Whyteleafe FC

5th February 2013

Whyteleafe FC 0 v Erith & Belvedere 1

Kent League Challenge Cup Quarter Final 2nd Leg

Gate: £6
Atten: 51

View all Photos from Whyteleafe FC (31)

Ground: Church Road is a typical Isthmian League venue, tucked away in a pleasant leafy environment on the very fringes of the Surrey and Sussex borders. Rickety stands in abundance.The Clubhouse is clean, modern and spacious and is a credit to the league they presently ply their trade .The site of Church Road was formerly farmland, and the farm's existing buildings were converted into the clubhouse and dressing rooms. The club originally planned to add a running track and cricket pitch to the complex, but these plans were abandoned. Floodlights were added in the early 1980s and a new main stand added in 1999 for the club's first round FA Cup  match against Chester City , which saw a record attendance of 2,164. Some of the turnstiles added at the ground were purchased from the Victoria Ground, the old home of Stoke City.
Before the game started a member of staff navigated the crowd with a teamsheet for everyone, a nice touch indeed. A very decent non league ground and in my opinion its well worth a visit.7/10

 
Match Enjoyment:  Upon my arrival i was informed that this was the second leg ... wow ! it reminded me of the great European matches of decades past and stirred up some fond memories. Especially on the anniversary of the passing of my all time football hero who just oozed class in everything he did, the one, the only Bobby Moore. European nights under the lights at The Boleyn are fantastic the best that it can get. 1976 ECWC Semi 2nd Leg West Ham v Eintracht Frankfurt 3-1 at a packed Upton Park. No divers, no simulation, no kissing when a goal was scored, just when men were men and a good hard tackle would receive a new contract not a red card ....... Just like my dreams.

 Alas Church Road this evening seemed a million miles from those memories and to be honest it was not the best game, chances were at a premium and all i could do was sit in my "pew" and  pray that the "offering" in front of me that  'leafe would not score and "altar"  (if you pardon the pun) the score that no extra time would take place. Then as i was sure it was the end i departed in the 96th minute and then when i reached home to check the score, Erith had scored in the 97th minute to finish the tie. I had even missed the only goal of this drab affair. I have been going through a tough time of late because only once in the last six matches had i seen a goal in the first half. On my way to the ground i passed the HQ of Anne Summers so i had high hopes that my evening would 'perk up' but this was very 'limp' affair in more ways than one ! 2/10

I thought my evening was going to 'perk up' when i passed this place !