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No.2 - Wed. 15th August 2007; Cambs County League Senior B Division 6.15pm at the Ickleton Rec Grd, Frogge Street, Ickleton, Cambs. (Att: 13; Admn: N/A; Prog: No) |
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View matchday images 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 Saffron Crocus (0) 1 Cherry Hinton (2) 3 Crocus plant seeds for future success
For the enthusiastic traveller the first few weeks of the season always provides plenty of mouth-watering fixture 'hoppertunities. The local Cambridgeshire County League traditionally kicks-off its programme with a full listing of midweek matches and with it there is usually a chance to visit a few new clubs. After my trip to the impressive stadium:mk four days earlier, it was back to grass roots football as I arrived at the Ickleton Recreation Ground to watch a Senior B Division game between league newcomers Saffron Crocus and their opponents Cherry Hinton. I had also swapped my T-Shirt and shorts for more appropriate waterproofs as black clouds threatened overhead. And with perfect timing the heavens opened just as I climbed out of the trusty Wraymobile and made my way pitch side. Sadly my umbrella had been laid to rest following a heavy storm at the ESAA Championships in Birmingham a few weeks earlier and so I quickly sought refuge under some immature horse chestnut trees that were handily placed along the far side of the local rec. The branches offered a bit of decent cover but attracted many seasonal crane flies which did their best to bite my ankles. Yes it was a million miles from the comfortable surroundings of the stadium:mk but somehow I felt more at home. This was familiar territory – a sloping, bumpy roped-off pitch behind the local village hall, twenty two lads huffing and puffing in pursuit of glory, a pot-bellied referee struggling to keep up with play and and the occasional dog walker who passed by a crowd that just about reached double figures. Oh the joys of hopping! The Crocus boys found the going tough. With only ten minutes gone they had already conceded two goals and were packing their defence to keep the score down. The slippery surface didn’t help their cause. Several mis-timed tackles outside the box gave the visitors a bit of dead ball shooting practice. But they weathered the storm - literally! The 'gaffa' was on hand at half-time to encourage his charges. All was not lost. His words were positive and inspirational. The rain stopped and the end of the deluge was marked by bright sunshine and a magnificent rainbow which made an arc over the playing field. Was this divine intervention or deja-vous? Three years ago to the day I attended a Cambs County Senior B Division fixture at Castle Camps - amazingly a rainbow filled the sky on that evening too!!
With renewed optimism the hosts (kitted out in a new dark blue strip) responded perfectly as a cross from the right was converted at the near post. A solitary voice could be heard above the others: 'Come on You Crocus' - don't you just love it! The visitors were now under the cosh as the game opened up. It was exciting stuff. The next goal would be crucial. With time running out the hosts suddenly wilted; Senior B football was proving a stiff test and a strain on their tired legs. The Cherries had the upper hand now and predictably extended their lead when a splendid counter attack taking their goal total for the season to three. On balance of play it was a fair result. The Crocus boys will no doubt build on this experience and grow in confidence during the coming months. The game attracted only a handful of spectators. Like the majority of clubs in the lower divisions of the
And finally. Match Rating: 4* - a game full of precipitation and perspiration! Travellers may be interested to note that the club derives its name from the Crocus public house in Saffron Walden. The town's coat of arms apparently depicts three crocus plants in its emblem.
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edited on 17/08/07 |
