TT No.172: Paul Roth - Sat 19th January 2008 Sevenoaks Charity Cup 2; Chipstead vs. Farnborough OBG FC Res: 1-0; Att: 20; Programme: 8 pages, produced by FOBG FC; Weather: Mild and overcast.
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The storms of the week leading up to this weekend and the volume of water that had fallen all over the country made this a hard call, as where to head for, come Saturday afternoon. I had a few irons in the fire but these were quickly extinguished as the leaden skies brought more precipitation and consequentially further cancellations.
My saviour was a lull in these storms from midday Friday lunchtime onwards, in my neck of the woods anyway, and FOBG FC playing a 2nd round cup tie at Chipstead in the Sevenoaks Charity Cup (more about this excellent competition, founded in 1906, can be gleaned from the Sevenoaks and District Football League website). The Recreation Ground on Chevening Road was saturated but the brisk wind and no further rain meant the game could go ahead, and there was the added bonus of a Shaun Keddle FOBG FC away-day programme!
Chipstead (of the Kent County League Div2 West), is in Kent and should not to be confused with the Ryman League version, a little further West, in Surrey! A more easy to find venue couldn't be wished for........come off the M25 onto the A21 heading toward Hastings, and take the Sevenoaks turn-off and immediately follow the sign into the village and take the first left into Chevening road. The ground is about 300 yards on your left.
Arriva buses run regularly from Sevenoaks if the traveller is arriving by train. The George and Dragon and the Bricklayers Arms, the clubs' sponsors, are more than adequate hostelries to quaff a pint and 'shoot the breeze' in, pre-kick-off, with any local willing to listen!
The jewel in the crown, in situ on the Rec, is the new and well appointed club pavilion and changing rooms behind the near goal, and beyond the small, soon-to-be-tarmaced car park. From there within tea, coffee, chocolate bars and after-match alcohol and hot food are proffered. With red and blue goal nets and flags the place is transformed on matchdays into a pleasant venue to watch football. With village dwellings, the distant North Downs and trees all around, only the roar of the constant traffic from the adjacent A21 disturbs the idyll.
Club chairman Alan Black and secretary Dave Houston had made me most welcome on arrival, and actually invited me to stay on after the match for a bite to eat, an offer I had to decline, as my good lady had slaved over a hot stove all afternoon to prepare my home-coming repast of fried eggs and baked beans!
The game was most entertaining, contested by the current top two sides in the KCL Div2 West, and although chances were at a premium, the result was always in doubt, even right up until the very last kick of the match, when the South Bromley-based side almost forced an equaliser and that dreaded extra time. Ultimately, the only goal of the game came midway through the first half and was a well taken effort from the homester's No.11.
Both sides battled through the heavy conditions and ultimately the decision to go ahead with the game was the right one. Chipstead march on into the semi-finals of the competition, my first taste of this tourney I should add, but I don't think Farnborough will lose too much sleep about that. Promotion is their goal.
A super day out amidst lovely, friendly people from both clubs and my pleasure was further augmented by the arrival of my great pal Geoff Seers from Hertford, whom I enjoyed a pint or two with, prior to kick off.
I must thank Shaun, from FOBG FC, for furnishing Geoff and I with his usual away-day programme. We both like to have a proggie, so watching the away side on their travels is the way to go if a paper souvenir is a prerequisite for an enjoyable and fulfilling day out.
Now then, where are the Old Boys playing next week? Oh Yes, Meridian........next Saturday!
FGIF Rating 4*
contributed on 19/01/08