2pm 8 August 2020
Friendly
Acorn Albion 1 Sherwin 7 (att 10)
With the FA's ruling in midweek that the behind closed doors rule extended even to friendlies staged by clubs in regional feeder leagues (what was step seven), there was an extra challenge to finding a game to watch today.
Both these sides are in the Midlands Regional Alliance, or at least they were last season, so the rule didn't apply at the Marston's Sports Ground in Burton-upon-Trent. With the crowd only just into double figures it wasn't hard to remain socially distanced anyway, and I had one side of the pitch to myself.
Acorn finished top of the truncated division two last season, based on points per game, while Sherwin ended up bottom of division one. I don't know if they'll swap places for this season, but if so it could be a struggle for the home side.
They scored the opening goal, an early penalty following their first attack of the match, but Sherwin were quickly level. I didn't hear the coaches' pep talks during the first half drinks break, but whatever instructions the visiting players received did the trick, as soon after the restart they were scoring for fun.
It was 5-1 by half time, and Sherwin should have scored more than the two they managed in the second half. Their final goal was in stoppage time.
Three years ago I attempted to see a pre-season game at the Marston's ground but was thwarted by an unfit pitch. That was before Acorn moved in, and the surface was in good condition for today's match.
The pitch is enclosed, with a pair of dugouts on one side, and is next to Marston's Brewery. As I drove towards Burton I passed the Acorn Inn, which I assumed must be Acorn Albion's spiritual home. But then further along the same road I passed a pub called The Albion, so perhaps the football club has divided loyalties.
Friendly
Acorn Albion 1 Sherwin 7 (att 10)
With the FA's ruling in midweek that the behind closed doors rule extended even to friendlies staged by clubs in regional feeder leagues (what was step seven), there was an extra challenge to finding a game to watch today.
Both these sides are in the Midlands Regional Alliance, or at least they were last season, so the rule didn't apply at the Marston's Sports Ground in Burton-upon-Trent. With the crowd only just into double figures it wasn't hard to remain socially distanced anyway, and I had one side of the pitch to myself.
Acorn finished top of the truncated division two last season, based on points per game, while Sherwin ended up bottom of division one. I don't know if they'll swap places for this season, but if so it could be a struggle for the home side.
They scored the opening goal, an early penalty following their first attack of the match, but Sherwin were quickly level. I didn't hear the coaches' pep talks during the first half drinks break, but whatever instructions the visiting players received did the trick, as soon after the restart they were scoring for fun.
It was 5-1 by half time, and Sherwin should have scored more than the two they managed in the second half. Their final goal was in stoppage time.
Three years ago I attempted to see a pre-season game at the Marston's ground but was thwarted by an unfit pitch. That was before Acorn moved in, and the surface was in good condition for today's match.
The pitch is enclosed, with a pair of dugouts on one side, and is next to Marston's Brewery. As I drove towards Burton I passed the Acorn Inn, which I assumed must be Acorn Albion's spiritual home. But then further along the same road I passed a pub called The Albion, so perhaps the football club has divided loyalties.
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