TT49: Paul Roth - Saturday 8th September 2007; South Park Vs. Chobham; Combined Counties League Div 1   Result: 2-3;  Attendance: 40; Entry: £2 including 8 page programme; Weather: Sunny & very warm.

View matchday images  01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09   Lots of choices were open to me today as to where my 'hopping jolly would take me this weekend, but the 'thud' on our doormat on Thursday morning went a long way to deciding my choice of destination today.   FA Vase, Wessex, Middlesex County and Hellenic Leagues were all in the frame until the new 2008 edition of the GBG arrived. With just 3 pubs to 'tick' in the Kent section of the guide that I hadn't visited before, a combined journey to get them done and a new ground within striking distance of the last hostelry, South Park's new facility at Whitehall Lane beckoned.   The community of South Park is a mile south of the pretty town of Reigate and after spending their first season in the Combined Counties League ground sharing at Cranleigh FC, it must be great to be back 'home'. The brand new arena is in a huge field and at first glance the newness of it is a bit off-putting, to me anyway.The modern pavilion houses changing rooms and a gleaming kitchen that sells the usual football supporters fare. A clubhouse, serving alcohol, is located on the right as you enter the car park....I didn't actually go in it, honest! The Barley Mow pub is 400 yards away in North Road and serves decent filled rolls.  Parking is available 100 yards from the pitch and one walks down a new path to the 'gap' and attendant gateman, kitted out today with table and bucket for your entrance fee and the 8 page programme (not a lot of content in this one, but welcome all the same.   On the Friday evening news Osama Bin Laden had appeared on my TV screen, resplendent now with jet black dyed beard and hair, making him look all of 10 years younger. The lovely gateman assumed I was retired and of pensionable age and I was allowed in for £1, that being the concessionary rate here. If only I knew where 'Binners' lived or had his mobile telephone number, then I could ask him for the brand of hair colorant that would make me look those 10 years less aged!    Floodlights, hard standing all around the arena and very expensive wire fencing finish off the stadium's furniture. There is no covered stand but protection may be gleaned on a wet day from the pavilion overhang.....or an umbrella!   The game was highly entertaining with Chobham taking a 2-0 lead into the interval break but the men in red and green came out fighting in the second half and were level within 15 minutes of the restart. Try as they might, they couldn't force a winner and actually it was the visitors who stole all 3 points with a late breakaway strike.   Architecturally, South Park's new home isn't going to win any awards but on a sunny afternoon is nice enough venue to watch football.   FGIF Rating    4*

contributed on 09/09/07