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The Pavillion
Cold Pool Lane
Cheltenham
Gloucestershire
GL51 6LA
Ground Number: 1426
Monday 5th May 2025
Cheltenham Tigers 3-1 Fintan Reserves
Cheltenham Tigers 3-1 Fintan Reserves
Cheltenham League Primary Charity Cup Final
FC LAKESIDE & THE CHELTENHAM LEAGUE
FC Lakeside were established in 1975 as a youth team, based around the Cheltenham suburb of Up Hatherley. They were named after the local Lakeside school due to the school allowing them to use the school field for free to train and play on. They eventually established a senior side and joined the Cheltenham League, playing at step 15 of non-league or level 19 of English football overall. They progressed rapidly up the league, winning Division 6 in 2010 and then Divisions 5, 4 & 3 in successive seasons. FC Lakeside missed out on the Division 2 title to Churchdown Panthers by a single point in 2014, but had the consolation of promotion and the league's Senior Cup. In 2015, they finished as Division 1 runners-up behind Whaddon United, again by a single point. The following year, they were Cheltenham League champions and went up to the Gloucestershire Northern Senior League. FC Lakeside remained in Division 2 until 2022, when they finished as runners-up to Stonehouse Town Reserves. Now in Division 1, which sits at step 8 of Non-League or level 12 overall, they look set to finish 5th, which would be the best in the club's history.
MY VISIT
When it came to my Bank Holiday, or indeed any other Saturday, a double was always going to win the day. The only viable option for this day was a Cheltenham League Cup Final that was being played at FC Lakeside. Although it was a fairly basic venue, I decided to go ahead with it. As I see it, if you do two games in one day, it makes each one half price in terms of travel costs. I was keen to make the most of the season whilst it was still available. Fellow hopper Colin had certainly been filling his boots lately, despite only working 8 - 12 hours a week, he was able to go to games almost every day. I had been thwarted on a number of occasions, so sadly it didn't look as if I would break my record of 202 games in one season, which I did a couple of seasons back.
On Saturday, it was a pleasant walk down Wycombe with Colin, with a stop for a Belgian Bun at the bakery. It was then the usual couple of pints at the Rose and Crown. A pint of Old Rosie, a pint of Strongbow and some of the West Bromwich game on my Tablet and Colin making me laugh with a tale of how he fell asleep in Abbey Rangers' clubhouse, I went searching for food. I had an excellent Parmo meal on the way to the ground, as well as an energy drink and a can of Loopy juice to help me cope with watching Wycombe. The first 65 minutes were positive, Wycombe scoring a rare first-half goal and attacking for once. Then, our manager made some bad substitutions and killed our momentum. Before we knew where we were, we had missed a penalty, conceded three goals, and ended up losing 3-1. It had been fairly enjoyable compared to recent weeks, but a bad result.
It continued the division amongst the Wycombe Wanderers fans that had existed since Matt Bloomfield was forced out of the club. For his part, he took Luton down earlier in the day but wouldn't have been in Bedfordshire had it not been for the meddling of devious 'Chief Of Football' Dan Rice. His undermining of a club legend forced a hero to leave for pastures new, and it has been detrimental to two clubs' results. From our game at Frampton, it was a little over 20 minutes to the second game. We stopped at Morrisons, where I got a meal deal and a drink for the game. It was then only a few minutes' drive to FC Lakeside. We were there 40 minutes before kickoff, entry was £3 out of the car window. It was an impressive setup with me getting a club plastic glass, very impressive for the level. A digital programme was also available as was a seating area to rest before the game.
The two sides competed in the Cheltenham League Division 2, which sits at step 11 of the Non-League pyramid. Cheltenham Tigers were 4th in the league, having won thirteen, drawn three and lost six of their games so far. Fintan Reserves were 10th, and had won six, drawn three and lost fifteen of their games. Cheltenham Tigers had won both clashes between the sides in the league, winning 3-1 at home and 4-3 away. Two 1-0 wins had got them to the final, at home to Shurdington Rovers and away to Cheltenham Saracens 3rds. Fintan Reserves had beaten both Bilbury Reserves and Welland Reserves on penalties to reach the final. Cheltenham Tigers were in the red, whilst Fintan were in the yellow. Cheltenham Tigers were ahead on 7 minutes, a shot from the edge of the area. The #17 missed a gilt-edged chance to make it 2-0, dragging a shot wide when clean through. They also hit the post and were well on top. They also hit the bar and forced a good keeper save. The #17 made up for his earlier miss on 32 minutes, making it 2-0 after advancing down the left and rounding the keeper. Just after, Fintan went down the other end, #9 hitting the right-hand post. Just before half time, Fintan rallied, forcing a good save and a couple of goal-line clearances. The same was true of a spell in the second half. It was all for nothing as Cheltenham Tigers made it 3-0 with a lob on 65 minute. A few minutes from the end, Fintan pulled a goal back with a header from a corner but it was too little, too late.
THE GROUND
THE PAVILLION or COLD POOL LANE is an excellent setup. The pitch itself is very basic, with no rail or dugouts. There is plenty of room to expand, though. The other facilities are superb. Food, drink and merchandise are available in the club building, which is really advanced for the level. I have seen much smaller offerings much further up the pyramid, and FC Lakeside have the potential to move a few steps higher.
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