Starting with Saturday, I joined the Needham Market coach onto Redditch United for the club's second away trip of the new year for their Southern Central Premier Division clash. After getting on the coach at 10:15am, we arrived at Redditch at quarter-past-one, as I stood to watch a few minutes of the end of a young MK Dons side taking on a Redditch youth side- not sure what the score was but it was right at the end. After making my way to and from the bar, which was upstairs, above the main stand (which held a fair amount of seats either side of the tunnel), overlooking the pitch I then returned downstairs for a quick few minute look in the club shop to look at the programmes. As per usual for me, I purchased more than originally intending to- with the bundle including a Malta v England 2018 World Cup Qualifier, an Ipswich v Spurs programme from 2000 and a bundle of Manchester United programmes- all dating around the 2000s, including 2 away ones v Stuttgart (2003) and Wimbledon (2000), will include pics of each trip either at the bottom of this or in a separate post.
Anyway, after paying for the programmes I returned to the bar where our matchday secretary was waiting to hand me the lineup to post onto the league website. Between then and the teamsheet being printed I went downstairs and back up randomly a few times before finding Redditch's secretary with the teamsheets, who told me that our keeper's been injured so he's going to talk to the referee. Second time lucky, he then handed me the new version as I went back upstairs to inform everyone on the change, whilst also being lucky to pick up a matchday programme whilst in the bar.
The ground I thought was quite nice, with the club shop on the left as we entered the gate with the right-hand goal on our right along with the terrace stand on our right. Also quite liked the stand that stood behind the dugouts on the far touchline, serving as a handy terrace covered stand which got a fair bit of use during the game. Behind the far goal however there wasn't a great amount of space but enough to stand behind the goal, should you wish to like we did- but overall a nice ground.
Closer to kick off, I then spoke to the Needham keeper whilst watching the team retreat inside following the warm up, before chatting to supporters whilst waiting for the teams to take to the field. The teams then arrived as the game got underway. First half I thought Needham could've really had 6 or 7 at half-time, the post was really their major nemesis that afternoon as 3 good goals from Craig Parker, Billy Hunt and Callum Page saw Needham 3-0 up comfortably at the interval, with league debutant, first team wise, Fin Shorten untroubled but did what he had to well.
Second half, Redditch came out with a bit more fight, controlling a bit more possession though again they still never really tested Shorten, who kept a shut out, with the score remaining the same despite Needham having a few more clear cut chances to add to their advantage. After that it was back onto the coach where I looked through the various programmes I had got from the day whilst waiting for everyone else to return to the coach. We then departed the ground at the normal time of 6pm and made our way back to Suffolk.
Sunday meanwhile, I was offered a lift to go to Whelnetham and watch a Bury Sunday League Division One encounter between reigning champions Gym United, currently fifth, and bottom of the division Mellis. I quite like the Whelnetham set up there, with the changing rooms building next door beside the near goal with steps up the pitch with a small stand around the centre circle which was perfect to watch the game from, so we did just that. The only negative is that, despite the slope and wooden fence behind the goal, you parked your car at your own risk- as even the car I arrived in got close to being hit despite being right in the corner. Anyway, for the first 65 minutes or so I would say Mellis looked more like the team higher in the table as they had a lot of the ball and did have chances to add possibly another goal or so- deservedly taking an early lead in the eighth minute.
Although Gym hit back well to pick up a 5-1 win, the scoreline I feel isn't really a fair reflection on the game, as although Gym did alright I felt Mellis deserve a bit more credit for their performance than what people will assume from the scoreline.
Tuesday, now last night, as mentioned above I enjoyed my first visit to Hayden Road as Needham Market again had back to back away games. After getting on at 4:30pm and stopping off at Histon and seeing off the rush hour traffic we arrived at Rushden at 6:15pm as we parked up outside the ground, right next to the turnstiles where we went into the ground. Immediately in front of us, on the left hand side was the night's match programme though reduced from £2.50 to £1.50 as it was dated from the postponed fixture on my birthday two weeks previous. Very nice programme I thought, but tiny bit disappointing that it was out of date but that's how it goes.
The ground is very nicely set up, with stands, both terraced and seated situated around the ground, with gravel terracing behind the goal outside the clubhouse and in front of the clubhouse. Overall the ground is one of my favourites and well worth a visit. The clubhouse is situated inside a door round the corner behind the goal, which once you know your way around you're fine but I'm not criticising. After going around like usual, I went briefly into the boardroom to help our matchday secretary upload the team lineup onto the league website before again going around and finding a printed teamsheet before waiting for kick off. First half, Needham were on top well for the first 20 minutes with some fun and interesting conversations taking place, as like every Needham 1st team game in 2020 I updated the twitter during the game, as well as for away games like the last 2 trying to record match footage (successfully recording all three of the game's goals (2 for Needham) as well as the second Saturday) to add to a highlight video. Saturday's video is available here (please note video, write up and all photos here are (c) Copyrighted by myself, as stated on my blog) (last night's I will try and do in the next few days). Rushden though levelled during their 25 minutes spell on top, as both went in a goal apiece.
Half time I decided to buy some chips at the very reasonable price of £1.80, which tasted really nice and took no time at all, so I tucked into them whilst talking to some of the visiting contingent and checking the notifications on the club Twitter account. It has to be said, those chips were NICE! Second half was fairly similar to the first but bit more end to end though Needham were on top for the first portion of the half, whilst Diamonds chased an equaliser to no avail thanks to some resolute strong defending from the determined Marketmen to make it back to back wins, as well returned back to the clubhouse to look back on the game between ourselves and the players, whilst also selecting a MOTM to then post on Twitter. We then returned to the coach at half ten when we then departed for home, not arriving back until half one in the morning after having a 'enjoyable' detour round Cambridge with one of the slip roads shut! Eventually though I did arrive home after a nice 40 minute walk. Photos/videos from these games are below:
