TT No. 238: Paul Roth - Sat 8th May 2010; Old Newton United v Achilles; Suffolk & Ipswich League Senior Division; Result: 4-2; Attendance: 200+; Programme: 28pp, donation: FGIF Rating: 5*  

 

Matchday images (11) >view>
 
 
With champions-elect Felixstowe United having had four points deducted for playing a suspended player earlier in the season, all of a sudden the race for the Suffolk & Ipswich Football League Premier Division title was back on.
The mathematics of the afternoon, the last of the season, were now simple; a win for either Old Newton United or Achilles would see them crowned champions whilst a draw would have maintained the container port side's top spot.
 
On a bitterly cold, wet and thoroughly miserable afternoon weather-wise, more akin to a December's day actually that a May one, history was made as the Stowmarket-based side romped home 4-2 (they were four up after just thirty minutes' play!) to lift the title for the first time, a result all the more remarkable as they'd lost their previous home league match 0-6 (to Capel Plough) a fortnight beforehand.
 
What a surprisingly lovely venue Church Road is too, being fully roped-off with a comfortable Real Ale-selling clubhouse in its nearest corner. The sweetest shed-cum-stand you'll ever come across offers protection for about six at a squeeze, totally inadequate for today's bumper crowd that numbered in excess of 200; an excellent, colourful 28 page programme was given away for a donation.
 
When I started groundhopping seriously, this was the part of the country Bob and myself initially levitated to; how wondrous it was then today to be back in idyllic Suffolk and to have been treated to such a marvellous advertisement for Association Football. 
 
A quite magnificent way to bring the curtain down on yet another fun-filled campaign.
 
Have a lovely Summer everybody and I'll see you all next term.
 

contributed on 09/05/10