Infinity - Sidlesham Memorial Ground

Infinity FC

The Lumacon Stadium

Sidlesham Memorial Ground

Sidlesham

West Sussex 

PO20 7RD

Official Website

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Ground Number: 1380
Thursday 26th December 2024
Infinity 2-2 Selsey

Southern Combination D1

INFINITY FC - A BRIEF HISTORY

The club was established in 2006 and immediately joined the Winchester & District League. In 2009, they joined the Hampshire League, finishing as runners-up to Durley in 2012. A year later, the league was absorbed into the Hampshire Premier League, with Infinity placed in Division 1. After finishing third in 2014, they won the title the following year to win promotion to the Senior Division. In 2019 they finished as runners-up to Bush Hill and then results over the two abandoned seasons were good enough for promotion to the Wessex D1 as Infinity remained unbeaten for 37 games. The first season at step 6 was not what they wanted, as issues with their groundshare and they were forced to resign from the league in February with the team a few places off of the bottom and an allegation of racist language levelled at one of their players, causing Hythe & Dibden to terminate their lease.  A new ground was secured in Sidlesham but Infinity had to drop a couple of levels back to Hampshire Division 1. The title was won in the first season and then a third-place finish in the Premier Division last season was good enough for promotion to Southern Combination D1 for this season.

The club entered the FA Vase for the first time this season but crashed 5-0 at Sturminster Newton United. Infinity led a nomadic existence for many years. Initially playing in Winchester & Southampton, they then moved to Knowle Village Community Hall. To fulfil the criteria for promotion, they entered into a groundshare with Hythe & Dibden in 2020 but this ended abruptly in February 2022. They later moved to Sidlesham, a small village near Chichester with a population of just over 1,100. The village was previously represented by Sidlesham FC, who reached as high as 5th at step 5 in the mid-noughties. They decamped to Fishbourne in 2020 and changed their name following issues with the ground lease.

MY VISIT

This game was decided months in advance. I knew Christmas in retail would be hell, so I wanted to treat myself. A new ground it must be then and originally it was a double of new grounds with Moneyfields planned in for the afternoon game. However, I played that card during a frozen November evening, as the kickoff had been moved, making the double impossible. I still had Infinity though and this was a ground I needed to recomplete the Southern Combination D1. The second game switched around a few times due to kickoffs changing as clubs tried to accommodate those who had family gatherings. South Park would have been a great choice but that was moved to 1 PM. I did consider Dorking Wanderers as I needed the Wetherpoons, however, it had not changed since my last visit and the entry price of £18 was poor value. I looked nearer the time and had two grounds last visited in 2013. Hartley Wintney won out over Havant and Waterlooville due to their rise and the fact that it was nearer home.

From my game at Padbury Village on Saturday, I made the most of my being in that neck of the woods by heading back vis Aylesbury. Firstly, I filled up with petrol at Sainsbury's which was some 6p a litre cheaper than back home. I also stocked up with some bargains at Farmfoods before heading home. It was a few pints in the evening although I wanted an early night with me up at 2 am for work. The last two days at work before Christmas were the usual packed chaos and I was glad of the rest. I was very lucky to get a break this year, Christmas Eve being my day off, Christmas Day being closed and Boxing Day being voluntary. It was a fairly dull couple of days to start and I wasn't feeling the best on Christmas Day, coming down with a cold. I got some nice presents too but felt tired all day.

 

As a result, I had a pretty early night which did me good. Despite waking up loads of times during the night, I felt a lot better and after having a freshen up, getting dressed and having breakfast, I left at 8.50. Despite the foggy start, it soon cleared and it was a good journey with me getting there at 10.30. Parking was a bit chaotic with it being a local derby but I secured a spot before paying a very reasonable £6 to get in. It appeared that everyone was as glad to see football as I was and I had a brief chat with CherryHopper as I walked around the ground.

 

Infinity were going well in 8th place and had won eight, drawn six and lost five of their games so far. Their last league game was way back on December 7th as they beat Oakwood 5-2. Selsey were 12th having won eight, drawn two and lost nine of their games so far. Last time out, they beat Storrington 2-0 on 14th December. Infinity dominated early on without threatening and it wasn't until 15 minutes in that Selsey had their first attack. Infinity took the lead on 23 minutes, a shot on the turn was fired home from six yards by Declan Seiden. On 37 minutes, it was all square, a shot from just inside the area by Isaac Davies. The second half started with Selsey on top and they took the lead on 48 minutes when Ryan Morey poked a square ball home from ten yards out. On 51 minutes it was all square, an equaliser by Tayo Adekoya from close range which I didn't have the best view of. A Selsey man curled a shot from outside the area onto the bar a few minutes later. Both sides had chances for a winner and Infinity hit the post in the last minute. It was an impressive 250 Bank Holiday crowd that had enjoyed an entertaining game.

 

THE GROUND

 SIDLESHAM MEMORIAL GROUND is a fairly basic setup. There is just the one covered area, this is mainly standing for around 100 and seating for 25. Three sides of the pitch have hard standing. There is a bar and food was also reportedly available but I didn't see it. Parking is available and should be fine for most games.