With the decision not to travel with Bashley over to Swindon Supermarine this afternoon already in my mind (We lost 6-0 by the way), it was just a case of deciding where I'd be adventuring next to enjoy my Saturday football fix. Originally, a 13 choice random draw was conducted, and it ultimately chose that I'd be travelling over land and sea for Bashley reserves vs Hythe & Dibden reserves. Not contended with that, I trimmed the draw down to four new grounds, and fate decided that I would instead head to Jubilee Field, home of Sway in the Bournemouth Premier League.
Obviously, travelling over land all the way down the road to Sway for a step 7 game may seem like a nightmare to many, and I must confess, I wasn't expecting miracles from this level whatsoever. How naive I was. Jubilee Field is a very good setup, with hard railings surrounding all four touchlines, and a small stand on the near touchline opposite the dugouts, probably housing a good 30-40 hardened supporters on a bitter day like today. The clubhouse is a smaller, yet spacious affair, and I'm even told the finest sausages Sway can offer are available after the game, provided by the local butchery. |
Finishing work at 1, I was able to leave home with plenty of time to kill before the kick-off, as the ground is just a ten minute drive or so from where I live. I arrived at Jubilee Field some twenty minutes before the beginning of proceedings, and perched myself in the aforementioned 'football furniture' on the halfway line. Sway went into the game bottom of the league on goal difference, with visitors Bournemouth Manor sat second in the league, one of many things I was happily spewing in Harry's general direction, as he'd decided to join me for the afternoon.
Don't get me wrong, I won't claim to be this great football connoisseur who knows everything there is to know about the non-league game, I don't believe any such person exists across the pyramid. My mindset before kick off was one of half expectation that I was to witness a poor game, but half wishing that certain players would stand out and sweep my football mind from its Southern League high horse.
What I got was more than I could have hoped for. A competitive, hard-tackling game with both sides looking to get the ball down and play football when they had the opportunity. Of course there was the longer ball further up the park, but that's part and parcel, I didn't mind that. Manor showed their edge in quality with a brace of first half goals to give them the advantage, before a third early in the second half all but sealed the three points. Sway found a consolation, but never looked like getting right back into it, and remain rooted at the bottom of the pile for at least another week.
Full-time;
Sway 1-3 Bournemouth Manor (Attendance: 27)
(Gates 57') (Foote 34', Leverton 42' 49')
What I got was more than I could have hoped for. A competitive, hard-tackling game with both sides looking to get the ball down and play football when they had the opportunity. Of course there was the longer ball further up the park, but that's part and parcel, I didn't mind that. Manor showed their edge in quality with a brace of first half goals to give them the advantage, before a third early in the second half all but sealed the three points. Sway found a consolation, but never looked like getting right back into it, and remain rooted at the bottom of the pile for at least another week.
Full-time;
Sway 1-3 Bournemouth Manor (Attendance: 27)
(Gates 57') (Foote 34', Leverton 42' 49')
Ultimately, the game has entirely changed my perception on step 7 and lower. I'm perhaps doing myself a disservice, because I always knew that the quality was going to be there, but I certainly didn't expect the 90 minutes to impress me as much as it did. The cynic out there would argue otherwise. No programme, no team sheets, no pin badges, I wasn't even charged an admission fee. Do you know what though, maybe that's the way it should be. 90 minutes of watching a football game on a chilly Saturday afternoon, without the fancy extras.
I know I left Jubilee Field with a smile on my face...
Sheridan.
I know I left Jubilee Field with a smile on my face...
Sheridan.