BITTON AFC (Recreation Ground, Bath Road)

This evening I found myself on the outskirts of a small village between Bristol and Bath, as it's team, Bitton AFC, took on rivals from across the valley, Odd Down, in the Western Premier League.

I felt very fortunate to get a game into tonight as external factors could've thrown a spanner in the works.

Firstly there was the FA Cup. If either side had needed a replay after the weekend the game would've been postponed, luckily that wasn't so (both teams won their respective ties 3-1) and, secondly, the weather. It was awful today with heavy persistent rain, but by late afternoon it had stopped and upon arrival the pitch was immaculate.

Formed in 1892, Bitton played in local Bristol leagues then moved into the Gloucestershire league. After promotion to the Western league in 1997, they were crowned Champions in 2009 but Bitton were unable to gain promotion as the ground facilities did not satisfy Southern League standards. They same thing occurred again in 2011, when they finished Runners up. After investment in the ground the club is now ready for promotion, should the opportunity arise again.

Bitton, who had began their season with three straight victories, got off to a fantastic start in the match, taking the lead inside 20 seconds when Mark Salter bust through the Odd Down defence to give them the lead.

Bitton really should've extended their lead but they would come to rue those early missed chances when after 20 minutes Kye Simpson equalised at the second attempt. Simpson then put the visitors in front just two minutes later as Odd Down began to take control of the game.

Bitton had a couple of early chances after the break, but it was the counter attacking of Odd Down that looked more likely to reap reward and indeed so it proved when Twaine Plummer effectively put the game to bed in the 68th minute.

Any hopes of a Bitton comeback were extinguished in the 78th minute when James Pilling was sent off for an over the top challenge.

 

Good game to watch and, based on this performance, I would expect both teams to be in the mix come the end of the season.

 

 

Wednesday 15th August 2012

Western Premier League

Bitton AFC 1-3 Odd Down (Bath)

Attendance: 109

"Avoid that bloody wedding" weekend!

BRIDGEND TOWN and ROMAN GLASS ST GEORGE

Friday 29th April 2011
Welsh League Division One
Bridgend Town 2-0 Barry Town
Attendance: 85

After working in the morning, thus completely avoiding any coverage of William and Kate's happy event, it was to South Wales I headed in the evening for a mid-table clash between Bridgend and Barry Town. Bridgend now play their home games at The Brewery Field, which is also the home of Bridgend Rugby Club.  

  

The football club moved to the Brewery Field in 2009 after the consortium that the club was part of purchased the ground. The club had been homeless since leaving Coychurch Road in 2007, which was sold to make way for a supermarket. They had played at Porthcawl and Treforest in the interim. I have to admit the ground is an absolute gem!

The homesters easily won an insipid encounter, which was typical end-of-season fayre. The only thing missing was flip flops and sandals! Richard Ryan gave Bridgend the lead with a penalty after 10 minutes and Michael Walters doubled the lead with a low shot after 61 minutes.

There were a few other hoppers present in a crowd of around 85. A nice evening was rounded of by a quick visit to the Mountain Hare in Brynnau Gwynion, where a swift half of Bullmastiff Welsh Gold went down a treat.

Richard Ryan scores from the penalty spot to give Bridgend the lead.

Saturday 30th April

Western League Division One
Roman Glass St George 3-0 Calne Town
Attendance: 35

The choice of game for the Saturday was a pretty straightforward one, as RGSG were playing their penultimate game at Bell Hill before moving onto to pastures new for the forseeable future. As of next season the first team will be playing their home games at the Gloucestershire FA ground, until floodlights can be installed at Bell Hill.

I was speaking to someone at the club and he said the reason they cannot be installed at the moment is that the ground is too close to the houses, so the pitch needs to be moved 20 or so yards. This will then encroach on the adjacent cricket pitch, so whilst the cricket team is still going it’s a no go. However, within 3-4 years he said he expects the cricket team to have either merged with another local club or possibly to have folded due to dwindling interest. He said they will be back at this ground at some point.

The ground is pretty basic with a small covered terrace hard standing down one side of the pitch. The game was played in baking hot sunshine, but with a very strong breeze, which made flowing football rather difficult.

Although Calne were never out of the game, having good periods of pressure, it was a Paul Coles hat-trick that sealed the points for the homesters. His first effort was a dink over the keeper on 31 minutes after a great through ball. His second came on 49 minutes with a three-yard tap in, after the winger produced a mazy run and crossed in for him. He completed his hat-trick in stoppage time when he bundled the ball in after another good piece of wing play.

Also, just to let you all know I found the ground 1st time as it is well hidden behind the houses BUT if I hadn't been given the heads up by various hoppers i'm not sure I would have!!