No.56 - Sat. 19th April 2008; Northants Combination Premier Division                      2.30pm at Harpole Playing Field, Larkhall Lane, Harpole, Northants. (Att: 60; Admn & Prog: NA)

View matchday images  01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 Harpole (1) 1  Roade (0) 0  Poor game fails to inspire  I always look forward to Wednesdays with eager anticipation! This is the day of the week when the postie delivers the esteemed Football Traveller magazine through our letter box. Within five minutes of ripping open the envelope I have usually scanned the fixtures and have made a quick mental note of the possible 'hoppertunities for the coming weekend. That's the easy bit. Over the next few days (and that can include Saturday mornings  as well), I usually manage to assess the merits of each game before making my final choice. That's the hard bit.   This hobby is wonderful isn't it? We all have our own way of doing things and there are no hard and fast rules about groundhopping. I tend to pick matches based on some or all of the following criteria (family commitments aside): whether it is going to be a new ground; the fixture and it's importance; the clubs involved; the distance I might have to travel and the availability of a programme (not my number one priority - it's nice to get one but it isn't crucial). I should also add another factor to this list. The weather. In a season which has been dogged by awful conditions and where so many games have been lost to rain, hail and snow, it's been a frustrating time for all hoppers everywhere. I wouldn't be surprised if many have been driven to drink or even been known to pull their hair out (if they still have any left). I digress..   It is Saturday. I have eventually managed to scribble down a shortlist of games (in order of preference) onto a new page in my notepad and now prepare to phone up the clubs just to check if their games are on. As you do. The first three clubs (all in the Midlands) are close together and can provide a necessary fall back - just in case). Alas it isn't what I wanted to hear. After heavy overnight rain each game is off having been postponed due to waterlogging. Bad news. This leaves just two games with both clubs, Harpole FC and Corby Madisons,  playing in the Northants Combination League. Would their games still be on? What a stroke of luck. It's great news. Both secretaries confirm that their pitches are in good nick and that their matches are definitely ON. My fears are allayed and it's off to Northampton for the 2.30pm Premier Division game berween Harpole and Roade.   I was well chuffed as my visit here would give me a new ground tick. There was another reason for this though. It also made up for my aborted  journey here a couple of months ago when heavy traffic on the town's ring road forced me to change direction and go Milton FC instead (see R No.47). Isn't it funny how a disappointment like that can make you more determined to go back again. An obsessive groundhopping trait no doubt. So after all my deliberations over the last few days my choice of match was more down to the elements than anything else. The best laid plans and all that...   After a great season Harpole had already taken the Premier Division title and also booked themselves a place in the Combination cup final to be played against Moulton at Sixfields in May. However what promised to be a good game sadly didn't live up to expectations. In fact nether side managed to string three consecutive passes together throughout the entire ninety minutes, making it the poorest match I had been to all season. There's a law about that! There were really only two moments worthy of note and these occured at the beginning and end of the match: Harpole scored the only goal of the game when the visitors failed to clear the ball following a corner (on seven minutes) and had their keeper sent off after a hand ball outside his area (87). The match was attended by sixty spectators who braved the bitter cold winds and occasional hail. Brr. It was a case of grin and bear it. I knew that I was struggling when a glimpse at the time revealed it was only 3.50pm and there was still 20 minutes to go! Many hoppers will be disappointed to learn that the club doesn't issue programmes for any of its games.   The club is found in a most exposed location with fields and open countryside in clear view for miles. Facilities here are excellent. There is an impressive pavilion and changing room block just inside the main entrance and car park. Framed team photos and trophies are on display inside the clubhouse and add a bit of nostalgia to the place. Alcohol, hot drinks and snacks are all available from the bar area during the afternoon. The main pitch which is fully enclosed by a metal post and rail fence is a short walk away being on the far side of the large field beyond a children's play area. Despite been vandalised two brick dug outs positioned on the furthest touch line are still used by the coaching staff (brave people) - the backs have been removed leaving the roof balacing precariously. The pile of bricks and debris lying in the surrounding grass is not a pretty sight.   To reach Harpole come off the M1 at junction 18 (at Upper Heyford). Head back towards Northampton along the A4500 before taking a left turn for Harpole. Follow the main route through the village turning right down Larkhall Lane. The football ground is a couple of hundred yards from here and is opposite the local primary school on the left hand side. Parking is at a premium.   FGIF Match Rating: 1*

edited on 12/05/08