Hartpury University - Hartpury College

Hartpury University FC

Hartpury College Sports Ground

Hartpury House

Gloucester 

Gloucestershire

GL19 3BE

Official Website

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Ground Number: 1178

Friday 28th April 2022
Hartpury University 2-2 Milton United (1-4 pens)
Hellenic League D1 Playoff Final

HARTPURY UNIVERSITY FC - A BRIEF HISTORY

Hartpury University are one of the newest clubs in the game, formed in 2020. For a club that makes Milton Keynes FC look as if they have a history, they have come a long way in a short time, In the midst of the pandemic in 2020, they entered a team in the Hellenic D2 West. Due to the early curtailment of the season, they played just five games here, winning three of them. The following season, they joined the Herefordshire County League Premier Division, enjoying an incredible season, winning all 20 of their games and scoring 117 goals in the process. Following their promotion to the Hellenic Division 1, they've made a great start. Pershore Town have won the title, but Hartpury University sealed a place in the playoffs as a home side. This season saw them enter the FA Vase for the first time and they enjoyed a good run. Hartpury defeated Malmesbury Victoria before progressing past Clanfield 85 on penalties following a goalless draw. Tuffley Rovers were beaten 1-0 before they won 2-1 at Mousehole. Bovey Tracey were then thumped 7-0 before they lost 2-0 at Atherstone Town in the 4th Round.

Hartpury University started out as a college in 1947, gaining University status in 2018. It describes itself as specialising in the "agriculture, animal, equine, sport and veterinary nursing" sectors. The institution has academies for sports including rugby, football, modern pentathlon, equine, rowing, netball and golf. In June 2017 the college expelled one student and suspended several others following a police investigation into images circulated online and on social media depicting students from Hartpury College apparently killing a fox cub and posing with a dead cat. The College and Gloucestershire police both issued statements concluding they were satisfied the killing of the fox was not an act of cruelty, and that one of the students, who was training as a gamekeeper, had killed the animal to end its suffering after it had been hit by road traffic. The police declined to take further action. Hartpury is a civil parish in Gloucestershire. It has about 270 homes and a population of about 700 people, increasing to 1,642 at the 2011 census. The village is about 5 miles north of Gloucester.

MY VISIT

Hartpury University was another of those grounds that I'd fancied doing for a while, for two reasons. Firstly, it would help me complete the Hellenic D1. Secondly, it gave us the opportunity to visit an excellent takeaway called Muchacos. Fellow hopper Anwar was a big fan of the latter, however, he continually turned down the ground when I offered it, citing it as 'not great' when he had paid a flying visit on the way to another game. Just like with another one that he kept turning down, Thornbury Town, I guessed I'd have to do it on my own. One attempt was thwarted due to the wet weather and so I was glad when I saw that there were playoffs in the league. However, I didn't think they were needed, thanks to an unusually scheduled fixture. I don't often get to see a game on Monday but with a 5 PM finish at work, Gloucester was ideally located for a quick dash from work. But as it happened, the game was called off due to someone cutting through an electricity cable and so, the playoffs were needed after all.

I didn't know when planning it, but both Colin & Martin were happy to join me, even better Martin would meet me at work and drive. He'd been a trouper driving all the way to Scarborough a couple of weeks ago, however, I'd driven to a few nearer games in return recently. As it turned out, he couldn't make it as he was unexpectedly imprisoned at work. It had not been a bad day up until that point but due to the late notice and a dreadful local bus service, I had to meet Colin in town. Even after a 35-minute drive to do a couple of miles, he still arrived after me having left for the usual half-hour journey at 3pm. Colin was eventually there at 4.50. The journey over was not so bad, a few spots of traffic but we were there by 6.50. I got the ticket on my phone for £4 and went in. The food was excellent, fresh pepperoni pizza for £5 and a rocky road cake for £2. We then walked around the ground taking pictures prior to the kickoff.

Hartpury University were 2nd, whilst visitors Milton United were 3rd.  The hosts had suffered a shock 2-1 defeat at strugglers Kidlington Reserves a couple of weeks ago but had been in scintillating form prior to that. They'd beaten Cheltenham Saracens 5-0, thumped Kidlington Reservers 9-0 in the home fixture, beaten Cirencester Town 10-1 and won 6-0 at Moreton Rangers. Milton United had squeezed through 3-2 at Stonehouse Town in their penultimate game and were unbeaten in seven games prior to their last game. In the league game a week ago, Hartpury University had won 2-1. When the two sides met in Oxfordshire on 19th November, the two sides shared a 0-0 stalemate. To get to this final, Hartpury University had beaten FC Stratford 4-0 whilst Milton United had progressed past Clanfield 85 on penalties following a 3-3 draw. Milton United had the better of the game and they took the lead on 22 minutes, Louis Joyce bundling home from a few yards out. Hartpury had a brief resurgence, but never really tested the keeper aside from a few saves with his feet. We stood the end that Hartpury were shooting second half, but all the action was up the other end. A penalty was awarded on 67 minutes for a trip. Joyce stepped up to net his second and seemingly make the game safe. Hartpury finally got the bit between their teeth in the final five minutes, a shot from Parker from the edge of the area deflected in on 88 minutes. Then remarkably, a great jinking run and shot from the edge of the area right on time. They then created a golden chance in injury time, blasting over from point-blank range. There was plenty of time added on and after a game that Milton dominated, Hartpury looked the most like winning. I expected extra time, but it went straight to penalties. Milton United won 4-1 and to be honest, it was deserved.

It was a shame that Hartpury, slayers of so many sides had only really gone for the jugular for around ten minutes of the game. In the penalties they came up short but they'd been great hosts in a decent game. A number of students came to watch the game for free. probably doubling the 103 official attendance. It was around 10.15 by the time we left and we made good time on the journey home. For once, my compatriot stayed awake the whole journey and I dropped him off around midnight. Twenty minutes later I was home and enjoying a Ross On Wye Cider, made not far from where I'd watched my football. With the Wycombe v Cheltenham game the next day, the aim was to get to bed before 3 am.

THE GROUND

HARTPURY COLLEGE is a huge complex with various factions of college life on campus. It's set in a green, well kept and peaceful area and the pitch amongst other things, is immaculate. Further afield is a clubhouse, although I didn't really check this out. Back at the ground is a smart setup, two stands holding 50 seated and 50 standing. There are two food and drink options, an excellent pizza stall and a coffee place that does great cakes. There is plenty of parking and although it's isolated, there appears to be a good bus service.