Chard town 2-1 Portishead
zembard lane
26/02/12
att 96 (I counted 94)
Chard and Portishead went up the hill to try and score a goal.
As the Sun shined down on the Somerset town of Chard I reflected on the choices of this hobby. What others allow you to sit back on a grass bank, watching football without any stress what so ever? Yes sometimes you get mares of a game. Sheffield Wednesday v Bristol City comes to mind. But on day's like today with the football good and the weather pleasant I couldn't care less. Just as well as if it had of rained I would of given up and simply walked off.
The ground is situated in a rubbish sports complex. Rubbish in the fact that it is three slightly developed fields that hold Football, Cricket and Rugby respectively. The people of Chard appeared to prefer Rugby as the crowd there was about 500! but I wanted football so in I went, paying my £3 admission money for some Western League football. The ground was rather welcoming. It seemed to have that bit of charm where you knew you would enjoy the football, truth be told I think it was just the big hill. You enter through one corner to be greeted by a smiling man who sticks his palm out for some money. No turnstile, no hut (he wasn't using it) just a man. This is the top of the big slope. It is a large path where people stick there cars. Following this path is a main stand. I has about 40 seats (or 25 I forgot) and is covered. It is built into the clubhouse/changing room. The path one side is dug into the ground while the other side follows the slope. The far end is another path that spectators are warned not to stand on. Not that it matters as they are also told not to go on the pitch (it's quicker than walking the perimeter at half time!). The final side is very narrow (about one and half the width of me) and part of the path is covered. There are also dugouts which go into the path making it even narrower.
The slope didn't appear to impact the game too much. Chard kicked up it first half and dominated easily. They missed a couple of sitters but looked to have taken the lead after a shot came in from 20 yards out before the rebound was tucked in. The lineswoman directly opposite me signalled offside, and I guess in hindsight it was but at the time I thought it wasn't. It was a matter of centimetres so I guess they could hardly complain. Portishead did very little in the first half, but I guess I didn't notice because of the shock of the Aldershot score. The first half finished with cheers from the rugby in the distance. The second half started brightly with chard taking a quick lead. A few people from the rugby took advantage of the open gates to sneak in some free football action (there was another one further down the pitch) Before Chard scored another. Portishead upped the pressure and were rewarded after the Chard goalie looked to have saved well from a strong header, but it trickled of the post.
This was a rather relaxing hop in sunny somerset with the rolling hills surrounding. It is one of those grounds that are brilliant for pre-season friendlies. A decent bar, a decent sized grass area and really relaxed locals. A pleasant visit if you are in the area.
The ground is situated in a rubbish sports complex. Rubbish in the fact that it is three slightly developed fields that hold Football, Cricket and Rugby respectively. The people of Chard appeared to prefer Rugby as the crowd there was about 500! but I wanted football so in I went, paying my £3 admission money for some Western League football. The ground was rather welcoming. It seemed to have that bit of charm where you knew you would enjoy the football, truth be told I think it was just the big hill. You enter through one corner to be greeted by a smiling man who sticks his palm out for some money. No turnstile, no hut (he wasn't using it) just a man. This is the top of the big slope. It is a large path where people stick there cars. Following this path is a main stand. I has about 40 seats (or 25 I forgot) and is covered. It is built into the clubhouse/changing room. The path one side is dug into the ground while the other side follows the slope. The far end is another path that spectators are warned not to stand on. Not that it matters as they are also told not to go on the pitch (it's quicker than walking the perimeter at half time!). The final side is very narrow (about one and half the width of me) and part of the path is covered. There are also dugouts which go into the path making it even narrower.
The slope didn't appear to impact the game too much. Chard kicked up it first half and dominated easily. They missed a couple of sitters but looked to have taken the lead after a shot came in from 20 yards out before the rebound was tucked in. The lineswoman directly opposite me signalled offside, and I guess in hindsight it was but at the time I thought it wasn't. It was a matter of centimetres so I guess they could hardly complain. Portishead did very little in the first half, but I guess I didn't notice because of the shock of the Aldershot score. The first half finished with cheers from the rugby in the distance. The second half started brightly with chard taking a quick lead. A few people from the rugby took advantage of the open gates to sneak in some free football action (there was another one further down the pitch) Before Chard scored another. Portishead upped the pressure and were rewarded after the Chard goalie looked to have saved well from a strong header, but it trickled of the post.
This was a rather relaxing hop in sunny somerset with the rolling hills surrounding. It is one of those grounds that are brilliant for pre-season friendlies. A decent bar, a decent sized grass area and really relaxed locals. A pleasant visit if you are in the area.