football rambles

This game took place a couple of weeks ago on July 4th. I didn't write anything up, as I pretty much went on holiday to Sicily straight after the game. There isn't too much to say. The game wasn't too bad, but it was the first preseason game for the clubs. It was at the start of a heatwave and there weren't any goals, so there really isn't too much to say. 

 On Saturday FC Peterborough took on Biggleswade United in the heatwave in a repeat of the same early pre-season fixture from 2 years ago. It was a really good atmosphere and the heat didn't seem to have an impact on the players who played out an enthralling 3-3 draw. 

 While I was over in Veneto, I was also lucky enough to visit Vicenza. It's a great little town and as well as the great cafes and bars and of course all the renaissance architecture, it is a place that has a real football legacy. And what's more, they had just celebrated going up from Serie C1 to Serie B. LR Vicenza are one of Italy’s most historic provincial clubs, traditionally known for their strong identity, youth development, and periods of impressive overachievement relative to their size. Although most recently in C1, Vicenza have spent much of their history moving between Serie A and Serie B, with their peak coming in the 1970s and 1990s when they were regularly competitive in the top flight. The club carries a reputation for being well-organised and resilient, often punching above their weight against bigger northern sides. One of the things that interested me the most about visiting there was the legacy of Paolo Rossi- the hero of the 1982 World Cup, who is synonymo...

 Last week we were in Italy and more specifically Verona for a short break. When I got up on the Monday morning (we arrived late on Sunday) I noticed we were opposite the club shop for Hellas Verona. I wasn't tempted as I have never been particularly taken by Hellas, especially given the reputation of their fans. However, after seeing all the sights in the spectacular town, I still went for a nose around the stadium, not that you could get particularly close to it. In all honesty, I would have perhaps been more interested in some Chievo history, but their Serie D base was quite away out of town and I had more plans for the next day - more of that later.  Hellas Verona - founded in 1903,  are best remembered for their remarkable 1984–85 season when they won the Scudetto under Osvaldo Bagnoli, a feat that remains one of the most celebrated shocks in Italian football. The club has since moved between divisions but retains a strong identity rooted in working-class support and...

 Downham closed out their season in the Isthmian League North before presumably returning to the Eastern Counties Premier with a good performance in the sun with a beer festival going on in the background. It was a good opportunity for Downham to close a difficult season off on a high. Waltham, who couldn't finish higher or lower than third on the other hand have the playoffs to look forward to as they look to go in the opposite direction. That being the case, you couldn't have blamed Waltham if they had taken things easy, but that was not to be the case. After just 2 minutes Luke Delandes gave the visitors the lead with Downham still asleep, although it has to be notes with quite an experimental defence. Things looked like they were going to get worse just a couple of minutes later when Waltham were awarded a penalty. However, Charlie Congreve was on hand to save it and keep the score to 1-0. Luke Delandes had other ideas and on the next Waltham break skipped brilliantly throu...