Hello!
Welcome back to another groundhopping blog, we are midway through November, and hurtling towards Christmas, just as I am hurtling towards my 100th ground!
Apologies for another late blog, I have been a busy man since Saturday, but at least i’ve got it in before the next game..
Anyway, this week I am bringing you a game that involved one of my favourite non-league clubs, British Airways FC. The reason for this is that our trip to The Orchard a couple of years ago was one of the best ticks i’ve done, it was an exhilarating game that had everything, and we got to watch planes pass overhead for the full 90 as well!
This weekend it was also time to tick The Gore at the second time of asking, we did come here last year but the game got called off due to a waterlogged pitch at 3pm! However we weren’t going to be seeing their main tenants, Burnham FC, as Chalvey Sports were today’s hosts.
We arrived to the ground with about 20 minutes to spare, and we were greeted by what must be the best food menu in the tenth tier of English football, probably across the nation! Feast your eyes on this…
I ended up being boring and just getting a burger, but it was a very impressive burger, and my mates chips also looked good so I think my claim is correct, that The Gore has the best menu at this level of football in England!
Anyway, onto the match, and while we may not have expected the football to take centre stage after what our taste buds had just experienced, it ended up doing just that.
Despite both teams being thoroughly mid table going into this game, as soon as the whistle blew the intensity was dialed right up. It was mainly BAFC applying pressure on the Chalvey goal, often flying forward, and the hosts had to deal with a barrage of shots in the first quarter of the game.
Luckily for Chalvey, it looked as if they had a keeper in inspired form, making a number of crucial saves in the first half, he must’ve been promised a burger if he kept a clean sheet!
The hosts didn’t really pose much of a threat going forward in the first 45, which was probably good as we were situated behind the goal they were defending so we got to see all the action. While British Airways displayed some impressive forward play and movement the rearguard action displayed by Chalvey was also to be admired, at one point there was even a wonderful clearance off the line, the ball just was not going in for BA!
Towards the end of the first half the majority of the game was played in the middle of the pitch, and the Chalvey keeper finally had chance to catch his breath, which was a rarity in the first 45.
At half time, we thought we would follow the action and once again go behind the goal that BAFC were attacking, but soon after the second half kicked off we were ruing that decision.
Just two minutes after the interval, Chalvey were ahead, certainly against the run of the play but they all count!
After a quick forward move from the hosts, the ball was cutback to Max Laschok who finished cooly from the edge of the box, a smash and grab was really on the cards now.
This goal clearly buoyed the hosts, and in the next 15 or so minutes they actually looked the better side for the first time in the game, but they couldn’t add to their lead.
British Airways began to dominate the game again around the 70th minute, and once again the Chalvey keeper had to be at his very best to keep his side ahead, making a couple more crucial saves.
The visitors struggled to find the same quality in the second half than they had at the beginning of the game, and frustration seemed to creep in to a lot of their second half play, and it looked like the hosts were going to hold on to all three points.
That was right up until the 88th minute however as British Airways finally found their elusive goal, thanks to an intricate move that was finished by their number 11 who had an open goal to aim for, which was the only way Chalvey’s keeper was going to be beaten Saturday!
There was not long left to play, and at that point both sides pretty much settled for their point. The referee blew and everyone took a deep breath, it was a fair result in the end, but i’m sure both sides will have been disappointed to only leave with one point. Chalvey had fought so hard when holding onto their lead, and BAFC will rue their missed chances during the first half in which they dominated the game.
But we left the ground happy as neutrals as we had seen a thoroughly enjoyable game, the whole experience was a testament to the great non league set up we have in this country, cheap admission, good grub and a good honest game, loved it!
We then obviously had our customary post match Nandos in Slough and then made our way back around the M25, we’d finally ticked The Gore!
That’s all for today’s blog, thanks for reading!
- GROUND: The Gore
- GAME: Chalvey Sports 1-1 British Airways FC
- COMPETITION: Combined Counties Division One
- GROUND NUMBER: 96
- WOULD I GO BACK: Yes
- TICKET PRICE: £5
- DAYS SINCE LAST 0-0: 998
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