With H2O falling over the Forest of Dean in somewhat larger quantities than was
predicted the Broadwell pitch stood up very well. Excess water had wiped
out the nearby match at Cinderford Town but this game went ahead. Club
officials had been working on the pitch all week to get the game played and
this was an example of what can be achieved if you have someone willing to do
it. Mind you it probably helped that the ground has only had two games played
on it in the past four months.
Given Broadwell's remote location it has a very impressive bus service, half
hourly from Gloucester bus station (30/31 bay J), double deckers and at £5 for
a day ticket an absolute bargain. Ideal for exploring this beautiful part of
the country, but today was not a day for sightseeing. The facilities in this
league are variable to say the least, but Broadwell is definitely in the top
strata. Enclosed, railed and with a very welcome covered stand along the
halfway line. A nice clubhouse, hot drinks available throughout and pies
at half time with the lunchtime football being shown, and looking at the
weather at Cardiff City's match, South Wales wouldn't be a very good place to
go groundhopping this afternoon. The clubhouse would appear to be the focal
point of village life, understandably as there is nothing else resembling
civilization anywhere near the place.
The programme wished everybody a Happy New Year, this being Broadwells first
home game of 2016. I've never been wished a Happy New Year on February 20th
before. (Come to think of it, nobody wishes me a Happy New Year on January 1st
either). The programme contained the data so many issues leave out but is vital
to a student of the game such as myself. The pen pictures had that important
information - player nicknames. It did so much to enhance my knowledge of the
match to know that Ryan Wilks was nicknamed 'Wilksy', Craig Tait is known to
his friends as 'Taity' and Scott Albon is inventively called 'Scotty'. How do
they think them up?
Not for the first time this season the players, and referee, provided a fine
afternoons entertainment in rubbish conditions, with the away team coming back
from one down to win it with goals from 'Bally' and 'Ellioty'. This was met with
much celebration from their two fans who, with Bishops Cleeve first team at
home, admirably and inexplicably came to support their reserves away.
So another Saturday, another soaking. I wouldn't have it any other way.
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