TT No.42: Steve Hardy - Saturday 2nd January 2016; Staffordshire Challenge Cup Quarter Final;

  Redgate Clayton Reserves 4 Burntwood Town 0.  Free admission. No programme. Attendance 19. 

Matchday images (7) https://picasaweb.google.com/footballgroundsinfocus/RedgateClaytonReservesFC

It may be a new year, but my run of football on 3G pitches continues. Today’s match was actually a bonus though, as due to the current spell of wet weather, Redgate Clayton Reserves very cleverly switched the game from their own soggy pitch to a 3G pitch at Newcastle Business College in Newcastle-Under-Lyme, to ensure it went ahead.

RCR play in Division one of the Staffs County league with their guests theoretically being the higher ranked team playing in Division three of the Midland league. In practice though, Burntwood are a struggling team, and this 4-0 home win was as comfortable as it sounds. I don’t think the Redgate keeper had a serious shot to save throughout the 90 minutes, whilst the rest of his team could have had several more goals had the Burntwood keeper not made a number of fine saves.

With the game being switched at very short notice, there was little time for the change to be publicised. The torrential rain all afternoon didn’t help either, so full credit to the other 18 spectators for  braving the elements to watch. Most of us stood inside the cage and there was no problem with me taking a few photos either.

I wonder if this long run of wet weather will ever end?  

contributed on 03/01/16