CARLTON TOWN (Bill Stokeld Stadium)

NORTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE DIVISION ONE SOUTH, CARLTON TOWN 1-1 LINCOLN UNITED, ATTENDANCE: 89

As my original planned Boxing Day Essex double bit the dust, or dived bombed into the water, an alternative had to be sought.

Carlton Town gave early confirmation via twitter that their game versus Lincoln United was going ahead but, as the heavens opened once again just before kick off, it was looking iffy.

The pitch was sodden and, although there was no standing water, I got the impression it probably could not take anymore punishment.

Anyhow the game kicked off and within minutes the centre of the park was a mudbath. Credit to both sets of players for producing an entertaining game and also to the referee for allowing the game to be played to a finish.

It was your cliched 'game of two halves' as Carlton dominated the opening 45 and led through Sam MacVicar's 39th minute effort, and Lincoln were grateful to their 'keeper for a superb double save to keep the score down.

Lincoln came out for the second half all guns blazing and, as the rain finally eased off, they got themselves level on 49 minutes through Scott Coupland. Lincoln nearly snatched all three points but a late effort was turned onto the crossbar. The draw was a fair result.

The Bill Stokeld Stadium, named in honour of the man whose efforts helped guide the club from the Notts Senior League to Northern Premier League, via the Central Midlands League and Northern Counties East League, is a basic affair with a prefab seated stand behind the goal and a small terrace underneath the under hang of the changing block.

I was so happy to get a game in today and there was also an added bonus, as I completed a personal milestone of visiting all the grounds in the three divisions of the Northern Premier League.