Ensuring that I don't work Saturday's this season has been one of the best decisions I've made for a very long time. It's allowed me to travel, whilst also meaning I can avoid the elderly customers and their painstakingly boring small talk for at least another 24 hours that week. If you've ever worked a day in retail, you'll be on side with me here.
Bashley's game at Winchester was inevitably postponed on this, the first Saturday of the year, and so scrolling through the fixture list before leaving the comfort of my bed was the order of the moment. A tweet from 'Hopper and Son', I'm still chasing young Liam's ground total, pointed me in the direction of Sussex based Lancing FC. With the promise of a 3G pitch and a guaranteed game of football, I wasn't going to turn my head on this one and off to Sussex I went, even after the travel debacle of the night before.
Andy was to be joining for the day's silliness, and it wasn't long before the drinks began to flow on the train having met him in Havant. It's an easy journey across to Lancing, a quick change at Southampton Central allowing me to join the direct line through to Brighton, stopping at Lancing on the way. Thankfully, the rail system was behaving, and we were soon enjoying a pint in 'The Merry Monk' alongside West Ham comfortably beating Liverpool in the Premier League. A good start to the day.
Bashley's game at Winchester was inevitably postponed on this, the first Saturday of the year, and so scrolling through the fixture list before leaving the comfort of my bed was the order of the moment. A tweet from 'Hopper and Son', I'm still chasing young Liam's ground total, pointed me in the direction of Sussex based Lancing FC. With the promise of a 3G pitch and a guaranteed game of football, I wasn't going to turn my head on this one and off to Sussex I went, even after the travel debacle of the night before.
Andy was to be joining for the day's silliness, and it wasn't long before the drinks began to flow on the train having met him in Havant. It's an easy journey across to Lancing, a quick change at Southampton Central allowing me to join the direct line through to Brighton, stopping at Lancing on the way. Thankfully, the rail system was behaving, and we were soon enjoying a pint in 'The Merry Monk' alongside West Ham comfortably beating Liverpool in the Premier League. A good start to the day.
Typically, we'd found a group of those die hard Liverpool fans who somehow support the team from absolutely nowhere near the club, and so I made sure to provide a doubly exaggerated fist bump on hearing the final whistle. We soon made our way across to the ground that we actually cared about however, a good 12 second walk from the pub, which was convenient.
Lancing's home, Culver Road, also plays host to the Sussex FA and so I wasn't too surprised to find a well maintained ground with a 3G playing surface on arrival. There's some seating running halfway along the near touchline as you enter the turnstiles, with a large bar and food hut on the halfway line. Behind the far touchline is an excellent view of the hills, making for a rather picturesque ground. It was certainly a nice place to be spending a couple of hours on what was actually a pretty grim afternoon weather wise.
Lancing's home, Culver Road, also plays host to the Sussex FA and so I wasn't too surprised to find a well maintained ground with a 3G playing surface on arrival. There's some seating running halfway along the near touchline as you enter the turnstiles, with a large bar and food hut on the halfway line. Behind the far touchline is an excellent view of the hills, making for a rather picturesque ground. It was certainly a nice place to be spending a couple of hours on what was actually a pretty grim afternoon weather wise.
The match itself went the way we expected it to go, without any disrespect to visiting opponents East Preston. Despite Lancing's seeming inability to get a shot on target, they still managed eight goals against an East Preston side that are really struggling at the foot of the table, only sitting a precarious second from bottom thanks to St Francis Rangers, who've mustered just two league goals all season. Lancing were by far the better side, and with a bit more confidence and a bit of composure, could have had 15. |
At 1-0, my favourite quote of the season could be heard across the ground, and it really was a belter. With midfielder Lewis Finney lining up a free-kick some 25 yards out, somebody, and sadly I don't know who, gave him arguably the greatest piece of advice ever given. Next time you're setting yourself to take a set-piece, remember this and it shall serve you well;
"Visualise it going in"
Incredible. I don't know why those four words would mean anything to anybody in their right mind, but clearly poor Lewis is prone to imagine himself pinging balls out for a throw-in instead of taking aim at goal. As it so happened, he stepped up and curled his effort well over the bar. A heated discussion between Andy and myself ensued, before our expert analysis concluded that he wasn't visualising hard enough, hence the need to pluck the ball from the neighbour's garden.
"Visualise it going in"
Incredible. I don't know why those four words would mean anything to anybody in their right mind, but clearly poor Lewis is prone to imagine himself pinging balls out for a throw-in instead of taking aim at goal. As it so happened, he stepped up and curled his effort well over the bar. A heated discussion between Andy and myself ensued, before our expert analysis concluded that he wasn't visualising hard enough, hence the need to pluck the ball from the neighbour's garden.
In the end, the home side managed to fire home eight in a comprehensive victory, including a hat-trick for first-half substitute Max Howell. As a Bashley fan, I know what it's like to be in East Preston's position, and it isn't a fun place to be. Sadly, it's clear that they're out of their depth at the level, and I hope for their sake they turn it round as soon as possible.
That being said, a group of five or so younger lads travelled with the team, and sang their hearts out for long periods, with their flags proudly strung up across the perimeter fencing behind the far goal. I'm told they follow the side home and away, and they are an absolute credit to the club. Big up to those boys, it's not easy but at least they seemed to be enjoying football away from the television set, the way it was always meant to be enjoyed.
That being said, a group of five or so younger lads travelled with the team, and sang their hearts out for long periods, with their flags proudly strung up across the perimeter fencing behind the far goal. I'm told they follow the side home and away, and they are an absolute credit to the club. Big up to those boys, it's not easy but at least they seemed to be enjoying football away from the television set, the way it was always meant to be enjoyed.
Come the end of the game, we finished our pints (+ 10 points for any clubs that allow a pint to be enjoyed pitchside), said goodbye to the club, and headed for the one place we knew. Back to the Merry Monk. With an open pool table that allowed for free games (+ 10 points to any establishment that offers free pool), we enjoyed a couple of drinks with Watford vs Man City game on in the background, before missing our train and heading back inside for another drink. As you do.
Concentration level: Hit that yellow thing.
Andy and I eventually jumped on the trains back into Portsmouth for a further few drinks, before stumbling across Crawley fan Craig and a few of his mates in one of the Wetherspoon's in town. I love spontaneity, and well, the least said about the rest of that night the better. It was all very spontaneous.
Lancing are a friendly club with cracking facilities, and well worth a visit any time you happen to be in Sussex. They managed to secure a big win against one of the league's whipping boys, and put on a decent show for a grimy day in the rain. Well done boys.
Sheridan
Lancing are a friendly club with cracking facilities, and well worth a visit any time you happen to be in Sussex. They managed to secure a big win against one of the league's whipping boys, and put on a decent show for a grimy day in the rain. Well done boys.
Sheridan