Hello!
Firstly, welcome to my new blog!
In this space I will be sharing my groundhopping experiences that I do with my friend James. Last season we spent a Friday night in Suffolk (Ipswich Wanderers 0-3 Debenham LC FC), did an eight hour round trip to see a 0-0 ( Gloucester City v Chelmsford City) and even saw Merstham Town take on the Vancouver Whitecaps.
What ever the level, we will not say no to a game….
After going 116 days without a game, it was finally time to dive into another season of thrills, spills (we can normally only afford to go to non league) and chills (winter is cold).
Despite the fact that my Google Maps app had failed to get us to the right place, we managed to find the ground by following the floodlights. This is a skill that you acquire pretty quickly when trying to find hidden grounds.
The view from Westfield Lane
There is no better way to start the season with the mouthwatering prospect of Badshot Lea (9th Tier) vs Hartley Wintney (7th Tier). This was my first experience of a preseason friendly and to be fair to both sides, the first half did not lack intensity.
Badshot looked impressive and they got the breakthrough with a wonderful goal after some intricate play on the edge of the box. A fine start to hopefully a season filled with excellent goals.
As the game wore on Hartley started to boss the game and two neat finishes in the second half ensured they ran out 2-1 winners in this friendly.
I was hugely impressed with Westfield Lane, it is head and shoulders above any other Combined Counties ground I have been to. This is probably because it is new, but they have certainly done an excellent job of making sure the atmosphere is positive. On top of that, entry was just £3 and the food looked good.
Not sure when I will next be going to a game as the Cricket season is still at large but it wont be long!
MATCH INFO:
- GROUND: Westfield Lane (Wrecclesham)
- GAME: Badshot Lea F.C 1-2 Hartley Wintney F.C
- COMPETITION: Friendly
- GROUND NUMBER: 54
- WOULD I GO BACK? Yes
- TICKET PRICE: £3
A Groundhoppers Guide to the Pyramid 