Moneyfields 1-1 Christchurch
Moneyfields Sports Ground
19/10/13
Att: 45ish
At the start of the season I somewhat promised myself that I wouldn't attend a Football League match, initially I had a number of options, but with my visit to the nearby University over running it was decision made. So while Portsmouth were playing a mile or so down the road, I made my way over to the north of the city to visit Moneyfields. The grounds are so close, in fact, that we went past Fratton Park before I was dropped off. Arriving barely in time for kick off I was presented with a bizarre scenario. I only had a £20 note on my persons, and the turnstile operator didn't have enough change, so he sent me in to get myself a Bovril so I'd have some change to pay with. I would've declined if the entrance had've been extortionate, but at £2 and 80p for the Bovril I was more than happy to.
I was glad that the cheap admission price was couple with a rather smart venue. 3 sides are little more than hard standing, with the final side having a clubhouse/roof overhang for hard standing and a small covered stand perched to one corner, seating around 150. What made this stand even better was that, even though a new build, it wasn't an arena stand. A double thumbs up from me. Another feature to the ground of note, and not the bus stop mentioned by AiT which has now gone, was the proximity to the railway line, with trains little more than 5 metres from the goal line. That and the Coors bins, where can I get one? The floodlights were also pretty cool, although I can't put my finger on why I thought so (people need not answer!)
The game was an enjoyable one, if runied slightly by not only the referees, but also the attitude of some players. I admit the referee lost control somewhat from an early stage, but I lost count of the number of times the players were directing abuse, cheating or feigning injury. A shame, as as mentioned it was a fairly decent game. Neither team could prevent the replay, despite extra time. Both goals were scored in the opening 45 minutes. First a neat finish to put Moneyfields 1-0, and an equaliser that I missed. Most likely because I was trying to get a photo of a train.
I was glad that the cheap admission price was couple with a rather smart venue. 3 sides are little more than hard standing, with the final side having a clubhouse/roof overhang for hard standing and a small covered stand perched to one corner, seating around 150. What made this stand even better was that, even though a new build, it wasn't an arena stand. A double thumbs up from me. Another feature to the ground of note, and not the bus stop mentioned by AiT which has now gone, was the proximity to the railway line, with trains little more than 5 metres from the goal line. That and the Coors bins, where can I get one? The floodlights were also pretty cool, although I can't put my finger on why I thought so (people need not answer!)
The game was an enjoyable one, if runied slightly by not only the referees, but also the attitude of some players. I admit the referee lost control somewhat from an early stage, but I lost count of the number of times the players were directing abuse, cheating or feigning injury. A shame, as as mentioned it was a fairly decent game. Neither team could prevent the replay, despite extra time. Both goals were scored in the opening 45 minutes. First a neat finish to put Moneyfields 1-0, and an equaliser that I missed. Most likely because I was trying to get a photo of a train.