2pm 1 January 2022
Dorset Premier League
Corfe Castle 3 Swanage Town and Herston 1 (att 76)
It gets harder every year to find a new ground to visit on New Year's Day. This round trip of more than 500 miles was my nearest option, other than a single game in the lower reaches of the Stroud League.
I do like the Dorset Premier League though, and it was worth the long drive to the Isle of Purbeck for a game at one of the country's more scenic football venues.
You can't escape the remains of the castle that gives the village of Corfe Castle its name, and the ruins form an impressive backdrop to The Fortress, home to Corfe Castle FC.
Even without the scenery it's an attractive ground. Players change in a wooden pavilion from where refreshments are also served, there's a pair of dugouts, and the two sides with spectator access are railed off.
Corfe Castle are bottom of the league, but started well and went ahead early against their local rivals. It didn't take Swanage long to hit back, and it remained 1-1 until late in the game.
The visitors had looked more likely to get a winner, and it was against the run of play when Corfe Castle took an 85th minute lead. They scored again a couple of minutes later to secure a win that had seemed unlikely.
It was a scrappy but entertaining game on a heavy pitch. It may have been a bad result for Swanage Town and Herston, but at least it was a better outcome than the last time I watched them.
Very good Photos. Certainly a ground I would like to visit. Also think it was well worth the long drive.
ReplyDelete