No.11 - Sat. 22nd September 2007; Debenham Leisure Centre Suffolk Junior Cup Rd 1 2.15pm at the Gainsborough Sport & Leisure Centre, Ipswich, Suffolk (Att: 5 - FIVE); Admn and Prog: N/A) View matchday images 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 St. Johns (1) 2 Bramford United (2) 3 Change in fortune sees United through With the Wraymobile sadly waiting to undergo major engine repairs at our local garage in Newmarket, my travelling options on Saturday were severley limited to say the least. Things didn't get any better when the mechanic handed me the keys to a temporary replacement vehicle, a Vauxhall Astra, with the following words of advice: "Don't go far mate it might not make it!" Quite simply the rust-coloured, K-registered, machine parked before us had seen better days (and many of them at that)! A quick flick through the trusty Football Traveller revealed several possible fixtures all within a short distance of home. Eventually I decided to attend the Debenham Leisure Centre-sponsored Suffolk Junior Cup First Round match between St. Johns and Bramford United - it would be a new ground and under the circumstances a relatively easy place to reach with a 'dodgy' car. St.Johns Football Club play at the Gainsborough Sport and Leisure Centre in Ipswich. The venue is a multi sport complex site catering for both hockey and football with numerous pitches marked out on a huge playing field. To give you some idea about the dimensions of the place, this game was played on Pitch K. Nearest to the Sports Centre it is separated from the adjacent astroturf pitch (used by Ipswich Hockey Club) by a row of immature conifers. Although only a couple of the pitches were in use during the afternoon I was told that most of them are taken up for local Sunday League football. There is no cover or dug outs pitchside. The club does not issue programmes and refreshments are only available from the vending machines in the foyer of the Leisure Centre. Oh the joys of grass roots football!! On paper, a home win looked the most likely result before the start of play. Both teams, members of the Suffolk & Ipswich League Division One, had experienced varying fortunes already in this campaign with luckless Bramford firmly rooted at the bottom of the table and without a point to their name. It is rumoured that most of the players from their promotion chasing team from last season had left the club and had been replaced by a whole new set up, still no doubt struggling to find their feet! This was clearly apparent as the visitors turned up with only one sub. On the contrary St. Johns who operate a rotating squad system were cheered on by several 'rested' players who were watching from the touchline! So it was no surprise when the hosts opened the scoring after only three minutes when a vicious shot from the edge of the box found the net. This lead only lasted for ninety seconds though when the visitors equalised against the run of play. United seemed to gain confidence from this and started to dominate proceedings netting once more to take a well deserved half-time lead. St. Johns came back into things and parity was restored in the early stages of the second half when some clever build up play resulted in a close range tap in. As extra time beckoned United scored a decisive winner booking their place in the next round. The match was refereed expertly by a county official who kept his composure throughout and dealt efficiently with many tricky situations. Well done Peter Coleman. Amazingly only four other spectators were in attendance at the game! Although I don't have the team line ups to hand I can quite easily remember each of the other 'fans' who looked on: representing the home team were a mum, a brother and a potential new signing from another local club whilst a solitary dad supported Bramford. And that was it - more players than spectators! Incidentally my lowest ever attendance comprised of the three souls (including myself) that turned up to watch an Essex Intermediate League Division 3 game between Upminster and Barnston some ten years ago. What an anorak. The club can easily be reached from the A14 after crossing the Orwell Bridge (heading towards Felixstowe). Come off at junction 57 and follow signs for Ipswich town centre travelling along the Nacton Road. Turn left down Maryon Road and continue for about 200 metres. The entrance to the Leisure Centre is on the left with plenty of car parking space on site. It had been an interesting day. A new ground, a decent game and a 'vehicle' that managed to reach racing HQ well before dark! Map St.Johns FC website edited on 24/09/07
