LETS HOP INTO BEDS

Bedfordshire County Football League Groundhop

 

MARSTON SHELTON ROVERS FC 3 SHEFFORD TOWN & CAMPTON FC 1

 

This was my First venture in to the Bedford County League, so the alarm clock was set for 5am, a look out the bedroom window saw the rain spitting down on the car on the driveway. All washed and dressed, me, hazel and shawn was on the road for 5.45am and heading out of Mansfield on the A38 hitting every damn red light on route to the M1. Joining the M1 at Junction 28,  only 99 miles to go to the first ground just off Junction 13 towards Bedford. As we headed south bound, the rain got heavier and I had thoughts of a flooded pitch somewhere along the day, but there was no need to worry, as we came off the M1 and the sun came out. Joining a new road, the sat nav went crackers as the new road wasn't on it, but we came off at Marston and then the sat nav sent us up to a cul de sac, we came out the cul de sac on to a long road and we stopped to ask a bloke who pointed us in the right direction...about 50 yards away!

On arrival, we drove in to the Car Park where we were the first of the hoppers to arrive. Shawn took to the lady setting up the Food Stall and was first in the queue once the Bacon Cobs were ready..later he even gained himself a freebee sausage!

 

We set up the Charity Stall inside the large room where the hosts were serving hot drinks and was soon joined by Terry's Badges and then followed by a stream of hoppers both old faces and a new. Sales were going brisk and sales for the Notts Senior League Advanced Tickets and Coach Tickets were selling well.

 

Outside I strolled for the game and the League Record was announced as 162 which the League Committee was buzzing about and organiser Craig Dabbs was very proud of, he was even counting without a clicker ass well! The game was of a good standard with the hosts winning 3-1.

 

PAVENHAM FC 7 CALDECOTE FC 1

 

So it was round the country roads to Pavenham FC, a lovely village setting which Shawn loved as there was a big Park at the side of the pitch for him to play on, The home side played very well in front of a crowd of 136 and went on to win 7-1 with their leading striker scoring all 7 for the homesters. Caldecote missed a penalty as well. The food here that I had was mini roll things with cheese and egg inside them with salad, it was different and quite nice.

 

AFC OAKLEY SPORTS M & DH FC 1 WILSTEAD FC 1

 

We doubled back on ourselves to the lovely village of Oakley and found this gem of a ground down a narrow road, in front of you and at the side of the car park lies a beautiful clubhouse, to which I had to sample a pint of cider before tucking in to a nice Burger with bacon on it and Shawn had a Bacon Cob. Again Shawn found a park, whilst Hazel had a kip in the car, this game was very tight but the crowd attendance record for the league rose to a new 172. This was also the only club to do a raffle on the day and had at least 30 prizes. The match finished level at 1-1 and Craig must have been delighted with the way things went at this hop, the forecast of rain only appeared in the second half of this match and everything ran like clockwork.

A BIG THANKYOU TO CRAIG For arranging this hop

 

I must thank all those who donated to the Charity Stall, we raised just under £48 towards the OAKLANDS CENTRE, which is for Adults with Special Needs.

 

If anyone is interested or wants more information about this seasons NOTTS SENIOR LEAGUE GROUNDHOP, please e-mail me on hornby60uk@yahoo.co.uk there is a coach running for the Saturday matches.