3pm 4 August 2018
Eastern Senior League, Division One North
Harleston Town 1 Swaffham Town 3 (att 130)
If I can I like to see a team playing its first game in a new league, so it was Harleston's debut in 'step six' football that tempted me to travel from Manchester to Norfolk.
The name of the league they've been promoted into is still not 100% clear. As far as I can tell it's the Eastern Senior Senior, a newly-created competition with north and south divisions, but it shares both a sponsor and a website with the Eastern Counties League.
Harleston won the Anglian Combination last season so should do okay at the higher level, but their opening fixture was a tough one against a side tipped to do well (at least according to Harleston's informative programme).
The visitors got off to a great start when they took a third minute lead. It didn't last long though and Harleston were soon level. It was still 1-1 at half time and after the all-action start the game started to flag a little.
Things livened up when the home side were awarded a second half penalty for handball, but the spot kicked was saved. Swaffham always looked to have the edge, and it was no surprise when they went in front. They confirmed the outcome with a third goal in the 89th minute.
The new league, whatever its official sponsor-free name (and for now I'm sticking with Eastern Senior League) was created to fill a gap at this level, which probably explains the leeway in terms of facilities at present.
Harleston's ground is good for the Anglian Combination, but a little underwhelming for this level. It's perfectly adequate of course, but the FA's excessive demands have seen step six teams in other areas demoted for playing on grounds like this.
I'm sure there are plans for improvements, and donations for the floodlight fund were being accepted at the tea bar. At present there's a large section of cover on the far side, although you'd have to look through security barriers to watch the match from there, and a smaller covered area on the opposite side along with the dugouts and tea bar. The pitch itself is fully railed off but the ground isn't really enclosed.
Eastern Senior League, Division One North
Harleston Town 1 Swaffham Town 3 (att 130)
If I can I like to see a team playing its first game in a new league, so it was Harleston's debut in 'step six' football that tempted me to travel from Manchester to Norfolk.
The name of the league they've been promoted into is still not 100% clear. As far as I can tell it's the Eastern Senior Senior, a newly-created competition with north and south divisions, but it shares both a sponsor and a website with the Eastern Counties League.
Harleston won the Anglian Combination last season so should do okay at the higher level, but their opening fixture was a tough one against a side tipped to do well (at least according to Harleston's informative programme).
The visitors got off to a great start when they took a third minute lead. It didn't last long though and Harleston were soon level. It was still 1-1 at half time and after the all-action start the game started to flag a little.
Things livened up when the home side were awarded a second half penalty for handball, but the spot kicked was saved. Swaffham always looked to have the edge, and it was no surprise when they went in front. They confirmed the outcome with a third goal in the 89th minute.
The new league, whatever its official sponsor-free name (and for now I'm sticking with Eastern Senior League) was created to fill a gap at this level, which probably explains the leeway in terms of facilities at present.
Harleston's ground is good for the Anglian Combination, but a little underwhelming for this level. It's perfectly adequate of course, but the FA's excessive demands have seen step six teams in other areas demoted for playing on grounds like this.
I'm sure there are plans for improvements, and donations for the floodlight fund were being accepted at the tea bar. At present there's a large section of cover on the far side, although you'd have to look through security barriers to watch the match from there, and a smaller covered area on the opposite side along with the dugouts and tea bar. The pitch itself is fully railed off but the ground isn't really enclosed.
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