Wingate & Finchley 0-0 Biggleswade
Harry Abrahams Stadium
15/09/13
Att: 108
Another blank Sunday and another opportunity to tick off a ground. Thanks to the bizarre ticketing policy in this country I can get to anywhere on the tube network for £9.25 return meaning I could go wherever in London took my fancy. I'd prioritised the two FA Cup games and left it to the Saturday to decide, this match taking priority to Hendon v the other Biggleswade at Harrow Borough. The day of the game came, with my train a little after 12:30, arriving in Finchley shortly after 2:15. What greeted me was a Finchley firmly in the grips of Autumn. I'd grown quite accustomed to the blue skies above, but if the past days are anything to go by it could be another long Autumn and Winter. The walk to the ground wasn't too bad, but I was slightly worried I'd walked too far as there was no real sign of a football match going on anywhere near, but before long a Clapton Ultras sticker (you read that right) suggested I was close to the ground. With which I caught a glimpse of the stand(s) and turnstile block from the corner of my eye.
The Harry Abrahams stadium is a fine venue, and one I'd suggest to many. Along one side is the main stand, elevated but positioned quite away from the pitch. This is an odd stand in that it doubles up with the Rugby club behind, with a mix of wooden benches and plastic seats along with a bizarre roof extension, at least that's what I think it was. Pitch side is a small path, which extends into a very shallow terrace either side of the tunnel. Either end are paths, save for a small covered terrace at one end. The opposite side is two steps of terracing, with cover on halfway. Wingate also have some of the best flags in Non-League, as seen in the photo gallery, alas their infamous "This is all we take away" one was not on view, for obvious reasons.
The game really didn't emulate what is special about the early rounds of the FA Cup, so much so that I can barely remember either team having a notable chance, which makes the replay result so annoying! (4-3 to the 'waders). Oh and on the way back I found out that the other tie I could've gone to ended 7-1, typical.
The Harry Abrahams stadium is a fine venue, and one I'd suggest to many. Along one side is the main stand, elevated but positioned quite away from the pitch. This is an odd stand in that it doubles up with the Rugby club behind, with a mix of wooden benches and plastic seats along with a bizarre roof extension, at least that's what I think it was. Pitch side is a small path, which extends into a very shallow terrace either side of the tunnel. Either end are paths, save for a small covered terrace at one end. The opposite side is two steps of terracing, with cover on halfway. Wingate also have some of the best flags in Non-League, as seen in the photo gallery, alas their infamous "This is all we take away" one was not on view, for obvious reasons.
The game really didn't emulate what is special about the early rounds of the FA Cup, so much so that I can barely remember either team having a notable chance, which makes the replay result so annoying! (4-3 to the 'waders). Oh and on the way back I found out that the other tie I could've gone to ended 7-1, typical.