6pm 10 September 2019
Blackburn and District Combination, Premier Division
Blackburn Olympic 3 Lord Raglan 11 (att 15)
The King George V Playing Fields at Pleasington, on the edge of Blackburn, was a busy place when I arrived just before 6pm.
Seven Blackburn Combination games were scheduled on various pitches spread across the large park. Not only that, but pitch number one was closed for football to allow the local model aircraft club space to practise manoeuvres.
My fixture, one of three in the top division, was on pitch seven. The size of the park and spread of the pitches meant low-flying model planes were more of a distraction than the other games, and it's one multi-pitch location that would be worth returning to.
A game that ends 3-11 - the first time I've ever seen such a scoreline - is always likely to be fun to watch. Lord Raglan were ahead very early but Olympic soon equalised. It was a flash in the pan for the hosts though, and they were 7-1 down by half time.
The second half was more even, at least in terms of goals, but the outcome was never in any doubt.
I've no idea if there's any direct connection between the current Blackburn Olympic and the club that won the FA Cup in 1883. I doubt there is (although Wikipedia suggests they wear the same colours), but it's good the see the name revived, and hopefully the current incarnation will recover from what's been a tough start to the season.
Blackburn and District Combination, Premier Division
Blackburn Olympic 3 Lord Raglan 11 (att 15)
The King George V Playing Fields at Pleasington, on the edge of Blackburn, was a busy place when I arrived just before 6pm.
Seven Blackburn Combination games were scheduled on various pitches spread across the large park. Not only that, but pitch number one was closed for football to allow the local model aircraft club space to practise manoeuvres.
My fixture, one of three in the top division, was on pitch seven. The size of the park and spread of the pitches meant low-flying model planes were more of a distraction than the other games, and it's one multi-pitch location that would be worth returning to.
A game that ends 3-11 - the first time I've ever seen such a scoreline - is always likely to be fun to watch. Lord Raglan were ahead very early but Olympic soon equalised. It was a flash in the pan for the hosts though, and they were 7-1 down by half time.
The second half was more even, at least in terms of goals, but the outcome was never in any doubt.
I've no idea if there's any direct connection between the current Blackburn Olympic and the club that won the FA Cup in 1883. I doubt there is (although Wikipedia suggests they wear the same colours), but it's good the see the name revived, and hopefully the current incarnation will recover from what's been a tough start to the season.
Blackburn Olympic FC folded in 1889 insolvent with players going to Rovers et al. Their Hole In The Wall ground is still there.
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