3pm 13 July 2019
Pre-season friendly
Badshot Lea 1 Farnborough 0 (att 160)
I'm not a big fan of friendly matches and wouldn't go far out of my way to see one. Badshot Lea's new ground is more than 220 miles from home, but it was only a short detour en route to the south coast for a cross-Channel ferry.
The visit of local rivals Farnborough at least promised a reasonable game, as the third in a trio of pre-season games against decent opposition by which Badshot Lea have opened their new facility.
The Westfield Lane ground isn't in Badshot Lea itself but in nearby Wrecclesham, although as the club have been nomadic for years just having a home to call their own, and one that's up to the requirements for the level they play at, is good news.
It's a decent ground, fully enclosed with hard standing all around the pitch and a seated stand. There's also a covered standing area behind the goal, although it's set back from the pitch and is likely to be better used as a sheltered smoking area for people using the adjacent clubhouse.
The lack of a competitive edge is what tends to set friendlies apart from other fixtures, that and the fact that you're never quite sure who you are watching. Badshot Lea's preparations for the new season are more advanced than Farnborough's and it showed.
The teamsheet listed many of the visiting players as 'trialist' and they struggled to make an impact against a team that plays two levels lower. The solitary goal came after 20 minutes, and Badshot Lea looked good enough to suggest they might have a successful first season in their new home.
Pre-season friendly
Badshot Lea 1 Farnborough 0 (att 160)
I'm not a big fan of friendly matches and wouldn't go far out of my way to see one. Badshot Lea's new ground is more than 220 miles from home, but it was only a short detour en route to the south coast for a cross-Channel ferry.
The visit of local rivals Farnborough at least promised a reasonable game, as the third in a trio of pre-season games against decent opposition by which Badshot Lea have opened their new facility.
The Westfield Lane ground isn't in Badshot Lea itself but in nearby Wrecclesham, although as the club have been nomadic for years just having a home to call their own, and one that's up to the requirements for the level they play at, is good news.
It's a decent ground, fully enclosed with hard standing all around the pitch and a seated stand. There's also a covered standing area behind the goal, although it's set back from the pitch and is likely to be better used as a sheltered smoking area for people using the adjacent clubhouse.
The lack of a competitive edge is what tends to set friendlies apart from other fixtures, that and the fact that you're never quite sure who you are watching. Badshot Lea's preparations for the new season are more advanced than Farnborough's and it showed.
The teamsheet listed many of the visiting players as 'trialist' and they struggled to make an impact against a team that plays two levels lower. The solitary goal came after 20 minutes, and Badshot Lea looked good enough to suggest they might have a successful first season in their new home.
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