2pm 3 January 2022
Somerset County League, Premier Division
Clutton 1 Watchet Town 0 (att 50)
With the uncertainties caused by wet weather and the pandemic it made sense to head towards Bristol, an area where I had potential back-up matches on new grounds.
There was no need to worry though. A helpful Twitter message from Clutton's manager, just as I was leaving home, confirmed my first choice game was on after passing an early pitch inspection.
I've driven past Clutton's Warwick Field ground, on the A37 between Bristol and Shepton Mallet, dozens of times over the years, so it was nice to finally stop and see a match.
Sadly the adjacent Warwick Arms pub, which used to give the ground its name, has closed for good. It is still in use though, as the headquarters, shop and cafe of a toiletries company.
The football ground is behind it, and is fully enclosed with a railed off pitch, dugouts and a small covered standing area. A pair of ex-dugouts also provide some seats for spectators.
Changing rooms and a clubhouse are behind the goal, and look down onto a pitch that must have had a significant slope before it was levelled.
The match looked to be heading for a goalless draw until the 81st minute, when a Clutton free kick was crossed into the box and headed in for the only goal.
Before then defences had been on top, with neither side seeming to have the quality to break them down. Watchet had come closest to scoring, hitting the crossbar in the first half.
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