The Oaks, Framfield (near Uckfield)
Sussex RUR Charity Cup 2nd Round
Attendance: 55
Admission (including programme): £5
A spontaneous late decision took me on a rare midweek jaunt to deepest Sussex to take in this Cup match between two teams of the Sussex County League Second Division. The Oaks is located in the middle of nowhere, about 3 miles outside of Uckfield, but is not even in a village, it's just off a main road tucked behind an Indian restaurant. As can probably be expected, and certainly when included in the admission price, the programme wasn't up to much, mainly filled with advertising although it did contain the "essential information" of welcome message, fixtures and results, league table and team sheets.
The Oaks is a really pleasant country venue, completely surrounded by oak and pine trees in almost complete quiet. With the setting evening sunshine making the trees glow, this was a glorious late summer venue for football. Facilities are certainly very basic with 2 stands but no seating, but they're more than adequate for this level. A major downside of The Oaks is the parking facilities - on site, there is only room for about 10 cars, with other parking spots having to be sought on an available grass verge next to a busy main road.
The game itself was an even affair, which was expected with two mid-table sides. Uckfield took the lead midway through the first half, but with Seaford equalising with a bullet header from a corner about 5 minutes before half time. At half time the worry was there that the referee would lose total control of this game due to missing too many bad fouls and being too pineckty with other very minor indiscretions. There were few goalscoring chances in the second half and extra time looked most likely until Seaford scored the winner about ten minutes from the end when the keeper could only parry a shot upwards and the ball fell into the net. A draw certainly would have been a fairer reflection on the game however.
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