BACKCELL ARENA (Azerbaijan v Wales)

Whilst i'm still on my covid enforced sabbatical from groundhopping, due to a local lockdown, here is a post I wrote last year about my eventful trip to Azerbaijan, which I never got around to publishing. I suppose it's better late than never. Enjoy! 

SATURDAY 16th NOVEMBER 2019, EURO 2020 QUALIFIER, AZERBAIJAN 0-2 WALES, ATTENDANCE: 8,662

This was certainly a trip into the unknown. When the draw for the qualifiers was made this was the one I definitely had my eye on.

I flew from Manchester to Baku via Istanbul and it was definitely an interesting watching the flight path on screen as places such a Mosul and Allepo appeared in shot. I travelled with an official party and it was a good laugh meeting up with supporters from down the North Wales coast.

There were no problems with the flight and,after a stopover in Turkey and a few light ales, I landed in Baku in the early hours of the morning.

The game was being played at 9pm local time on the Saturday, so this effectively gave 2 days to see the sights of the city. I have to say it was an amazing place to walk around.

The Republic of Azerbaijan was a former Soviet state but is also were Europe meets Asia, so there is an interesting mix of cultures and influences.

The Inner City of Baku, which is surrounded by walls, along with the Shirvanshah's Palace and Maiden Tower, were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. I spent most of the day walking around these sites.

There was also time to visit the famous Flame Towers and the legendary Carpet Museum to visit as well as stroll along the beach front. However me being me, I managed to seek out a great bar in order to have a few bevvies and plenty of the local falling over juice (as my badly bruised ribs would ultimately testify).

 

When my plans for this trip were drawn up and booked, it was assumed that the game would be played at the Olympic Stadium but as the qualifiers got underway it quickly became clear that Azerbaijan were playing their home games at the 11,000 capacity Eighth Kilometer District Stadium which, for sponsorship purposes, is currently called the Backcell Arena. The ground was inaugurated in 2012 when it hosted matches in the Women's U17 World Cup.

The ground is also the home of Azerbaijan Premier League side PFC Neftchi, who have won the most league titles (8) of any club in the competitions history.

With the smaller capacity, it was then a case of waiting to see what allocation the Welsh FA would be getting. As tickets are sold on an away credit basis it was a nervous countdown of days until as the tickets were sold. Fortunately there was no issues and I obtained my ticket with no problem (and the collection point was even in my hotel in Baku). The ground is around 9 miles out of town and buses were laid on for the Welsh fans to take them to and from the stadium. 

Wales took about 1,200 fans to Azerbaijan for this must win game, knowing that any slip ups could end any chance of automatic qualification. In the end it was a comfortable victory thanks to goals from Kieffer Moore (10) and Harry Wilson (34).

This, coupled with Croatia beating Slovakia, put automatic qualification back in Wales' hands and they duly completed the job by beating Hungary a few days later.

Unfortunately for me I was unable to attend this game as my ribs were badly bruised as a result of my over exuberance on the Friday night and I was confined to the sofa barely able to breathe! Indeed I had to pay a visit to the hospital on my return home to have my ribs checked over. Will I ever learn?

As a final postscript, when the draw was made for Euro 2020, Wales were drawn in a group where two of the games will be played at the Olympic Stadium in Baku but obviously Covid-19 has put things on hold until 2021.

Keifer Moore heads home for the first goal of the night

HORSHAM (Hop Oast Stadium)

ISTHMIAN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION, HORSHAM 1-2 CHESHUNT, ATTENDANCE: 489

With what seems the inevitable second lockdown looming large on the horizon, I decided on another hefty journey south to finally box off visits to all of the grounds of the Isthmian Premier Division (I still have a long way to go with the North, South East and South Central Divisions) mainly to satisfy my 'completed league' list. I know, I know!

My "champagne job" was the new home of Horsham FC at Hop Oast, or the Camping World Community Stadium to give it its sponsored name. The ground was inaugurated in 2019 after the club left their home of 104 years, Queen Street, in 2008.

In the intervening years the club ground shared at Worthing, Horsham YMCA and Lancing before finally having a home to call their own. The ground is an impressive new build with a smart clubhouse and a 300 seat stand. There are three other bits of cover around the side of the pitch. The ground was easy to find as it is just off the A24 on the edge of town and parking was a doddle as it across the road there is a park and ride car park. Due to the ongoing covid-19 situation the game was all ticket and I purchased my ticket online prior to the game. Temperature checks also took place before entrance was granted.

The game was an open affair with both teams playing on the front foot. Unfortunately there was a distinct lack of quality in the final third and defences were certainly on top. The deadlock was broken in the 25th minute when, somewhat against the run of play, a Rob O'Toole diving header squirmed past Cheshunt 'keeper Shane Gore and into the net.

The Ambers were level eight minutes later when Jamie Reynolds blasted home from 20 yards out. It was a brilliant strike which gave Bradley House in the Horsham goal no chance. He must have a foot like a traction engine, as Alan Partridge would say!

The second half started in similar fashion to the first half but began to get scrappy as the half wore on. Cheshunt scored what turned out to be the winner with 15 minutes remaining when a speculative effort from Joe Re took a slight deflection off a Horsham defender and looped over a helpless House. The Hornets almost replied straight away but Gore got a strong hand on a shot from Reece Hall.

Any hopes of Horsham salvaging a point disappeared when Lewis Taylor received a second yellow card minutes from the end of the game. An enjoyable afternoon and well done to the club for its covid-19 protocols.

     

As I mentioned, Horsham left their Queen Street home back in 2008. I was lucky enough to visit there when they played Swansea City in the second round of the FA Cup back in November 2007. The aforementioned Lewis Taylor scored an 85th minute equaliser to send the tie to a replay. The Hornets then lost 6-2 at the Liberty Stadium.

     

     

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.