First off, Happy New Year to one and all. Let's hope that 2022 has better times in store.
I wasn't really expecting to get to see a game on the opening day of the year but, as luck would have it, opportunity presented itself when my wife and daughter decided to head off for a bit of retail therapy. No point sitting in the house on my own, especially when there was a local derby kicking off just 20 minutes down the road. So, a quick check to ensure it was still on (a sign of the times) and off I went down the A34, destination Yarnton Road, Kidlington.

The Ground
I don't think Yarnton Road has changed that much since my last visit in October 2017 (has it really been that long?), a 3-0 League Cup defeat of Swindon Supermarine. There is plenty of cover, both seating and standing, with three stands in total, two on the Yarnton Road side and one behind the goal at the car park end. I've said it before but, if you haven't been to Kidlington, you should. It's a great ground to watch football.

The Background
This season has been a bit of a struggle for both sides. At the start of play, Wantage sat in the relegation spots two points above bottom side Colney Heath and six points from safety. Kidlington, seven points better off than their opponents, sat fourth from bottom. Both sides really needed three points from the game and both were coming into the game on the back of derby day defeats over Christmas. Wantage went down 1-0 at home to Didcot Town whilst Kidlington crashed to a 7-0 defeat at North Leigh.
This would be the seventh time I had seen Kidlington play, either at Yarnton Road or on their travels. In that time I have never seen them lose, winning five and drawing one. At Yarnton Road they have won every game I have witnessed so far. Good omens for the Greens (apologies in advance to Wantage). The list of previous games (click on them for the match blog):
Kidlington 3 Abingdon United 0
Brackley Town Saints 2 Kidlington 2
Thatcham Town 0 Kidlington 1 (possibly the decisive game in the campaign that saw The Greens gain promotion to Step 4)
Kidlington 3 Marlow 0
Kidlington 2 Royston Town 1
Kidlington 3 Swindon Supermarine 0

​The Game
The last game I went to in 2021 started with a bang, a penalty within the first minute. This one, whilst not quite as dramatic, wasn't too far off for incidents early on. Only two minutes into the game Kidlington came very close to scoring, stopped only by a superb one-handed tip over the bar from Joe Gorman in the Freds goal. A minute later they saw an effort come back off the post and within the first five minutes had a very big penalty shout when Luke Stokoe went over Gorman in the box. Nothing given but it could easily have been a spot kick. Then, for all Kidlington's opening dominance, it was only their keeper Harry Way who prevented them from going behind in the seventh minute. Breathless stuff to start the year.
The game settled a little after that opening mad 7 or 8 minutes, but was still an entertaining affair with the home side keeping their foot on the gas and looking the more likely to get a goal. This they duly did, but had to wait until the 23rd minute before they could celebrate. A left-wing corner caused some confusion in the Wantage box and Tom Griffiths was on hand to stab the ball over the line. 1-0. The Greens were well on top at this point and only another very good Gorman save on 36 minutes prevented them from extending their lead.

HT Kidlington 1 Wantage Town 0. Good half from The Greens. Wantage go into the break thankful to their keeper for three or four very good saves that kept them in the game.

​The big Freds stopper could do nothing after 54 minutes though, when Kidlington doubled their advantage. The damage was a gain caused by a corner. this time Wantage half-cleared the ball but it was immediately put back into the mix where substitute Harry Hoareau (who I last saw easing Pewsey Vale to a 5-0 win over Marlborough back in August - V For Vale) was on hand to apply the finishing touch. 2-0
I'll be honest, at this point I thought the game was done and dusted and, if they were true to themselves, I suggest Wantage fans may have felt them same. Although The Freds had never been completely out of the game, they had not done much to show that they could claw back a two goal deficit. Added to that, Kidlington looked comfortable on the ball and had everything under control at the back.
However, football is nothing if not unpredictable. Just past the hour mark Wantage got a goal back out of the blue. James Hammond latched onto a ball in the box and made no mistake. 2-1. Just like that the tables turned. Not only did Wantage gain strength from the goal but Kidlington looked like their confidence had been shot to pieces. Wantage were suddenly first to every ball. Every player wanted to get on the ball and panic seemed to set in at the back for Kidlington, hurried clearances just being picked off by Wantage players and more attacks being launched.
On 67 minutes there was a big let off for the home side. Way misjudged a long through ball, missing his kick, leaving a straight race between Tyriq Hunte and a Kidlington defender, who just did enough to make the big striker slightly off target with his effort. The ball came back off the foot of the post. Huge chance. However, it was only six more minutes before The Freds got themselves level and, to be fair, it had been coming as Shaquille Ishmael cut in from the left and slotted the ball past Way. 2-2
It was completely one way traffic now. Wantage looking for a winner, Kidlington hanging on for a point. Or so we thought but this game had plenty more in store for the 148 in attendance.
With seven minutes left on the clock Kidlington won a free-kick just inside the Wantage half and way out on the left flank. The ball was lofted into the box where Wantage stopper Joe Gorman came to collect amongst a throng of players from both sides. The ball seemed to slip through his fingers, bounced once and then rolled agonisingly (for Wantage) over the line. 3-2 (The goal was credited to Harry Whitehead although I thought it may well have been an own goal). Cue scenes from both sides. As the Kidlington players celebrated the Wantage players, especially keeper Gorman, were incensed, believing there was a foul on the keeper as he tried to catch the ball. Gorman's protest clearly went too far and the referee issued a second yellow to the Wantage stopper. After much confusion, involving an outfield player and the substitute goalkeeper stepping between the sticks, we were able to get on with the game.
To be fair to Wantage, even a player light, tried as best they could to take the game to Kidlington for the remaining few minutes but it was not to be for them.

FT Kidlington 3 Wantage Town 2. My 100% home record watching Kidlington continues. It's only a matter of time before they start to project a BotP logo into the night sky every time they are need of three points. On a serious note though, what a great game to watch as a neutral. Both sides gave it everything. Kidlington looked home and hosed after an hour but Wantage showed fantastic spirit to get themselves back into it. Next up for Kidlington is a tricky looking trip to high-flying AFC Dunstable. The Freds travel to another team in the top half, Thame United.
Best of luck to both teams for the remainder of the season.

Kidlington: Way, Griffith, Flanagan, Gilbert, Hercules, Creed, Mattimore, Markham(c), Knight, Whitehead, L. Stokoe. Subs: Creed,  Rogan, Hoareau
Wantage Town: Gorman, Quarterman, Horwood, Crosbie, Alexander(c), Hammond, Lodge, Scholes, Hunte, Pemberton, Ishmael. Subs: Zebroski, Novakovic, Keller, Wells, Fragata

Ground Number: Re-Visit
Att: 148
Entrance: £8.00
Programme: £1.50

It's that time of year again. As Christmas approaches and December draws to an end, time to reflect on the footballing side of 2021. It's been quite an odd one, with no football at all until April. However, despite not going to a game until almost a quarter of the year had passed by, I still managed to get to 48 games, which for me, is quite a lot in a calendar year. Many groundhoppers out there will be thinking it's a low number but, I don't see myself as a groundhopper. Yes, I like to see new grounds and watch different teams but I normally restrict myself to one game per week (this year was a little different) and the majority of those are Tuesday or Wednesday evening, meaning I am not going to be travelling a huge distance from Oxfordshire.
This year I thought I would change the end of year review a little. Listed below are all the games I went to and a link to the blog associated with that game (with the exception of 1 game where I didn't write a blog). Why not look for your favourite team and take a look?

There is one aspect of 2021 I would like to mention, however. The Cricklade Supreme Trophy & Shield (#CSTP21). This was a tournament organised by Cricklade Town (mainly their chairman Richard Austen and their then 1st team manager Craig Kent) to give 32 teams the opportunity to play some football. It was organised on a World Cup style group and knockout basis with the top two in each group going into the Trophy, the bottom two into the Shield, giving as much game time to each team as possible. I was lucky to get involved in a small way, providing a web site to keep track of scores and tables. I also managed to get to a number of games, meeting a number of people along the way and getting acquainted with some fantastic clubs. In addition to Richard and Craig, some special mentions for Jovial Monk, who I now follow on a weekly basis and write am ongoing season-long blog about (see below), Minety FC for my mug, Swindon AFC (who won the Shield) and Chesterton FC (who won the Trophy). Also, many thanks to "The only ref in Swindon" (I know he isn't), Andrew Lincoln, who always seemed to be around to supply team sheets before games. Top bloke and top referee. The #CSTP21 gave me a great opportunity to explore some real grassroots football and was an absolute saviour after months of sitting at home. I'm sure I speak on behalf of everyone who participated, officiated, or watched #CSTP21 games, when I say a massive thank you to Cricklade Town, Richard and Craig.

Of the 48 games, 22 ended in home wins, 18 away wins and 8 draws (4 cup games decided on penalties). Not including penalties, 122 goals were scored by home teams and 105 by away teams. A total of 227 goals, 4.7 per game. The biggest home win was Stratton United's 8-0 victory over Kingswood Reserves in #CSTP21. Biggest away win, and highest aggregate score, was Wroxton Sports' 8-3 victory at Hardwick Sports in the Banbury District & Lord Jersey Premier League. The team I have seen play the most often is Swindon AFC, a total of four times, two wins and two defeats.

On the back of #CSTP21 I also got to know Swindon Sunday League side Jovial Monk. Just before the season began I suggested to their manager, Shaun Smith, that we should chronicle a season in Sunday League. This sparked a regular blog piece called A Sunday In Swindon. A list of episodes and links so far is also included at the bottom of this article.

2021 Games and Blog Links
​

A Sunday In Swindon - The Story So Far
​

Is it just me or does everyone else struggle to remember what day it is over the Christmas period? This feeling is not helped this year by the way it has fallen over a weekend meaning that the traditional Boxing Day fixtures have been effectively spread across 2 or 3 days. This Tuesday, 28th December, was an example. A local derby, a traditional Boxing Day fixture, but being played on a Tuesday afternoon (not even an evening kick off). Nevertheless, it was a good chance to get out and watch a game, especially as all my planned games on Monday were washed out. So, Totternhoe versus The 61FC it was then. Less than an hour's drive and a 2pm kick off. Perfect to get back home at a reasonable hour.

The Ground
Totternhoe play their home games at the Totternhoe Recreation Ground on the Eastern edge of the village heading towards Dunstable. There is a fair sized car park behind the club house and plenty of parking in the surrounding streets if necessary. The clubhouse block also incorporates the players and official's changing areas and is situated behind the Dunstable Road end goal. There is covered standing in front of the clubhouse block, known as the Jim Basterfield Stand, named after the Totternhoe legend who stepped down as Club Secretary in June 2020 after 60 years with the club. There are dugouts on the far side of the ground, which appear to be removeable and are put in place before each game. On the Dunstable Road side, where there is also a children's playground, and behind the far goal, the playing area is ring-fenced by a white post and bar barrier. The pitch has a slight slope back towards the car park end and, following the recent weather, was heavy but in better condition than I expected to see (especially as so many games had been postponed in the last couple of days).

The Background
This game was very much a local derby being only just over 5 miles apart. A little bit of research also showed that, effectively, the two grounds are on the same road, Dunstable Road.
Both of these clubs are founder members of the Spartan South Midlands Senior Division and, since the 2004-05 season, have both played in the same division every season, Division Two. Since that time, overall, it is Totternhoe who have the more consistent form having finished in the top half more often than not. However, it is The 61FC who can boast of winning the division, a feat achieved in the 2008-09 season (they also won Division 1 back in the 1980-81 season). Totternhoe have also won Division One, back in 1961-62
Looking back over recent results, Totternhoe certainly hold sway, without a defeat in the last nine league meetings going back to the 2015-16 season. During that period Totts have won seven times with two games ending in a stalemate. The most recent meeting, in the abandoned 2019-20 season, finished The 61FC 0 Totternhoe 2, although the visitors finished the game with 10 men after Dereece O'Callaghan was sent off.
Coming into the game Totternhoe sat in 45th spot, with 29 points from their 16 outings. The 61 were down in 13th spot with 12 points from their 17 games. However, last time out, they did manage a very good 2-1 victory over Risborough Rangers Dev. with goals from Temitayo Akerele and Elijah Babalola. Totternhoe also came into the game on the back of a 2-1 win, away at bottom side Tring Corinthians. This came on the back of consecutive defeats to high-flying Eynesbury United, 2-0 away and 2-1 at home.

The Game
This game started with an absolute bang. Only just over 30 seconds had gone when the visitors keeper was forced to race off his line in an attempt to get to a ball into the box first. He failed, catching the Totternhoe striker and sending him sprawling in the box. Penalty to Totternhoe but, luckily for the visitors, the ball was far enough wide of the goal to not be classed as preventing a clear goal scoring opportunity. Callum Horgan, who was himself to have a very interesting and mixed game, stepped up and slotted the ball home. 1-0
Almost immediately after the restart Totternhoe had the ball back again, breaking down the right. A searching ball into the penalty area found the rampaging left-back Riley Keeble who met it on the volley, stroking the ball just wide of the post. Two minutes later only the intervention of The 61's number 2, heading off the line, prevented Totternhoe from increasing their lead. The home side could easily have been three to the good within the opening 5 or 6 minutes. However, urged on by their captain, The 61 began to steady the ship and stemmed the flow of home attacks. So much so that, in the 12th minute, they were back on level terms. Aron Griffin rode a couple of challenges, burst into the box and slid the ball past Palmer to make it 1-1.
What a start to the game but, as so often happens, neither could sustain the end to end action. Maybe both sides wanted to steady themselves but the game did fizzle out a little with neither side able to gain the upper hand. 

HT Totternhoe 1 The 61FC 1. A blistering start from the home side but they ran out of ideas a little once the visitors woke up. The majority of the half was a fairly even contest on a pitch that started to cut up especially in the centre where most of the action took place.

​Totternhoe's start to the second half was not quite a rapid as their first half effort but it wasn't too far off. Five minutes had ticked by when Ryan Adams struck a wicked drive goalward which was just about kept out by a combination of the goalkeeper and the woodwork. However, the visitor's relief was short-lived when the corner was whipped in for an unmarked, stooping Matt Woolaway to head into the bottom corner. 2-1

​Totternhoe were forced to take Horgan out of the action quite early in the second half after he seemed to hold back a visiting player, preventing a break away. The referee showed some leniency in not showing a second yellow (even though he appeared to reach for his pocket at one point).
Just before the hour mark the 61 keeper was called into action again when a long ball evaded all defenders and ran into the path of Nic Palmer. His dipping drive was palmed away by the keeper, although it may have just been creeping wide anyway. Just past the hour mark it was the turn of Totternhoe keeper Tom Palmer to show his skills, stretching his frame well to tip over a looping effort that may well have just dropped in below the bar. Five minutes later the hosts increased their led and, once again, it was a corner form the left that did the damage. This time the ball was not cleared and captain Johnny Butler was on hand to swivel and fire a left-foot effort past the keeper. 3-1.
Inside the final 20 minutes Totternhoe produced the most fluid move of the game, two or three one-touch passes resulting in Woolaway bursting into the box and lifting the ball over the advancing keeper only to see his effort strike the upright and stay out. There was a moment of hesitation from both the keeper and covering defender before the keeper gratefully dropped on the loose ball before any attackers could react. If that move had resulted in a goal it would certainly have killed the game off. However, three minutes after almost going 4-1 down The 61 produced a good move of their own to pull one back. The ball eventually threaded through to Kaleem Lewis who slotted under the keeper calmly. 3-2

From that point onwards, The 61 threw everything they had at Totternhoe, despite not having any substitutes on the bench and the pitch being heavy, they gave it all they had. In the final minute they won a free-kick just outside the box to the right of the goal. Even their keeper was pushed up. Then all hell broke loose in the box. The home keeper made one close range save, the ball seemed to be scrambled off the line as it pinballed around with pretty much every player seemingly inside the 6 yard box. Finally the referee blew his whistle and signalled a free-kick awards for a foul on the home keeper and that was it. Game over.

FT Totternhoe 3 The 61FC 2. A very hard-earned three points for the home side but, as I said my tweet at the time, even the most hardened Totternhoe supporter must have been full of admiration for the way the visitors kept going today. They had no substitutes, went behind inside a minute, could easily have been 3 down after 6 minutes and then went 3-1 down with 20 minutes to go. A lot of teams would have crumbled but The 61 were still pushing for an equaliser in the very last seconds of the game. Impressive. Next  up for Totternhoe is another local derby as they welcome Pitstone & Ivinghoe  on Monday. It's a longer break for The 61 who don't have a game scheduled until the visit of Tring Corinthians on the 15th.

Note that a couple of the photos included in this blog were not taken by myself. They are the fine work of Leyah Maddix. You can see a selection of her other photos on Flickr (click to link to her albums) or follow her on Instagram: @maddxsp. Many thanks to Leyah for allowing me to use a couple of her shots on this blog.

Totternhoe: T.Palmer, Kent, Keeble, Loasby, Horgan, Butler(c), Taylor, Connolly, Woolaway, Capehorn, Adam. Suns: Alexander, N.Palmer, Beary
The 61FC: Akerele, Bintuuka, Debola, Griffin, Lewis, Boffah, Posso, Reinsford, Rourke, Sahif, Sharpe

Ground Number: 297
Att: 71
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A

No game for my girl's team this Saturday so, after wrapping up the last of the Christmas shopping early on, I was given the green light from my wife and daughter to catch another game. Judging by the rise in infection, the number of games getting called off and the latest SAGE recommendations, it might be as well. It is looking as if we will get a break in play soon and, whisper it quietly, the prospect of yet another truncated season. So, after a quick look through The Football Traveller, I decided on a short journey West to the market town of Woodstock for the Hellenic Division Two North match-up between Woodstock Town and Chinnor.
​
The Ground
New Road has long been on my list of grounds to visit but, being close to home, I have repeatedly kept it in reserve for a rainy day when travelling further afield was out of the question. Today was not that rainy but I did make my decision to go to a game quite late, so I needed a reasonably close ground and New Road fitted the bill perfectly. The ground is situated in the heart of the town, within walking distance of the town centre, not a million miles from Blenheim Palace and pretty much surrounded by residential areas. There is a car park at the ground along with some parking on grass just off the car park.

​However, I was quite late arriving and had to park on one of the surrounding roads, of which there are plenty to choose from. Adjacent to the car park on the New Road side of the ground, there is a clubhouse which also houses the changing areas just behind it. The clubhouse has a covered standing area attached to the front of it. opposite are the dugouts which back onto another, smaller pitch. The ground does not have floodlights, possibly due to the proximity of the residential areas, and this has been a problem to the club in the past, restricting them from promotion and then, a few years back when the ground requirements changed, earning them a demotion to Step 7, where they currently reside. Whilst I understand the need for minimum ground requirements, in this case it does seem to be a shame because the ground itself is of a decent standard. I was particularly impressed with the offer of a free mince pie to go with my pre-match cup of tea. A very nice touch at this time of year.

The Background
This was very much a mid-table clash. At the start of play Chinnor sat in sixth spot on 19 points from their 10 games. One place below them, on 17 points but having played three games more, were Woodstock. They met in the revers fixture on the opening day of the season with Woodstock coming back from Station Road with all three points after a 1-0 win. Woodstock finished the game with 10 men after Mason Horwood saw red, Ben Strong getting the winner. This remains Chinnor's only home league defeat of the season.
The visitors had been on a good run in the league. Since they lost 2-0 to Adderbury Park at the end of October, they had won four on the bounce scoring 23 and conceding 4. Conversely, Woodstock came into the game on the back of four consecutive defeats, two of which came against Buckingham Athletic Development, who two weeks ago rattled in eight at Stratford Fields.

​The Game
I managed to get sight of the Woodstock team sheet before kick off but didn't see the Chinnor sheet, so apologies that I only have shirt numbers. I will gladly edit if/when I have the names.
It was the visitors who started the better, getting their noses ahead as early as the fifth minute when Number 11 produced some good work down the left, getting to the by line and cutting get ball back. Number 9, bursting in to the box, drilled the ball emphatically past Gareth Walker to put Chinnor in front. 0-1
The goal clearly woke Woodstock up and they responded accordingly, pushing Chinnor backwards almost immediately. The equaliser did not take long to transpire either. Elliott Powell just about getting to the ball first to power a left-foot drive past the goalkeeper just as he was tackled. 1-1
It was now the turn of the home side to take the upper hand, moving the ball about well to create a few chances. Chinnor had something of a lucky escape on 16 minutes when what looked like a clear case of hand to ball was not punished by the officials. To be fair, I couldn't see if it was in or out of the area but it did look to be a clear handball from my vantage point. Eight minutes later the home side were awarded a free-kick just outside the penalty area and to the left of the goal as the looked at it. With the goalkeeper and defence expecting a ball towards the far post Jason Trinder went for goal, catching the keeper out and beating him at the near post. 2-1.
With the home side now in front and looking the more likely to get another goal, it really looked like it may be a long afternoon for Chinnor, especially when they conceded another free-kick just outside the box. This time, however, Trinder curled his effort just over the bar. Credit to Chinnor though, they steadied the ship somewhat and began to make a few inroads themselves. Four minutes before half-time it appeared they had been rewarded for their hard work and would go in level at the break. A pinpoint cross from Sam Tanner just eluded the covering defender but was perfect for Chinnor's Number 9 who gratefully nodded the ball home. 2-2
Maybe the visitors relaxed a little too soon, however, because they had hardly stopped celebrating when they were behind again. A ball threaded up the left flank was flicked on despite the home player being fouled from behind. The referee played advantage, allowing Harris Kilburn to run onto the loose ball, drive into the box and place a perfect shot into the far corner. 3-2

HT Woodstock Town 3 Chinnor 2. An entertaining half with both sides looking capable of grabbing more goals.

Both sides looked up for it at the start of the second half. The strangest thing about the second period was the fact that it took 17 minutes for us to get another goal. When it came it was yet another Chinnor equaliser. A free-kick from way out on the left was not cleared properly and Chinnor's Number 6 drilled the ball home from 10 yards. 3-3
Once again though Chinnor almost got caught cold after scoring. Only three minutes later they had their keeper to thank for keeping them level, making a good save with his feet when Powell looked odds-on to put Town back in front. At this point the game could have gone either way. Both sides looked capable of scoring and both looked capable of conceding. With fifteen left on the clock and piece of individual magic from Matheus Medeiros almost got the hosts in front. The midfielder weaved his way into the penalty area, leaving two or three defenders in his wake before unleashing a powerful drive from 8 yards which the visitor's keeper did brilliantly to block. I'm not sure he knew that much about it and may even have blocked it with his face, but it was one hell of a stop. The keeper needed a little treatment when play stopped, presumably from taking the full force of the shot. It was the start of 10 minutes of play that the visitor's keeper would be heavily involved in. Not too long after Medeiros had ben denied the same player  was on hand at the edge of the area to fire in a low, left-footed drive which this time did beat the keeper. 4-3.
​I'm not too sure what sparked the Chinnor complaints but, whatever it was, the keeper clearly went too far with his protestations and was sin-binned by the referee. Since  sin-binning was brought it, I have seen a few, but this was the first time I had seen a keeper dismissed and, in this case, it was as good as a dismissal because with under 10 minutes to go, the keeper was not going to get chance to re-join play. Consequently, Chinnor were down to 10 men and had an outfield player in goal for the final 7 minutes plus stoppage time.
Into injury time, with Chinnor trying to push up for an equaliser, they made the mistake of leaving Marcello Guilherme unmarked inside the box and substitute punished them by sliding home the fifth goal from close range. 5-3

FT Woodstock Town 5 Chinnor 3. A good game for a neutral to enjoy. Plenty of incident, eight goals, quite a few comments flying backwards and forwards between locals and rival players and a few contentious refereeing decisions to fuel the unrest. Quality entertainment with no entry fee. You really can't knock it. No games for wother side over Christmas but they will both, hopefully, resume on January 8th, both with away games. Woodstock at second-bottom Long Crendon Reserves and Chinnor back in Oxfordshire to face Heyford Athletic, who are just above both Chinnor and Woodstock in fifth spot.
A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all at both Woodstock Town and Chinnor FC.

Woodstock Town: Gareth Walker, Trinder, Parsons, Mays(c), Dawson, Cavalcante, Medeiros, Kilburn, Powell, Carlisle, Morton. Subs: Basham, Horwood, George Walker, Guilherme


Ground Number: 296
Att: 
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A

The last weekend before Christmas and, once again, we don't have a full complement of teams playing on Sunday. In fact, this weekend, we have just the one team in action. Caversham United are not in action and Jovial Monk also have a free week after their opponents, Rudi's FC, pulled out of the league. So, it's all on the ladies this weekend.

Caversham United Women
The Lady Goats are back in Berks/Bucks action this weekend as they make the trip to Buckinghamshire to take on Division 3 North side Aylesbury United in the Quarter-Final. The Ducks have got to this round without actually kicking a ball, having received a home walkover in both previous rounds against Beaconsfield and Newport Pagnell Town. League-wise they are just below mid-table having won three of their nine games so far. One thing that is certainly not in short supply at their games is goals. So far, in the league, there have been 60 goals scored in 9 matches. Unfortunately for United, they have conceded 41 of that 60. Caversham's progress in this cup has also been full of goals. They began with a 13-0 demolition of Wraysbury, following it up with a 7-1 win at Holyport. They'll be looking for a response to last weekend's 2-1 home league defeat to local rivals Tilehurst Panthers. Top cup scorer Tiff Newland will also be looking to add to her tally of 6 goals in the tournament so far.

Aylesbury United Ladies v Caversham United Women
KO 13:00. Fairfield Leys, HP17 8QQ.

Once again this week I had swapped my usual Tuesday evening night out for Wednesday. There were fewer games to choose from but also meant I had a 3G pitch on my list, with far less chance of the weather causing a last minute change of plan. So, Worcester Raiders at The Sixways Stadium it was. To be honest, this was something of a pilgrimage for me. As a kid, growing up in the West Midlands, my Dad was an upholsterer for a Bilston based company that had the contract for all Banks's establishments. During school holidays I would often accompany him and his workmates to jobs, helping to tidy up and carry materials around. One such day they were making the short journey down the M5 to Worcester Rugby Club. At that time there was no stadium, just the club and rugby pitch (possibly multiple rugby pitches. It was close to half a century ago, my memory isn't that good). I do remember that I spent a good part of that day kicking a ball around the pitch and trying a few conversion kicks (probably unsuccessfully). I've been past the the motorway junction many times in the intervening years and have seen the ground grow into the stadium complex that exists these days. However, I have never been back there to watch a game. Until this Wednesday.

​The Ground
To say that Sixways has changed since the 70s is an understatement. The site bears no resemblance to the old rugby ground that I remember. For a start, there is a now a large, four-sided, stadium in place of the old 3rd team rugby pitch. There is a very large car park (partially taken up with a Christmas fairground at the moment) and a David Lloyd gym opposite the main stand. The stadium was originally reconstructed for the Worcester Warriors Rugby Club which plays in the top flight of English club rugby. As such it has close to a 12,000 capacity, electronic scoreboards, restaurants, bars, fan zones and an indoor training centre. Raiders moved into the stadium last year after Warriors' co-owners became majority owners of the football club. Previously they were ground-sharing with Worcester City at Claines Lane.
For the purpose of football it seems that only the largest stand, the East Stand, is open to the paying public. Entry to the ground is only through ticket, which needs to be purchased at the ticket office window under the East Stand. There is a bar at the top of the stand, open on match days.
It's quite an impressive stadium, very impressive for a Step 6 football team. The floodlights, which are in the shape of a W, can be controlled to create a sort of light show, used to good effect when the teams emerge and when Raiders score. The South Stand has the letters WRFC outlined by the seat colours. Presumably this was originally for Worcester Rugby Football Club but works equally as well for Worcester Raiders Football Club.
Being 3G the pitch is, of course, perfectly flat. Interestingly, there are no dugouts as such. Some chairs had been provided for the visitors with the Raiders substitutes and staff sitting in the seats behind the coaches technical area. I couldn't find fault with Sixways as a stadium. It's modern and clean, has easy access and plenty of parking. However, as the blog title suggests, it takes a little getting used to at this level. I actually enjoy standing at the side of a muddy pitch watching football. This felt a little too clan and today for my particular taste. having said that, you have to admire what they are doing at Sixways and, with the team currently top of the league, who knows where it will take them? After all, the rugby club were playing in the sixth tier 30 years ago.

The Background
This is the first season that these two teams have been in the same division and, with no evidence that they have met in any FA competitions, the meeting between them on the opening day appears to be the only other time they have faced each other. That game saw Raiders win 3-1 at Wildsmith Meadow, despite having Jaber Ahmed sent off.
The game set the tome for both team's seasons to a certain extent. Raiders have gone from strength to strength losing just four out of eighteen before this game and sitting atop the Hellenic Division One table. Newent came into the game with four wins from their nineteen games but had won two and drawn one of their last four league outings, including a 4-1 demolition of high-flying FC Stratford who were, at that time, top of the league. They also recently progressed in the Gloucestershire FA Trophy with a 3-0 defeat of Western League rivals Tytherington Rocks, a game that BotP watched last week (Cooper Has Rocks Over A Barrel)
​

​The Game
In a very lively opening few minutes it was the visitors who created the first real chance of the game when after just 2 minutes, star striker Jordan Cooper was set free on the left of the box. His cross-shot beat Young but went wide of the far post. Very much a warning shot across the boughs of Raiders. They responded accordingly and, two minutes later, came close themselves when Richard Smith put a header narrowly over Goode's bar. Two minutes after that the home side came even closer when, following a left-wing corner, all sorts of chaos ensued in the Newent six-yard box, with the ball seemingly scrambled off the line a couple of times before The Daffs finally managed to clear completely. The melee left home striker Connor Deards in a heap behind the goal and, after some treatment, he was replaced.
The relief for Newent was short-lived however. Just before the 10 minute mark the home side took the lead with a very well crafted goal. Captain Logan Stoddart, who was to have a very mixed evening, produced a superb, raking cross-field pass from just about the halfway line, finding Kai Mahon. The former Cheltenham Saracens player chested the ball down, cut inside and fired past Goode to make it 1-0. On the face of it a simple goal, one long ball, two more touches and a shot. However, there was a great deal of skill in both the pass from Stoddart and the initial take and control from Mahon.
Raiders were now on top. Their combination play, mixing some short passing moves with the occasional long ball down either flank, was making life difficult for Newent. After 20 minutes the home side's efforts paid off again and it was more individual skill that created the goal. Isaac Cooper somehow managed to twist and turn his way free in the centre of the penalty area before rounding Goode and sliding the ball into the net. 2-0.
In all honesty there were few Newent chances in the first half although they did manage to stretch Ryan Young just past the half-hour mark. Once again it was Jordan Cooper with the effort, turning sharply on the edge of the box and firing in a good shot that Young had to dive to his right in order to palm away.

HT Worcester Raiders 2 Newent Town 0. A good half from the home side who took control for most of the 45 minutes. Their pressing from the front, attacking play and range of passing has caused a lot of problems for The Daffs.

​The second period did not start in the manner that the home side would have wanted. Five minutes in Newent attacked down the left wing. Nippy winger Jake Bevan got to a bouncing ball just ahead of Worcester's captain Logan Stoddart. Bevan headed the ball past the defender just as he was trying to clear his lines. The result was that it was actually Bevan who took the brunt of the defender's attempted clearance and, as he had already been booked, the referee had no alternative than to issue a second yellow and a red. Stoddart was clearly not happy, throwing his shin pads down the tunnel as he trudged off. You could still hear his loud, angry, shouts after he had disappeared towards the changing rooms.
Despite the man advantage and, not surprisingly, having a lot more possession than in the first half, Newent still struggled to create clear opportunities. Their best efforts seemed to come down the right flank where they managed to whip in a few crosses. One of these was met by a glancing Jordan Cooper header but the ball drifted wide of the far post without Young having to make a stop.
Raiders reorganised their ranks well at the back and seemed quite happy to protect their two goal lead whilst launching the occasional raid forward. When they did break, they looked dangerous. Goode had to still be on his guard and was called into action when stand-in skipper Joe Billingham tested him from range.

Raiders are a good footballing side but also have an edge to them. Mahan, who got the first goal, picked up a yellow in the second half and could count himself lucky that he hadn't already had one for an offence in the first half. That said, the way that Raiders set themselves up after going down to 10 was admirable. In fact, towards the end of the game, it was Raiders who looked the more likely to add to their tally with both Smith and Simmonds calling Goode into action. The Newent keeper, however, was in no mood to have his goal breached again, producing two very good blocks.

FT Worcester Raiders 2 Newent Town 0. Raiders did the damage in the first half and, despite being down to 10 men for the majority of the second, managed the game effectively to gain the three points. No game for Raiders on Saturday but they host Moreton Rangers at Sixways next Wednesday evening. Newent, meanwhile, host Clanfield 85 on Saturday, their last game of 2021.


Worcester Raiders: Young, L.Stoddart(c), White, Carey, J.Stoddart, Stratford, Cooper, Billingham, Smith, Deards, Mahan. Subs: Thompson, Ahmed, Yates, Simmonds, Mountjoy
Newent Town: Goode(c), Guinane, Griffiths, Brown, Barry, Woodward, Nutting, Davies, Cooper, Weir, Bevan. Subs: Coakley, Pemberton, Evans


Ground Number: 295
Att: 
Entrance: £5.00
Programme: £1.00

Jovial Monk's boss Shaun Smith and myself had plenty in common this weekend. Some of the problems faced by a Sunday league Coach/Manager and girl's Saturday league team are remarkably similar. It's not the football that causes the sleepless nights, early mornings, and last minute changes of plan. It's the players. Whether it's injury, oversleeping or just plain throwing toys out of the pram, it's always the coach that is left to sort out the mess.

I had a private message on Twitter at 7:50 Sunday morning that plainly outlined the joys of Sunday league. No referee, so Shaun was set to take up the whistle. No regular centre-backs available, top striker out injured. These are the sort of things that many don't see. Don't forget, this is more than two and a half hours before kick-off on a Sunday morning, but the coach is already up and trying to sort out the details of the game.

The good news, as it happened, Shaun did not have to referee the game. The bad news was, that was the highlight of the day. Monk had a total of eleven players unavailable for one reason or another. One player wanted to be subbed off after 15 minutes and the only recognised defender also had to be replaced in the first half. During that time, Monk switched off at the back twice and conceded two goals, the only two chances Borough made.

HT Gorsehill Borough 2 Jovial Monk 0

The second half was an improvement with Monk starting to look a bit more like themselves. However, they couldn't find the net and, as Shaun said, they could have been playing until next Sunday and not scored.

FT Gorsehill Borough 2 Jovial Monk 0. Another thing that we had in common. My team lost 2-0 as well.

Borough jump to second in the table, two points behind AFC Stratton. Monk are now 5 points off the top, down in fifth place. Next weekend they face sixth placed Mario's FC who are level on points with Monk. This could be a pivotal game. A win puts either team back in contention at the top. A defeat would leave quite a gap to the leaders, although two of the teams above, Gorsehill and DPR, go face to face. A draw would be little use to either team.

After presiding over a second defeat in 2 weeks for my girls in the morning and with wife and daughter opting for a shopping trip, I decided it would be good to take myself off to a game on Saturday. A little time to mull over how to get the girls back to winning ways and to take in a new ground. it's always good to get to games a bit further down the pyramid on Saturdays, teams who don't/can't play midweek games. After flicking through @footballtrav, I could see there were a number of options within easy reach of home but the one that stuck out for me was the visit of third-placed Moulton FC to league leaders Roade Fc in the Northants Combination. Only just over 30 minutes from home and a 2pm kick off, meaning that I would be home nice and early. Perfect, so long as it was on. The rain had started to come down quite hard as I left home and I was really hoping that it would let up by the time I had made the trip over the A43 to Northamptonshire. As it happened, it didn't quite knock off completely, but there was never any risk of the game being postponed.
​The Ground
Upon reaching the reasonably sized car park at Roade's Hyde Road ground, my first impression was that it was way above and beyond most Step 7 venues. Further inspection proved me to be absolutely correct. The facilities at Roade FC are, not to put too fine a point on it, superb for a club playing at this level. There is a recently renovated clubhouse and bar which also shows matches on large screens. Pitch side there is also the Halfway Line snack bar which serves hot and cold drinks and snacks. The club also provides football from under 6 level through to adult and is a Wildcats Centre (something close to my heart as a former Wildcats and now girl's league coach). The club appears to be an extremely well run and professional outfit, from the logoed signage to the majority of club officials wearing clubwear.

The pitch, which is mostly surrounded by white pole fencing, itself slopes slightly upwards from the car park end, but it's not a massive slope. There are three dugouts at Roade, two on the far side of the pitch and one on the clubhouse side. This dugout is used by the home team, with one on the far side being designated for the away team. the other dugout seems to double as a little bit of cover for any spectators. There are no stands as such, but the majority of the home support gathered around the snack bar which does have cover over a small patio area.
I'll be honest, I loved the feel of the place. The club, I believe, want to be an integral part of the community and, to me, it felt as though they were achieving this rather well. For any groundhoppers out there who have not been to Roade, I heartily recommend it (although try to pick a day with better weather than Saturday).
​

 ​The Background
This game pitted together the runaway league leaders, Roade, with one of the chasing pack, third placed Moulton. I guess it was also something of a local derby with Moulton only having to travel just over 11 miles. 
The home side had a ten point gap at the top of the table having only lost twice in fifteen games, the most recent being a 2-1 home defeat to third-placed Blisworth a month ago. Moulton, despite being 11 points shy of their hosts, came into the game having also only having suffered two defeats all season and having three games in hand of Roade. Tellingly, however, one of those two defeats had come just over a month ago when Roade had beaten them 4-0 on their own patch.

The Game
Apologies for the lack of names, especially on the Moulton side. I didn't manage to get a look at the team sheets. More than happy to re-edit the blog and apply names if/when I get them.
Roade started the game well but it was the visitors from who opened the scoring on 6 minutes, with their first effort on goal. Their number 3 (or possibly number 2. My eyesight is not what it was) curling a beautiful left-footed effort around the home keeper from just outside the box. 0-1
​It took Roade a few minutes to recover from going behind but, with only 11 minutes on the clock they levelled the game. A near post cross from the right was contested by the visitor's goalkeeper and a Roade striker. Both missed it but following in behind, to stop and nod the ball over the line, was Roade's number 9. 1-1.
The game had opened now with both sides looking to get their noses in front. The game was also getting quite feisty. A combination of the conditions and the competitive nature of both teams, leading to some crunching tackles. Fair play to both teams though, it never looked like it would get out of hand.
Roade, kicking down the slight slope, were certainly getting more of the ball then their visitors, but neither side could muster another goal. That is until the 34th minute when Roade completed the turnaround. Moulton's keeper was down well to parry an effort from Number 10 but Number 9 was once again Johnny on the spot to snap up the rebound. 2-1

HT Roade 2 Moulton 1. Cracking first half with all the ingredients for a proper game of football. The home side are just about on top but this could still go either way.

Roade were back out early for the second half but it was probably Moulton who looked slightly livelier in the first few minutes, looking to get back on level terms as early as possible. To be fair to them, they tried to take the game to their hosts for the majority of the half but were constantly thwarted by a stoic and well organised home defence that had the superb aerial command of Jake Hogben at the heart of it. I don't think the Roade defender lost a single header in the entire game. It's not that often I single out individuals but I was very impressed with Hogben's defensive performance. 
Just as we approached the hour mark Roade gave themselves some breathing space. A corner form the left was swung towards the back post where their Number 10 planted a practically unchallenged header back past the goalkeeper. 3-1
Ten minutes later the same player almost repeated the trick but this time could only watch as his header came back off the bar. However, in the 88th minute with Moulton sending as many forward as they could, Roade caught their opponents short at the back. Number 7 played in Number 10 who calmly slotted home his second and Roade's fourth goal. 4-1

FT Roade 4 Moulton 1. From a neutral's perspective, a great game to watch and certainly nowhere near as one-sided as the score line might suggest. Two good teams who were fully committed for the full 90 minutes.
Looking at the fixture list as it stands, Roade now don't have a scheduled game until, the first weekend of January when they travel to Corby Pegasus. Meanwhile, Moulton make the journey to mid-table Woodford United next Saturday.
As you may have gathered I loved my first trip to Roade. A proper football ground, clearly a well run club and a thoroughly entertaining game between two good sides. I didn't manage to work out how to stop my girl's team shipping goals, but we have a few weeks before our next game so I'm sure something will come to me.
Merry Christmas to all at Roade FC and Moulton FC, best wishes for the New Year and the remainder of the season.

Roade: Abrams(c), Faulkner, Healey, Hogben, Joyce, Lewis, McDonald, Mcadoo, Roberts, Seaton, Torto. Subs: Healey, Kirby, 

Ground Number: 294
Att: 
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A

Fingers crossed the weather holds out for all teams playing on Sunday .

Jovial Monk
Monk return to the fold with a trip into the Cotswolds as they face third-placed Gorsehill Borough who play in the lovely town of Lechlade. This is a rearranged game after the original match in October was postponed. Borough have not played a league game since a 9-1 demolition of Rudi's on November 14th. The Division 2 table is still quite tight. However, AFC Stratton have now established a 3 point gap over Casuals at the top, so both sides will be looking for three points to stay in contention. Borough have only played two home league games so far, winning one and losing one. Monk, on the other hand, are taking an unbeaten away record with them.
Gorsehill Borough v Jovial Monk
KO 10:30.Lechlade Memorial Hall & Pavilion, GL7 3AY

Caversham United
The Goats face a very difficult looking away game at second placed Westwood Wanderers, who have only dropped five points in their ten games so far. The task is made even more ominous because it is only two weeks since Wanderers won 8-1 at Mapeldurham in the reverse fixture. Caversham are looking to put an end to a winless run that stretches back to a 4-3 win at Loxwood in October. Westwood are, unfortunately for Caversham, on a very decent run having won their last four games with an aggregate of 26-3. Still, every good run has to come to an end sometime.
Westwood Wanderers v Caversham United
KO 10:30. Linear Park, RG31 7AW

Caversham United Women
After seeing their daunting trip to league-leaders Badshot Lea postponed, the Goat Women instead welcome second-placed Tilehurst Panthers who have lost just twice this season in eight games. Their last defeat came against the league leaders (3-0) since when they have won three on the bounce, two in the league and a cup win at Charlbury. United bring a good run of form into the game, winning their last three in all competitions. They also have the knowledge of a early season defeat of Tilehurst on their own patch, Rosie Page-Smith, Holly Swan and Freya Jenkins scoring in a 3-2 win.
KO 14:00. Mapeldurham Playing Fields, RG4 7ER.

This weekend we also give a special shout out to The Glassgirls, Stourbridge FC Ladies. They take on Sheffield united Women in the FA Cup on Sunday. The match with be played at the home of Stourbridge FC (War Memorial Ground, Stourbridge, DY8 4HN). ko 1pm.

​After Tuesday evening's potential games were completely wiped out by Storm Barra, I was down to three potential visits for Wednesday. Number one on my list was Newent Town v Tytherington Rocks in the Gloucestershire FA Challenge Trophy. I must admit, I was doubtful that it would go ahead. Worcester City's game, not a million miles away was called off, so I had the possibility of Lichfield City v Wolverhampton Casuals, on Lichfield's artificial surface, as insurance.
However, a few tweets from the club pointed to the game being definitely on. So, I headed off on the 90 minute drive through the Cotswolds hoping that a sudden downpour wouldn't put paid to the game whilst I was in transit (it wouldn't be the first time that it has happened). So, when I approached the ground after driving through some fairly heavy rain on the way, I was very relieved to see floodlights glaring and cars already in the car park.

​The Ground
Newent's Wildsmith Meadow Ground is situated about half a mile East of the market town. One thing to note for first time visitors is that the SatNav will take you to Hooks Lane, which runs directly behind one of the goals. However, the car park and ground entrance is actually off the main B4215 road that takes you into Newent. The ground is set back from and slightly raised from the road. There is a good sized car park for spectators in front of the ground, with separate parking for players and officials behind the club house. The gated entrance takes you into the ground behind the club house end goal and this is where all of the facilities are located. The club house opens out onto a patio area directly behind the goal, protected by a net (as is the goal at the opposite, Hooks Lane, end). Dug outs are on the left hand side, as you look from the club house. There is a single spectator stand situated on the opposite side which is where the majority of spectators seem to gather. However, on this evening, with a very cold wind blowing, I found that the dugout side of the pitch, bounded by a tall fence, actually provided much more protection from the weather.

​The Background
As always when I research a game, I look into the the towns as well as the football teams, especially any famous local residents. Newent certainly does not disappoint in this area, Vicky Holland (World Triathlon champion 2018), Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin (the town has a gold post box for their 2012 Olympic efforts) are amongst the people listed. However, the one that caught my eye, as someone who has always had a big interest in music, was Joe Meek, 'The Telstar man', who was born in the town and has a blue plaque in Market Square. I hadn't realised just how many top hits of the early 60s were down to Meek and, I certainly didn't know about the tragic and premature end to his life (he killed his landlady and then shot himself at the age of 37). However, this is a football blog not a music history blog, so back to the footy.
Despite this being a cup game and the clubs now playing in different league structures since The Rocks moved to the Western League in the Summer, there is a bit of league history between the clubs. In fact, they met once last season a 4-2 win for Newent at Wildsmith Meadow. recent previous meetings also show that The Daffs very much have the upper hand against Tytherington. They met twice in the 2019-20 season, Newent won 2-0 at Tytherington but went down 3-2 at home. The season before that, the sides met four times with Newent winning on all four occasion with an aggregate score of 17-2. All of which pointed to a difficult night for the visitors.
This season in the league, both sides are below halfway in their respective division. Newent sit 13th in Division 1 of the Hellenic League with 16 points from their 19 games. Tytherington, in Division 1 of the Western League, are 15th with 25 points from 22 games. They had already played a game in the Gloucestershire FA Challenge Trophy, beating Bristol Telephones on penalties to earn tonight's trip to Newent.

​The Game
Apologies for lack of Rocks player names. Will add if/when I get them.
​The teams entered the field to the tune of Faithless' Insomnia. Then within a few minutes, Tytherington had deployed a towel so that their number 16 could launch a long throw into the home box. It was like being back at The Hawthorns.
The visitors were well on top from the first whistle, penning Newent back inside their own half. After just 4 minutes Rocks' number 10 got the ball out on the right and drove towards the box and the by-line. His low, driven cross seemed to be turned against the bar by one of the home defenders, coming down on the line and bouncing to safety. There were loud claims that it had crossed the line from the Rocks players but the assistant on the far side kept his flag down. As I was the other side of the ground and towards the other end it is impossible for me to say if it went in or not, although I did hear a couple of people talking in the second half who seemed convinced that it was over the line (and they were, I think, home supporters).
Just three minutes later Number 10 was at it again, showing that he had enough pace to beat his defender with ease, he once again put in a great low cross. This time Number 9 put the shot wide from 10 yards, when he really should have scored. Rocks could easily have been two up in the opening seven minutes and were very much on top.
This pattern continued with Newent seemingly unable to get out of their own half. Rocks engineered at least one more good opportunity before 20 minutes had passed, but still could not find the net. They would come to rue this fact.
Newent did start to get their act together and looked to have an out ball onto their left flank but were consistently caught offside, allowing Rocks to push them back into their own half. Newent were however starting to prevent Rocks from creating as many chances. Then, with just about 30 minutes on the clock and as so often happens in these situations, Newent caught Rocks with a sucker punch. It was a goal of some simplicity, a ball straight through the centre of the visitor's defence found Jordan Cooper running free. He rounded the advancing goalkeeper and stroked the ball into the net. 1-0.
The goal changed the game considerably. Newent were now on the front foot and only four minutes later they doubled their lead. Again it was Cooper, put in on the right-hand side of the box he finished low and hard to the near post with his weaker right foot. 2-0. What a strange game! After seeming to be incapable of even getting out of their own half for 20 minutes The Daffs found themselves two goals to the good 14 minutes later.
Rocks were rocked but not down by any means. As half-time approached they came very close to getting a goal back when Number 3 saw his header cleared of the Newent line. Good covering from the defender.

HT Newent Town 2 Tytherington Rocks 0. As a neutral the score at the break seemed very harsh on the visitors who had dominated play for half of the first 45 minutes. However, you have to take your chances when you are on top. They didn't and were made to pay the price.

​Newent were out early for the second half and were immediately up for the game again, clearing not wanting a repeat to the start of the first half when they looked well off the pace. Within a couple of minutes of the restart a Cooper free-kick forced the Tytherington keeper to make a good save at full stretch to his left and never really looked as if they were about to allow their visitors to get back into the game.
As a neutral the game needed a goal for Tytherington, but their threat seemed to have waned from the first half and Newent's defence, even after centre-half Fin Brown was taken off early in the second period, was not under anywhere near as much pressure as in the first half.
Five minutes past the hour mark, Newent sealed their progress to the next round. Once again it was Jordan Cooper, grabbing his hat-trick with the goal of the game. After Rocks lost the ball in the centre of the field, it was threaded through to Jordan, running diagonally right to left across the box, his superb left foot drive flew past the keeper into the far top corner. 3-0
From this point onwards the game was effectively over, and both sides knew it. Tytherington never gave up trying to get a goal back but their opportunities were in the first half and they didn't seem to be able to match the intensity of the early pressure. Newent were content with 3-0 and rightly so. They seemed much more concerned to keep a clean sheet than to add to their score.

FT Newent Town 3 Tytherington Rocks 0. After a rocky start, the home side took control of the game, especially in the second period. The third goal after 65 minutes effectively ended the match as a contest.
This was the second time I had seen Newent play, but the first visit to their home ground. The other game was almost 2 years ago at Moreton Rangers, a game they also won (Daffs Bloom).
​

Newent Town: Goode(c), Guinane, Griffiths, Barry, Brown, Davies, Hawkins, Lloyd, Cooper, Weir, Bevan. Suns: Woodward, Pemberton, Coakley, Allard

Ground Number: 293
Att: 
Entrance: £5.00
Programme: N/A