Saturday 29th August 2009
Martin Grove, Lordswood (Walderslade, Chatham)
FA Cup Preliminary Round
Attendance: 83
Admission: £6.00
Programme: £1.00
Martin Grove, Lordswood (Walderslade, Chatham)
FA Cup Preliminary Round
Attendance: 83
Admission: £6.00
Programme: £1.00
Another fine late August day meant another long hike to a game today, this time to north Kent and the southern ooutskirts of Chatham for this FA Cup Premiminary Round between Lordswood, of the Kent League Premier Division, and Whitstable Town, of the Ryman League Division 1 South (although only for the last two seasons and previously were also in the Kent League for many years), and there was the possibility of a giant killing here, although there was little prospect of that, with Lordswood having lost their opening two games in the Kent League (although winning their FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round tie against Sussex League opposition) and Whitstable making a steady start in the higher league. To get to Lordswood's ground by rail, Chatham station is the closest, but I chose to make the 5 mile walk from Aylesford, which took about an hour and three quarters. This was an enjoyable although quite difficult walk, heading towards the North Downs but then having to negotiate a very long and steep hill to get over the North Downs. Although mounting the North Downs is pleasant enough, with a narrow path uphill and with great views back towards Maidstone and beyond behind.
The ground itself is quite a typical County League ground with one small stand with seating and has perfectly adequate facilities for crowds in double figures, although there is little charming about the place, even though it is placed between two cricket pitches. One negative feature which quickly became apparent as the game started was the poor state of the pitch, which was very bumpy and dusty, which made controlling the ball very difficult. This no doubt helped make the first half quite a poor and dull affair, and there was little to tell between the two teams - if anything, Lordswood, the supposed underdogs, looked the better and stronger team, although Whitstable almost took the lead just before half time with a wonderful shot which smashed against the crossbar.
As the teams went in at half time, this was very much a game which could have gone either way, however within just a couple of minutes of the restart, Lordswood looked like they had come out of the changing rooms half asleep, defended sloppily and allowed Whitstable to take a lead with a well take shot from inside a crowded penalty area. Whitstable certainly looked a far better outfit after the break, although Lordswood were still looking good, well organised outfit with the occasional chance on the break.It looked like their chances of taking the tie to a replay disappeared when their right back got himself sent off for some off the ball nonsense, however still Lordswood looked good and it was thoroughly deserved when they equalised a quarter of an hour from time, with a stunning shot from outside the box which went over the keeper and into the net. Chances were few and far between for the rest of the game, which ended in a draw, requiring a replay at Whitstable on Tuesday to settle the tie. In home turf, you would surely have to fancy Whitstable to progress, although if Lordswood, a team consisting entirely of amateur players playing for nothing, play as well as today, an upset still couldn't be discounted. So after an intriguing if not the most enteraining game, I made my way back to Aylesford to catch the train home. Mention should also be made of Aylesford, a very nice old fashioned village on the banks of the River Medway an with a church overlooking the very narow high street.
The ground itself is quite a typical County League ground with one small stand with seating and has perfectly adequate facilities for crowds in double figures, although there is little charming about the place, even though it is placed between two cricket pitches. One negative feature which quickly became apparent as the game started was the poor state of the pitch, which was very bumpy and dusty, which made controlling the ball very difficult. This no doubt helped make the first half quite a poor and dull affair, and there was little to tell between the two teams - if anything, Lordswood, the supposed underdogs, looked the better and stronger team, although Whitstable almost took the lead just before half time with a wonderful shot which smashed against the crossbar.
As the teams went in at half time, this was very much a game which could have gone either way, however within just a couple of minutes of the restart, Lordswood looked like they had come out of the changing rooms half asleep, defended sloppily and allowed Whitstable to take a lead with a well take shot from inside a crowded penalty area. Whitstable certainly looked a far better outfit after the break, although Lordswood were still looking good, well organised outfit with the occasional chance on the break.It looked like their chances of taking the tie to a replay disappeared when their right back got himself sent off for some off the ball nonsense, however still Lordswood looked good and it was thoroughly deserved when they equalised a quarter of an hour from time, with a stunning shot from outside the box which went over the keeper and into the net. Chances were few and far between for the rest of the game, which ended in a draw, requiring a replay at Whitstable on Tuesday to settle the tie. In home turf, you would surely have to fancy Whitstable to progress, although if Lordswood, a team consisting entirely of amateur players playing for nothing, play as well as today, an upset still couldn't be discounted. So after an intriguing if not the most enteraining game, I made my way back to Aylesford to catch the train home. Mention should also be made of Aylesford, a very nice old fashioned village on the banks of the River Medway an with a church overlooking the very narow high street.
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