Kent County League Division One Central & East
Hillborough, Woodnesborough
Admission: Free
Programme: Donation
Attendance: 50 (rough head count)
With the season winding to a conclusion and the weather fine and warm, now is the part of the season I always look forward to, visiting rural grassroots clubs well off the beaten track. And although there were a handful options within the National League System today, I quite fancied a trip out to the east Kent coast, sufficiently tempted by the rare offer at this level of a printed programme, a bar and hot food being available, and the club’s social media channels, along with reports I've heard from others, all suggested Woodnesborough would be a very friendly and welcoming at the club.
Hillborough is about two miles southwest from Sandwich train station, and although regular buses pass close to the ground, I chose to walk directly across flat farmland, taking about half an hour. A small road sign points the way from the passing road through a small industrial estate, leading up to a small car park and the clubhouse building. The clubhouse has two rather old fashioned bars and saloons, having more of a village ball feel to it. A conservatory is attached pitch side of the clubhouse, which would presumably make for a good place to watch games from in inclement weather. Facilities are quite basic here currently, but well above par for what is usually encountered in this division. The ground is roped off along one length closest to the clubhouse and although there is railing along the other length and half an end, these areas are not really maintained for spectators to venture there. But plenty of advertising boards along the railing does give the place more of a "football ground" feel. Some rather substantial dugouts, in structures more akin to spectator stands, are also located on this side. A good range of bacon, sausage and fried egg rolls and French sticks, as well as burgers, is available from a pitch facing open door in the clubhouse buildings adjacent to the conservatory and under some overhang. A 16 page printed programmes as available in exchange for a donation, and seemed popular amongst plenty of spectators, and its informative content was an excellent way of engaging readers and communicating the club’s activities. It was interesting to read some of the club's plans for the future, steadily building and growing the club, with an ambition to get the ground ready to host senior football as finances allow, including the addition of stands, floodlights and turnstiles. But today, it was a really pleasant place to watch football, gloriously peaceful save for some chattering birds, the ground is naturally enclosed on three sides by trees with countryside beyond, and behind the remaining length, rows of vines on a gentle incline make for a pleasant and unusual backdrop. It was also nice to witness that everyone connected with the club seemed to be really friendly and engaged with the club.
This match would be between two clubs in the top three, with Tenterden Town leading the table on goal difference, and with today's game being their last of the season, a win would all but clinch the title, as they have a seven goal better goal difference than second placed Minster. Tenterden have won 16 and drawn seven of their 25 league games. Woodnesborough have also had a very good season, and with two games left to play, are certain of a third placed finish with two games left to play, having won 14 and drawn three of their 24 league games. Woodnesborough would no doubt be looking for some revenge today, having been on the wrong end of an 8-2 thrashing in the reverse fixture back in September. Today was the second attempt at playing this fixture, after the original game in mid February was abandoned at half time with a 1-1 scoreline due to poor weather conditions.
On a sunny afternoon which had a slightly chilly edge to the air, the first half was quite an even affair, and Woodnesborough thought they had taken the lead on 8 minutes when a goalbound header was cleared, on the line according to the officials rather than beyond it, as the home players appealed for. But after a Tenterden floated shot from 35 yards was tipped over the bar on the half hour mark, the visitors did take the lead on 33 minutes, when Ben Charlesworth took a couple of touches at the edge of the area before arrowing the ball into the top right corner.
Within two minutes of the restart, Tenterden doubled their lead when a diagonal ball forward from deep found Brad Burton just to the right of goal, and he fired the ball across the keeper and into the net. Tenterden went on to see the game out quite comfortably after that and looked the likelier to score again, although Woodnesborough still looked a threat on their occasional breaks forward. But 0-2 was how it finished, to cue celebrations amongst the Tenterden players on the final whistle, feeling that they had done enough to win the division. It would certainly take something of a miracle to deny them, with Minster needing win their final game against fifth placed Snodland Town Reserves next Saturday by nine clear goals to deny Tenterden. In any case, Tenterden can look forward to Premier Division football next season for the first time since 2005, and one has the feeling that Woodnesborough are gaining momentum on and off the pitch to join them in the not too distant future. Loving to see smaller clubs with the ambition to grow organically, I wish them well.
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