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No.23 - Sat. 17th November 2007; FA Vase Round 2 3pm at the Rye Cricket & Football Salts, Fishmarket Rd, Rye, E Sussex (Att: 96; Admn: £3; Prog: 32 pp, £1.50) |
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View matchday images 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Rye United (1) 2 Cobham (1) 2 AET Emotions run Rye-ot in atrocious spectacle
Sadly our visit to Rye United Football Club will be remembered for all the wrong reasons. As 'hoppers there are occasions when the game we pick doesn't live up to expectations. This was one such match. However I must point out that this is no way a reflection on the club itself which did everything to make our stay a pleasant one. The day started well with a relatively hassle free journey down to this lovely part of East Sussex. In fact we arrived with plenty of time to spare before the game kicked off (which is unusual for us). We received a very warm and friendly welcome from the small but dedicated band of club helpers who were busy organising the car parking, manning the pay gate and selling programmes. The service provided by the kitchen staff could not have been better as refreshments were cheerfully and courteously dispensed. A cup of piping hot tea was the perfect way to combat the increasingly cold biting cross wind that prevailed. With only ten minutes remaining before the kick-off there was a terrific atmosphere in the clubhouse with fans from both teams enjoying a pre-match drink awaiting the start of this compelling FA Vase Second Round tie. The PA announcer copied the team line ups onto a whiteboard before placing it outside the changing rooms (for the benefit spectators including a handful of travellers). By now the referee had marshalled his assistants who were ready to lead the players out onto the pitch....game on! Before play both teams had enjoyed varying starts to their respective campaigns. Rye had not really helped their cause having picked up only a handful of points, winning just three times in their opening ten Sussex County League Division One matches. This form left the club just one place off the bottom of the table. Visitors Cobham had done slightly better and a recent improvement in performance had seen the club move up a few places in the Combined Counties League Premier Division. But this match was a one-off and reputations counted for nothing. Each team had their sights firmly set on a place in the next round. Maybe it was the start of something better....perhaps a place in the Final at Wembley Stadium come next May. We can all dream! In an unspectacular opening forty five minutes there was little to choose between the teams. Rye broke the deadlock taking an early lead only for Cobham to equalise just before the interval. Within five minutes of the restart events took a turn for the worst though. A long punt upfield saw Cobham on the attack. As the ball drifted towards the touchline a hefty challenge on the visiting forward left him writhing in agony on the ground. It didn't look good. Before the referee could intervene and caution the offender several players from each side decided to take matters into their own hands....things quickly got out of hand as a massive ruck gathered on the touchline. By now tempers had reached boiling point and the officials could only look on as players, coaching staff and a handful of spectators had become involved in what appeared to be an almighty brawl. It was absolute mayhem and something that I had not witnessed since a fight in my old school playground many years ago (oh and more recently on some Premiership TV highlights). The officials had seemingly lost control of the game. A father and his young son standing beside us turned to walk away - they, like us, were feeling acutely embarrassed by the sudden tirade of foul and abusive language (including a couple of racist comments) that ensued. Surely the officials would call a halt to proceedings and abandon the game...? It took about ten minutes before things calmed down once again. The referee with advice taken from his assistant on the near side produced two red cars and a player from each team left the field. The home fans were not happy...word had it that the wrong player from Rye had been dismissed. Eventually the match did re-start. For me though the contest had now lost its appeal. To be perfectly honest I wished I hadn't bothered making the effort to travel all the way down here from East Anglia. If this was the way our beautiful game was going then maybe I should pack in groundhopping altogether? Oh dear did I really say that about my beloved hobby...? Yes! I felt that gutted. For the record both teams contrived to finish the game without any further interruptions. Remarkable given the fracas. The match ended with each side scoring once more before the final whistle. A further 30 minutes couldn't decide the tie which meant that a replay back in Surrey would take place in three days time. By this point I really wasn't bothered who went through. Hmm. A smart 32 page programme with a glossy colour cover was issued for the game priced at £1.50. A cracking effort this packed with news and statistics, including a focus on the FA Vase. A wide range of hot and cold food was available at reasonable prices. On a really cold day the staff in the kitchen worked tirelessly to provide supporters with refreshments throughout the afternoon. Unsung heroes doing a terrific job. The football club plays at Rye Cricket & Football Salts in Fishmarket Road close to the beautiful town centre. Due to the groundshare arrangement the football pitch is open to spectators on three sides and is surrounded by a post and rail fence with a large section of white tarpaulin/hessian netting separating the far side from the cricket pitch. A large covered stand (without seats) straddles the half-way line behind the dug outs. From here there are spectacular views of the town with the surrounding houses and Rye Tower clearly visible from their elevated location upon the distant hillside. The main facilities are found near to the main entrance and are situated in a row of buildings incorporating the kitchen, clubhouse pavilion bar and changing rooms. Above a large scoreboard with its ornate clock provides a gentle reminder that this is very much home to cricket as well as football. Quirky. It really is a lovely setting. Despite my reservations about the game, a visit to this friendly, well-run club comes highly recommended. All travellers will receive a warm welcome and will not be disappointed by what they will find at the Rye Cricket and Football Salts. To reach the ground approach the town centre using the main A259 by-pass. Although on site car parking is severely limited, there is space close by in the local streets. FGIF Rating: 1* |
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edited on 23/11/07 |
