200 MILES, BUT I MISSED A GOAL!
So, on August 22, I found myself driving past Hampton Court Palace, full of nervous anticipation. Live football was back. Speaking as someone who has kept themselves to themselves for six months, it felt strange. Live sport is very important in my life. I had been dreaming of going to a game throughout lockdown. The time had come for Molesey v Farnborough.
Molesey let it be known that there was a 150 capacity for the match. So I arrived early. Sadly there was no need as only about 50 people turned up, maybe caught out by the snap decision. There was hand sanitiser before you entered the ground. There were posters reminding people about social distancing. I made a £5 donation and entered. I still get a thrill visiting a new ground. Molesey is a tight little arena, surrounded by suburban housing.
It all felt a bit weird after half a year staying away from people, I didn’t really feel comfortable speaking to the other Farnborough fans. I sat on my own in the stand. I found myself watching any new fans coming up the steps. But once the game kicked off, I was happy. Farnborough had a few old faces and a number of trialists. They didn’t use the changing room, but assembled on the side of the pitch. Talking to board members of both clubs it appears that there is no directive about this. Some clubs are allowing teams into dressing rooms, others not. It was an easy win for Farnborough, 3-0. We looked quite good.
Then last Saturday I drove round the M25 to Merstham for another friendly. I love the Whisky Bible Stadium, specifically for the tea bar. Hot drinks are still served in pottery mugs. Unfortunately, the virus put paid to that, as the tea bar was shut.
Rumour
There was a decent crowd too, a couple of hundred. Unfortunately, Farnborough’s new kit man had brought the home kit, which is yellow and Merstham play in gold. After some negotiation, the Moles put on their away kit, which proved lucky for them. After half-time they scored twice through Mills and Ayoola. Farnborough looked lacklustre. But then Andrew Sealy-Harris (who was on Gillingham’s books last season) decided to take the game by the scruff of the neck. By far the best player on the pitch, he won and scored a penalty, before a solo run, cutting in from the right to curl a leftfoot shot past the stranded keeper. I really hope that we can keep him for the season.
Especially if this rumour is true about this season. That if all clubs have played at least seven games, and the season ends due to a second spike, then there will be promotion and relegation. This seems to favour the clubs with money, who will obviously go all out to win the first seven games.
Transferred
I’m not sure I’m comfortable with this. I know that the government hasn’t exactly made rules that any of us understand. With so many grey areas. I feel really sorry for Merthyr, in our league, who, due to the Welsh lockdown, cannot play any home games until it is lifted. So they might have to play all their home games next spring, and most will be on a weekday, which will make it hard for those clubs and their fans. Luckily, as a stand-up comedian I no longer have a job, so will able to go.
Tuesday night saw me at the Brockenhurst v Lymington Town FA Cup extra preliminary round. The New Forest derby. My brother used to be the vicar in Brockenhurst (he is now been transferred to the Portsmouth Diocese for an undisclosed fee). He also used to man the tea bar, The Badgers Sett, as a volunteer. It’s a great little ground. On entering the ground I was asked for my name and my telephone number. This was the first time in the three games. I don’t know if it was on FA orders, for the Cup, or was the clubs initiative but I did feel safer. It was a hard-fought first half, and late on Lymington won a freekick. The ball was floated to the back post and comfortably taken by the Badgers keeper. I looked down at my phone to see how long we had before the break, and heard a great shout go up. I looked back at the pitch to see Ollie Dennett celebrating. I found out later that the keeper had gone to throw the ball out but then changed his mind and threw the ball over his shoulder toward the goal, to be seized upon by a Lymington man. At half-time, I braved the bar, it was well organised and felt very safe, I’d like to thank Brockenhurst and their volunteers for what felt like a very safe evening. But I drove a 200mile round trip and missed the only goal! So Lymington will visit Farnborough on the 12th. From what I’ve seen so far it could be a very even game. I hope we have enough players by then. It must be so difficult for clubs with the second spike hanging over us.