Southern League Division One Central
Marlow 0-2 Burnham
Attendance: 196
The true meaning of Christmas...a Boxing day double header! The day started with a Buckinghamshire Derby clash between Marlow and Burnham at the Alfred Davis (who was club secretary from 1891 to 1924) Memorial Ground.
The stand at the ground was built in the 1930's and is one the oldest football stands that has been in continuous use. It is quite awesome! There was also a bonus of 2 Rebellion Ales in the clubhouse, Roasted Nuts was most delightful.
The game didn't quite live up to the quality of its surroundings as two average teams produced a less than average game. The visitors had the best of what few chances that were created and two second half goals from Lewis Driver (60) and Ryan Bird (84) sealed the points for Burnham. The game was very niggly and there were lots of stoppages, so the game never really got going.
The result leaves Marlow at the foot of the table, and nothing I seen today would make me think that's where they won't remain, and Burnham in the mid-table mix.
3pm Monday 26th December 2011Thatcham Town 0-1 North Leigh
Attendance: 117
Thanks to a snarl up on the M25, plan A of Tooting v Carshalton bit the dust and a suitable alternative had to be found.
After much discussion it was decided to head along the M4 to Thatcham for their clash with North Leigh (which is near Witney). Luckily there was a GBG pub en-route, The Castle in Cold Ash where there were six handpulls to choose from. The West Berkshire Brewery's Christmas Ale 'Holly Cutter' was an excellent choice.
The Waterside Park ground is quite rural and on the edge of town, with one large stand and an 'arena' terrace behind one goal. This has been Thatcham's home since season 1992/93.Both sides were mid-table going into the game, but Thatcham hadn't lost at home all season. The game was ok, especially the first half which was played a quite a good tempo. The visitors scored what proved to be the winner after 38 minutes when Elliott Osborne-Ricketts fired home superbly from the edge of the box. The second half was largely a non-event as the visitors comfortably defended their one goal advantage.
The club doesn't appear to have a large support, as I overhead one supporter remark that today was a bumper crowd. A decent tick in the circumstances, but as ever fate had to rub ones nose in it...Tooting beat Carshalton 4-3, ho hum!
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| Arena Heaven!!! |
The day was rounded off with a visit to the superb White Lion in Fewcott with their usual fine selection of guest ales. All that was left was to get home, re-charge the batteries and get ready for a 6am start and another holiday bonanza...
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