3pm 21 August 2021
Eastern Counties League, Division One North
Framlingham Town 1 Whittlesey Athletic 1 (att 45)
It's a long way from Manchester to Framlingham, which is one reason why it was left as the penultimate ground I needed to complete the Eastern Counties League's three divisions.
The Badingham Road ground has floodlights, but the thought of a long and late drive home after a midweek game has never appealed. So, on a day when heading east was the best way to avoid the forecast heavy rain, it made some sort of sense to go to Suffolk.
I knew little about Framlingham, but it's an attractive small town with an impressive castle. The castle attracts tourists, helped my other half pass the time while I was at the match, and provides a nickname for the football club.
The Castlemen came from behind to earn a point against Whittlesey, who have made the lateral switch from the United Counties League to the Eastern Counties League.
The first half's best moment was a Framlingham volley from distance that hit the underside of the crossbar and came down onto, but unfortunately not over, the goalline.
It looked like the closest we'd get to a goal, but Whittlesey had been the better of two well-matched sides and got their reward when they took the lead just a couple of minutes before the break.
Framlingham's well-taken second half equaliser swung the momentum in their favour, but they couldn't get a winner and draw was a fair outcome.
The main feature of Framlingham's ground is a neat seated stand that includes a serving hatch for hot drinks. Hot food is sold from a separate stall near the entrance.
There's a small shelter, and dugouts, on the opposite side to the stand, but other than that the ground has flat open standing. There are several additional pitches in an adjacent playing field, and the venue has the look of one that's well looked after.
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