Amersham Town FC

Amersham Town 1 Haringey Borough 3 - Spartan South Midlands League, Division One

Spartan South Midlands League

Amersham is a market town and civil parish in Buckinghamshire, 27 miles north west of London, in the Chiltern Hills. It is part of the London commuter belt. Amersham is split into two distinct areas: Amersham on the Hill (locally known as Top Amersham), which is close to the railway station, and Old Amersham, which contains the 13th century parish church of St. Mary's and several old inns. Records of Amersham date back to pre-Saxon times, when it was known as Egmondesham, and by the time that the Domesday book was written at around 1086 it became known as Elmodesham.

Amersham is linked to London by the Metropolitan Line of London Underground and is the last station on the Metropolitan main line. Much of this line is shared with the mainline railway service, which runs from Marylebone to Aylesbury. The town features in the 1973 John Betjeman documentary Metroland about the growth of suburban London in the 20th century.

Local Bus Driver had offered to drive and options abounded as to where we would go at one point we favoured a trip to Aylesbury Vale for their Premier Division clash with Biggleswade United. In the end though, we decided upon Amersham Town v Haringey Borough in Division One. This proved inspired, as not only did we witness a decent game but the former was ‘abandoned on advice from the emergency services due to a nearby petrol leak’

Haringey Borough are clearly a good team and it will take something special to prevent them from reclaiming their Premier Division place at the end of this season. Although when I saw them a few weeks back they suffered defeat at a Rhodes inspired Kentish Town, there was enough about them to suggest that the performance that day was not up to their usual standard.

Via the M25, we were able to reach the Spratleys Meadow home of Amersham Town FC in less than an hour. Having taken a few photographs (still a novice on the camera and wanting to make the most of the early light – Ed), were entered the clubhouse for a warming cuppa. Harry Hotspur and Flash were treated to a game of pool by one of the club officials.

Amersham Town FC has recently returned to Spratleys Meadow following a spell of groundsharing at neighbouring Beaconsfield SYCOB. In the interim period, significant improvements have been made to the ground. There is more to do but clearly the club is ambitious and wants to progress.

The home side started the match strongly, breaking from midfield and running at the Haringey defence with the ball, which, although basic in this description, was clearly having an unsettling effect. One such move resulted in Amersham taking the lead when the ball was squared to the onrushing Eboji who made no mistake.

Both teams had further chances in the opening period. Haringey squandered an open goal by hitting the post following good use of advantage by the referee and before the break Amersham struck the woodwork following a fine move.

Predictably Haringey were a different proposition in the second half and presumably had been ‘told off’ by their ‘silver tongued’ manager at the break. The visitors completely dominated the second period. Having equalised with a good strike, they secured the points scoring twice from a superb header and a deft flick. They went top of the table on goal difference which will have delighted all at the club, especially the ‘eloquently’ voiced manager.

Attendance: 35
Admission: £3.00 (Hotspur Free)
Programme: Included with admission (extras obtained for you Andy, Stan and Glyn, the barman in Phil Butler's local, the Prince Albert in Ely)
Tea: 60p

London APSA FC

London APSA 2 Mauritius Sports & Pennant 3 - Essex Senior League

London APSA (All Peoples' Sports Association) was formed in 1993 at the time of the first Asian Football League. A group of friends at Newham's East Ham College merged with a youth team known as Young Muslims, who were no longer eligible to play under 16's football. Brought together by the Current Club Chairman Zulfi Ali, London APSA then known as Ahle Sunnah were crowned the first ever-Asian League Champions.

'Turnstile' manned by Brian Edwards (right)

I travelled from Cheshunt on a direct service to Stratford, avoiding central London. At Stratford, I was able to catch a 262 bus for Plaistow, passing the pub that Julie Scott’s uncle ran and via Prince Regent Lane to the Terence MacMillan Stadium. The 473 route offers a similar option.

On arrival at the stadium, I was greeted by Brian Edwards, one of the very small group of committee members ‘mucking in’ to run the club, particularly on match days. Brian is listed in the match programme as ‘Physio’ but spent the entire 1st half on the gate.

The stadium is not great in terms of spectator facilities. The only covered accommodation being the seated stand, the majority of which is closed. Refreshments are available though in a portakabin, which also houses the home team changing room. Hot tea was certainly welcome on this cold, grim November afternoon.

Brian Edwards had informed me that there was a problem in that the corner flags had gone missing since the previous match (senior football meets Hackney Marshes! – Ed). However the sportingly sympathetic match officials agreed to start the match without the corner flags, although they were reluctant to allow the suggested javelins (Newham & Essex Beagles AC is based at the stadium - Ed)

The match could certainly be described as a ‘six pointer’ with APSA on 5 points, third from bottom of the table and visitors Mauritius Sports & Pennant, propping up the table with a solitary point. Sometimes games of this nature provide bags of excitement whereas on other occasions one might question the reason for attending – but that is the game we love isn’t it? (If you say so Pieman – Ed)

The first half did not produce any goals and APSA will regret not converting any of the chances that came their way as they were certainly on top during the first period. New corner posts, without flags were produced after 25 minutes – game on!

The visitors were energised in the second half and took the lead with a fine strike. An excellent equaliser from APSA proved to be a ‘false dawn’ as Mauritius Sports & Pennant clinched victory with two further goals. (A first league victory as a senior club – Ed) A late cosolation goal from APSA was just that.

and jumpers for goalposts

The guys that run London APSA are a hardworking bunch and anyone looking to visit will be ensured a warm friendly welcome. Your reporter was happy to ‘muck in’ as ball boy on occasions in the absence of Harry Hotspur – it is that sort of place!

Despite the match not finishing much before 5pm, I was able to catch a bus within a couple of minutes and was back at Stratford in plenty of time to catch the 17.33 direct service to Cheshunt.

Attendance: 23
Admission: £5.00
Programme: £1.00 (obtained for you Andy, Stan and Glyn, the barman in Phil Butler's local, the Prince Albert in Ely)
Tea: 50p
Twix: 50p
Fare: 90p each way to/from Stratford on the bus using my newly activated Oyster Card

Hapoel Tel Aviv FC

Hapoel Tel Aviv 0 Tottenham Hotspur 2 - UEFA Cup Group Stage

Tel Aviv is located around 32°5′N, 34°48′E on the Israeli Mediterranean Coastal Plain, the historic land bridge between Europe, Africa, and Asia. Immediately north of Jaffa, Tel Aviv is situated on land which used to be sand dunes, and as such has relatively poor soil fertility. It is now on flat land with no notable gradients. As such, its most notable geographical feature are the bluffs above the Mediterranean coastline and the Yarkon River's mouth. In modern times, due to the expansion of Tel Aviv and the Gush Dan region in general, absolute borders between Tel Aviv and Jaffa, and between the city's neighbourhoods do not exist. The city is located some 37 miles northwest of Jerusalem, Israel's capital city, and some 55 miles south of the northern port city of Haifa.

"לאחר 4 שנות גלות באצטדיון 'בלומפילד', אנו אוהדי בני-יהודה קוראים להנהלת הקבוצה

ולעיריית ת"א להחזיר את משחקי הקבוצה למגרש הביתי, באצטדיון בשכונת-התקווה.

אנו מודעים שלאצטדיון וסביבתו נדרשים שיפוצים ותיקונים. אנו קוראים להנהלת הקבוצה

לפעול לשיפוץ האצטדיון בשכונת התקווה: הוא הבית האמיתי של קבוצתנו, בני-יהודה ת"א.

המגרש הביתי חייב להיות האצטדיון שלנו, אצטדיון 'בני-יהודה' בשכונת התקווה!!!

We arrived at Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport courtesy of El Al and once aboard the aircraft, the welcome and service throughout was friendly and efficient – a complete contrast to the obstructive behaviour of the airline’s security staff at Heathrow (yes they have a job to do but why go out of your way to alienate and upset passengers? – Ed)

From the airport a short train journey took us into the centre of Tel Aviv from where we opted to walk to our hotel. This was 6.30 in the morning and already it was clear that T-shirts and shorts would be the order of the day and for the rest of our stay. Why are Israeli teams competing in UEFA competitions, when geographically they are not in Europe? OK we all acknowledge the political situation in that region and know the real reason, but I think the catalyst to this was allowing them to enter the Eurovision Song Contest. Setting that precedent meant that UEFA could seek advice from the European Broadcasting Union and effectively have the decision made for them! (Par for the course for UEFA – Ed)

Beer matters – Having already sampled Gold Star on the flight over to Tel Aviv, it was good to get plenty of opportunities to try the draft version in bars and restaurants around town. This beer and the other widely available brand, Maccabee, are decent enough and this Pieman preferred them to the equivalent local brews consumed on his recent trip to Cyprus.

However, Tel Aviv also gave your reporter the chance to sample some specialist brews. The first such occasion was at The Brewhouse on Rothschild Boulevard. Here three different beers are brewed on the premises – Ciderman and I were keen on ‘Moonshine’ at 5%. The food in this establishment was also good and I can recommend the pork chops.

Malka Beers

A particular treat on the day of the match was a visit to the seafront restaurant ‘Manta Ray’. Here, whilst chilling out watching the waves crashing in, we discovered the little known bottled beers from Malka. The ‘blonde’ (saison) version was pleasant, whereas the ‘red’ was exceptionally good. Described as a Pale Ale on the bottle, this darker, richer brew needs to be poured carefully (as per Worthington White Shield if you know what I mean – Ed)

The Bloomfield Stadium is situated in he Jaffa district and has a capacity of 15,700. An all seater stadium, with only the main stand offering cover. We were able to reach the ground from the main hotel area of Tel Aviv in little more than a 20 minute stroll. It falls into that “you can’t miss it” category as you just follow the coast until you see the floodlights. Hapoel share the Bloomfield Stadium with both Maccabi Tel Aviv and Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv making it the only stadium in the top three divisions of Israeli football to have three tenants.

Tottenham Hotspur FC eased to a 2-0 victory over a very poor Hapoel side, who have now lost both of their opening group fixtures. Ist half goals from Keane and Berbatov did the damage for the London side who were never under any significant pressure during the match.

I was impressed with the way the different sections of the Tel Aviv community appeared to get on with each other. We certainly did not experience any difficulty or tension whilst there. The people were friendly and often wanted to know what we thought of the place. They are obviously proud of the town and are keen to enhance the reputation.

Attendance: 10,000 according to THFC
Admission: 150 Shekels
Programme: Gratis, 16 pages (obtained for you Stan, the Pittsburgh Steeler and Glyn, the barman in Phil Butler's local, the Prince Albert in Ely