[Football] The Non-League Football Thread- 2023/24 Edition

[patchamalbion]

Please tell me they have a tea hut selling all types of Cadbury’s chocolate

I have been there but not for a match, it really is a nice ground.

Not as many as I’d have liked - I was fully expecting to go home with 15 Easter eggs!
There was a decent hamper and for those that way inclined they produce a cracking pin badge.
Good game too. 3-1 and 252 crowd for midland league div 2

 

[keaton]

@keaton You doing Horsham on Tues? My informant at the Pan today is expecting us to get steamrollered.

I am yes.I made similar comments that but I am hoping the three points has given us some confidence. If not I might be off at half time to watch Wales -Poland.

 

[jackalbion]

If anyone is looking to a non-league game to watch today, head down to the Hawks, as yours truly will be presenting the man of the match award at full time!

They lost 4-0 and cancelled the man of the match award . I’ll try again on Tuesday.

 

[jackalbion]

Hornchurch, formidable opponents. It'll be a tough one.

You can see why they’re top of the league, one of the best sides I’ve seen for a long time at that level, superbly efficient at scoring goals

 

[Soton Seagull]

Off to watch Worthing Vs Bath today for non league day/weekend.

My first time, intrigued by what the standard will be like.

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

One of the non-league bucket listers today. Cadbury Athletic located on the Cadbury factory site in Bourneville. Stunning location and surroundings.
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What an amazing location, do they play in "Dairy Milk Blue"?

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Off to watch Worthing Vs Bath today for non league day/weekend.

My first time, intrigued by what the standard will be like.

Live on TNT sport this game.

 

[Eeyore]

Worthing on TNT. Thanks for the heads up. I don't think I've seen a match at this level on the box before.

 

[mile oak]

Off to watch Worthing Vs Bath today for non league day/weekend.

My first time, intrigued by what the standard will be like.

Im watching on TNT sports looks like a big crowd.

 

[PascalGroß Tips]

I’m at Worthing today. Haven’t been many times this season as done so many Albion away days. Very good crowd. Over 2,500 I would have thought.

 

[Eeyore]

I’m at Worthing today. Haven’t been many times this season as done so many Albion away days. Very good crowd. Over 2,500 I would have thought.

Is it like Stars on Sunday ? One family and their dog turn up to the service until the TV cameras arrive and everyone is there.

 

[mile oak]

Awful defending set pieces from Worthing.

 

[BNthree]

You can see why they’re top of the league, one of the best sides I’ve seen for a long time at that level, superbly efficient at scoring goals

Agreed, we hadn’t even got through the turnstiles and Hornchurch had already scored

 

[London Irish]

I’m at Worthing today. Haven’t been many times this season as done so many Albion away days. Very good crowd. Over 2,500 I would have thought.

Very reminiscent of an Albion away day so with the team playing all the football behind

 

[PascalGroß Tips]

I’m at Worthing today. Haven’t been many times this season as done so many Albion away days. Very good crowd. Over 2,500 I would have thought.

Hmm not quite … 2,119

 

[Whitechapel]

Is it like Stars on Sunday ? One family and their dog turn up to the service until the TV cameras arrive and everyone is there.

Na, they get big crowds for their level. 1500-2000 normally I’d say. Two cracking goals from Danny Cashman. Worthing probably unlucky not to take all 3 points.

 

[A1X]

Enjoyed that, good game, better entertainment on TNT than most of the Prem games they show

 

[stewart12]

apologies, I've got very behind on my write ups

ground number 17 (number 16 was the Amex for the Roma game) was the Home Call Carpet Community Stadium, home of Burgess Hill Town for their Isthmian South East league clash with Ramsgate on the 16th March.

The ground is in northern Burgess Hill right on the outskirts. It's in a fairly residential area but is quite tucked away giving it quite a rural feel. There's generally not much around the ground.

The clubhouse was really good and welcoming and felt like a decent pub to be honest. Really nice staff. Could possible do with a few more pictures on the walls and all that but it was nice nonetheless and very good with others in this league. Good beer selection including a local ale.

The ground is dominated by a fairly standard seated stand along one side as is the norm really. Gets bonus points for being in the club colours (as an aside, I played here when I was a kid and I'm sure they used to play in yellow and black?). Otherwise there is a small seated stand behind one goal which was a bit scaffoldy and a small standing area behind the other goal.

Bovril was £1 which is the joint cheapest thus far.

The game was ok, the visitors were right up the top of the league and could have won quite easily to be honest but seemed to sit back at 2-0, allowing the Hillians back into the game, final score was 2-1 but this did flatter the home side a bit I'd say.

A really nice day out at Burgess Hill, made better by the excellent staff- a really nice club

 

[stewart12]

ground number 18 was Chennells Brook, home of Roffey for their SCFL Divison 1 clash with Montpelier Villa.

This was a bit of a treat I won't lie. Completely unexpected.

The ground is right on the edge of north east Horsham, in what initially feels like a very residential area, however somehow they've cultivated a feel of the ground being in some sort of enchanted forest. It's surrounded by tall trees on all sides.

Whilst it's fairly basic, in that it has one small seated stand and a small standing area, the ground is very much supplemented with a really nice outdoor bar area which blends in really nicely with the woodland vibe of the ground. There isn't a clubhouse as such but the general bar area is lovely and I bet its great in the summer.

Once again, the staff and volunteers here are really, really nice and friendly.

Entrance was £6 which included a free programme.

Roffey are romping home with the SCFL 1 title and unsurprisingly won this one 4-0.

What a hidden gem this is though, really punches above its weight as a ground and just goes to show that even small grounds like this can be turned into fantastic places to watch football with a bit of imagination.

 

[stewart12]

and finally, ground number 19- the OHOB Community Stadium, home of East Grinstead Town for their all-Sussex Isthmian South East league clash with Burgess Hill Town.

East Grinstead is a town that I've never actually been to before (why isn't it Surrey?!), and....what an odd place. Not unpleasant. It's clean, tidy...but odd.

Anyway, the ground is tucked away right on the edge of the town, quite close to the hospital and in what seems to be quite a residential area. It's accessed down one track and once again, has a rural feel to it.

What I do like about this ground is that it's very much decked out in the clubs colours of yellow and black. Entrance was £10, about normal for this league.

The clubhouse, turnstiles, changing rooms etc are housed in what seem to be reused shipping container type things which is cool. The clubhouse, however, was a bit of a let down, especially considering that there is NOTHING around the ground in terms of pubs etc. It's quite small and just a bit boring- they're missing a trick here. Not a particularly great beer selection either. Compared to Burgess Hill the week before in the same league, it was a bit of a step down in quality.

The ground itself is alright, there is one decent sized seated stand on one side which is slightly raised giving good views of the action. There is also a small covered standing area, both stands feel quite new. In my opinion the whole place feels a little bit unfinished, like they were on the verge of greatest and just stopped. Maybe there are plans to do other stuff perhaps?

Bovril was £1.60, which is slightly above the going rate but was EXPERTLY brewed by the lady behind the kiosk.

The game kicked off late due to the ref's train being late and the home side should have gone ahead fairly on with a penalty which they missed after it being retaken.

After that Burgess Hill unleashed hell and were absolutely brilliant particularly on the break. A very different performance to the one I'd seen the week prior. They were 3-0 up at half time and it could have been more really. The large travelling contingent were very happy.

The home side did improve slightly in the second half, with their left winger, who clearly fancied himself as a bit of a Zaha, standing out (he was the one who missed the penalty also). They brought on a TINY right winger who scored a fantastic goal but it was too little too late really, and with a couple of goals on the break, the visitors won 5-1.

As an aside another "digital programme" here. I get why clubs do this in terms of saving costs but this is a worrying trend.

I'm not sure how I felt about this place, it's fine but I just feel like they're missing a trick, especially with the clubhouse.