The Long Arm of the Draw

So, I had an early start this season at the end of June with Fulham's game against the minnows of Runavik but had not managed to fit anything in until last weekend. I had also decided that it having celebrated the arrival of daughter number 2 almost 2 weeks earlier that it was time for my eldest daughter's first match. Now 3 1/3 is a bit too young for league football so Orient was out but I reckoned on the more sparsely populated surroundings of Barkingside vs Southend Manor being a little more conducive to the her attention span. This was especially important as she hadn't actually expressed any interest in football itself; just going to the football with me. So armed with a bag full of goodies, a picture book and a doll I put the buggy into action and set off.

The one thing that I wasn't expecting on arrival was 2 policeman in the car park making sure that all was tranquil at Oakside. It seems that Essex Senior League football was now a major event in the aftermath of the riots. In the end 4 coppers stood on the terrace enjoying the football (admittedly I think all 4 were special constables but it was still an amusing sight.)

It'll be Football this Christmas

Leatherhead open the scoring against Eastbourne Town with a very  yellow ball

My familial arrangements this Christmas see me home alone and absolved of the kind of responsibilities that prevent me getting to large numbers of games. I am now recovering from what was for me a new record of 4 games in 4 days. While I wouldn't yet call myself a groundhopper I added 3 new grounds to my tally and a goodly number of goals. It would have been more if Barkingside weren't seemingly intent of breaking some sort of postponement record this season. Over the Christmas period I am going to try to recount some of the games I've been to both over Christmas and earlier in the season and why I've chosen them. I am still getting to grips with a new camera and if I can avoid too much blur will post of few pics as well.

Super Carl Griffiths - Remote Control Hog (Or the Quaterfinals of the Gordon Brasted Trophy)

Carl Griffiths - A legend of E10. Most recently seen as assistant manager at Barkingside; he recently made a late substitute appearance and notched from the penalty spot. He was only biding time though as he has just been appointed the new manager at Aveley. He visited old friends at Barkingside tonight and made sure at half time and full time that no-one had a chance to catch up with the Sky coverage of Chelsea but nipped straight to the bar and grabbed the remote so everyone could check the lower division scores. He seemed chuffed that Orient had come back to draw 2-2. The game everyone had come to see: Barkingside vs Bethnal Green United in the Gordon Brasted Trophy. It was an entertaining affair with the visitors maybe slightly unlucky not to outscore the hosts who won 2-1 courtesy of 2 penalty kicks. Where the ref got 6:42 minutes of time added on in the second half is anyone's guess though.