football rambles

 So, preseason got off to an auspicious start as Bishop's Stortford took on Stevenage in a Hertfordshire Derby. In soaring temperatures, you would always expect the professional team to do better, but this just seemed a bit cruel, especially with the Stevenage fans taunting part-time players as the goals started flooding in. Stevenage brought a strong team with them, but it wasn't until late in the first half that they took the lead, and despite suspecting that fitness would take its toll in the second half, I can't really say that at that point, I expected them to add another 7 to the scoreline. They did though, with poor old Stortford getting a Consolation  goal when they were already 5 down. Let's hope for some games with a bit more of a competitive edge as preseason continues.

 Ahead of going to Pescara last week, I had watched the play-off games that saw them clinch promotion to Serie B.  Obviously, in the July heat not a lot was going on at the stadium, but I was lucky enough at one point to be able to have a look round. As it happened on the only day I was there and the doors weren't locked! There was also an Ultras' bar over the road where I spoke to some of them, as well as a chance meeting with another Ultra group earlier in the week at a beach bar. Opposite the stadium, there was also a take away called 'Sicillia in Boca' where you could order some top arancini and eat them at the Ultras' bar next door.