BUCKHURST HILL 1 HALSTEAD TOWN 2

I AM away again during the week, so have no available research time for the weekend. The Fox comes up trumps when he informs me he has booked tickets and programmes online for the Eastern Counties First Division South Play-off Final at Buckhurst Hill.

To my shame and embarrassment, I have to admit that up until this point I can’t say I’ve ever heard of Buckhurst Hill! They are hosting Halstead Town, who finished an incredible 27 points behind the hosts in the League!

Jane SatNav tells me I am more or less heading for the same area I was in last Saturday: namely north-east London.

Roding Lane, home of Buckhurst Hill, has a large car park. The opening is quite well hidden, though, and there are plenty of beeping of horns as cars suddenly brake to make the narrow entrance. The Halstead coach cannot make the turn at all, causing every horn in the area to be sounded.

The stadium is pristine. Buckhurst have progressed up The Pyramid quickly but have not stretched themselves off the pitch. New floodlights and hard standing were installed in 2019 and there’s also a small seated stand. The clubhouse dominates the scene behind one goal. My first stop is the tea hut in one corner of the ground, adjacent to the entrance. The Fox and I stock up on food before the bulk of the crowd arrives, as is our habit. The burger and chips are extremely tasty! I next head for the sports bar where I am told I will find the teamsheet on the wall.

I stand along one side of the ground where a group of St. Panteleimon players join The Fox and me to watch the match (no idea why they are here). They are typical lads but no Eng-Er-Land type morons: when they move on, they clear up their rubbish and take it to the bins and wish us an enjoyable game. I add St. Panteleimon to the list of teams to visit.

The match isn’t very exciting, to be honest. Halstead spend the whole match with nine players behind the ball – ironic being as their coach driver cannot ‘park the bus’ – and rely on quick breaks. The ploy works a treat.

Town take the lead in the first half. The Stags then equalise without having a shot on target! Nick Miller tries to clear his defence but thwacks the ball against Zuhdu Suleman. Everyone watches, as if in slow motion, as the rebound sails over defence and goalie and into the net! Halstead are soon back in the lead and that’s how it stays.

Buckhurst Hill are an extremely nice bunch of people and they deserve success. They just weren’t at the races this afternoon. PRE-MATCH INFO: 8, WELCOME:9, FACILITIES:7, FOOD:6, CHARM: 7.5, PROGRAMME:7, HOME TEAM RESPECT:6, HOMEFANS:7, MATCH:5, OVERALL TRIP:8, OFFICIALS:9