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Independent Women Part 1
Sep. 17th, 2018 09:06 pmTo Denham yesterday to see the Orient Women. The best route would have been a train to Harrow & Wealdstone then a bus to Harrow-on-the-Hill to get the tube to Uxbridge, but the Harrow Half Marathon was on, meaning buses weren't going all across town. After last week's marathon on foot, and as I already have long walks between home and Leighton station, rather than make the 25 minute walk across Harrow I opted for the train into Euston and the tube all the way out to Uxbridge from there.
Arrived at Uxbridge just before 11 am. The tube station had some lovely 1960s light-behind-panels indicator boards, and more vintage signage on a (closed) kiosk. I nipped into Costa, where Bonfire drinks were on sale; I went for the Bonfire Spiced Hot Chocolate, very tasty. Then across the road to Five Guys for an early lunch before catching the noon bus to Denham. Happily it stopped right outside the ground.
Denham United Ladies are the only female-only club in England to own their own ground. Fitting that their The Den home was my 350th ground. I entered to find a reserve team game in full flow. Groundhopper Dave and Keith were already in the clubhouse. I went for a San Miguel from the bar to toast my 350th ground and hope it would bring Orient's Spanish players some luck.
Chris, the Orient head coach, came into the clubhouse; he clearly knew Dave and Keith well. I introduced myself and he stopped for a brief chat with all of us.
Lisa was out of the side this time; I posted 'Wish you were here' on her Facebook, she posted a lovely comment. As Orient had only three subs, and after her goalscoring exploits last week, I'm guessing she was injured rather than dropped.
Orient certainly missed Lisa, creating few chances and going behind on the hour. Our little group stood downcast at the perimeter fence, gloomily reflecting that we'd have to play better in the WFA Cup next week, until two minutes into injury time when sub Rebecca Hirst's shot glided across the goalmouth and into the bottom corner. 92 minutes of mediocrity were forgotten as we broke into cheering and applause.
Bus back to Uxbridge, tube to Rayners Lane to catch a bus to Harrow & Wealdstone. A beggar came up and approached each of us standing at the bus stop; thankfully he didn't argue with my "No. Sorry."
Arrived at Uxbridge just before 11 am. The tube station had some lovely 1960s light-behind-panels indicator boards, and more vintage signage on a (closed) kiosk. I nipped into Costa, where Bonfire drinks were on sale; I went for the Bonfire Spiced Hot Chocolate, very tasty. Then across the road to Five Guys for an early lunch before catching the noon bus to Denham. Happily it stopped right outside the ground.
Denham United Ladies are the only female-only club in England to own their own ground. Fitting that their The Den home was my 350th ground. I entered to find a reserve team game in full flow. Groundhopper Dave and Keith were already in the clubhouse. I went for a San Miguel from the bar to toast my 350th ground and hope it would bring Orient's Spanish players some luck.
Chris, the Orient head coach, came into the clubhouse; he clearly knew Dave and Keith well. I introduced myself and he stopped for a brief chat with all of us.
Lisa was out of the side this time; I posted 'Wish you were here' on her Facebook, she posted a lovely comment. As Orient had only three subs, and after her goalscoring exploits last week, I'm guessing she was injured rather than dropped.
Orient certainly missed Lisa, creating few chances and going behind on the hour. Our little group stood downcast at the perimeter fence, gloomily reflecting that we'd have to play better in the WFA Cup next week, until two minutes into injury time when sub Rebecca Hirst's shot glided across the goalmouth and into the bottom corner. 92 minutes of mediocrity were forgotten as we broke into cheering and applause.
Bus back to Uxbridge, tube to Rayners Lane to catch a bus to Harrow & Wealdstone. A beggar came up and approached each of us standing at the bus stop; thankfully he didn't argue with my "No. Sorry."
