As an Arsenal fan, Thursday nights usually mean sitting down at 6pm and watching us struggle to beat BATE Borisov or Östersunds FK.
But tonight it was time for a change and time for some Southern Counties East League Division One action with Sporting Club Thamesmead taking on Kent Football United.
After getting to the ground about 10 minutes before kick off we walked around the whole perimeter trying to find where to get in. Thankfully we found it in the end but we ended up missing the kick off.
Once we had found it and paid for entry (it took about five minutes to do this because they had no change for us) we sat and watched an engrossing game of football.
KFU took the lead with a wonderfully crafted goal mid way through the first half and both me and my friend were quick to label it ‘goal of the season’, not much of a competition in August really…
The game was played at a ferocious pace and both sides attacked with flare. KFU doubled their lead in the second half after a quick counter attack, the team were probably guilty of over-celebrating after that goal.
But fair play to Thamesmead, they managed to drag themselves back in the game with a good header following a corner.
Up in the stand at Bayliss Avenue
In the end KFU managed to hold out for a well deserved victory. The game was excellent, and both sides brought so much to the enthralling encounter.
Everyone at Bayliss Avenue were very welcoming and hospitable (even though we sat far away from everyone else watching the game).
Despite a good game and friendly people there were two key things that let this ground down:
- There was no food and I was hungry
- The entrance was hard to find and they didn’t have a turnstile meaning we were stood in a doorway when trying to pay
Overall this was a thoroughly enjoyable evening and I would recommend any groundhoppers to give SC Thamesmead a visit, just make sure you eat before and follow someone in!
- GROUND: Bayliss Avenue
- GAME: Sporting Club Thamesmead 1 v 2 Kent Football United
- COMPETITION: Southern Counties East League Division One
- GROUND NUMBER: 55
- WOULD I GO BACK? Nah
- TICKET PRICE: £6
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