut down space when the home defenders took possession.
Slimbridge were certainly capable of playing the ball around nicely up until the final third where they seemed to lack some nous when it came to unlocking a very solid and experienced looking Yate defence, led and marshalled by skipper Nicholas Peare.
It was the away side who were looking the more dangerous when they pressed forward and, sure enough, after 26 minutes they broke the deadlock when midfielder Sam Kamara unleashed a superb effort from the edge of the box, dipping over Wright and just under the bar to make it

Yate tried to press home their advantage and nine minutes later Bradley Webb crashed an effort off Wright's right-hand post, almost doubling the Bluebell's lead.
Slimbridge continued to play their football and, as the half wore on, they did mange to get a couple of shots on target but nothing to unduly worry Adam Forster between the Yate sticks.

HT Slimbridge 0 Yate Town 1. The visitors have shown their extra experience and quality at times, managing the game better than  Slimbridge. However, the home side are by no means out of it, especially if they could find a way of unpicking the tight Yate defensive line.

​As with the first half, the second started off lively but this time it was the home side who were suddenly finding that extra yard of pace and were, without doubt, causing more concern for Peare and his fellow defenders than they did in the first period. There were maybe even one or two signs that the rock-solid Bluebells defence did have flaws after all. However, they still stood firm, relying on their extra experience to weather the spirited efforts of the young Swans outfit.
Then, on 70 minutes, Yate again demonstrated their extra quality when, after defending a Slimbridge attack, they broke exceptionally quickly and, three or four precision passes later, Bristol City loanee Louis Britton was able to calmly stroke home the second goal. 0-2.

Many people in the ground thought that was game over but Slimbridge clearly had other ideas. Within 3 minutes they were back in the game, and it was a goal scored not by their previous style of playing out from the back it was, in fact, a massive launch from their own goal area that caught out the Yate defence as the ball sailed over their heads. Swans substitute Ethan Dunbar reacted quickly to nip in, control the ball and run on to finish neatly past Forster. 1-2 and game on perhaps?

The goal coming so soon after Yate had gone two up could easily have unsettled the away side. However, they quickly regained their composure and, despite Slimbridge throwing everything they could at them for the remaining minutes, Yate held out to progress to the next round.

FT Slimbridge 1 Yate Town 2. A very spirited second half from the home side but the youngsters couldn't quite match Yate's extra experience. Despite defeat the home side must be very pleased with the number of young players that they have coming through the ranks. The future could well be bright for The Swans. Yate looked to be a very accomplished side and, on that showing, should have no problems retaining their Premier League status.

Slimbridge: Wright, Harper, Waddington, Chambers, C.Turner(c), Pring, Spurrier, Horrell, Bloomfield, M.Turner, Tuodolo. Subs: Giles, D.Turner, King, Dunbar
Yate Town: Forster, Evans, Horton, Peare(c), Ford, Webb, Kamara, Guest, Bryant, Britton, Twyman. Subs: Lee, Price, Mehew, Humphreys, Keightley

Att: 92
Ground Number: 215
Entrance: £8.00
Programme: Online

​After spending the morning coaching my under 10 girl's team, I had an unexpected opportunity to take in a Saturday football match. A quick glance at the local fixture list revealed the perfect opportunity. Cropredy's Williamscot Road ground has been on my list for well over a year and today The Crop, sitting top of the league and unbeaten, were at home to second-placed Hanborough, also unbeaten and only below Cropredy on goals scored. Too good to be missed, and less than half an hour from home. Perfect.

The Ground
Cropredy's ground, on Williamscot Road, is situated just South of Cropredy - a village a few miles North-East of Banbury - and, as the name suggests, on the road towards Williamscot. The football team share the location with the local cricket team and the tennis club. There is a large car park from which you could probably watch the game on a really bad day. Adjacent to the car park is a club house that serves both the football and cricket club. The pitch is open on one side where it is shared with the cricket pitch but does have one the most unusual and quaintest stands that I have ever seen. I am not even sure that it can be classed as a stand as it only has a capacity of six or seven (at a push). What is for sure is that it is a fine example of what makes non-league so enjoyable for me. The opposite side, next to the tennis club, is where the dugouts are situated and the club has also made great use of the wooden surround fencing by selling advertising boards all along the side of the pitch. The pitch looked to be in good condition and the entire sports ground had the appearance of a well cared for facility. This may have been my first visit but I don't think it will be the last.

Now a short history lesson; Despite the football club being founded in 1967 the club badge bears the date 1644. This was the year the the Battle of Cropredy Bridge took place between the Parliamentary forces led by Sir William Waller and King Charles' Royalist Army. Waller's forces suffered a number of casualties leading to the remainder of his men becoming demoralised and conceding defeat to the Royalists. The aforementioned bridge is literally yards from Cropredy's ground.

The Background
As I said, Cropredy and Hanborough started the day as two of four undefeated teams in the Oxfordshire Senior League, so barring a draw, something had to give this afternoon.
Cropredy, formed in 1967, came up through the Banbury & District League and were promoted into Step 8, Oxfordshire Senior League Division One, in 2015. They finished as runners-up in their first season, gaining promotion to the Premier League, where they have stayed ever since. The Crop drew their first game this season, 3-3 with Launton Sports, but have won every game since.
This is Hanborough's first season in the Premier League after promotion from third place in Division 1 last season. The team came up through the Witney & District League, having won the Premier Division on no fewer than seven occasions since 1949, the last time in 2017 when they moved into the Oxfordshire Senior League Division 1.
It's been a great start for Hanborough, only dropping two points in their first four games and that was a 2-2 draw with last season's champions Freeland.​

​The Game
On a very blustery day, the opening encounters of the game were very representative of two sides looking to hold on to an unbeaten start to the season. It was tight, it had a little edgy undercurrent. No quarter was being given as the sides tested each other out but, as we progressed towards the ten minute mark it was clear that the home side were gaining the upper hand and were starting to exert some pressure on the Hanborough defence.
That said, with just under 20 minutes on the clock, it was the visitors who engineered the first major opportunity of the game. Following a fee-kick on the left, the ball wasn't fully cleared and Cropredy were happy to see the resultant drive flash narrowly over the bar.It was a warning to the home side who, up until that point, had looked the more likely to take the lead. 
Cropredy did come close on 34 minutes when the Hanborough spilled a tame effort near the goal line. A Crop striker was quick to react but the keeper made up for his mistake by just getting a fingertip to the effort and turning it out for a corner.
Six minutes later, however, the home side finally made their possession count but it took a moment of individual brilliance to unlock the Hanborough defence. Jack Welch picked the ball up some 25 yards or so out from goal then weaved his way, with some quick footwork, around there Red's defenders before slotting the ball past the keeper to make it 1-0

HT Cropredy 1 Hanborough 0. The correct scoreline based on the balance of play. The windy conditions caused plenty of problems for both teams.

​After savouring a glorious individual goal in the first half, one minute into the second half Cropredy treated us to a really well worked team goal. Some good interplay in midfield led to the ball being spread wide to captain Dan Reeves who proceeded to play the ball across the six yard box, handing a goal on a plate for Aaron Dineen. 2-0.

The game was over as a contest just before the hour mark and, again, it was a goal worthy of any setting. Harry Walters, who had been buzzing around the Hanborough defence all game, pulled a ball out of the air with superb skill, beat his man and then produced a calm finish to seal the victory. 3-0.

Despite being well beaten, Hanborough heads did not drop. In fact, within three minutes of going three goals behind they had two very good opportunities to pull a goal back. First a low drive got a slight touch from a defender which sent it inches wide the their Number 9 had a snap shot just about held on the line by the Crop keeper.
Following that brief flurry from Hanborough the game quietened down a little. Cropredy obviously knew that the points were in the bag and Hanborough were not going to be able to pull three goals back in the remaining time. The game didn't peter out as such but there was an air of inevitability about it for the final 15 minutes or so. Nevertheless, it was certainly an enjoyable game to watch.

FT Cropredy 3 Hanborough 0. A well deserved victory for Cropredy sees them maintain their place at the top of the table and retain their unbeaten record. Hanborough may have been well n=beaten on the day but they played their part in the overall entertainment and looked to be a good side who should continue to do well this season.


Att: 23 (my count)
Ground Number: 214
Entrance: £0
Programme: N/A

​Tuesday matches are much like buses. You go a few weeks without and then two come along consecutively. This Tuesday, despite the torrential downpours that had been on and off all day, I headed around the M25 towards Addlestone Moor for an FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round replay between Combined Counties Premier outfit Abbey Rangers and Essex Senior League Walthamstow.

The sides drew 1-1 at Wadham Lodge last Saturday. Marcus Cousins put Rangers in front with a header before Billy Jones equalised early in the second-half. Abbey captain Tom Bentley was then dismissed after picking up a 2nd yellow, but Abbey held on for the replay.

The Ground
Abbey's Addlestone Moor ground is situated on the South Eastern edge of Chertsey, adjacent to Chertsey High School. There is a reasonably large car park and off road parking nearby. Access into the stadium is via a gate alongside the main facilities building, which houses changing rooms, clubhouse and snack bar. The front of the bar has a covered patio area directly behind one of the goals. There are two small stands to the left, on the High School side of the ground, both are seating areas. There is also a small lean-to, for covered standing, at the far end of this side of the ground. The far end of the ground backs onto a 3G pitch and the opposite side of the pitch is fenced off from another school playing field.
With a decent PA system in full flow and a good crowd already building, the lights on and a pitch made slick from the day's rain, it felt like a proper FA Cup venue.

​FA Cup History
This season is only Abbey's fourth time of entering the FA Cup. In fact, their replay win against Loxwood in the Extra Preliminary Round was their first ever victory in the competition, making this the furthest they had ever been. Two Step 4 sides have already been disposed of this season too. Both East Grinstead Town and Whitehawk have been beaten 1-0 on their own grounds.
For Walthamstow it was just their second season in the competition, reaching the 1st Qualifying Round last season and already beating that record this term. In a previous incarnation, as Waltham Forest, the club has reached the 2nd Qualifying Round three times before, the latest being in 2016-17. If you go back even further, to when the club was Leyton FC, they made a 3rd Round appearance in the 1909-10 season, going down 1-0 to Leicester Fosse.

​The Game
Walthamstow started the game very quickly, easing into their stride from the kick-off and looking very sharp as they pressed forward. The approach paid off as early as the 7th minute when Callum Ibe latched onto a neat Dwade James flick, catching the Abbey keeper in two minds before deftly lobbing the ball lover him into the net. 0-1. Cue celebrations from the Waltham Rabble behind the goal, including a sparkly party popper. Fantastic.

Shortly after the goal the Walthamstow Twitter feed posted this 'We may be 1-0 up, but an Abbey Rangers fan has just reminded us we've not got a dog track anymore. Very somber mood.' Note the use of the singular, fan. Although there were plenty of Abbey supporters around, only one of their fans was trying to match the noise made by the Stow supporters. It was the beginning of an evening of friendly banter between the 'Rabble' and the fan.

​Abbey immediately looked to get back into the game and, except for a brilliant reflex save from James Bransgrove in the Walthamstow goal, would have drawn level. The keeper got down low to his left from a close-range header, pushing the ball round the post. He was called into action again from the resultant corner, making another good save to keep his team in front.

Walthamstow, with their direct style, were still putting pressure onto the Abbey back-line and went very close to making it 2-0 when only a good save from Rangers stopper Liam Stone prevented Jack Folan from scoring. The follow-up was then sliced out for a corner by Tim Pitt.

Abbey's most dangerous moments had come from set pieces, which Walthamstow appeared to be very shaky when defending. So, after 39 minutes, it was no surprise when Marcus Cousins was left unmarked to power home an equalising header from a right-wing free-kick. 1-1.

HT Abbey Rangers 1 Walthamstow 1. The away side had more of the ball and played with the greater intensity. However, Rangers always carried a threat and will be happy to go in level at the break. On cue, the rain starts to come down.

​Walthamstow were out early for the second-half and, as with the first 45 minutes, they started very quickly. Only a minute into the half, Callum Ibe was inches from grabbing his second when he saw his rasping drive beat Stone but smack against the crossbar and rebound to safety.

Despite their quick start and continued advantage in terms of possession, Walthamstow found themselves behind just before the hour mark and again it was the result of a set-piece. This time a left-wing corner caused some trouble in the Stow box and, when an attempt was made to clear the ball at the same time as an Abbey head tried to get a touch, the referee, after a brief glimpse at his assistant, pointed to the spot, awarding the penalty for a high boot. It looked harsh from the other end of the pitch, but the referee and assistant had a much better view than I did.
Bradley Sweeney stepped up and lashed the ball past Bransgrove to make it 2-1.

The banter with the Abbey 'fan' continued in the second-half, with the Rangers supporter joining the Stow Rabble behind the Abbey goal for a while. Good to see plenty of smiling faces and lighthearted comments from both sides.

Walthamstow piled on the pressure after going 2-1 down. They play a very direct style of football, getting the ball up to the front players as quickly as they can. It's certainly not hoofball though and is entertaining to watch as a neutral.
However, the more they pushed forward, the more they left gaps at the back and Abbey were quick to exploit them on a couple of occasions, one of which almost led to a third goal but, incredibly, the ball stayed out when it looked easier to have scored.

There was still time, in the dying minutes, for Walthamstow to have the ball hacked off the Abbey line but it was not to be for the E17ers and, after a fairly long spell of added time, the referee drew proceedings to a close.

FT Abbey Rangers 2 Walthamstow 1. A history making victory for Rangers as they reach the 3rd Qualifying Round for the first time in their history. Walthamstow will be disappointed with the result after taking the lead and looking the more likely side for most of the game. Rangers, however, were always dangerous and took the chances that came their way. 

Abbey Rangers: Stone, Pitt, ?, Collins, ?, Bentley(c), Frith, ?, Cousins, ?, Hoppitt. Subs: Kersley, ?
Walthamstow: Bransgrove, Crilley, Gulliver, Folan, Murphy(c), Douglas, McCullock, Jones, James, Ibe, Gebral. Subs: Bennett, Fortune, Yexley, Aiken, Symons, Ramos

Att: 
Ground Number: 213
Entrance: £7.00
Programme: Included