Knee deep in the Waders

Date : Saturday March 24th, 2018
Match : Biggleswade Town vs Merthyr Town
Squad : Bowen, Quincy, Richo.

A bare bones squad, depleted by golfing commitments, set off to discover the sleepy town and football club of Biggleswade (population 16,551). It's a fairly easy train trip down the East Coast Mainline to Biggleswade - 30 minutes or so. On arrival there's a 15 minute walk into town where
first impressions of Biggleswade are that it is quiet…..very very quiet.

A saunter through the town square and the small market, an obligatory stop off for Gaviscon then we solved the mystery of where everyone was. On entering the local Wetherspoons, The Crown Hotel, it was evident that this was where everyone hangs out.

Crown Hotel

The Crown Hotel is a decent 'spoons too - the main bar area is spacious and there's a good choice of beers. After a couple of brown ales we decided that we would forego the Wetherspoons food and go in search of other options.

Richo had done some extensive research and had discovered that the New Inn Alehouse and Kitchen was the must go place. So that's where we headed.

The New Inn

It turns out this is actually a Greene King pub. A rubbish one at that so after a quick pint we moved on to the White Hart, another Greene King pub but a bit busier.

The White Hart

In need of food we decided this would be our lunch stop so we duly ordered - gammon for me, pies for Richo and Quincy. And the food was pretty good.

So fueled up we set off for the ground. The ground is situated by a busy main road some 30 minutes walk out of town so with no Laddsy to cramp our desire to walk we denied ourselves a taxi and marched. We had 50 minutes before kick off and only 30 minutes walking required so obviously we could fit in a pub stop on the way. So we stopped at the Whistle & Flute. It had the racing on but no real ales so Guinness it was.

Whistle and Flute

Onwards to the ground, out of town and under the A1. Admission to the ground was £10 and as is customary we checked out the bar first. Again no ales so a Guinness in a plastic glass had to suffice. Snaffled a pin badge too then headed out to watch the game.

A decent game it was too. Some decent play, Merthyr content with the long ball game, Biggleswade trying to exploit the space down the flanks.  The first goal came within 10 minutes – a cracking top corner effort from Nathan Hicks giving the 11 year old Merthyr keeper no chance.  On the half hour Merthyr equalised but only Richo was watching at that stage due to a couple of calls of nature so who knows how that came about. It certainly livened up the travelling Merthyr contingent who were making a racket over the far side.

The Merthyr Noise

Half time fun - Quincy hides his eyes whilst we hide

We bought raffle tickets off an enthusiastic and smiley WAG and then half time came and we took to the home end for the second half.  We were joined by 10 or so harmless looking Waders. And then they proceeded to sing.

and then they proceeded to bang the corrugated shelter......

...and then Cuddles the spaniel came and joined in.

Anyway Nathan Hicks gave them plenty of reason on the hour when he fired home what proved to be the winner and the home side were fairly comfortable from there on in.
It was starting to get chilly by the end of the game so we made a quick exit back towards town, stopping at the Pembroke Arms for further real ale disappointment.

Pembroke Arms

Then there was time for quick pint back in the Wetherspoons and then onto the Biggles Lounge, a small but tidy Curry House just off the High Street.

The curry was very good and there was a pleasant, friendly atmosphere in the place. It was pretty busy by the time we left and headed back to the station. All in all a low key but good day out finished off with a band in the club.


Stats
Match
Southern League Premier Division Central

Biggleswade Town 2 Merthyr Town 1

Stadium – The Carlsberg Stadium = Capacity – 3,000 (probably)
Attendance – 202

Pubs - 5 plus football club and our club so good effort
Best - The Crown Hotel (Wetherspoons)
Worst - Whistle & Flute although any of the others really
Lunch - Good (White Hart)
Dinner - Very Good (The Biggles Lounge)
Pies - None

Marks
Ground - 4/10
Match - 7/10
Beer - 5/10 saved by the 'spoons
Food - 8/10
Pie         - 0/10

Enjoyment Factor  - 7/10   the home fans singing was worth the admission.