Oracle Components - Allenburys Sports Club

Oracle Components FC

Allenburys Sports Club

Harris's Lane

Ware 

Hertfordshire

SG12 0DJ

Official Website

Twitter

Ground Number: 1303

Tuesday 30th April 2024
Oracle Components 1-2 Belstone
Herts Senior County Premier

ORACLE COMPONENTS FC - A BRIEF HISTORY

The club was established around 2007 and appears to be part of a Harlow-based firm of the same name. They are based around nine miles away at the Allenburys Sports & Social Club in Ware. Despite the club badge denoting a 2009 formation, they won the Hertford & District League Division 2 that year. That came the season after they finished 4th in Division 3 which was considered good enough for promotion. They remained in Division 1 for a while, although results from these few seasons are incomplete as far as I can see. By 2012 they were in the Premier Divison and by 2015 Oracle Components were league champions and then runners-up to Broxbourne Badgers in 2016. After another runners-up spot to Waltham Abbey A in 2019, the club joined the Herts Senior County League. Starting in Division 1, the first two seasons were scrapped due to the pandemic. In 2022, they finished as runners-up to Hertford Heath and have been in the Premier Division ever since. Cup honours include the Essex County Cup in 2017.

MY VISIT

This game was decided well in advance as I was trying to visit all of the grounds in the Hertfordshire League. It was fairly local to me and some great clubs were in there. I was left with four to do - Baldock Town Reserves (though these were likely to be relegated), Lemsford (nomadic in terms of the grounds they use and in the relegation zone) and Bush Hill Rangers (a 3G pitch which I'd save for bad weather). However, it was an outpost, the most distant ground from me aside from Buntingford that would be my destination this Tuesday. Oracle Components were a team I had yet to see. They had supposed to have been the opposition for my visit to Hinton, however, rain scuppered that and I ended up visiting later. In case of any issues, I had backups in place - one being Lemsford, the other being Division 1 promotion hopefuls Westmill.

It had been a decent Saturday for me. I had gone to Wycombe Wanderers v Charlton Athletic. Due to the early kickoff, plans were altered and instead of a pub and takeaway, it was cans and a visit to an excellent local bakery pre-match. Wycombe won 1-0 in a decent performance and it was a happy end to the season. After, I went for a couple of pints at my usual pub before picking up some shopping and walking home. A couple of drinks and dinner later and I was in bed by 9, ready for my 6 am alarm for work. It was a busy nine-hour day but I got through in the end. I confirmed my choices for the week on Sunday evening with fellow hopper Colin, who was happy to come to both. Instead of my usual walk down Wycombe on Tuesday, I went to see my brother and his new baby in Birmingham along with my Mum, it was nice to catch up with family. There was even time to play a bit of time to play my CM9798 game with Berwick Rangers. Two consecutive promotions and two successive runners-up spots behind Albion Rovers who are proving to be my nemesis.

I left at 4.15, having decided to leave it as late as sensibly possible. I went to Tesco, firstly to fill up with fuel, then to pop into the store to get some chicken and crisps for tonight's game. I was with Colin by 4.45 and we got on our way. It was a terrible journey, taking 1 hour 40 to do 32 miles, There were problems on the A12 and so we were sent a slow back route with all the stopping and starting doing my fuel economy no good at all. We made what we thought was the ground with five minutes to spare but this was only the social club with the pitches a couple of minutes drive away. A friendly bloke directed us to where we needed to go. It was a faff with the security barrier taking ages to rise. All in all, not the best start to the game. Fellow hopper Richard was also in attendance and let us know we only missed two minutes. We were three of 34 in attendance in what was a well-kept venue.

Hosts Oracle Components were in 8th place and winless in three games. On Saturday, they had drawn 2-2 against Lemsford. Belstone were top of the league and were unbeaten in seven. On Saturday, they had drawn 0-0 against Chipperfield Corinthians. The game started with Belstone on top and they took the lead on 17 minutes, a good shot that went in off the post. On 19 minutes, it was all square, a shot bundled home on the break. Belstone retook the lead on 47 minutes, a square ball and a shot on the turn from just inside the area. Belstone deserved their win and this gave them the league title. There were jubilant celebrations following the full-time whistle and it was nice to get some pictures. It meant we left slightly later but it was a good journey home. I dropped Colin off at 9.20 and was home 20 minutes later.

THE GROUND

ALLENBURYS SPORTS & SOCIAL CLUB is a mixed bag of a ground. The place is kept very smart, although it's near a busy road which spoils the ambience. It's also a pain to get into, through a security barrier but at least parking is plentiful. The main social club, a fair walk from the sports pitches is very pleasant and smart. There are many footpaths around the sports pitches, so a leisurely stroll to the ground from somewhere else is possible.

Aberbargoed Buds - Recreation Ground

Aberbargoed Buds FC

Bedwellty Road

Bargoed

Caerphilly

CF81 9AY

01443 268190

Official Website

Twitter

Ground Number: 1302
Friday 26th April 2024

Aberbargoed Buds 0-1 Newport City
Ardal South East

ABERBARGOED BUDS FC - A BRIEF HISTORY

Aberbargoed Buds was founded in 1957 after the previous team in the area, Aberbargoed Town, folded in 1949. The Buds, believed to be an abbreviation of 'Bedwellty Urban District Sides' the name of a nearby village with an adjacent road also having the name. They began playing in the West Monmouthshire League before moving to the Gwent County League. They won the Division 1 title in 1985, 2003 & 2006. After their latter triumph, they joined the Welsh League and were Division 3 champions in 2010. In 2013, Aberbargoed finished as runners-up to Goytre and won promotion to Division 1. They yo-yo'd between the divisions for four seasons, though failed to recover during the 2016/17 season, nearly suffering a double relegation. The 15th place finishes in Division 1 in 2014 represents their best ever, being at step 2 of the Welsh system. Various restructures have occurred in recent years. In 2022, they went down to step 4 Gwent County League after suffering a 30-point deduction due to the otherwise excellent Comet system failing to spot an ineligible player. They recovered to win the title, losing just once in all of last season.

Local cup wins include three Gwent County Cups, three Gwent Amateur Cups and three Gwent Senior Cups. Aberbargoed is a town in the County Borough of Caerphilly. It once contained the largest ever colliery waste tip in Europe, although this has now been reclaimed and turned into a country park. Coal mining operations in Bargoed Colliery started in 1897 when the Powell Duffryn Steam Coal Company started to sink the shaft. In 1901, the "Ras Las" nine-foot seam was discovered at a depth of 625 yards. The north and south shafts were completed. In November 1903, Sir Alfred Thomas, MP for East Glamorgan, started the engines to raise the first four trams of coal. By 1910, the pit was employing 1,943 miners and was the largest coal mine in the Rhymney Valley. On 10 December 1908, it broke the world record for production when a ten-hour shift produced 3,562 tons of coal. It further broke its own record on 23 April 1909 when 4,020 tons were raised in a ten-hour shift. Bargoed Colliery closed on 4 June 1977. By this time, only 360 men were employed there. The town is within the historic boundaries of Monmouthshire. Aber refers to a "confluence" or "mouth" of a river and bargod is a "border". The population is just over 9,000.

MY VISIT

This game was only suggested on Wednesday night and decided upon the following morning. Having lost my game at CB Hounslow United on Friday due to rescheduling, I was keen to do a game on Friday night, especially with me going to Wycombe Wanderers v Charlton Athletic on Saturday. It would also be a sober Friday night for me, having had a couple of pints on Wednesday instead. The English leagues were not as keen on Friday night football as I'd like, so it was once more over the border to South Wales where choices were plentiful. I decided that if fellow hopper Daniel could get himself to me, then I would be happy to drive. He agreed and therefore, it would be the first time I had given him a lift since 2017. With there not much East of him that I needed and him learning to drive, there was no need. He had given me seven lifts in return, though not as many as the seventeen I'd given him. He'd been happy to share the driving in Richard's car though and put the wear and tear on that with it's better fuel economy so we were probably about equal having had 18 lifts in his car. Despite giving the other passenger Colin 126 lifts, I'd yet to benefit from his disabled railcard as the only time we could have used it, he left it at home. Overall, I've given 580 lifts and had 35 in return, understandable with all of my regular companions being non-drivers.

I was quite tired after two late nights in a row but did all my research on Thursday. I was asleep around 9.30 and woke ten minutes before my 5am alarm. I got petrol before work and of course, it was a very busy day. I gave up some of my break to help out and there wasn't much stuff to do. It was still a case of rats deserting a sinking ship though as many had weekend plans. Normally, I'd stay on, but I consider football and mates more important than corporate interests. I had a quick sandwich before I left, a pretty decent Cheddar Ploughmans. Daniel had picked up Colin and they were half an hour late but at least it gave me time to rest and type this part of the blog. It was another five minutes for Daniel to get food although Colin had walked off and left him as he was struggling to keep up with him. Eventually, at 2.40 we got away but we had time to kill. It was a mixed journey with the M4 being a right pain. Colin slept most of the way but we were there at 6.10. We got some pictures and paid for our entry before going for a curry. It was a bit of a faff having to pay by bank transfer. Colin had forgotten how to do it despite transferring me petrol money a few hours earlier. The Chicken Kheema Jhal, rice and samosas were superb for £14.40, one of the best curries I have had and so good that it won't be added to my football costs. We stopped near the ground to eat it, Colin enjoying his korma and Daniel his mixed grill for two with chips. We were back at the ground at 7, and I was able to get on with my blog.

Aberbargoed Buds were in 9th place but well clear of the relegation places. They had lost their last six games, the latest a 1-0 defeat at Chepstow Town almost a fortnight ago. This run included a 3-0 win for Newport City in the reverse game. They lead the league and were all set for promotion to the Cymru South, should they obtain a licence. They'd won their last fourteen games and were unbeaten since mid-September. Their last game was a rollercoaster 5-4 win over Penrhyncoch in the FAW Trophy Final. Given that they were on a terrible run, Aberbargoed looked solid in defence in a game of few chances early on. It appeared as if the hosts were playing for a draw, the classic timewasting tactics that I'd seen so many times from a Gareth Ainsworth Wycombe side. It took a superb save from the home keeper to deny Newport City around the hour mark. They were knocking on the door but Aberbargoed were dangerous on the break. Eventually, on 82 minutes, Newport City bundled the ball home, netting from a rebound, the goal credited to Calum Bateman. Aberbargoed Buds were unlucky not to get a draw in the end but Newport's persistence paid off.

 Daniel cashed in on his Twitter noteriety by standing with his newly formed teenage fan club all game. For me, it was a chance to wear my Newport City hat they had kindly sent me in the post. I was glad to see them doing so well and they will be a real asset to the Cymru South should they go up. We left at around 9.40 and made good time on the way back. I was glad to drop my two passengers off at Wycombe at 12.05 and was home twenty minutes later, sticking all of my clothes in the wash and typing my blog. It would be an early start game-wise tomorrow with Wycombe Wanderers v Charlton Athletic kicking off at 12.30 for the benefit of Sky TV. It was a pain but I'd not be setting an alarm having been up at 5 am most days this week.

THE GROUND

THE RECREATION GROUND is a basic but pleasant ground with nice views. The only cover is a metal seated stand, holding 50. There are basic food and drink facilities, but no bar that I could see. Parking is available at the club or on the roads. Less than ten minutes away is the main street with shops and an excellent Indian takeaway.

Harold Wood - Harold Wood Park

Harold Wood Athletic FC

Harold Wood Park

Harold View

Romford

Greater London

RM3 0LX

Official Website

FA Full Time Page

Twitter

Ground Number: 1301
Wednesday 24th April 2024

Harold Wood Athletic 1-4 Shenfield

Essex Olympian Premier

HAROLD WOOD ATHLETIC FC - A BRIEF HISTORY

The club was established in 1908 and has been based at Harold Wood Recreation Park since its inception. They were affiliated to the Essex FA in 1919, joining the Ilford & District League around the same time. From 1923 until 1926, they played in the Romford & District league but withdrew midway through the following season. After a couple of seasons away they rejoined in 1928 and remained until 1950 aside from the war years. Their last season here saw them win a league and cup double. They then joined the Southern Essex Combination League where they remained until 1977. They won Division 1 in 1962 and three Premier Division titles in later years.

After this, they joined the Essex Olympian League. A 4th place finish in 1984 was an early highlight and they remained in the top tier until they were relegated in 1990. Harold Wood would only spend a single season away before being promoted back behind Concord Rangers and Great Baddow Royals. Relegated again in 1994, they would remain in the second tier until the turn of the millennium when they were promoted back behind Nortel (Harlow). They remained in what is now called the Essex Olympian Premier for many years, winning the title in 2006, 2009, 2010 and 2015. Harold Wood were relegated again in 2022 but bounced back last season when they finished as runners-up behind Old Chelmsfordians. This season sees them down the bottom of the table but with plenty of games in hand to recover. Local cup wins include the Essex Premier Cup in 2017 despite losing to Catholic United due to them fielding an intelligible player, the Essex Olympian Senior Challenge Cup in 2011 three Romford Charity Cups and three South Essex Intermediate Cups.

Harold Wood is a suburban neighbourhood in East London in the London Borough of Havering. It is situated 16.5 miles northeast of Charing Cross. Harold Wood was part of the ancient parish of Hornchurch, which became the Liberty of Havering. Most of the current area of Harold Wood became part of Hornchurch Urban District in 1926. It is near to the Greater London boundary with Essex. The name Harold Wood was recorded in about 1237, when it was shown as Horalds Wood. It was named after King Harold Godwinson, who was defeated by William the Conqueror in 1066. He held the surrounding manor of Havering-atte-Bower. Some of the original roads are named after Anglo-Saxon kings such as Æthelstan and Alfred the Great. Harold Wood railway station is situated on the Great Eastern Main Line. It is served by Elizabeth line trains running between Shenfield and Paddington via Whitechapel, Liverpool Street, Farringdon and Tottenham Court Road. The nearest tube stations to Harold Wood are Upminster Bridge and Hornchurch, both on the District line.

MY VISIT

This game was decided upon on the Thursday before. Originally, I'd been considering going to a Middlesex, Oxfordshire or Bedfordshire league game. However, I was fed up of having to do all the driving and noth having time to edit some of this blog whilst I was on the move. For that reason, I opted to do a game in the Essex Olympian League that fellow hopper Daniel had spotted. He was going to do it if Braintree weren't playing, a rare occasion of him actually going to see them play with it being a playoff game. They would have been playing on Wednesday if results went their way but they failed to beat Eastbourne Borough on Saturday and had to play on Tuesday. I'd seen the side win impressively at Kelvedon Hatch recently and both teams were pretty sociable on Twitter. Therefore it was a no-brainer to go and I could even tie in a visit to Chadwell Heath Wetherspoons for food.

From my game last night at Alcester, it was a fairly simple drive home. We listened to the Cambridge United 1-1 Wycombe Wanderers commentary before I dropped Anwar off and I was back home at 10.15. I'd sorted my pictures and uploaded my blog by 11 although it took me over an hour to get to sleep. The 5 am alarm was most unwelcome and I was hoping that work would be smooth. Not for the first time, Daniel lived up to his surname of Turner and decided against coming. Though with a late night the day before and a 2.30 alarm, I couldn't really blame him. I was glad when I got out at 12, giving me nearly a couple of hours at home. I got a few things done as well as having lunch before leaving at 2.20. I was at the station well in advance after finding a parking space.

It was a simple journey, Metropolitan to Moorgate, walk to Liverpool Street, Elizabeth to Chadwell Heath. The first train was fairly quiet and the journey passed quickly with me playing my Berwick Rangers Championship Manager 97/98 save. The people thinned out as we got out of London. I was able to resume and secure promotion with three games to go, albeit only on the runners up spot. I was at Chadwell Heath by 4.30. Wetherspoons 326 was the Eva Hart, named after one of the longest-living Titanic survivors who lived in the area. It was nothing special but a pint of Strongbow at £2.80 was good value. It was then a shawarma wrap, chips and a bottle of Aspalls for £8.67. This was all superb and left me in a decent mood. It was five minutes back to the station and a few minutes wait for the train. I was at Harold Wood by 5.50 and via a shop and a Turkish chocolate cake, I was at the ground at 6. Fellow hopper Richard was in attendance as was Neil, the pretend commentator. Of course, the 18:15 kick-off started at 18:34 but it is hard to get from work in time for these sorts of kick-offs.

Harold Wood Athletic were in 13th whilst Shenfield were in 6th. The hosts had lost both their games since I'd seen them win 4-0 at Kelvedon Hatch on 6th April. This included a costly 3-2 loss at fellow strugglers Canning Town on Saturday. Shenfield, a couple of stops down the Elizabeth Line were unbeaten in three league games. On Saturday they had also won 3-2 at Sungate in the Anagram Records Trophy. Shenfield started the strongest but then Harold Wood had a good spell. On 23 minutes, Shenfield took the lead, a close-range Frankie Fealty finish from a cross. On 28 minutes, the visitors led 2-0, Luke Williamson bundling home the ball at the far post from a right-sided corner. After a six-minute halftime, the game resumed at 7.25. Harold Wood had a brief spell at the start of the second half but on the hour it was 3-0 following a well-worked move, Fealty getting his second. On 79 minutes, the hosts finally showed a bit of quality, a shot on the turn from the edge of the area, the strike of the game so far. However, on 82 minutes, Shenfield bettered the goal from a similar position to make it 4-1, Louie Young the scorer.

There were 47 in attendance, quite impressive for the venue. A number of hoppers were in attendance and I was in good company of Richard and Neil. It was nippy and dark by the end and the late start meant I was going to get home half an hour later. There was the possibility of a game in Wales on Friday at Aberbargoed Buds. I intended to revisit CB Hounslow, but the game was moved back a few weeks. It would depend on others coming though. It was ten minutes back to Harold Wood. I could have changed at Romford to get back quicker but it seemed pointless when I would be waiting for the Amersham train anyway. If all went according to plan,. I'd have this blog done on the train home, get back to Amersham at 22:24 and be back home by 22:45.

THE GROUND

HAROLD WOOD PARK is a very basic venue but a pleasant place to watch a game. It's a world apart from the mainline station less than ten minutes walk away where there are a range of shops and takeaways. The pitch, as the name states is in a prk with other football pitches and a cricket field. There is no hard standing but there are benches and a few benches near the pitch. Near the cricket square, there is a clubhouse, this has a bar, snacks and other facilities. There are also a number of pennants and other stuff from the various clubs that use the facilities.