11.30am 18 April 2022
Combined Counties League, Premier Division South
Sheerwater 2 Guildford City 3 (att 107)
The Combined Counties League has a long tradition of morning kicks offs on bank holidays. There was a time when that often meant standing next to a roped off pitch in a public park, but standards are higher these days.
Sheerwater's new home is a long way from the basic grounds of old. It's also a significant improvement on the ageing athletics track where they played previously. Houses are being built on the site of that, while a short distance away the football club are now at Eastwood Leisure Centre.
An artificial pitch that's part of a leisure centre complex might not sound like an interesting venue, but Sheerwater's ground is a pleasant surprise. There's cover, and a single row of seats, running the length of one touchline.
The rest of the pitch is surrounded by a narrow path, but unlike some similar venues spectators can access all four sides. Another bonus is that the club has its own function room, equipped with a bar, inside the leisure centre.
The game was something of end-of-season dead rubber, and that was reflected in a dull first half in which Sheerwater had run of the play but conceded goal from a penalty.
After the break the match livened up considerably. The home side played the better football and deservedly equalised, but were unable to maintain parity as they went behind again.
Sheerwater's second equaliser, a great free kick, was also deserved, but when it looked like they'd earned a point they allowed Guildford City to go back in front for a third and decisive time.
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