I had originally planned to be at the 2013/14 FA Vase Final last season at Wembley, as then Wessex League Premier side Sholing ran out 1-0 winners against West Auckland Town. As my luck would have it, the game fell on the weekend before the start of my AS Level examinations, and so I instead spent my time with my nose in a politics textbook. I know where I'd rather have been, but I have to abide to real priorities every now and then. As a result, I made it a goal to get to as many FA Vase fixtures this season as possible, alongside the FA Cup, and generally any other competition that popped up really.
With that in mind, and with Bashley playing away at Shortwood United, I took the opportunity to make my first ever FA Vase tie. Game of choice? Fareham Town vs fellow Wessex Premier outfit Petersfield Town at the Cams Alder Stadium. It's probably worth noting that Petersfield have made an excellent start to the campaign, and currently find themselves in second place, a point behind leaders Moneyfields with a game in hand. |
Due to engineering works between New Milton and Bournemouth this weekend, it meant today's adventure instead began from Brockenhurst station, which made for a nice change. It's a relatively easy journey to Fareham, taking me about 45 minutes to Fareham station, with a quick changeover at Southampton Central in the middle, before a pleasant 10 minute stroll over towards the ground. Cams Alder is hidden at the end of the road, and is easily recognisable once you spot the floodlights towering over the houses in the local suburb. As you turn round the corner and into the car park towards the entrance, the large grand stand is clearly visible over the fence and through the trees. Having paid my admission, and with programme in hand, I headed over to the stand to take a seat and take in my surroundings. My God, does this thing give you an excellent view of the pitch. It may dwarf everything else in the place, and lay a good 10-15 metres from the pitch, but the view is excellent. So much so infact, I remained there for the duration of the first 45 minutes.
Fareham Town as a club were founded in 1947, following the amalgamation of three local sides in the year previous. Town spent 20 years playing at Southern League level, before deciding to drop into the Wessex League at the end of the 1997/98 campaign, presumably because of financial reasons. They have remained in the Wessex Premier since then. Cams Alder, as aforementioned, holds a magnificent stand, but there aren't any other terraces of note around the rest of the pitch. The stand sits opposite the dugouts, with a food bar to the right as you face the game, and the turnstiles from which you enter to your left, next to the changing rooms. |
The game itself wasn't spectacular by any stretch of the imagination, but it certainly didn't lack talking points. Fareham forwards Simon Woods and Liam Bradbury squandered early opportunities to give the hosts the perfect start, before Woods was released in behind a static Petersfield defence, only for him to fire straight against the legs of Matt Shortt in between the sticks. In between yellow cards for what I shall refer to as 'non-league challenges', Bradbury and Petersfield centre-back Ed Dryden missed good chances, before we went into the break as we'd started.
The second half was as intriguing as the first, with both sides pushing forward looking for the elusive opener. Fareham had a penalty shout turned away, as well as calls for a red card, before substitute Jordan Neal did slam home the opener, and the eventual winner. Just minutes after entering the fray, Neal collected the ball inside the box, before swivelling to fire the ball through the legs of Shortt, and claiming Fareham's place in the hat for the First Round draw. In truth, Petersfield will probably feel disappointed that they weren't able to put their wasteful opponents to the sword at any stage, but I did feel that forward Warren Hunt was denied a stonewall penalty in the dying moments.
The second half was as intriguing as the first, with both sides pushing forward looking for the elusive opener. Fareham had a penalty shout turned away, as well as calls for a red card, before substitute Jordan Neal did slam home the opener, and the eventual winner. Just minutes after entering the fray, Neal collected the ball inside the box, before swivelling to fire the ball through the legs of Shortt, and claiming Fareham's place in the hat for the First Round draw. In truth, Petersfield will probably feel disappointed that they weren't able to put their wasteful opponents to the sword at any stage, but I did feel that forward Warren Hunt was denied a stonewall penalty in the dying moments.
Full-time score;
Fareham Town 1-0 Petersfield Town (Att: 96)
(Neal 86')
So, there it is, ground number 26 ticked off. Cams Alder is a cracking place to watch football, and is surrounded only by friendly people. Thoroughly enjoyed my afternoon, and who knows, I may follow you where ever you may be in the First Round Proper. Maybe.
Cheers Fareham!
Sheridan.
Fareham Town 1-0 Petersfield Town (Att: 96)
(Neal 86')
So, there it is, ground number 26 ticked off. Cams Alder is a cracking place to watch football, and is surrounded only by friendly people. Thoroughly enjoyed my afternoon, and who knows, I may follow you where ever you may be in the First Round Proper. Maybe.
Cheers Fareham!
Sheridan.