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Roade v Blisworth

2pm 12 April 2025

Northamptonshire Combination, Premier Division Cup, Semi Final
Roade 1 Blisworth 4 (att 182)

For reasons I can't explain I rarely watch football in the Northamptonshire Combination. Despite it having 'regional feeder league' status from the FA this was only my third ever game, and the last was more than a decade ago.

But a cup semi final between local rivals who are also first and second in the league was a tempting prospect. I wasn't alone in thinking it'd be a good game to see, as there was a large crowd at Roade's Connolly Way ground.

Ultimately though the visitors, in pole position to win the league, were comfortable winners.

They looked the better side and scored twice in the first half, their second just before the break. Roade were hampered by losing their goalkeeper to a first half injury.

A Roade penalty early in the second half made it 2-1, and soon after that they came agonisingly close to equalising.

But that was as good as it got for the home side. Blisworth largely controlled the game, and two late goals cemented their place in the divisional cup final.

Roade's ground features a main pitch that's railed off on three sides, the exception being the far end which is, in effect, out of bounds. 

There are dugouts on one side, while on the opposite side the changing rooms are in a building that also provides a snack bar and a small amount of cover for spectators.

There's also a separate clubhouse with a bar, that was doing a good trade on a warm afternoon.









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