No.4 - Tues. 21st August 2007; Peterborough & District League Premier Division 6.15pm at the St.Gutlacks School, Crowland, Lincs. (Att: 32; Admn: N/A; Prog: no)
View matchday images 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 Crowland Town (0) 1 AFC Fletton (1) 2 Town unlucky not to share spoils
Being a Web Editor can have its benefits! The FGIF Instant Message Service never fails to impress with so many varied and positive contributions reaching my E-Mail folder each day. This just goes to show how many of us are hooked by this great hobby! One local correspondent regularly provides me with another excuse to get into the Wraymobile and travel to pastures new - or rather some roped off fields in the middle of nowhere and within an hour or so of home. His weekly, no frills, itinery simply lists the possibilities (with important backups) available each day and is a most valuable source of information. He is truly a Groundhopping Guru!! It had been a particularly dull and damp autumn day. With more rain forecast I didn't fancy travelling too far to watch a game. My hopping acquaintance had selected the Peterborough and District League match at Crowland (v AFC Fletton) as one of his chosen games and this Premier Division fixture seemed appealing. According to the excellent P&D League website AFC Fletton had won 8-2 at the weekend (was this a chance to see some goals?). More importantly the match was scheduled to start at 6-15pm (considering the weather an early finish would be a real bonus). The journey around the Peterborough by-pass was fairly unremarkable. That was until I reached the outskirts of Crowland. A large red sign, suspended by two sacks of sand, displayed the expected: Road Closed! With time running out I managed to get some alternative directions from one of the locals. This Fenland route was a bit of a white-knuckle-ride as the car negotiated a very narrow uneven road, testing both brakes and suspension. The final three miles seemed more like ten but I arrived in time for kick-off. By now the conditions had deteriorated. On reaching St. Guthlacks School (home of Crowland Football Club in Postland Road), drizzle filled the air and the light was fading. Thankfully both teams were already warming up - amazingly each had managed to organise a full squad including substitutes! The game was a brilliant advert for the League with plenty of good football played throughout. AFC Fletton maintained their 100% record with a narrow 2-1 victory in a close fought game which saw the hosts convert a penalty late on. On balance of play this was a fair result as they say! The club use a pitch marked out on the School Playing Fields situated behind the main buildings. This is close to the Gymnasium Changing Rooms and is fully roped off on all sides. Wooden dug-outs positioned beside the half- way-line provide the only cover. Travellers should visit in decent weather. Like many (if not all) clubs in this League, Crowland Town do not issue programmes. The only ones I can remember picking up were at Peterborough BRAD and Mollins and that was some time ago now (back in the late 1980's). Refreshments were not provided and there was no charge for admission. True to his word my hopping friend was present at the game complete with umbrella, waterproofs, notebook and pen - all the important essentials for the seasoned traveller. He brightened up my evening as we chatted about things to do with the local football scene making it a thoroughly enjoyable visit and one that can be highly recommended to all travellers (perhaps in better weather). The joys of hopping! And finally: 4* - unlike some venues in this league, it is nice to visit a club with it's own ground in the town. Travellers may also be interested to know that Crowland Football Club is one of the oldest clubs in the Peterborough League. Formed in 1919 as Crowland Abbey FC the club had many names becoming Rovers, then Athletic before adopting the suffix United. Finally, in 1945-46 the present Club, Crowland Town Football Club was formed. FGIF Rating: 4* edited on 22/08/07
