HOLLAND FC (Eastcliff Recreation Ground, Dulwich Road)

FA VASE 1st QUALIFYING ROUND, HOLLAND 2-0 ENFIELD,
ATTENDANCE: 180 (h/c)

This was a journey into the unknown for me as, I have to confess, prior to today Holland FC had never entered into my consciousness. It was only when it was highlighted to me that they were playing an FA Vase game on a Sunday, with a midday kick off, that my interest was piqued.

I clearly wasn't the only one as there were plenty of familiar faces in the crowd and it was good to have a socially distanced catch up with people who I had not seen since before lockdown.

I had to do a little bit of research on Holland FC, especially consulting the old Google maps to see exactly where they are based. Holland-on-Sea is on the Essex coast and is just up the road from Clacton-on-Sea. The town is so close to The North Sea that I was picking up the national radio of The Netherlands as approached the ground. That's just the way it is indeed!

     

The club was founded in 2006 and joined Essex And Suffolk Border League. In 2009 they won Division One and promotion to the Premier Division. A third place finish in 2016 led to another promotion, to the Eastern Counties League Division One.

The club play their home games at the Eastcliff Recreation Ground on Dulwich Road. The ground has undergone significant redevelopment in the last few years with a 100 seat stand installed alongside a brand new clubhouse.

With a team called Holland FC the club colours had to be orange but unfortunately today there was no 'total football' on display today. The higher ranked Enfield started brightest and hit the woodwork in the opening minutes before the game settled down into an insipid affair. In mitigation, it was a baking hot afternoon so energy levels were always going to be tested at this early stage of the season.

     

The presence of evergreen striker Jamie Cureton, now a sprightly 45 years old, in the Enfield ranks couldn't inspire and, as the game looked destined for penalties, the home side broke the deadlock in the 71st minute when Anthony Spyrou slotted home. Three minutes later a corner kick from Reuben Cowler deceived everyone and, with a little help from the sea breeze, curled into the net.

There was no way back for Enfield and Holland deservedly went through where they will play Colney Heath in the next round. 

     

    

ENFIELD TOWN (The Queen Elizabeth II Stadium)

ISTHMIAN PREMIER LEAGUE, ENFIELD TOWN 1-2 BILLERICAY TOWN, ATTENDANCE: 554

The first part of my North London double took place at The Queen Elizabeth II Stadium (aka Donkey Dome as the ground is located on Donkey Lane) in Enfield. Football returned to town in 2011 after a gap of 12 years.  

The Enfield story is far to complex to explain in a few lines, so can I point everyone in the direction of this write up by Ian King on the ever superb 200% blog http://twohundredpercent.net/?p=19845#respond which tells you all what you need to know.

The ground is located about half a mile from Enfield's old Southbury Road stadium, which is now a housing estate.

The ground was a dilapidated old athletics stadium when Enfield took control but lots of time, effort and money has gone into to restoring the stadium to it's former glory. The main stand is art deco, set way back from the pitch but it offers the best views of the game.

The rest of the stands in the ground are of the pre-fab variety but with the athletics track you feel away from the action. I watched the game from the balcony of the clubhouse, which had two Redemption Ales on sale. Happy days!

The game was a cliched game of two halves as the homesters had the better of the first before the visitors came back to claim the points.

Enfield took the lead after 19 minutes when captain Mark Kirby was played through and he fired past Billy Lumley in the Billericay goal.

Ricay were level after 68 minutes when Glen Poole scored from the penalty spot (pictured left). This was after Enfield's Joe Stevens was adjudged to have fouled Isaac Layne in the area. 

It was actually the linesman who indicated the penalty and once this was done then the referee had no option to show Stevens a red card as he was the last man.

The advantage told with a couple of minutes remaining when Billericay's Junior Luke headed home the winner after 87 minutes.