Many Games Have I Seen...: Rushden & Higham United 3 v 3 Wellingborough Whitworth

Saturday 17th February 2024, Kick-off 15.00

Spartan South Midlands League Division One

Hayden Lane, Rushden

Admission: £6.00

Programme: Online only

Attendance: 100 (estimate)

I had originally planned a trip to the Dorset / Devon border today, with a visit to one of Bridport, Axminster Town or Honiton Town. However, those plans were altered with more rain falling overnight and into the morning onto already sodden ground, and so I decided to head northwards, where the forecast was a sot drier. It turned out to be a wise decision, as all three of my possible destinations out west were indeed postponed.

After arriving at Bedford train station, I then made my way to Bedford Bus Station, stopping for a lunchtime curry at Wetherspoons, taking advantage of a special deal there today on Chicken Tikka Masala, before heading my way northwards by bus to Rushden, taking about 40 minutes, with Hayden Road about a 15 minute walk away from the nearest bus stop. Hayden Road is shared with AFC Rushden & Diamonds, and some of the facilities at the ground are closed on Rushden & Higham United matchdays, due to the smaller crowds in attendance.There are two metallic turnstile blocks, but neither were in use today, instead visitors are directed through a corridor and into the clubhouse, with entrance to the ground itself paid for at a table by a door. Facilities are certainly superior to what would usually be expected at Step 6 level, but benefits from the presence of AFC Rushden & Diamonds, who have played at Hayden Road as high as Step 3. A main stand is located just to one side of the half way line, but unfortunately this is inaccessible to spectators on health and safety grounds. There is just hard standing along this length, with a couple of sections of cover in front of the clubhouse building, and where several rows of old fashioned uncovered terrace steps stretch around the corner flag and then intermiittently around the rest of the ground. A further home made wooden stand is located close to the far corner flag, and along the opposute length, which rises a little above pitch level, there is a a fairly long all-seater metallic stand.. Behind the far ends are two modern stands, to one side of the goal is an all-seater stand, whilst to the other side is a metallic stand covering a few steps to stand on. It is an interesting ground with reasnable facilities, but is looking rather run down and could do with a little TLC, but is perhaps indicative of both home clubs falling on relatively hard times - with AFC Rushden & Diamonds looking destined to a return to Step 5 football next season.

A glance at the league table suggested that this should be a comfortable away win, with Rushden down in 18th place in the 20 club division, following four wins and five draws from their 21 league games so far. But they do have games in hand on most clubs above them, and are only behind Letchworth Garden City Eagles on goal difference but have played two games less, and four points behind Eaton Socon, with four games in hand.. Wellingboroigh were up in second place, following 16 wins and five draws from their 23 league games, ten points adrift of leaders Northampton ON Chenecks, but with three games in hand.