For my final game of 2024 I finally managed to get to a ground that has been on my list for quite some time. Not only that, but I managed to time it so that the game in question was very significant.
The ground in question? The uniquely named Tod's Piece, home of Peterborough & District Premier League side, Uppingham Town. Currently sitting in second place, Uppingham were taking on the leaders, Stanground Cardea Sports, three points ahead but having played a game more than Town. Uppingham also had a better goal difference, so a win would see them go top for Christmas.
Uppingham went into the game with an unbeaten home record having won 6 and drawn 2 so far. Stanground had only lost once on the road and once at home, a 1-0 defeat to Uppingham at the end of August, thanks to a Josh Sennett goal. Recent form favoured the home side who had won 4 and drawn 2 of the last six. Stanground were two places lower in the current form table having won 3, drawn 2 and lost 1. Players to watch as far as scoring went were Kieran Hibbins for Stanground, 11 goals in 15 games, and Uppingham's Sam Blackwell, 9 goals in 14 games.
Last season the sides finished 2nd and 3rd respectively. Stanground Sports, as they were named last season before the merger, were just 2 points adrift of today's hosts.
The ground in question? The uniquely named Tod's Piece, home of Peterborough & District Premier League side, Uppingham Town. Currently sitting in second place, Uppingham were taking on the leaders, Stanground Cardea Sports, three points ahead but having played a game more than Town. Uppingham also had a better goal difference, so a win would see them go top for Christmas.
Uppingham went into the game with an unbeaten home record having won 6 and drawn 2 so far. Stanground had only lost once on the road and once at home, a 1-0 defeat to Uppingham at the end of August, thanks to a Josh Sennett goal. Recent form favoured the home side who had won 4 and drawn 2 of the last six. Stanground were two places lower in the current form table having won 3, drawn 2 and lost 1. Players to watch as far as scoring went were Kieran Hibbins for Stanground, 11 goals in 15 games, and Uppingham's Sam Blackwell, 9 goals in 14 games.
Last season the sides finished 2nd and 3rd respectively. Stanground Sports, as they were named last season before the merger, were just 2 points adrift of today's hosts.
Uppingham attacking the North St East End The game sprang to life in the 6th minute when the hosts took an early lead. Kieran Hibbins was pulled up for a foul midway into the Stanground half and way out on the Uppingham left flank. The ball was delivered toward the far post, deceiving Stanground's keeper and leaving Noah Sinclair to rise above everyone and head into an empty net. 1-0. In the aftermath of the goal, Stanground also found themselves down to 10 after Hibbins, still not happy with the awarding of free-kick, said something that the referee didn't like and earned himself 10 minutes on the side-lines. He was adamant that he didn't swear at the referee, but clearly this official was a stickler for the rules.
Interestingly, Stanground responded well to going behind and losing a player, although they couldn't find a way to stretch Hubbard in the home goal, despite edging possession. Once they had returned to full strength, you felt they had a real chance of levelling before the break. However, after 26 minutes, they shot themselves in the foot again. This time it was centre-half Dan Fountain who found himself on the wrong side of the referee and in the bin for 10 minutes. Once again the player claimed there was no swearing involved, but dissent doesn't have to involve foul language.
Five minutes after going down to ten again, Stanground found themselves two goals behind as well. Home captain Sam Blackwell burst through onto a lovely through ball and slid the ball under the advancing Josh Crick. 2-0. The same player then came close to making it three five minutes later but this time his strike flew just wide of the mark.
Late on Stanground, now back to their full complement again, showed that they could cause problems. Kyle Hibbins hit the target but couldn't beat Hubbard. Then, in the final minute, the same player saw his goal bound header cleared off the home line.
HT Uppingham Town 2 Stanground Cardea Sports 0. If anything, Stanground edged possession over the 45 minutes. However, they failed to penetrate the home defence and a lack of discipline in the face of a strict referee, saw them a player light for almost half of the first period. Uppingham took their chances well and looked very solid at the back.
Interestingly, Stanground responded well to going behind and losing a player, although they couldn't find a way to stretch Hubbard in the home goal, despite edging possession. Once they had returned to full strength, you felt they had a real chance of levelling before the break. However, after 26 minutes, they shot themselves in the foot again. This time it was centre-half Dan Fountain who found himself on the wrong side of the referee and in the bin for 10 minutes. Once again the player claimed there was no swearing involved, but dissent doesn't have to involve foul language.
Five minutes after going down to ten again, Stanground found themselves two goals behind as well. Home captain Sam Blackwell burst through onto a lovely through ball and slid the ball under the advancing Josh Crick. 2-0. The same player then came close to making it three five minutes later but this time his strike flew just wide of the mark.
Late on Stanground, now back to their full complement again, showed that they could cause problems. Kyle Hibbins hit the target but couldn't beat Hubbard. Then, in the final minute, the same player saw his goal bound header cleared off the home line.
HT Uppingham Town 2 Stanground Cardea Sports 0. If anything, Stanground edged possession over the 45 minutes. However, they failed to penetrate the home defence and a lack of discipline in the face of a strict referee, saw them a player light for almost half of the first period. Uppingham took their chances well and looked very solid at the back.
Stanground attacking the scout hut end Uppingham were back out for the second half very early but soon found themselves on the back foot as their visitors looked to get themselves back into the game. Despite the two goal cushion, this game was far from over.
Just before the hour mark, Stanground's renewed vigour drew dividends. Cameron Hibbins saw his header come back off the bar but Kyle Hibbins was on hand to nudge the ball over the line, collecting a knock in the process. 2-1. The Stanground scorer was also soon back on his feet.
Uppingham's response was to go up the other end and almost grab a third. Ollie Bardwell let fly from the edge of the box, his shot whistling just wide of Crick's left-hand post. The game had, once again, swung. Uppingham now had the upper hand in terms of possession. With nine minutes to go the home side thought they had been awarded a penalty when the referee appeared to point to the spot after a foul on the left hand edge of the area. However, with the defenders clearly pointing the spot on the ground where the offence had taken place the referee reverted to a free-kick. The correct decision. From my vantage point, it was very obvious that the foul was outside the area.
FT Uppingham Town 2 Stanground Cardea Sports 1. A very hard-earned three points for Uppingham that sees them go top for Christmas. This game, between two evenly matched sides, could have gone either way. Did the two first-half sin-bins cost the visitors? Possibly. Over the 90 minutes they probably just about edged possession but struggled to break through a well organised Uppingham defence. It's going to be an interesting run-in to the Premier League title. There are still seven or eight teams in with a shout. These two currently have the upper hand and, in my opinion, will definitely be in the hat come May, but even down as far as last season's champions, Moulton Harrox, teams are still in with a fighting chance. Uppingham and Stanground are both next in action on Saturday 4th January. Stanground welcome mid-table Deeping to the Sports Centre. They won 5-2 at Elsea park earlier in the season. Uppingham, meanwhile, make the trip over to third-placed Whittlesey Athletic Reserves, who they beat 5-0 at home, largely thanks to a Cameron Cleaver hat-trick.
Uppingham Town: 1.Hubbard, 2.Eldridge, 6.Lewin, 17.Gove, 14.Blackwell(c), 11.Bardwell, 7.Sinclair, 8.Pearce, 9.Turricki, 15.Porter, 16.Johnson. Subs: 12.Howe, 10.G.McAlindon,4.L.MacAlindon, 5.Cleaver, 3.Bains
Stanground Cardea Sports: 1.Crick, Rayment, 2.Gellizeau, 10.Fox(c), Fountain, Morton, 7.Kyle Hibbins, Ginns, 9.Kieran Hibbins, Staggs, 15.Cam Hibbins. Subs: Clipston, Brooks, Martin, 11.Webb
Just before the hour mark, Stanground's renewed vigour drew dividends. Cameron Hibbins saw his header come back off the bar but Kyle Hibbins was on hand to nudge the ball over the line, collecting a knock in the process. 2-1. The Stanground scorer was also soon back on his feet.
Uppingham's response was to go up the other end and almost grab a third. Ollie Bardwell let fly from the edge of the box, his shot whistling just wide of Crick's left-hand post. The game had, once again, swung. Uppingham now had the upper hand in terms of possession. With nine minutes to go the home side thought they had been awarded a penalty when the referee appeared to point to the spot after a foul on the left hand edge of the area. However, with the defenders clearly pointing the spot on the ground where the offence had taken place the referee reverted to a free-kick. The correct decision. From my vantage point, it was very obvious that the foul was outside the area.
FT Uppingham Town 2 Stanground Cardea Sports 1. A very hard-earned three points for Uppingham that sees them go top for Christmas. This game, between two evenly matched sides, could have gone either way. Did the two first-half sin-bins cost the visitors? Possibly. Over the 90 minutes they probably just about edged possession but struggled to break through a well organised Uppingham defence. It's going to be an interesting run-in to the Premier League title. There are still seven or eight teams in with a shout. These two currently have the upper hand and, in my opinion, will definitely be in the hat come May, but even down as far as last season's champions, Moulton Harrox, teams are still in with a fighting chance. Uppingham and Stanground are both next in action on Saturday 4th January. Stanground welcome mid-table Deeping to the Sports Centre. They won 5-2 at Elsea park earlier in the season. Uppingham, meanwhile, make the trip over to third-placed Whittlesey Athletic Reserves, who they beat 5-0 at home, largely thanks to a Cameron Cleaver hat-trick.
Uppingham Town: 1.Hubbard, 2.Eldridge, 6.Lewin, 17.Gove, 14.Blackwell(c), 11.Bardwell, 7.Sinclair, 8.Pearce, 9.Turricki, 15.Porter, 16.Johnson. Subs: 12.Howe, 10.G.McAlindon,4.L.MacAlindon, 5.Cleaver, 3.Bains
Stanground Cardea Sports: 1.Crick, Rayment, 2.Gellizeau, 10.Fox(c), Fountain, Morton, 7.Kyle Hibbins, Ginns, 9.Kieran Hibbins, Staggs, 15.Cam Hibbins. Subs: Clipston, Brooks, Martin, 11.Webb
Tod's Piece
The Ground
Uppingham play their home games at the intriguingly named, Tod's Piece (see below for an extract from The Village Diary - thevillagediary.co.uk - article by Becky Daines from 2021).
The ground is situated in the heart of the town, walking distance from the Hight Street and market square. There is parking available alongside the ground, on Gainsborough Road. There are also paid parking spaces available in the town centre, all within very easy reach of the ground. The football pitch takes up the majority of the space on Tod's Piece. There is also a children's playground, outdoor gym equipment, a small skatepark and a traditional beacon. The clubhouse and changing facilities are situated close to the North Street East end of the ground, alongside the pitch. There's a slightly raised terrace area that provide a good view of the pitch. The dugouts are also on the is side of the ground. The pitch slopes slightly from the North Street East end down towards the Scout hut at the opposite end.
"Unfortunately, little is known about Tod himself. We don’t even really know
when this piece of land was named after him, but the legend of Tod has been passed down from generation to generation. It is said that Tod – renowned for his impressive ability to mow with a scythe — placed a bet that he could mow the grass in the entire field in one single day. It is said to have measured “seven acres, two roods and 16 perches” and nobody believed it was possible for a single man to mow it all in one day. Tod started work at the break of dawn and carried on through the day until the sun was setting, achieving this impressive feat and winning his wager. And then he dropped dead of exhaustion. Poor Tod!
Nothing more is known about Tod the Mower, but there could be a clue in the parish registers of the 1630s when a John Todd, Church Warden, signed his name on the registers. Could this be the same Tod? We’ll never know."
Uppingham play their home games at the intriguingly named, Tod's Piece (see below for an extract from The Village Diary - thevillagediary.co.uk - article by Becky Daines from 2021).
The ground is situated in the heart of the town, walking distance from the Hight Street and market square. There is parking available alongside the ground, on Gainsborough Road. There are also paid parking spaces available in the town centre, all within very easy reach of the ground. The football pitch takes up the majority of the space on Tod's Piece. There is also a children's playground, outdoor gym equipment, a small skatepark and a traditional beacon. The clubhouse and changing facilities are situated close to the North Street East end of the ground, alongside the pitch. There's a slightly raised terrace area that provide a good view of the pitch. The dugouts are also on the is side of the ground. The pitch slopes slightly from the North Street East end down towards the Scout hut at the opposite end.
"Unfortunately, little is known about Tod himself. We don’t even really know
when this piece of land was named after him, but the legend of Tod has been passed down from generation to generation. It is said that Tod – renowned for his impressive ability to mow with a scythe — placed a bet that he could mow the grass in the entire field in one single day. It is said to have measured “seven acres, two roods and 16 perches” and nobody believed it was possible for a single man to mow it all in one day. Tod started work at the break of dawn and carried on through the day until the sun was setting, achieving this impressive feat and winning his wager. And then he dropped dead of exhaustion. Poor Tod!
Nothing more is known about Tod the Mower, but there could be a clue in the parish registers of the 1630s when a John Todd, Church Warden, signed his name on the registers. Could this be the same Tod? We’ll never know."
Ground Number: 429
Att:
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A
Att:
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A
Stanground push for an equaliser
RSS Feed