WINCHESTER CITY (The City Ground)

SOUTHERN LEAGUE DIVISION ONE SOUTH & WEST, WINCHESTER CITY 1-3 SWINDON SUPERMARINE, ATTENDANCE: 79

Today was one of those days that a hopper dreads as the Great British weather played havoc with ones plans. Not for the first time this season, a planned double header of Darlington versus Bishop Auckland followed by Crook Town bit the dust after a overnight dumping of snow.

After a lengthy consultation between the 4 hoppers in the car it was decided to head to Herne Bay but within minutes this was changed to Soham Town, then Harrow, then Carshalton. Reports came via twitter of snow falling in that there London so we quickly diverted onto the A34 and headed towards Winchester.

When you think of Winchester, you immediately think of the Cathedral. Dig deeper and you find it provided inspiration for the likes of Jane Austin's 'Sense and Sensibilty' and John Yeats' ode 'To Autunm' The city is also on the edge of the downs, which were the setting for Watership Down. With all this running around in your head, you maybe expect a quaint old football ground with classic old stands to reflect what is in your minds eye.

Sadly, The City Ground failed to live up to my, perhaps unrealistic, expectations. The main stand is an "atcost" seated effort and behind the goal there is an "atcost" terrace, which is not very big at all. The ground could also use a bit of TLC. Speaking to another hopper, who went to Winchester when they were on their victorious FA Vase run in 2004, he seemed to recall an old wooden stand down one side of the pitch. Clearly this has now been replaced.

Going back to Watership Down, I could have done with only paying a "Fiver" to enter the ground instead of the £9 I had to pay, which I thought was a little steep for a Step 4 game. On a positive note though the catering was tremendous and, at 50p a chunk, the homemade Bread Pudding was an absolutely delicious bargain!

The game was a routine away win for Supermarine as they comfortably saw off the challenge of the Citizens. Despite taking the lead when a dreadful backpass gifted Pat Nolan a goal after 7 minutes, Winchester were always second best to the visitors from Wiltshire.

Ashley Edenborough equalised after 28 minutes and Josh Parsons put Swindon in the lead after 39 minutes with a neat lob over the 'keeper. This goal did come moments after Winchester had a great shout for a penalty waved away. I was stood level with the incident and it looked a stonewall penalty to me.

Edenborough added his second goal on 70 minutes, when he couldn't really miss after a fantastic cross, to effectively finish the game off. Supermarine substitute Harry Etheridge was shown a straight red card late on, when he retaliated to a late tackle by punching the player as they both lay on the ground.

Winchester have had their problems on and off the field so far this season and from what I seen today I can only predict one outcome at the season's end. The club were the champions of the Wessex League in 2011/12 and, having played at least 6 games more than the teams around them, in 2013 that is where I think they will be returning. I stand to be corrected.

After a couple of dreadful pints of Arkells on the way down to the game (I left most of both) my faith was restored with a visit to the Peyton Arms, with it's legendary landlord 'Mick the Hat' and a decent pint of Old Hooky. An interesting day all round considering we ended up 400 miles from our original destination, that's why there's never a dull moment with this hobby!

Match highlights can be found on this link....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wx7dzOng_Gc

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.