St John’s Park, home of Heather St John’s based in Leicestershire and play their trade in Step 6 of the Non League Pyramid in the United Counties League Division One. Nicknamed the “Saints” as it’s in the name “St John’s”.
The Simon Blyth Memorial Trophy between Heather St John’s and Hinckley AFC is here for another year! Hinckley ground sharing at St John’s park for 3 years with Simon Blyth being a key figure between the 2 clubs who sadly is no longer with us but his legacy lives on!
So down the M1 off at the A42 and into the ground in good time! £3 to get in here and a very friendly welcome including a shout out on the tannoy!! Priceless!
Out come the teams! Hinckley holders of this cup last year, will they retain it? Let’s find out!
Kick Off! Heather starting off as the better team and win a corner straight from kick off, in it comes… Number 9 header… OFF THE LINE! Hinckley get it away.
26 minutes now and heather win the ball back high up the field, Kai Thomas is played through in the box on the right, he’ll get there first… AND SCORE!!! heather lead! Good finish! 1-0!
Hinckley are starting to grow in the game after going behind, but at half time it remains 1-0 to the hosts.
Second half… For a friendly match it is certainly hotting up!
63rd minute and Hinckley have a free kick on the left just outside the box, it’s crossed in… The header… OFF THE BAR… AND AGAIN… Did it cross the line…? Yes says the Referee! It’s 1-1! It’s Adam Barber who got the header! Can’t tell from my view but there you go, it’s level!
73rd minute now and Hinckley are piling on the pressure now! They have it down the right and drive into the box, it’s played across to Elliot Edwards who must score… He does! Hinckley walked that one in! 1-2!
80th minute and Heather are looking for an equaliser, it’s played through into the box and out comes the keeper and the Heather man slides in… It’s loose… And it’s going to be a goal!! Heather are level… But the Referee is going over to his assistant… Was there a foul on the keeper there…? Yes say the officials! No goal! Harsh I think…
86th minute now and Hinckley are looking to seal it now, it’s set up for Jack Edwards in the box on the right for the volley… OH! HAVE THAT!! What a strike! that seals it now for Hinckley! Simon Blyth Memorial cup is there’s once again!
FT: Heather St John’s 1-3 Hinckley AFC
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 3/10 – Not the loudest but a few fans tried!
- The Ground: 8/10 – Very pretty! The hedges give it a unique look and the stands are really good! I like this ground! Would love if the middle stand was just a bit bigger though.
- Expense: 10/10 – £3 for all that! Magnificent!
- Overall Experience: 9/10 – Everything but the Heather win… Love being shouted out on the tannoy! Thank you Heather St John’s!