|
TT No.22: Paul Roth - Saturday 30th August 2008; FA Cup Preliminary Rd; RINGWOOD TOWN vs. MARLOW FC Res: 2-2; Entry: £5; Programme: 44 pages, £1; Att: 81; Weather: Hot and Sunny |
|
View matchday images 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 From White Hart Lane, Tottenham to Long Lane, Ringwood!
The common denominator in this rather tenuous link is Marlow FC. The last time I saw them in action was also in the FA Cup, that being a third round encounter that Spurs won 5-1, in front of an attendance of 27000, back in early January 1993.
Fifteen years on, and I'm attending another FA Cup tie involving the Buckinghamshire club, this time at the rather less grandiose, but nonetheless delightful surroundings of Ringwood Town FC's Long Lane stadium (The Canotec Stadium, to give it's correct current title), located about a mile to the South of the West Hampshire market and brewing town. Try the GBG listed 'Inn On The Furlong' in town, if you so desire, which stocks the entire Ringwood Brewery range.
Founded in 1879, Ringwood Town FC can boast to be one of the oldest football clubs in Hampshire. Enter the club's car park through the gap in the hedge as you come down Long Lane and as you do so you are met by friendly club secretary Chris Kirby, who takes your entry fees and sells the newsy 44 page programme. The ground then opens up in front of you and consists of a large covered stand, with bench seating therein, on the near side; a large and somewhat uncomfortable clubhouse, large dugouts with slanting roof on the far side, floodlight pylons that have a red metal cladding around them (Ringwood play in all red!), an all-encompassing white perimeter fence and red and white goal nettings. A hotdog stall sells.....well, hotdogs!
Most of the arena is surrounded by farmland that at present is employed in the growth of sweetcorn.
It was good to see such a large contingent of visiting fans amongst the crowd of 81 (26900 less than the last time I clapped eyes on Marlow, though), and 'The Gang From Behind The Goal' added to the occasion no end.
With such a gap in status between the two clubs I fully expected the hosts, from Wessex League Division 2, to struggle and when Marlow took the lead early on, with a well taken free kick an easy away win seemed a certainty. But credit to Ringwood and within 10 minutes they were level, only for the visitors to retake the advantage with a near range, blasted shot that seared into the bottom corner of the net. So, 1-2 at half time.
As the match progressed both clubs did well to keep going in the sweltering heat and it was Marlow that did most of the pressing. The match turned in the 78th minute, when they had a penalty kick superbly saved by home stopper Dave Hughes and in the final seconds snatched a dramatic equaliser, that sends the tie back to Buckinghamshire for a replay on Tuesday evening. Well done Ringwood!
One word of warning if you're considering a visit to Long Lane. If the motorcar is your 'modus operandi' for getting here, beware of the volume of traffic hereabouts and the road widening on the M27 en-route. On as sumptuous day as today was weatherwise and with the Bournemouth Air Show taking place a few miles away, I could have easily walked faster along the final stretch of the A31 to Ringwood, as I did drive along it.
To compound matters, the M2 was closed between junction 5 and 6 upon my return to Kent...the bit I need to get home. Of course I will not complain, as I did at least get back safe and sound.
A lovely day, and where, Marlow FC, in another fifteen years time?.
FGIF Rating 4* |
|
contributed on 31/08/08 |
