HADLEY 3 KEMPSTON ROVERS 2

IT’S not often I have a concrete plan in mind for a Saturday but this one falls nicely into place. Edgware announce they are kicking off at 7pm and Best Wife is out with her mates. Match 3 sorted.

Match one is a handily-placed Chelsea U-18s game at their training ground at 11am. This leaves plenty of time to fit in Match 2 somewhere in the vicinity to complete a spiffing three-new-grounds triple-header.

And then, just like Saturday’s MOTD, it all falls apart. I receive speedy notice that no spectators will be allowed in at Chelsea – and I then find all available new clubs in the afternoon are Filthy Groundsharers. Pencilman informs me that Edgware also groundshare but at least it’s an extra match.

With the morning now free, The Fox mentions Hadley, who play in Barnet in the Southern League,Division One Central. It’s only 15 minutes away and a good call

On arrival at Brickfield Lane, a friendly steward shows me where to park and points out where all the facilities can be found. I pay £10 at the brand new turnstile block (£5 Concessions). Meanwhile, The Fox has nipped into the pavilion-style clubhouse and changing rooms. He re-emerges with a couple of programmes (£2 each), clutching them like he’s just been handed The World Cup.

The stadium is neat and tidy. I enter behind one goal, with an area of cover to my left. The opposite end has a new covered terrace. The main stand and tea bar can be found on the left side of the pitch, with a decent-sized covered area down the right. The ground is surrounded by trees.

I make straight for the food bar and its reasonably-priced rations. One lady is collecting money and taking orders while another lady deals with the food. A nice and hygienic system. The burgers taste much better than they look. I then have a pasty for my follow-up and a piece of gorgeous homemade cake for afters!

The first half is one-sided. The Bricks (Hadley) totally dominate the Walnuts (Kempston) but only manage to stick one in the net. The half-time ‘raffle’ is novel. Spectators buy a numbered tennis ball. During the break, everyone throws their ball towards the centre circle and the nearest wins.

Kempston score two quick goals in the second half to shock the hosts (and the fans!). Hadley look all at sea until a bundled equaliser in the 83rd minute. The Bricks then head the winner from a corner in time added on. Cue mass celebration between fans and players. I can thoroughly recommend a visit to this excellent club.

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