Ground hopper '85: United Counties

Showing posts with label United Counties. Show all posts

Saturday, 25 October 2025

Wisbech (25-10-2025)

Wisbech 2 - 3 Newark (United Counties Premier), Saturday 25 October 2025

After 15 years I have finally made it to Wisbech's "new" ground. I have fond memories of an Easter cycle ride to the old Fenland Park in 2007 so this was well overdue. I combined this visit with a parkrun and a meet-up with the family.

The ground is reasonable but seems a bit tired in places (see advertising hoardings). The clubhouse was nicely laid out. I liked the idiosynchratic set of seats at the end of one of the terraces.

Wisbech had a recent stint at Step 4, and this is partly what reminded me to visit. But they are now back in the UCL, a league whose footprint has shifted significantly in recent seasons. I had not realised that Wisbech have made the 1st and 2nd rounds of the FA Cup, albeit over 30 years ago now. For a while they were rivals with King's Lynn, but have fallen some way behind. I heard that in the past there was an idea to merge the two clubs, although this never came to fruition.

This was a feisty match, with 2 red cards and 3 penalties. Wisbech couldn't quite find an equaliser late on and on balance Newark just about edged it. I enjoyed the changing Autumnal colours and beautiful skies over the Fens on the way back, on the day before the clocks went back.

Saturday, 26 April 2025

Retford (26-04-2025)

Retford FC 4 - 0 Clipstone (United Counties Division 1 play-off semi-final), Saturday 26 April 2025

The United Counties now stretches a long way North of its traditional base in Northamptonshire. I'd be interested to see a map of the geographic distribution back in the days when King's Lynn reserves were in it. I wasn't too surprised therefore to see Retford in this league, although I was intrigued that there are now 2 teams in Retford. As it happened, today Retford United were also playing across town in the other semi-final. Pub quiz question - what would a Retford derby be called?

Retford FC is a relatively new club, but their ground is very prominent as it is right next to the East Coast mainline. Numerous trains sped past during today's action.

Retford had finished 20 points ahead of the visitors Clipstone, and this gulf in class was evident from the start. They just looked stronger, more alert and more organised. Two headed goals either side of the break looked like they would see them through. Clipstone had a bright period when 2-0 down and had a golden chance when they were awarded a penalty. But the player could only hit it over the bar. After that Retford again took a stranglehold on the match with 2 more headed goals. They look a decent side and will be a tough proposition for their next opponents - as it turned out, Blackstones had beaten Retford United across town so the next Retford derby will have to wait.

This was another play-off to add to my list - I must make a note of this kind of match in my spreadsheet. A 40-minute drive back home, mostly on familiar roads, so not a bad trip all things considered.