What better way to spend your Easter Hols than watching seven games in three days in the heart of Devon. Throw in an Easter Sunday trip to Villa Park and you are laughing!
Lots to get through so I promise to keep it brief! Here we go then...
South West Peninsula Premier League
Clyst Rovers 3-4 Cullopmton Rangers
Attendance: 251
The groundhop started off at Waterslade Park, the home of Clyst Rovers and their Premier League clash with Cullompton. This is a tidy ground and backs right onto the runway of Exeter Airport, hence why you can see aeroplanes behind the goal! Clyst were 1-0 up inside eight minutes through a superb curling shot from Liam Collings. They were then reduced to 10 men which gave the advantage to Cullompton who went in at half time 2-1 up after goals from Nick Murray (19) and Danny Burwood (43). Despite the numerical disadvantage, Clyst kept plugging away to draw level through Matt Barkwell (60) before Cullompton scored two goals in five minutes through Oliver Burns (71) and Harry Taylor (76) to seemingly put the game to bed. However Clyst still kept going, Kelfala Fofala pulling a goal back with five minutes to go, but despite their pressure they could not force an equaliser.
A great start to the hop, it was then back to the hotel, quick change and into a taxi for a trip to the GBG recommended Old Firehouse...JOB DONE!
South West Peninsula League
Division One East
Axminster Town 4-1 Ottery St Mary
Attendance: 358
Friday started off (with a steaming hangover) at Sector Lane, the home of Axminster Town. A basic ground with no cover whatsoever, so naturally this was the morning when it decided to rain!
The game was a routine home win for The Tigers against a side bottom of the league and who had leaked over 80 goals. Richard Spillar (8) Mark Hancock (40) Ben Turner (73) and Martyn Hancock (83) scored the goals for the homesters. Aiden Barrett (50) netted the solitary reply for The Otters.
Division One East
Royal Marines 1-2 Exeter Civil Service
Attendance: 421 (a new club record)
Next up was a visit to Endurance Park the home of The Royal Marines, via The Bridge Inn, Topsham...a pub with no bar, where the beer is served straight from the barrels!
 |
| The Bridge Inn |
The ground is across the road from the main training camp and is another basic 'modern' ground, with just a railed off pitch and a small arena stand. The overall hospitality was fantastic, but the highlight though was the catering, where the RM chefs had set up a field tent and were serving curry and/or chilli and rice, with a naan for £5. It was help yourself, so thats indeed what I, and most others, did!
The game itself was not the best. Considering Exeter were top of league, the Marines made them look pretty average. The game was won by two second half goals in 7 minutes by Civil Service, through Joel Hawes (62) and Adam Mortimer (69). This was after the Marines had taken the lead when Ben Sullivan put through his own net (58).
The game itself was not the best. Considering Exeter were top of league, the Marines made them look pretty average. The game was won by two second half goals in 7 minutes by Civil Service, through Joel Hawes (62) and Adam Mortimer (69). This was after the Marines had taken the lead when Ben Sullivan put through his own net (58).
This is the Marines first season in 'civillian' football and they are on course to finish in mid table, this is despite a wobbly spell in the middle when a few of the team were missing after being deployed to Afghanistan. Makes you think when some professional managers go bleating about missing players for a few games with trivial injuries...
7.30pm, South West Peninsula LeagueDivision One East
Exmouth Town 0-1 Alphington
Attendance: 342
 |
| Exmouth |
The final game of the day was at the King George V Playing Field, the home of Exmouth Town. Not much to write about, as this game was dreadful. A Matthew Wonnocott goal after 51 minutes settled the game in favour of the away team.
The only other talking point was when the rotund home keeper was shown a straight red for handling outside the area after 75 minutes. The team manager went in goal and produced some comedy moments but still managed to keep the score down to one.
It was then back to the Bridge Inn for last orders and a couple more of pints of, amongst others, Sign of Spring...hic!
It was then back to the Bridge Inn for last orders and a couple more of pints of, amongst others, Sign of Spring...hic!
 |
| A sign of Spring! |
No comments:
Post a Comment