2.20pm 29 October 2023
Pickard Cup, First Round
Park United 1 Boca Seniors 4 (att 65)
A lack of teams meant the end for the Kingsley Football League a few years ago, but happily its cup competitions continue.
The Pickard Cup and the Hutchings Cup are now invitation cups for teams in the north Devon and north Cornwall area. The bonus from a groundhopping perspective is that ties are usually played on Sundays.
Both Park United and Boca Seniors are in the top division of the North Devon League, and a glance at the league table suggested this would be a decent game.
Park, unbeaten and top, had the potential advantage of a day off on Saturday when their game was postponed, whereas Boca played and suffered their first league defeat.
Perhaps the visitors were inspired to shake of the previous day's disappointment, as they ran out comfortable and deserved winners. Hesitant goalkeeping gave them an early lead but it didn't take Park long to equalise.
Barnstaple-based Boca were back in front before half time, and pressed home their advantage in the second half with two more goals. It was a enjoyable game between two good sides.
Park United play at Sandymere, near Bideford, at a ground shared by fellow North Devon League side Sandymere Blues. Signage around the ground suggests it's primarily the home of junior side Bideford Blues and Appledore JFC.
The main pitch is railed off, with those watching effectively restricted to one side which has a grass banking. Small shelters, built onto the back of the dugouts of the adjacent junior pitch, provide some spectator comforts.
Dugouts for the main pitch are on the far side, which is so tightly hemmed in against the perimeter there's no room to watch the action from there.
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