Matchday images (14) https://picasaweb.google.com/footballgroundsinfocus/LetcombeFC02

The weather, the forecast would we be snowed in or flooded out, was the question. The latter appeared to be the answer during the night. No decision on where to go until the morning. Twittter is certainly the Travellers' friend, Tweets by 10am showed that a number of games in North and West Berkshire were on. The Letcombe game was a 1.30pm and a quick call to home sec Des Williams (in the running for most organised and helpful chap in the world) gave the answer that indeed the pitch was in playable condition in fact near perfect. Choice made no new ground but a visit to Letcombe is always delightful sat on the Berkshire Downs, sadly where the horse is king and floodlights are no go, but that is another story.

Des had said the club had on going work at the ground improving the clubhouse, dressing rooms and toilets so could we park in the Village Hall, which is only 60 yards from the ground. Walking from the Village Hall to the clubhouse the grass was firm in fact near perfect. Despite the work in and around the dressing room complex tea was being served. While in the clubhouse the club had a call from the league wondering why their game was not off like the rest of the league, the answer was you would not have thought Letcombe had ever had snow.

The game was a cracker, Marlow United 2nd in the Reading League against Letcombe in the nether reaches of Hellenic One West. 1-0 to Marlow, Letcombe equalised just before the break. Second half the homesters playing down the hill go 3-1 up. With seven minutes to go Marlow get a goal back against the run of play. They then go all out attack to get an equaliser, all hands to the pump for the home team. A few close shaves later and Letcombe break up field (or in the case of this ground, down field) and score a 4th.

What a game, glad Letcombe won they deserve success as they are more or less run by 3 people (Des, Dennis and Russell) who have been there years and years. You get a great welcome at the club. Sadly at some point they will have to drop to a lower level in the Pyramid due to the fact they will not get planning permission for lights.

The 1993(?) TV series Riders, a Jilly Cooper novel converted to TV, was filmed in Letcombe.