Steve B the Groundhopper

1.30pm 22 November  2025 Lincolnshire FA Junior Cup, Third Round Scotter United 1 Long Sutton Athletic 2 (att 36) The level of interest in county cups varies across the country, both among the clubs taking part and for me as a groundhopper. Lincolnshire's junior cup is among the better ones, taking in a wide range of clubs who would otherwise rarely, if ever, face each other. The county's geography also means some long and slow journeys. Peterborough League side Long Sutton Athletic hired a coach to transport players and supporters north to Scunthorpe League Scotter United. They'll have enjoyed the journey back home, thanks to an 87th minute goal that gave them a hard-earned place in the last 16. Long Sutton had looked the better side in the opening exchanges, and deservedly took a first half lead. But despite creating chances they failed to extend their advantage, and Scotter got more into the game. By the second half the sides were evenly-matched, and Scotter, top of the ...

2pm 18 October  2025 Peterborough and District League, Premier Division Uppingham Town 1 Crowland Town 2 (att 70) When asked which team I actually support my answer is Leicester City, the place where I was born and lived for the first 12 months of my life. Most of my support these days is from my armchair, but occasionally I go to games in person. A 7.45pm kick off at home to Portsmouth on a Saturday, while annoying for many, was a good opportunity. It allowed plenty of time for groundhopping earlier in the day, and so I followed my morning game at Kimbolton with a trip to Rutland to see Uppingham Town host league leaders Crowland Town. As well as being an attractive fixture, it was also within easy range of Leicester and, as an added bonus, it was the final ground I needed to complete the top division of the Peterborough and District League. It was a tetchy game that for the most part simmered, before boiling over into a brief fracas following the final whistle. That was just mome...

6.30pm 1 April  2025 Peterborough and District League, Premier Division Crowland Town 2 FC Peterborough reserves 2 (att 65) After a weekend of watching football in Serbia it was back to more familiar territory for my first early evening midweek game following the clocks going forward. Some groundhoppers call this time of year the 'silly season', as it opens up opportunities to visit local low level games that probably wouldn't on their itinerary for a Saturday afternoon. With few options to choose from I took advantage of a day off work to travel a bit further, and to visit a team possibly closing in on the Peterborough and District League title. Crowland Town are third in the league with games in hand on the sides above them. But they need to win those games and two dropped points at home to FC Peterborough reserves could be a fatal blow to their hopes. They started well enough, going ahead thanks to a penalty after 33 minutes. But the game had been even up to that point, ...