TT No.59: Keith Aslan - Sat 20th February 2016; Broadwell Amateurs v Bishops Cleeve Res; Gloucester County League; Kick-Off: 14.02; Result: 1-2; Admission & Programme: £2; Attendance: 32 (28 home, 2 away & 2 neutral)

 

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.

 

contributed on 21/02/16