Billingshurst - Jubilee Fields

Billingshurst FC

Jubilee Fields

Newbridge Road

Billingshurst

West Sussex

RH14 9HZ

07976 971038 (Chairman)

Official Website

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Ground Number: 1048
Tuesday 8th March 2022
Billingshurst 1-2 Shoreham
Southern Combination D1 Cup

BILLINGSHURST FC - A BRIEF HISTORY

The club is one of the eldest in Sussex with it being formed in 1891. For the vast majority of their history, they've played in the local amateur leagues, primarily the West Sussex League. The team had varying degrees of success over the years, but their latest rise started back in 1999 when they won Division 3 Central which sits at step 11 of the non-league pyramid. By 2007 they were Division 2 North champions. There was then rapid progress following their move to Jubilee Fields and by 2012 they were Premier Division champions. This allowed them to move up to the Sussex League Division 3 - now known as the Southern Combination Division 2. A 5th place finish in 2016 allowed them to apply for promotion and entry to the semi-professional game. They've been in the Southern Combination D1 ever since, but have always tended to struggle. Their best finish so far has been 12th in 2019 but they had a decent season last season before the leagues were abandoned and are looking set to achieve the best-ever finish in the club's history this year.

Billingshurst have played just one game in the FA Cup, losing 2-0 at home to Westside in 2020. Their record in the FA Vase is a little better, just two wins in five seasons to reach the 2nd Qualifying Round. Local competitions won include the Chichester Charity Cup in 1973 & 1981, the Tony Kopp Cup in 1980 & 2003, the West Sussex Centenary Cup in 2011 and the Malcolm Simmonds Memorial Cup in 2012. The village of Billingshurst is located around six miles from Horsham and has a population of around 8,200. Famous former residents include the comedian Harry Enfield.

MY VISIT

It had been a hectic weekend, what with the North West Counties Hop and despite me being off work, I elected to take the Monday off from hopping. I was still keen to do a game this midweek, preferably on Tuesday and with Anwar unavailable due to financial reasons, it would have to be someone else. Billingshurst was my nearest option and happily, Colin was willing to do it. It would be far nearer than any of the Wednesday options, plus Tuesday is not a great night to be stuck in with a load of rubbish on TV. I started to plan on Monday night and the fairly close nature of the location meant that I'd be able to eat at home. Looking at the results, this was Billingshurst's first game in a while and their first home clash since the first week of February. They'd had some pitch issues and this was the third attempt at playing this clash.

The day of the game came and it was the last of my five days off. That said, March is a good month for me in that respect with me only working until a week on Thursday before another 10 days off. I was up fairly early at 7.30 and had a shower, got dressed and had breakfast. I was out for my walk down town before 9 and back by lunchtime having bought a few things from Lidl including a pizza for my lunch. I also needed petrol and had taken note of the various station prices whilst out on my walk. The best I could find was Morrisons at £1.52.7 which was 42p a litre more expensive than I paid at the start of last year. The sharp rise was down to many things, the latest big increase due to the despotic Vladimir Putin's antics in Russia. In the afternoon, I looked ahead to possible options for Friday, but these looked less attractive when considering fuel costs. I started looking ahead to the Scottish Hop in a week or so and what was available around the grounds. After a dinner of Chilli Con Carne, I left at 5.40, getting to Amersham to meet Colin at 6. He was there within 5 minutes and we had a good journey down, getting there ten minutes before kick-off. Entry was well priced at £5.

Billingshurst were in mixed form. They'd won 2-1 at Arundel in their latest game and had also beaten Godalming Town 5-1 and won 3-2 at Wick. On the flip side, they'd lost 5-1 at Epsom & Ewell, 3-0 to Midhurst and Easebourne and 2-1 to Forest Row. They were 9th in the table, whilst Shoreham were 5th. The visitors were in decent form, unbeaten in their last six. They'd beaten Arundel 4-1, Epsom & Ewell 3-1 as well as winning 4-3 at Hailsham Town. They'd also drawn 1-1 with Godalming Town, Selsey Town & Dorking Wanderers Reserves. The two sides had met twice in the league already with Shoreham triumphing 3-1 at this venue back in August before the two sides shared a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture in November. Billingshurst started on top and they got an early penalty. This was well saved by the keeper however and Shoreham soon took control. The visitors took the lead 35 minutes, a low ball from the right was not cut out and Scott Clampin tapped home from close range. Two minutes later, Billingshurst had another penalty, but again it was saved. Shoreham doubled their lead on 42 minutes, again it was a ball from the right, knocked back in for Jordan Stallibrass to slide home. The visitors dominated up until halftime, missing several chances to make the game safe. Billingshurst improved after half time and they forced the Shoreham keeper into a good save. They reduced the arrears on 70 minutes with the goal of the game. Steve Bull struck a shot from 20 yards that curled and struck the right-hand post on the way in. Shoreham came back into the game and the home keeper was forced to tip a long-range shot over the bar. Billingshurst had a late rally including sending the keeper up but it wasn't to be. I left at 9.45, dropping Colin off at 11.05 and getting in myself at 11.20.

THE GROUND

JUBILEE FIELDS is a smart and well-kept venue. It's only two-sided and the only cover is a drop in metal seated stand with 100 red and black seats. There's plenty of parking and a smart bar with snacks and sports TV although there's not much near the ground.