Grantham Town 0-1 Ashton United
South Kesteven Sports Stadium
Att: 181
07/12/13
Due to the re-arranged FA Cup 1st round game between Oxford and Gateshead, Aldershot's game against the latter was moved to Mid-January. As such it meant that I was presented with another opportunity for a new ground. I'd fancied another trip up the East Coast line, mainly for cost reasons, although the games were largely uninspiring. Step in Ben to tell me we should go to Grantham. I didn't even look, I just agreed and booked tickets.
Grantham is a town famous for two things. Firstly it was the birthplace of former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, and more importantly for two people with little interest in Political history, it's the home of Gingerbread. Our plan was to arrive early, which we did, and head over to a small Café situated on Grantham High Street. We found on Wikipedia, where in 1740 a local baker mistook a recipe and accidentally made Gingerbread. You can imagine our sadness when we arrived outside to see a massive 'to let' sign. Not disheartened we'd spend the next 45 minutes wandering around in hope of finding some. Just as we'd given up all hope we found a small market stall selling some, and we took up the opportunity.
Next stop was to be the football ground, where we'd arrive no less than an hour and 45 minutes after we first went on our Gingerbread hunt. I'd known that this was an Athletics track, so was slightly apprehensive as to what to expect. In reality, however, I was pleasantly surprised. South Kesteven Sports Stadium, or The Meres as it is locally known, opened in 1991. Their previous ground was situated in the town centre, and according to the club website is occupied by a supermarket, which I imagine is the current Morrisons. Entry to the ground is either side of the main stand. Signage suggests what will happen in the event that segregation is needed, although for this game only the home turnstile was open. As mentioned you come out on the main side. The central focus is the split level main stand, providing seating for 650. Either side of this there are decent sized open terraces that run into either corners, holding 450 each. In either corner are small buildings, one was shut, while the other doubled up as the Tea Hut and Club Shop. Either end are small 3 stepped terraces, with grass banks behind. The final side is a decent sized terrace providing cover for 1,000. While there is a running track around the pitch it isn't much of a hinderance, with decent views from either stands.
Prior to Kick off, as he was enjoying his Gingerbread (which was very nice), Ben proclaimed this wouldn't be a dull game as it never is in the Northern Premier League. An optimistic shout, but I had to remind him that I was there so it'd be dull and probably 0-0. I was right. The game won't live long in the memory, with the only goal coming in the second half, when the visitors were able to slide home one of the numerous chances afforded to either side. This being the first NPL game I'd attended I was largely unimpressed with what I was viewing, particularly as just a week prior I'd been watching Ryman Premier league, the exact same step, but a more skilful game. Particularly when considering that the two teams on show today were in similar positions to the two teams I'd watch last week in the corresponding game.
Despite the match it'd been an enjoyable day, and I imagine I'll be doing a few more Northern neutral games before the end of the season.
Grantham is a town famous for two things. Firstly it was the birthplace of former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, and more importantly for two people with little interest in Political history, it's the home of Gingerbread. Our plan was to arrive early, which we did, and head over to a small Café situated on Grantham High Street. We found on Wikipedia, where in 1740 a local baker mistook a recipe and accidentally made Gingerbread. You can imagine our sadness when we arrived outside to see a massive 'to let' sign. Not disheartened we'd spend the next 45 minutes wandering around in hope of finding some. Just as we'd given up all hope we found a small market stall selling some, and we took up the opportunity.
Next stop was to be the football ground, where we'd arrive no less than an hour and 45 minutes after we first went on our Gingerbread hunt. I'd known that this was an Athletics track, so was slightly apprehensive as to what to expect. In reality, however, I was pleasantly surprised. South Kesteven Sports Stadium, or The Meres as it is locally known, opened in 1991. Their previous ground was situated in the town centre, and according to the club website is occupied by a supermarket, which I imagine is the current Morrisons. Entry to the ground is either side of the main stand. Signage suggests what will happen in the event that segregation is needed, although for this game only the home turnstile was open. As mentioned you come out on the main side. The central focus is the split level main stand, providing seating for 650. Either side of this there are decent sized open terraces that run into either corners, holding 450 each. In either corner are small buildings, one was shut, while the other doubled up as the Tea Hut and Club Shop. Either end are small 3 stepped terraces, with grass banks behind. The final side is a decent sized terrace providing cover for 1,000. While there is a running track around the pitch it isn't much of a hinderance, with decent views from either stands.
Prior to Kick off, as he was enjoying his Gingerbread (which was very nice), Ben proclaimed this wouldn't be a dull game as it never is in the Northern Premier League. An optimistic shout, but I had to remind him that I was there so it'd be dull and probably 0-0. I was right. The game won't live long in the memory, with the only goal coming in the second half, when the visitors were able to slide home one of the numerous chances afforded to either side. This being the first NPL game I'd attended I was largely unimpressed with what I was viewing, particularly as just a week prior I'd been watching Ryman Premier league, the exact same step, but a more skilful game. Particularly when considering that the two teams on show today were in similar positions to the two teams I'd watch last week in the corresponding game.
Despite the match it'd been an enjoyable day, and I imagine I'll be doing a few more Northern neutral games before the end of the season.