![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
The Sound Of The Suburbs
Mar. 24th, 2024 09:07 pmTo Northolt today, where London Seaward’s thrice postponed away Capital Cup quarter-final with Ashford Town Middx had been redirected to a 3G pitch by the London FA.
From Southall station, I wandered a little way in the wrong direction looking for Bus Stop N and had to call on Google Directions in the end. At least that meant I got a half decent walk in. I’d allowed plenty of travelling time so still arrived at the ground comfortably early.
Being the home of the Middlesex FA, Rectory Park is an impressive facility. Met Gav and three of the players on my way through the reception area. Got a chicken burger and chips in the clubhouse. Groundhopper Dave came over for a chat. The first thing he said was that the game was on Pitch 2. The good news was that I’d never seen a game on that pitch before, and the pitch is registered on Futbology, giving me a tick; the bad news is Pitch 2 has no seats so we had to stand all afternoon.
Said my hellos to Dan during the warm up and to the others as they came off the pitch to return to the changing room before emerging. Dave and I were joined by Sarah’s dad who kept up a stream of conversation about the game. Seaward had three good chances on goal and Ashford got in one close shot but the game ended scoreless.
Ashford scored three of their penalties and hit the post once. Their keeper saved three of our kicks. Our Capital Cup dream was over.
Back out to the bus stop. The Elizabeth Line was jam packed until the passengers thinned out at Langley, then I got a seat at Slough. Reading to Southampton train packed too, though at least with nobody standing in the centre aisle. As I listened to an online radio show on the train, two people I get on with had a spat on social media.
I need to tune out.
From Southall station, I wandered a little way in the wrong direction looking for Bus Stop N and had to call on Google Directions in the end. At least that meant I got a half decent walk in. I’d allowed plenty of travelling time so still arrived at the ground comfortably early.
Being the home of the Middlesex FA, Rectory Park is an impressive facility. Met Gav and three of the players on my way through the reception area. Got a chicken burger and chips in the clubhouse. Groundhopper Dave came over for a chat. The first thing he said was that the game was on Pitch 2. The good news was that I’d never seen a game on that pitch before, and the pitch is registered on Futbology, giving me a tick; the bad news is Pitch 2 has no seats so we had to stand all afternoon.
Said my hellos to Dan during the warm up and to the others as they came off the pitch to return to the changing room before emerging. Dave and I were joined by Sarah’s dad who kept up a stream of conversation about the game. Seaward had three good chances on goal and Ashford got in one close shot but the game ended scoreless.
Ashford scored three of their penalties and hit the post once. Their keeper saved three of our kicks. Our Capital Cup dream was over.
Back out to the bus stop. The Elizabeth Line was jam packed until the passengers thinned out at Langley, then I got a seat at Slough. Reading to Southampton train packed too, though at least with nobody standing in the centre aisle. As I listened to an online radio show on the train, two people I get on with had a spat on social media.
I need to tune out.
