Day 1 - Monday 14th August 2017
War Memorial Ground
Isthmian League Division One South
Carshalton Athletic 1 Hastings United 1
Att: 302
War Memorial Ground
Isthmian League Division One South
Carshalton Athletic 1 Hastings United 1
Att: 302
I finally boxed off the War Memorial Ground at the fourth attempt of trying (long story) and i really enjoyed my visit. It is a proper ground with a huge bank of terracing down one side. A sight to behold.
A good game to watch but how Carshalton failed to put this game out of sight is a mystery. They dominated proceedings but wasted plenty of chances. When Mickel Miller (60) broke the deadlock it seemed this would open the floodgates but, naturally, Jack Harris (66) bundled in an equaliser for Hastings.
There were plenty of other hoppers in attendance and plenty whingeing about the lack of a physical programme, as Carshalton have moved into digital only issues. It was rather amusing if I do say so! Post-match was spent in the excellent Hope pub very near to the ground, with it's choice of seven real ales. Bliss.
Day 2 - Tuesday 15th August
Silver Jubilee Park
Isthmian Premier League
Isthmian Premier League
Hendon 3-0 Enfield Town
Att: 292
From south London to north London!
It was a comfortable for Hendon. Niko Muir bagged a hat-trick (7, 19 and 52) but I thought Enfield 'keeper Joe Wright was MotM as he prevented the scoreline being at least double what it finished.
Their ground, Silver Jubilee Park, is in a public park and it is a little oasis amongst the urban sprawl. After a nomadic existence for last few years, Hendon are now the primary tenants but Edgware Town also play there. Ground is a typical new build with 4 pre-fab stands in place but the original seated stand is still in place. It looks great but It is certainly no Claremont Road. For each home game there is a real ale on sale in the clubhouse and this certainly was a welcome bonus.
Day 3 - Wednesday 16th August
Thornhill Park
Southern League Division One South & West
Slimbridge 1-3 Cirencester Town
Att: 167
This was another ground I missed when Slimbridge were on their rise through the leagues in the mid-noughties. The club reached step 4 (where they find themselves once again) but resigned on the eve of the season and returned the to the Gloucester League.
So it had only taken 10 years but I finally arrived at Wisloe Road and was treated to an entertaining Gloucestershire derby. Slimbridge lost but they certainly merited at least draw. They hit post twice before conceding a third goal in stoppage time.
An Alan Griffin penalty (14) gave Cirencester the lead before Joe Stokes (17) levelled for Slimbridge. Adam Connolly (32) restored the visitors advantage. Slimbridge made most of the running in the second half, as Cirencester were happy to soak up the pressure and play on the counter. Ultimately, in stoppage time as the home side pushed forward, this tactic worked a treat as Ben Whitehead wrapped up the win for Cirencester.
Pre-match was spent in Stroud where I had the chance to visit the rather splendid Ale House in the centre of town.
Day 4 - Thursday 17th August
Goodison Park
UEFA Europa League Play - Off
Everton 2-0 Hajduk Split
Att: 34,977
You can't beat a European night at Goodison Park and I personally don't understand why the Europa League is treated with disdain by most English clubs.
The game was won with a dominant first half performance from Everton, the goals coming courtesy of Michael Keane (30) and Idrissa Gana Gueye (44). Second half wasn't so clever and on the few occasions Hajduk broke through Jordan Pickford was equal to it. Would have liked a third goal to take over to Croatia, and The Toffees did waste a few golden opportunities.
I couldn't see from my seat in the Upper Bullens but the travelling Ultras were causing mischief in the away section, by throwing objects, which resulted in the game being stopped for 5 minutes whilst stewards and police restored some order.
Day 5 - Friday 18th August
Old Road
Welsh League Division One
Briton Ferry Llansawel 1
Llanelli Town 4
Att: 368
Friday night in South Wales and a visit to another classic former League of Wales (as it was then) ground. It turned out to be a comfortable win for the visitors, in the end, but at one stage the home side missed a glorious chance to make it 2-2.
James Loveridge gave Llanelli the lead after 10 minutes and despite dominating proceedings they couldn't find that second goal. It did arrive after 48 minutes when the evergreen Lee Trundle squared the ball for Loveridge to score his second.
Llanelli continued to press but then, completely against the run of play, Briton Ferry Llansawel pulled one back after 73 minutes through Ian Hillier and then Gareth Jones missed an absolute sitter for the home side. Loveridge completed his hat-trick after 87 minutes before Joe Clarke added a fourth goal in stoppage time.
Day 6 - Saturday 19th August
Cae Camlad
Welsh Cup 1st Qualifying Round
Churchstoke 2-3 Welshpool Town (AET)
Att: 39 (h/c)
I headed to Mid Wales for what looked like a very interesting Welsh Cup tie between two local rivals. The game did not fail to disappoint.
Churchstoke went two-nil up before former Welsh Premier League side Welshpool got one back through Will Thomas. Churchstoke keeper made two world class saves and then Welshpool hit post as they piled on the pressure. In final moments Churchstoke broke clear and won a penalty. Welshpool keeper Dave Littleford saved the spot kick and they then promptly went up other end and levelled, Ryan Evans scoring. Welshpool had certainly got out of jail and it was no surprise when they found a winner, courtesy of Ricky Litchfield, deep into extra time.
Cae Camlad has a small piece of cover and, as is the norm in Wales, some great views!
Day 7 - Sunday 20th August
Recreation Ground
FA Cup Preliminary Round
St Margaretsbury 2 Hullbridge 2
Att: 118
A top day out in the Hertfordshire village of Stanstead Abbotts as the magic of the FA Cup took over. The match was switched to Sunday as the facilities at the ground are shared with the cricket club.
It was a very good game to watch. Hullbridge were in control for most of the first half and deservedly in front at the interval thanks to a goal from Sam Dulieu after 4 minutes.
St Margaretsbury must have had the hair dryer treatment at the break as they turned the game around thanks to two, admittedly needlessly conceded, spot kicks. They were both converted by Ryan Wade (53 & 70). The game was wide open from that point but it was the visitors who netted a fully merited equaliser in the last minute, courtesy of substitute Ronnie Pallett.
And here endeth ones epic journey of 7 games in 7 days!!
It was a comfortable for Hendon. Niko Muir bagged a hat-trick (7, 19 and 52) but I thought Enfield 'keeper Joe Wright was MotM as he prevented the scoreline being at least double what it finished.
Their ground, Silver Jubilee Park, is in a public park and it is a little oasis amongst the urban sprawl. After a nomadic existence for last few years, Hendon are now the primary tenants but Edgware Town also play there. Ground is a typical new build with 4 pre-fab stands in place but the original seated stand is still in place. It looks great but It is certainly no Claremont Road. For each home game there is a real ale on sale in the clubhouse and this certainly was a welcome bonus.
Day 3 - Wednesday 16th August
Thornhill Park
Southern League Division One South & West
Slimbridge 1-3 Cirencester Town
Att: 167
This was another ground I missed when Slimbridge were on their rise through the leagues in the mid-noughties. The club reached step 4 (where they find themselves once again) but resigned on the eve of the season and returned the to the Gloucester League.
So it had only taken 10 years but I finally arrived at Wisloe Road and was treated to an entertaining Gloucestershire derby. Slimbridge lost but they certainly merited at least draw. They hit post twice before conceding a third goal in stoppage time.
An Alan Griffin penalty (14) gave Cirencester the lead before Joe Stokes (17) levelled for Slimbridge. Adam Connolly (32) restored the visitors advantage. Slimbridge made most of the running in the second half, as Cirencester were happy to soak up the pressure and play on the counter. Ultimately, in stoppage time as the home side pushed forward, this tactic worked a treat as Ben Whitehead wrapped up the win for Cirencester.
Pre-match was spent in Stroud where I had the chance to visit the rather splendid Ale House in the centre of town.
Day 4 - Thursday 17th August
Goodison Park
UEFA Europa League Play - Off
Everton 2-0 Hajduk Split
Att: 34,977
You can't beat a European night at Goodison Park and I personally don't understand why the Europa League is treated with disdain by most English clubs.
The game was won with a dominant first half performance from Everton, the goals coming courtesy of Michael Keane (30) and Idrissa Gana Gueye (44). Second half wasn't so clever and on the few occasions Hajduk broke through Jordan Pickford was equal to it. Would have liked a third goal to take over to Croatia, and The Toffees did waste a few golden opportunities.
I couldn't see from my seat in the Upper Bullens but the travelling Ultras were causing mischief in the away section, by throwing objects, which resulted in the game being stopped for 5 minutes whilst stewards and police restored some order.
Day 5 - Friday 18th August
Old Road
Welsh League Division One
Briton Ferry Llansawel 1
Llanelli Town 4
Att: 368
Friday night in South Wales and a visit to another classic former League of Wales (as it was then) ground. It turned out to be a comfortable win for the visitors, in the end, but at one stage the home side missed a glorious chance to make it 2-2.
James Loveridge gave Llanelli the lead after 10 minutes and despite dominating proceedings they couldn't find that second goal. It did arrive after 48 minutes when the evergreen Lee Trundle squared the ball for Loveridge to score his second.
Llanelli continued to press but then, completely against the run of play, Briton Ferry Llansawel pulled one back after 73 minutes through Ian Hillier and then Gareth Jones missed an absolute sitter for the home side. Loveridge completed his hat-trick after 87 minutes before Joe Clarke added a fourth goal in stoppage time.
Day 6 - Saturday 19th August
Cae Camlad
Welsh Cup 1st Qualifying Round
Churchstoke 2-3 Welshpool Town (AET)
Att: 39 (h/c)
I headed to Mid Wales for what looked like a very interesting Welsh Cup tie between two local rivals. The game did not fail to disappoint.
Churchstoke went two-nil up before former Welsh Premier League side Welshpool got one back through Will Thomas. Churchstoke keeper made two world class saves and then Welshpool hit post as they piled on the pressure. In final moments Churchstoke broke clear and won a penalty. Welshpool keeper Dave Littleford saved the spot kick and they then promptly went up other end and levelled, Ryan Evans scoring. Welshpool had certainly got out of jail and it was no surprise when they found a winner, courtesy of Ricky Litchfield, deep into extra time.
Cae Camlad has a small piece of cover and, as is the norm in Wales, some great views!
Day 7 - Sunday 20th August
Recreation Ground
FA Cup Preliminary Round
St Margaretsbury 2 Hullbridge 2
Att: 118
A top day out in the Hertfordshire village of Stanstead Abbotts as the magic of the FA Cup took over. The match was switched to Sunday as the facilities at the ground are shared with the cricket club.
It was a very good game to watch. Hullbridge were in control for most of the first half and deservedly in front at the interval thanks to a goal from Sam Dulieu after 4 minutes.
St Margaretsbury must have had the hair dryer treatment at the break as they turned the game around thanks to two, admittedly needlessly conceded, spot kicks. They were both converted by Ryan Wade (53 & 70). The game was wide open from that point but it was the visitors who netted a fully merited equaliser in the last minute, courtesy of substitute Ronnie Pallett.
And here endeth ones epic journey of 7 games in 7 days!!
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