Talking of pitches, this is the state of the pitch at Kidlington for today’s FA Cup game v Larkhall. You wouldn’t want to go down heavily on that. Must be like concrete.
I had conversations like this. Matches get called off for frozen pitches, but never for baked rock solid. Need some rain badly.
I play a causal game in Alexandra Palace each weekend and it’s the same situation. The bounce is awful and if someone bails it’s like landing on concrete.
It’s like that virtually everywhere I’ve refereed this season at Step 5 & 6. Not sure what the clubs can do really without rain.
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In the FA Cup EPR yesterday, Penn & Tylers Green continued their great start to the season with a 3-0 win at Beaconsfield Town, in front of 258.
Burnham drew 1-1 at home to Slimbridge (att. 105). Holyport lost 2-1 at home to Wallingford & Crowmarsh. Windsor & Eton beat Bristol Manor Farm at home, with a 90+5 pen in front of 511.
Risborough Rangers won 2-1 at Abingdon United (att. 207), Marlow drew 2-2 at Newport Pagnell Town, after conceding a 90+6 equaliser.
Amersham Town drew 2-2 at North Leigh, coming from 2-0 down at HT. Aylesbury Vale Dynamos lost 3-0 at Wells City. Tring Athletic lost 1-0 at Reading City.
A good day for North Bucks on the road with Winslow winning 2-0 at Royal Wootton Bassett (att. 141) and MK Irish winning 4-1 at Highworth Town.
I hope I haven’t left anyone out. Replays at Marlow and Amersham on Tuesday.
This season’s prize fund.
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That is a great crowd at Windsor and Eton!
The FA Cup Preliminary Round has already been drawn, so these are the matches for our local teams, to be played on 22nd August.
Windsor & Eton v North Leigh or Amersham Town
Winslow United v Longlevens
Thame United v Brislington
Newport Pagnell Town or Marlow v Cirencester Town
Wells City v Risborough Rangers
Burnham or Slimbridge v Milton Keynes Irish
Ascot United v Penn & Tylers Green
Aylesbury United or Flackwell Heath v Roman Glass St George or Hallen
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Aylesbury United v Flackwell Heath goes ahead this Wednesday at Beaconsfield, 7:45 pm. Free entry for those who attended the abandoned game.
It’s a delightful irony that a game that had to be abandoned because of floodlight failure will now be kicking off during a solar eclipse
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I’ll be off to the Amersham Town v North Leigh replay tomorrow, the 19:30 kickoff appeals with a 3.50 work alarm. Other options include Marlow v Newport Pagnell Town and Kings Langkley v Everett Rovers (local derby) in the FA Cup or Penn & Tylers Green v Reading City or Shepherds Bush v Maidenhead Town at Beaconsfield.
Then on Wednesday I am off to AFC Turnford v Cuffley in the Herts Senior League, local according to our BBC Radio station. Other options include Burnham v Rayners Lane.
On Friday there are a few FA Vase options within reasonable distance. I’m going for Broadfields United v Ampthill Town (played at Rayners Lane FC)
I went with a fellow wanderer to Holyport (my first visit and BTW, they don’t play in the village they play in Summerleaze which is near Boulters Lock.) They were at home to Wallingford with the away team winning by the odd goal in three. Crowd 131 not a bad game considering the very warm conditions pitch looks as it had been watered a little bit.
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I’ve not been to the ground but I know where it’s located and it’s in a terrible position a long walk from anywhere and very little parking I understand.
Boulters Lock must be a good 30 minute walk.
How was the parking and facilities
Parking no problem you go down the service road which is near the vets and park by the cricket pitch which is only a few yards from the ground. Facilities as you would expect are fairly basic a small stand holding about 100 people and a tiny bit of cover behind the goal.
Friendly welcome with food available from the little kiosk. A small free printed program was available our visit.
Are the teams still getting changed in storage containers / temp buildings? I hated refereeing there as we had to go up and down a metal staircase every time that had gaps for our studs to get stuck in!
I didn’t pay too much attention, but I think the changing rooms are as you describe
No they have moved to the back of the building at ground level by the entrance to the pitch
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Thanks for the info, might try it out if Wycombe and Maidenhead are away and I fancy something different
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In the FA Cup replays. Marlow beat Newport Pagnell Town 5-1 with two goals and an assist for former Chairboy Chris Lutonadio, on his return for the Blues after signing three days ago. Att. 165.
Amersham Town lost 2-1 to North Leigh, att. 181.
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In the FA Cup, Flackwell Heath beat Aylesbury United 3-2, Burnham lost 2-1 at Slimbridge.
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