Post by capitalgull on Nov 8, 2008 21:42:00 GMT
I don't know about you but the ground noted above sounds more like a pub, but it's well worth a visit if you are up this way.
For those who didn't see Staines on the TV in the FA Cup last season, they made a deal with a Fitness Centre to allow them to build a state of the art facility on their grounds, and the Fitness Centre built them a superb main stand, which looks a lot like the one Tesco built for Dorchester if anyone has been there. The facilities are excellent and although the rest of the ground is strictly lower non league, the crowd of 491 seemed not to be too worried, especially the majority, strangely from Dover, who are now 9 points clear and seemingly heading for the Blue Square South.
Sadly without camera, I found myself there this afternoon for a Ryman Premier League clash between the hosts Staines Town (2nd) and league leaders Dover Athletic, managed by one of my top three footballing villains Andy Hessenthaler, formerly of Gillingham and Barnet among others and possibly the next manager of Watford if you believe Dover fans from today.
After taking in Arsenal 2 Man Screw 1 in their very modern clubhouse, we braved conditions for 20 minutes in the open until the rains arrived seeing Dover take the lead with a well-taken penalty, Staines equalise when Dover's flapping keeper missed a long throw-in from the Ryman League's own Rory Delap and then Dover re-take the lead when Shaun Welford (explained to us as one of the worst players they have) slid in at the far post to convert at the end of a very flowing end-to-end move.
Rain then interrupted and sent us scurrying for the five step terrace, occupied half by Dover and half Staines. As is non-league tradition the fans swapped ends at the half-time interval, and Staines equalised soon after courtesy defensive dithering by the visitors.
But we were to get an exciting climax for our tenner, and the right one on the afternoon, when Welford scored the winner five minutes from time tapping home at the far post after good work from subs Sam Jones and, yes you read it right, Giuliano Grazioli, oft nemesis of the mighty Gulls. Sad really to see him plying his trade at this level, but it was pretty obvious his knees have gone and he's put on a good deal of weight. (Oh and Merse, John Keister is 38, not 46
)
Player to watch out for from today, and if we weren't so strong in the position, I'd be suggesting we looked at him; left-back Sam Gore from Dover. Defensively superb, and a threat with his excellent left-foot going forward.
Great day out despite the weather and even better keeping up with our own FA Cup score and of course the one from Curzon Ashton!!
And, of course, another ground marked off!!
For those who didn't see Staines on the TV in the FA Cup last season, they made a deal with a Fitness Centre to allow them to build a state of the art facility on their grounds, and the Fitness Centre built them a superb main stand, which looks a lot like the one Tesco built for Dorchester if anyone has been there. The facilities are excellent and although the rest of the ground is strictly lower non league, the crowd of 491 seemed not to be too worried, especially the majority, strangely from Dover, who are now 9 points clear and seemingly heading for the Blue Square South.
Sadly without camera, I found myself there this afternoon for a Ryman Premier League clash between the hosts Staines Town (2nd) and league leaders Dover Athletic, managed by one of my top three footballing villains Andy Hessenthaler, formerly of Gillingham and Barnet among others and possibly the next manager of Watford if you believe Dover fans from today.
After taking in Arsenal 2 Man Screw 1 in their very modern clubhouse, we braved conditions for 20 minutes in the open until the rains arrived seeing Dover take the lead with a well-taken penalty, Staines equalise when Dover's flapping keeper missed a long throw-in from the Ryman League's own Rory Delap and then Dover re-take the lead when Shaun Welford (explained to us as one of the worst players they have) slid in at the far post to convert at the end of a very flowing end-to-end move.
Rain then interrupted and sent us scurrying for the five step terrace, occupied half by Dover and half Staines. As is non-league tradition the fans swapped ends at the half-time interval, and Staines equalised soon after courtesy defensive dithering by the visitors.
But we were to get an exciting climax for our tenner, and the right one on the afternoon, when Welford scored the winner five minutes from time tapping home at the far post after good work from subs Sam Jones and, yes you read it right, Giuliano Grazioli, oft nemesis of the mighty Gulls. Sad really to see him plying his trade at this level, but it was pretty obvious his knees have gone and he's put on a good deal of weight. (Oh and Merse, John Keister is 38, not 46
)Player to watch out for from today, and if we weren't so strong in the position, I'd be suggesting we looked at him; left-back Sam Gore from Dover. Defensively superb, and a threat with his excellent left-foot going forward.
Great day out despite the weather and even better keeping up with our own FA Cup score and of course the one from Curzon Ashton!!
And, of course, another ground marked off!!
Surely an "old pro' journo" such as yourself realises that there are plenty of players who have conveniently assumed DoBs that will favour them more when negotiating contracts.
