Egham 4-0 Wembley
Runnymede Stadium
26/03/13
Att: ~30
Staying local
With the RR away for a few days I had to look locally if I was able to go to any football this week. For once the weather was to be my friend and Egham's CCcup game v Wembley was held back till this date. During the day Jason decided he wanted to come so the plans were made. I met him at Egham station about 7 where we made the 15/20 minute walk over to the ground. After making our way in I stood for a while discussing Aldershot with the bloke at the Turnstile due to Aldershot legend Mark Butler having played for both clubs. Although the conversation started more out of me being interested by the turnstiles, I said it was a particular company, but the guy misheard telling me about the clubs colour change, following relegation, from yellow and green to red and black.
The ground was far more developed than I had anticipated, although I should've realised with Ryman League signs being prominent despite being the level above they play. The entrance is in one corner which brings you onto a covered terrace that runs the whole length of the goal, although it is only one step. This follows round onto the other side, which gains a step, which is covered intermittently by three separate roofs. Continuing round is another terrace, although this is just about the same length of the goal, and like the rest of the ground, fairly ramshackle. The final side, and most interesting, is the main stand. Running a third of the pitch it houses around 150 spectators, although the majority of these seats appeared to be reserved for directors. Views are pretty poor with an abnormally large number of supporting pillars (although not quite to the extent of Almere). Either side of this are separate tunnels for both the home and away side.
In terms of the game it went largely as I anticipated when looking at the league table, despite it being a cup game. Egham are top of the league (until Guernsey play their 20 odd games in hand) whilst Wembley are struggling towards the foot of the table. The first 10 minutes were pretty poor with both team playing let’s try and kick the ball the highest. This is despite both Jason and I agreeing that both teams looked far better when playing the ball on the ground. Particularly Egham with their front three having a lot of pace between them. It was no great surprise then that the opening goal game on the back of some neat football, although the volleys from Jacob Lambe at the back post. They had to wait until the second half to double their advantage. A goal line scramble was met by the foot of the attacker to be tapped home. In the last 5 minutes Egham bagged their third and fourth of the match. The third a nice strike into the opposite corner from the edge of the area. Immediately from the restart there was a defensive blunder that allowed the forward through to slot home coolly.
The ground was far more developed than I had anticipated, although I should've realised with Ryman League signs being prominent despite being the level above they play. The entrance is in one corner which brings you onto a covered terrace that runs the whole length of the goal, although it is only one step. This follows round onto the other side, which gains a step, which is covered intermittently by three separate roofs. Continuing round is another terrace, although this is just about the same length of the goal, and like the rest of the ground, fairly ramshackle. The final side, and most interesting, is the main stand. Running a third of the pitch it houses around 150 spectators, although the majority of these seats appeared to be reserved for directors. Views are pretty poor with an abnormally large number of supporting pillars (although not quite to the extent of Almere). Either side of this are separate tunnels for both the home and away side.
In terms of the game it went largely as I anticipated when looking at the league table, despite it being a cup game. Egham are top of the league (until Guernsey play their 20 odd games in hand) whilst Wembley are struggling towards the foot of the table. The first 10 minutes were pretty poor with both team playing let’s try and kick the ball the highest. This is despite both Jason and I agreeing that both teams looked far better when playing the ball on the ground. Particularly Egham with their front three having a lot of pace between them. It was no great surprise then that the opening goal game on the back of some neat football, although the volleys from Jacob Lambe at the back post. They had to wait until the second half to double their advantage. A goal line scramble was met by the foot of the attacker to be tapped home. In the last 5 minutes Egham bagged their third and fourth of the match. The third a nice strike into the opposite corner from the edge of the area. Immediately from the restart there was a defensive blunder that allowed the forward through to slot home coolly.