football rambles

It sounds like this should have been a joyous occasion, but unfortunately it wasn't in many ways. We arrived early and met up in a pub with pictures of the Queen Mother pulling pints - so not your typical Clapton pub and then made our way to the Mile End Stadium. The first half was the usual noisy affair and despite some suspect defending by the Tons they raced into a 2 goal lead at the break. However, Tons' player, Bradley Joseph, who had been complaining of chest pains collapsed on the pitch and had to be given CPR. When the match was finally restarted, although nobody actually knows who wanted it restarted, it was under very muted circumstances. Bengal pulled a goal back, but Clapton went on to add 4 in a half where not many people had much of an appetite for football.

After last week was a complete wash out and our two main options of a Clapton away game and Ely at Needham Market were washed out, it was back to the Unwin for something almos like a Spring's day to see the Robins take on Stowmarket again., this time in the league. The first half was low on quality with neither side getting a grip on the game, but it was Stowmarket who went in at the break in the lead when ex-Thetford hotshot Matt Dixon complete in zorro mask stole the ball to put the visitors ahead. It was clear that in the second half the Robins had to up their game if they were to get a vital 3 points, and thankfully they did. The vistors were penned in in their own half for most of the second half and on 65 minutes Alex Theobold levelled things up with a header. Ely continued to push forward and put pressure on Stowmarket, but it looked like the visitors were going to grab a draw until in stoppage time James Seymour got another headed goal for the Robins to give the home si

Last Friday we went to Haverhill's New Croft, which is also the home of Haverhill United. I've been there for kids' football before. Unfortunately, it was too dark and cold to get any photos. Ely dominated the first half and took a two goal lead in to the break. The second half was a pretty dull affair and the Robins deserved the win.