Concord Rangers FC

Concord Rangers 1 Welwyn Garden City 2 (AET) - FA Vase, 2nd Round

Geologically, Canvey Island was originally part of the mainland, then the coastline broke up into smaller pieces, and the modern island is made up of five of those pieces. There are historical maps held at the Essex Record Office that show where the five separate islands originally lay and it is thought that these are the marshes referred to in earlier records. Sheep farming was a mainstay industry of the island until very recently.

A Saturday afternoon trip to Canvey to watch the Island's 'other team' turned out to be a rewarding jaunt. Reaching Canvey Island by public transport is fairly straight forward. Regular trains from London Fenchurch Street to Benfleet are met by equally regular buses which take no more than 10 minutes (15 if watching the Conference team).

Considering that it was after 2pm and that there was a match taking place down the road, it was surprising that Harry Hotspur and I were the only footie fans on the bus and I was delighted that the driver refused to take a fare for my six year old travelling companion.


Likewise his free admission to the match was also welcomed by Dad ! Thames Road is a couple of miles nearer to Benfleet than the other venue and some advance planning enabled me to spot the alighting point by the distinctive white coloured church.
The Thames Road ground is lower than sea level and the taller passing ships do provide a distraction as their masts sail past. One side of the ground is bordered by a typical Canvey caravan site although this appears now to cater for long term residents rather than the holiday variety. There is covered terracing behind one goal and a decent 200+ seater stand along the other side.
Welwyn Garden City took the lead in this FA Vase tie as early as the 2nd minute and this was answered after half an hour by Concord. Welwyn snatched a deserved victory during the 2nd period of extra time. I blame Andy Scott for the duration of this match though ! He rang me just before kick-off (technology is wonderful) and amongst his part of the dialogue was "extra time ?". As is customary for Vase matches I knew this to be possible but Andy formally suggested it and someone must have been listening !! Harry and I enjoyed proceedings though, particularly as he gets to be ball boy some of the time.
11 years ago I experienced extra time at Canvey Island v Witham, my only other jaunt to the region - there must be something in the Thames estuary water !!!




Attendance: 61
Admission: £5.00 (free for Harry)
Programme: 50p (Obtained for you Andy and Stan)
Tea: 50p
Train: £4.10 Day Return from Zone 6 with Gold Card discount (£1 for Harry)
Bus Fare: £2.10 Day Return from Benfleet (free for Harry)

Hailsham Town FC

Hailsham Town 0 Hastings United 3 - Sussex Senior Cup, 2nd Round

Sussex County League

Hailsham is a town in the Wealden district of East Sussex. The town originally grew as an agricultural centre but is now mostly a commuter town. There is currently much controversy over the sale of Hailsham Cattle Market and its redevelopment into a supermarket. Hailsham was originally granted its charter for a market in 1252 by Henry III. The market is one of few remaining cattle markets along the south coast.

An early morning start at the 'former Revenue' site in Worthing facilitated an overnight stay in Brighton the previous night. Of course I could have opted to sample the Brighton night life (some of which is quite colourful I understand !) but the lure of non-league football was always going to win when a 'new ground' is on offer. My only option here was Hailsham Town v Hastings United in the 2nd round of the Sussex Senior Cup.

Public transport in East Sussex appears well organised and a half hour train journey from Brighton to Polegate on the Eastbourne/Hastings route followed by a short bus ride (Eastbourne Buses) for the remaining 4 miles made Hailsham a relatively easy destination to reach.
The Beaconsfield ground is not easy to spot from the main road and only appears to be accessible via a narrow footpath also serving the local public park. There is very little by way of covered accommodation other than a small terraced area but for most matches this will suffice considering the crowds Hailsham attract. In addition to a fine clubhouse there are also separate burger and tea bars.


A decently contested match always favoured Ryman league Hastings who despite finishing with 10 men won by an unanswered 3 goals. Neville Southall (ex Port Vale, Toffees and Wales keeper) is listed as being the Hastings manager but with no sightings in the first half I began to wonder as to his tenure at Pilot Field. However the big man did appear after the break and had probably come direct from another engagement. He looks even bigger now but fortunately the snazzy morning suit he was wearing was bigger still and he looked quite dapper. (I've just seen him on Sky Sports News 24 hours later analysing the Cyprus v Wales match wearing what appeared to be the same attire - did he go home last night ? - Ed)


I had some time to spare whilst waiting for my return bus and opted for some real ale. Harveys of Lewes are the local brewers (did this not tempt you to remain living there Frank ? - Ed) and their full range is available at 'the Grenadier' a fine old pub on the High Street (Do you know it Mike parsons ? - Ed) A further wait at Polegate for my return train meant I was able to visit 'the Dinkum', another Harveys house for similar refreshment.
A decent evening out - good fish and chips in Brighton too.




Attendance: 193
Admission: £4.00
Programme: 50p (obtained for Andy and Stan)
Cheeseburger: £1.80
Train fare: £4.10 (day return from Brighton with gold card discount)
Bus Fare: £2.70 return

Didcot Town FC

Didcot Town 4 Witney United 0 - Hellenic League, Premier Division

Hellenic League

Didcot has a remote antiquity, one that stretches back over the past two thousand or more years. At the time of the Roman Conquest, the future parish was probably an area of part farmland, wood and marsh, but the greater emphasis was on marsh; which comprised practically half of the future Didcot. Today, the parish church (which sits on the highest point) and the houses and streets of the old village still straddle the southern incline of that ridge. The first settlement was Iron Age in origin, which after the Conquest became Romano-British. A Saxon settlement followed, dating to the 7th or 8th centuries. This fortified farm or early village, however, was called Wibaldeston or 'Wigbald's farm’, not Didcot; and it is this place- name that appears in the entry in the Domesday Inquest. Didcot in Saxon was derived from 'Dydda's or Dudda's cot' or cottage, The village, until recent times, up to the end of the 19th century, was known as Dudcot or Dudcote.

With such mild weather and a decent train service from Paddington, I was tempted into a midweek jaunt to Oxfordshire. Didcot are the current holders of the FA Vase having lifted the trophy at White Hart Lane last May. As you would expect, winning a national trophy would give a boost to any club and Didcot are attracting good attendances.
Didcot is on the mainline from Paddington and the Loop Meadow Stadium is just over 5 minutes walk from the station.



Alarmingly, Didcot play in red shirts with white sleeves and the club crest is a cannon ! However, despite this I was impressed with their attractive, attacking football. They were always on top and could easily have scored more than their four goal tally.
Once again I was impressed by the standard of football in the Hellenic League, opponents Witney United played their part too. My woolly hat came in useful as the early November chill took effect as the evening wore on. Those attending the Reebok Stadium next Monday might not be as keen to see this fashion accessory but I need it. I still prefer it to that dodgy jumper bearing the flag of St George that one Merton resident sports.
Walking back to the station after the match, I felt the first spots of rain coming in from the west and I was comforted in the knowledge that I was heading east. Plymouth Argyle v Leicester City was abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch.
The late running 21.35 (arrived 21.56) got me back to Paddington for 23.00.




Attendance: 273
Admission: £4.00
Programme: £1.00 (Obtained for you Andy and Stan)
Fare: £7.85 Cheap Day Return from Boundary Zone 6 with Goldcard discount