TT No.78: Keith Aslan - Thurs 9th April 2015; Bar Hill Saturday v Eaton Socon Res; Cambridgeshire League 1B;      Kick-Off: 18:14; Result: 3-2; Admission & Programme: Free; Attendance 66 (59 home 3 away 4 neutral) 

With the clocks going forward we are now into what is known in groundhopping parlance as the "silly season" but spending a warm spring evening in Cambridge amongst pleasant surroundings and pleasant people doesn't strike me as particularly silly.

Bar Hill is a mini Milton Keynes and very nice it is to. Well laid out it has a villagey feel with the football club being slap bang in the middle and is the focal point for village social life. It has a very plush spacious clubhouse and you can get an elevated view of the football from the veranda. Inside is a very strange notice that reads: "We love kids but please keep yours at your table. Unattended children will be given a shot of espresso and a free puppy". Also present in the car park was a burger van which appears to be a semi permanent fixture.
 
Bar Hill is five miles to the north of Cambridge with Citibus 5 providing a regular service. There are buses back after a midweek match, the 8.35 connecting with the last fast train to London. I was  given a lift back to Royston by a fellow hopper who missed his vocation, he should have been a rally driver, and his kindness meant I was back in Farage Country an hour earlier than anticipated. Also among the glitterati in attendance was a well known northern hopper but disappointingly his four legged friend had decided to give this one a miss.

Bar Hill Saturday as "full time" calls them, or Bar Hill as they call themselves, are mid table in the catchily-titled Cambridge County League Newmarket Motor Company Division 1B. The programme was numbered 97 which roughly equates to seven seasons of full paper production. Whilst the football was what you would expect at this level, it proved to be an entertaining game. For most of the match Bar Hill were by far the better team and their 3-0  lead looked very comfortable. Urged on by their three supporters (and being an Eaton Socon reserve fan must carry a certain kudos), the away team somehow managed to pull two goals back leading to an exciting climax. There are some very nice grounds in the Cambridge league, this is one of them. 

contributed on 10/04/15