Saturday 9th April 2022, Kick-off 15.00
Eastern Counties League Premier Division
Plantation Park, Blofield
Admission: £8.00
Programme: £1.00
Attendance: 100 (estimate)
Armed with a refund from another severely delayed train journey a couple of weeks ago, I decided to use it today to subsidize what is otherwise a relatively very expensive part of the world to travel to by train, motivated by visiting one of my favourite regions accessible as a day trip from my base, and with a sunny day forecast.
Plantation Park is located about five miles east of Norwich, just to the north of the village of Blofield, and although buses ply the route from Norwich city centre to virtually outside the groun, I instead caught a further train from Norwich to Brundall, and walked a rather indirect two and a half mile route across some countryside and then past the home ground of Anglian Combination League Premier Division outfit Blofield United, where preparations were being made for their home fixture this afternoon. Located immediately beyond the A47 dual carriageway, Plantation Park is accessed down a lane from the passing road, leading to quite a large complex of football facilities nestled behind tall trees, and a fair sized car park. The entrance turnstiles, housed in an attractive metallic structure painted in club colours of yellow and blue and with a pitched roof, are located behind one end. Next to the turnstiles, behind the goal, is a large pitch roofed brick building, with changing rooms located on the ground floor and a bar accessible via a flight of exterior stairs. A long pitch-facing window from the bar area offers a fantastic elevated view of the action. A tea bar is located inside a small extension on the ground floor, and a grass area to the front has various wooden furniture to sit on and at. A separate pitch roofed brick building is located close to the corner flag, but does not seem to be anything to do with the football club. A stand stretches for about two thirds of one length, with one third offering two rows of wooden bench top seating, the middle third has three rows of individual plastic seats while the remaining area has an elevated flat standing area. The remaining end and length are just flat standing. With trees lining both lengths, a hedge behind one end with farmland visible behind, there is a pleasantly rural and peaceful feel to the ground.
Norwich United are having a decent season, up in fifth place in the table following 18 wins and seven draws from their 34 league games, but barring a mathematical miracle, a second place finish and with it possible promotion is now out of reach. Hadleigh United similarly look destined for another season of step five football, although they still have a little work to do to avoid possible relegation, currently nine points clear in 14th place, following ten wins and nine draws from their 34 league games. One more win from their remaining four games would virtually secure their survival though.Norwich United would be looking to complete the league double over Hadleigh today, having won the reverse fixture 1-2 in January.
On a sunny but chilly afternoon, the home side had the first sight of goal on 3 minutes, when a glancing header sent the ball just wide of the far post. But it was the visitors who opened the scoring on 8 minutes when, following a throw in, Joel Glover spun and fired the ball low across the keeper and inside the far post with a very well taken finish. On 27 minutes, Norwich saw a low cross shot just tipped past the post, and on the half hour mark, a free kick was fired just over the bar. But despite Norwich probably having the better of the first half, they found themselves a goal behind at the break.
It would soon get worse for Norwich after the break, when Glover drilled in a free kick inside the near post with the keeper possibly unsighted in the 47th minute to double Hadleigh’s lead. An after Norwich saw a shot go just over on 54 minutes, the visitors from Suffolk opened up a three goal lead on 59 minutes when a loose ball in the area was drilled home by Max Tate. That looked like game over, but the home side pulled a goal back on 69 minutes, when Liam Jackson headed the ball goalwards and although a defender cleared the ball, the linesman judged that the ball had comfortably crossed the line. Hadleigh still looked quite comfortable in their lead, until Norwich pulled another goal back in the 89th minute when a cross into the box was sliced up and towards his own goal by a defender, and Jackson made sure the ball went over the line. Norwich pressed hard for an equaliser in the little time remaining, but Hadleigh held on for a win they deserved overall, and which all but secures step 5 football next season.
Below are a few photos I took at Blofield United’s home ground on my way past. Facilities are unsurprisingly rather basic, with a structure that seems to double as a covered standing and storage area, and some portable dugouts on the opposite side. The pitch was just roped off, a decent clubhouse bar was available, and the club did issue a printed programme for today’s game.
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