RISBOROUGH RANGERS (The Windsors)

SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE, RISBOROUGH RANGERS 9-1 LANGFORD, ATTENDANCE: 72

Today I found myself in Princes Risborough, though by accident rather than design. Risborough Rangers "The Windsor's" was the nearest ground to my mates house, who fancied a game with me, but who was on babysitting duties and couldn't get away until after 2.30pm. 

The ground is on Horsenden Lane
but is known locally as The Windsors

Nonetheless it is usually in these cases things turn out better than expected and today was one of those cases. 

Ground is cracking set up for this level (step 6) and the welcome from the people at the club was fantastic. Couple that with plenty of goals and the sun shining, it made for a great afternoon. 

Risborough were 15th at start of play with visitors Langford bottom of the table. The game was effectively over inside 40 minutes with the hosts 4-0 up and the visitors down to 9 men.  

Risborough scored two quick goals in the opening ten minutes through Jack Welch and Lawrence Clark before Langford's Ryan Ellis conceded a penalty. He was given a yellow card but a second swiftly followed after he continued to argue with the referee. Adam Harpur saved the James Shrimpton's spot kick but he tucked away the rebound.

Things got worse for the Langford when Harpur fumbled a tame shot and Sam Ward had an easy tap in. Reece Loudon then received a straight red for a kick off the ball that was spotted by a linesman. As you could imagine the Langford manager was not impressed and proceeded to "do a Phil Brown" by giving his half time talk on the pitch.

Shrimpton  completed his hat-trick and then got his fourth before Dan Gray made it 8-0. Langford got on the scoresheet thanks to Josh Cornwell, little consolation for the team having now conceded over 100 goals this season. 

There was still time for Risborough to score another when Sam Ward netted in stoppage time.

An unexpected delight this afternoon and a visit to this friendly club comes highly recommended.

You dont go to game expecting to have to 'google' latin but this means "For those who are looking for the ball" and is in the corner of this little stand.

 

SUSSEX BY THE SEA 'Double Header'

Following on from last weekends 500+ mile round trip to Norfolk, I undertook another similar lengthy trip this Saturday for a double opportunity in Sussex...

12.45pm Isthmian League Division One South
The Sports Park
Peacehaven & Telscombe 2-0 Guernsey
Attendance: 252

To accommodate Guernsey travelling to the mainland, kick off times for certain games have changed this season thus allowing opportunities for doubles for eager hoppers. Today was such an occasion and not only that, the game was 1st v 3rd in the race for promotion to the Isthmian Premier League.

Peacehaven & Telscombe FC were formed in 1923 as a result of a merger between Peacehaven Rangers and Telscombe Tye and having won the Sussex County League 7 times previously, they are currently enjoying another successful period in their history.

After winning the Sussex County League Championship for the 8th time last season, they are on course to make it back-to-back promotions, especially after taking all three points at The Sports Park this afternoon.

They sealed the win thanks to goals at either end of the second half when Tom Burton (47) raced through to score and Callum Saunders (89) converted a penalty kick.

The game was wide open with both teams intent on attacking. Guernsey had the better of the clear chances overall but could not find a way past The Magpies 'keeper Anthony Di Bernado who was in inspired form. With the score at 1-0 The Lions had a chance to equalise but Di Bernado saved Rory Allen's spot kick.

The victory leaves Peacehaven & Telscombe 10 points clear at the top of the table (with a game in hand) and virtually nailed on for the title and promotion.

A tale of two penalties: Rory Allen sees his effort saved (left) whilst

Callum Saunders scores his (right) to make it 2-0 to Peacehaven

3pm Conference South
The Enclosed Ground
Whitehawk 1-0 Tonbridge Angels
Attendance: 194

6 miles and 15 minutes along the South Coast road is East Brighton and the suburb of Whitehawk, from where the football club takes it's name. Whitehawk is overlooked by the White Hawk, a chalk carving in the hill at Sheepcote Valley, which you can see from the football ground (below right).

Having been in existence since 1945, the Hawks are enjoying their best spell in their history with 3 promotions in 4 seasons taking them from the Sussex County League to the Conference South.

However they are finding things tough at Step 2 and are struggling to avoid relegation. Today was a bottom of the table clash with fellow strugglers Tonbridge Angels.

On the sloping pitch, the game was not the greatest to watch, as you could probably of imagined, but Whitehawk managed to secure the victory thanks a great goal from Waide Fairhurst after 57 minutes. The win lifts The Hawks out of the relegation zone for now, but having played more games than the other teams around them, they are still in big trouble.

With the clubs rapid climb up the pyramid, the ground is still a work in progress, with a hotchpotch of stands. The Main Stand was there from the Sussex County days but the seats behind each goal are new to the ground, but were actually from the Withdean Stadium, sold after Brighton & Hove Albion had moved out. I enjoyed my visit to The Enclosed Ground and I doff my cap to half dozen home fans who kept the noise going throughout the game, backing their team all the way.

EASTERN COUNTIES LEAGUE 'NORFOLK HOP'

Following on from the success of last October's 'Groundhopper Day' the Eastern Counties League followed it up today with a 'Norfolk Hop'

As the title suggests, this was focused on three grounds in Norfolk. Like last time it was a very early start as a car full of hoppers headed along the A14....

12pm Eastern Counties Premier League
Plantation Park
NORWICH UNITED 3-0 Thetford Town
Attendance: 214

Our car arrived at Plantation Park, in the village of Blofield, on the outskirts of Norwich, just in time to snaffle a few of the remaining programmes. Breakfast was provided courtesy of the snack bar who were doing a roaring trade in Bacon Rolls, which were sublime. 

Plenty of the great and good of the 'hopping' fraternity were present and once again it was a chance to catch up and chew the fat and have the rise taken out of me for my sartorial faux pas.

The game kick off fifteen minutes late due to Thetford forgetting their kit, a schoolboy error. The game was a comfortable win for 'The Planters' thanks to goals from Gavin Lemmon (10)  Paul Cook (20) and Scott Woodgate (82). They also had the luxury of missing a penalty when Jamie George saw both his initial kick and follow up effort both saved.

3pm Eastern Counties Premier League
Emerald Park
GORLESTON 3-1 Brantham Athletic
Attendance: 210

I was in two minds as to whether to head to Emerald Park or not, as I had the offer of a lift to Lowestoft. I am so glad I made the effort as the ground is superb for this level of football, with cover on all four sides.

The ground has only been in use since 1982 (when coincidentally Brantham were the first opponents) when the club moved from their old Recreation Ground. There are rumours that the club could be on the move again, however one of our travelling party spoke to a club official who told him that the club have sorted a new long term lease on Emerald Park. Good news for the club and hoppers alike.

Christy Finch gave The Greens the lead after 17 minutes when he converted from penalty spot, after a dubious award for handball (it wasn't). Finch bagged his second on 59 minutes before Chris Sandford made the points safe after 70 minutes. Brantham grabbed a consolation in stoppage time when Ed Nobbs' deflected shot found the net.

6pm Eastern Counties League Division One
Wellesley Road Recreation Ground
GREAT YARMOUTH TOWN 0-1 Swaffham Town
Attendance: 163

The final game of the day saw us head to the seaside town of Great Yarmouth, or to be more precise Wellesley Road Recreation Ground (named after the Iron Duke himself). 

Great Yarmouth's ground is famous for it's iconic Main Stand and to see it with my own eyes was well worth the trip in itself.

Opened in June 1892, the grandstand is believed to be the world's oldest football stand still in regular use. The only disappointment is that the stand is set well away from the action as the pitch is surrounded by an athletics track, but that does not detract from the beauty of this fine piece of architecture.

More issues with the quantity of programmes available and the club took names and adressess for those that missed out, but it still didn't stop one person going completely hatstand.

The club laid on some real ale in the clubhouse (Lacons 'Encore' ale) which helped make a turgid game a lot more bearable, Swaffham sealing the victory courtesy of a Matty Castellan header just before half time.

Few more beers in Great Yarmouth post game and more reflections on three cracking 'ticks' a very long way from home. A big thank you to all the clubs involved. Hopefully the ECL will see fit to carry on with these hops next season - http://thurlownunnleague.co.uk/norfolk-hop-on-saturday/ - Suffolk next if you'd be so kind!!!