Bushey Rangers 2 v 1 Glenn Sports

Saturday 15th August 2020, Kick-off 13.00
Pete Henney Memorial Trophy
The Moatfield, Bushey
Admission and Programme: None
Attendance: 40 (estimate)

After the heatwave of the last week, much cooler and damper conditions arrived in time for today. Happily, under the current illogical and irrational spectator-hostile environment which bars entry to any game involving a club from Step 7 and above, there were actually some interesting looking games that I shortlisted for today. Eventually, it came down to a decision as to whether I felt comfortable enough to travel a relatively long distance by train, and in the end I did, and so I embarked on my first train journey in almost six months, to the outskirts of Watford.

The Moatfield is about a 20 minute walk from Bushey train station, and the football pitch takes up one half of a recreation ground which was once the site of a medieval manor house, demolished in the 18th century. A brick footpath through the middle of the recreation ground runs along one length of the football pitch, and an asphalt footpath extends around one end and along the other length. Standing along that end and length also has the advantage of being on top of a grass bank, giving a  slightly elevated view, with a few wooden benches available to sit on as well. Trees line this part of the ground, giving it a pleasant backdrop. Behind the goal closest to the main entrance of the recreation ground is the clubhouse, with a bar and changing rooms inside, and although the building would not be the easiest on the eye, some colourful murals certainly enhance its appearance. There is overhang along the front providing cover for a row of seating, and this area is also above pitch level. There is railing around most of the pitch, but no dugouts or any other furniture.

After several years of focusing on junior football, Bushey Rangers are preparing for their first season back in Saturday first team senior football and will play in the Step 8 Hertfordshire Senior League Division One, the same division that today's visitors played in last season. They were in second place, four points adrift of the leaders but with four games in hand, when the season was abandoned, but they have been promoted into the Premier Division for the coming season. Today's teams would be playing for the Pete Henney Memorial Trophy, in honour of the former Bushey Rangers chairman who passed away in 2015. Usually the event is a charity day with a football tournament and other entertainments taking place, but due to the Covid-19 haunted world we now live in, just a one-off game would take place today.

On a very dull afternoon weatherwise with the odd light rain shower in the early stages, the first half saw plenty of good chances, the majority from the home side, who hit the woodwork twice, saw two goalbound shots blocked on the line by defenders, and forced the visiting keeper to make a series of excellent saves. But three minutes before the break, Bushey finally did score, the ball was played through the defence for a forward to run onto, and he poked the ball past the advancing keeper.

Glenn Sports started the second half much better, and they scored on 64 minutes when their player cut in from close to the corner flag, sprinted towards goal before unleashing a powerful shot across the keeper and into the far corner of the net. Both sides created more good chances, particularly Bushey, and on 71 minutes the ball was laid on a plate for an easy close range tap in, but the shot was scuffed and the chance lost. But on 80 minutes, Bushey did go back into the lead, the ball was crossed low into the penalty area, and was tapped in at the far post. Five minutes later and it seemed that Bushey had sealed the win when their forward sprinted clear of the defence before tucking the ball past the keeper, but the goal was ruled out for offside, after the referee consulted with the linesman (a substituted visiting player), the goal was ruled out. Glenn Sports had a couple of chances of level the scores, but it was Bushey Rangers who deservedly claimed the win the game and trophy.

This was another entertaining game to watch, with plenty of attacking and goal chances, and played at a good tempo, and I am certainly enjoying my visits to grounds and games that I would rarely consider visiting under more normal circumstances.