Trip to the big smoke to see league newcomers Sutton United

 Date : Saturday February 5th, 2022

Match : Sutton United v Bristol Rovers
Squad : Bowen, Martin Currall

An opportunity to see league newcomers Sutton United was too good to turn down so off we trotted to London with a few Arsenal lads looking to see a new ground. Easy journey down to St Pancras and then an obligatory thirst stop in the Wetherspoons - the Barrel Vault. Then we were back on the train and heading to south London eventually to alight at Sutton station.

We wandered down the Sutton High Street and stumbled upon the Shinner & Sudtone, a nice little place with a good selection of beers. Plus they had the rugby on upstairs so we found ourselves a space and settled in.

Once done we had about 15 minutes walk to the ground and first stop once in was the food stall for a burger and chips. We settled into the main terracing on one side. The ground is fairly open and obviously put together over time. Still it was ok and obviously deemed good enough for League 2 games. 

The game itself was lower league fare. Decent enough but not gripping - Sutton taking the lead in the 19th minute through Richard Bennett. The equaliser came 5 minutes from time by which point we had left and were in the pub. The Gander Inn to be precise.

After a swift pint we headed to West Sutton station to start the trip back. A delay meant a couple more beers back at the Barrel Vault then homeward bound.

Highlights - https://youtu.be/uqlnVQcUpa8

Stats
Match
League Two

Sutton United 1

Bristol Rovers 1

Stadium – VBS Community Stadium, Sutton. Capacity – 7,032
Attendance – 3,394

Pubs - 3
Best  - Shinner & Sudtone
Worst - The Gander Inn
Breakfast - n/a
Lunch - 6/10 - burger at the ground
Dinner - n/a
Pies - n/a

Marks
Ground  - 4/10

Atmosphere - 5/10
Match - 5/10
Beer - 3/10
Food - 5/10
Pie         - n/a

Robin Hood and his merry band

Date : Saturday January 22nd, 2022

Match : Basford United v Nantwich Town
Squad : Bowen, Quincy, Laddsy & Kenny

Larger trips have been curtailed through the pandemic and it hasn't been easy to get a group up and out but nevertheless we did manage a small quorom of people enticed with the thoughts of beers in Nottingham.

Off we popped on the train journey via Grantham to the fair city that hold's our (beer) hearts.

First stop was an old favourite - The Canalhouse. A great selection of beers and we elected to eat here too. Portions were big and hearty and we were all well fed and watered by the time we departed here.

The Canalhouse

We next headed towards the Crafty Crow, stopping en route to pose with the man himself Robin Hood.

Then from the Crafty Crow we headed out via taxi to the Basford ground. The Ladds had been keen on taking the tram and the line did go right past the ground but it was the comfort and speed of the car we craved. 

The Basford ground is a 3G cage but to be fair it doesn't feel like one. It has good character and there is more building work going on so looks like this will be improved in the future. The bar was small due to the ongoing building work but the service was friendly and the beer was good so no complaints. 

The food offering comes from a fully kitted chip shop in the corner of the ground and look very appealing to be fair. The game itself was competitive if not overly exciting. The only goal of the game came straight after half time and this merry band were still enjoying the warmth of the bar but hey ho.  

After the game it was taxi to Nottingham and we headed to the Brewdog bar for some Evis Juice and pizzas. 

From there it was a short walk back to the station and back to Peterborough.

Stats
Match
Southern League Premier Division Central

Basford United 1
Nantwich Town 0

Stadium – Greenwich Avenue Stadium, Basford. Capacity – 1,000
Attendance – 358

Pubs - 3
Best  - Canalhouse
Worst - The Crafty Crow
Breakfast - n/a
Lunch - 8/10 - at the Canalhouse
Dinner - 7/10 - pizzas at the Brewdog
Pies - n/a

Marks
Ground  - 6/10

Atmosphere - 6/10
Match - 4/10
Beer - 8/10
Food - 8/10
Pie         - n/a

 Date : Saturday November 6th, 2021

Match : Kings Lynn v Walsall
Squad : Bowen, Quincy

Having already seen off local boys Peterborough Sports me and Quincy thought we would go and have a look at Kings Lynn in their FA Cup tie at home to Walsall. An easy trundle along the A47 and we get parked up and head into town for a quick beer or two. 

We found ourselves in Wenns Chop & Ale House and settled in for an hour of ale and bruum talk as some Walsall supporters found their way into the centre. After a satisfying couple of beers we wandered to the ground. Plenty of police presence everywhere highlighted it wasn't our usual type of game. Once in the ground we tested the burger van and found it was actually ok. Probably better than the game if truth be told. 

We headed to a position in the far corner and waited with anticipation. This was probably the best bit to be fair. Walsall netted early through Brendan Kieman and that was pretty much that. Kings Lynn huffed and puffed but struggled to lay a glove on Walsall, whilst the away side maintained possession and territorial advantage without making too many chances. 

Luckily in the 2nd half the barely segregated fans started to kick off, mostly in protest at what they were watching I guess and a number of people were escorted out of the ground. That was only topped when Quincy got the last Bovril at the refreshments stand. All in all an average day out!!

Highlights - Watch here

Stats
Match
FA Cup First Round

Kings Lynn Town 0
Walsall 1

Stadium – The Walks, Kings Lynn. Capacity – 5,733
Attendance – 1,934

Pubs - 1
Best  - Wenns Chop & Ale House
Worst - see above
Breakfast - n/a
Lunch - 7/10 - burger at the ground
Dinner - n/a
Pies - had a late pasty which was ok 6/10

Marks
Ground  - 6/10

Atmosphere - 7/10
Match - 2/10
Beer - 6/10
Food - 7/10
Pie         - n/a

Watching the unbeatable Sports get trounced.

 Date : Tuesday October 19th, 2021

Match : Coalville Town v Peterborough Sports
Squad : Bowen, Tom Florence

A Tuesday night away day and a chance to see the rampant Peterborough Sports up against 2nd placed Coalville Town. We got there early but there were already not many parking spaces left and a sizeable queue at the turnstile. Once in we headed to the far side of the main stand away from an already vocal home shed.

There was a light rain in the air making the surface perfect for fast slowing football and it was Sports who came rampaging out of the blocks. With just 7 minutes on the clock Josh McCammon opened the scoring and the home side were clearly rattled. Indecision at the back led to another chance within 5 minutes and Jordan Nicholson made it two with a thumping finish from a difficult angle. At this point it looked like more of the same for Sports. 

Coalville needed to galvanise themselves and get back in the game quickly and the one thing Sports can be relied on is plenty of goals...at both ends. And sure enough on 20 minutes a Coalville free kick was floated into the box and Jake Eggleton headed Coalville back into the game. 

The home side were starting to knock the ball about crisply and did have the ball in the net again only for the offside flag to go up. Then just before half time another cross, this time after the wide man had beaten the full back, and Joe Doyle-Charles headed home. Half time 2-2.

The game was anybody's as they came out for the second half and maybe it just needed someone to stamp their authority on the game. It was very quickly evident which team that would be. Sports lost the ball just inside the Coalville half and three passes later Tim Berridge was through on goal and slotting the ball past Lewis Moat. 3-2 Coalville.

From here on in it was one-sided with Berridge adding another and Tom McGlinchey grabbing two to grab a thoroughly deserved win and send the home shed into raptures. 

We didn't prevail ourselves of any refreshments so can't judge the fare but will say that the atmosphere was brilliant throughout.

Highlights here:

https://youtu.be/rVZUck6ns6k

Stats
Match
Southern Central Football League Premier Division

Coalville Town 6

Peterborough Sports 2

Stadium – Mander Cruickshank Solicitors Stadium, Coalville. Capacity – 1,500

Attendance – 558

Pubs - n/a
Best  - n/a
Worst - n/a
Breakfast - n/a
Lunch - n/a
Dinner - n/a
Pies - n/a

Marks
Ground  - 7/10

Atmosphere - 9/10
Match - 9/10
Beer - n/a
Food - n/a
Pie         - n/a

Enjoyment Factor  - 9/10

 Date : Saturday October 24th, 2020

Match : Yaxley v Bedford Town
Squad : Captain Bowen, Quincy, Laddsy & Kenny

An enforced layoff due to the Covid pandemic was briefly interrupted with a wonderful period of semi-freedom. By now we were all confused as hell about what life really was so it was an easy decision to stay local for the next trip. The incentive of seeing an old Posh favorite too was all the incentive required for this depleted squad.

The Yaxley ground is 3G so should always be suitable for good football. The access and car park can get a little tight at times mind especially if there's a game over the road on the grass pitch. Nevertheless we got parked in the 2nd car park ok.

Beer was good too - a cracking cold IPA on a freezing cold afternoon.

 

Don't remember loads about the game - it wasn't brilliant and settled by a solitary goal. The Bedford number 9 was a proper unit and caused Yaxley issues until he came off on 65 minutes. Yaxley must have immediately relaxed as sub Connor Tomlinson immediately put Bedford in front. And that was that.

Although I did have a pie.....was good too.

Craig Makail-Smith

Leading Drove, Yaxley

Highlights - https://youtu.be/LDrongtDq4s

Stats
Match
Northern Premier League Division One Central

Yaxley FC 0
Bedford Twon 1.

Stadium – Leading Drove, Yaxley. Capacity – 1,000
Attendance – 278

Pubs - just the club bar
Best  - the IPA - can't remember what it was though
Worst - see above
Breakfast - n/a
Lunch - n/a
Dinner - n/a
Pies - 7/10

Marks
Ground  - 5/10
Match - 4/10
Beer - 8/10
Food - 7/10
Pie         - 7/10

Enjoyment Factor  - 7/10   it was good to be out!