Cricklefield Stadium, home of Ilford FC based in East London and play their trade in the Essex Senior Football League. The first competitive game of the season is finally here!! And whilst I’m down here in London, it would be rude not to sample a game around here! Ilford is the selected destination for their game against Stansted FC! Let’s have it!!
But first, it’s a little trip to Tottenham for the Stadium tour and for the Skywalk!! Excited? You bet!! Me and Broseph making the trip over today!!
An absolutely incredible stadium to say the least!! I look forward to visiting here for a match one day!! Now for the Skywalk!!
Broseph isn’t sure about it… But we eventually convince him to do it! Surely he won’t regret it right? £45 out of pocket for us both for this! Take it!!! Here we go!! Very steep up there… But here we are! The Adrenaline is pumping as I walk over the edge! If I could describe this experience with one word: UNREAL!!! What an experience this was!! What a view!!
The day rolls on and now it’s time to make the trip over to Ilford. Made it to the ground with plenty of time till kick off! £7 to get in here! Marvellous! Pin badge acquired: £2! Into the bar I go and what a great vantage point! Shame I couldn’t pour the Fosters into the cup very well… I am not a barman… Definitely made the lady at the bar chuckle!
Kick Off! A fairly even start to the game but Stansted coming on stronger the more the game goes on. 11 minutes in and Ilford come forward down the left, number 7 has it and he cuts inside in the box, number 10 screams for it, number 7 shoots… It’s over… Number 10 not happy and I wouldn’t be neither! Plenty of space for him in the box.
Stansted starting to look the better of the 2 sides but Ilford looking dangerous in the final third. 22 minutes gone and Ilford come forward, long ball played out to the left, it’s played into the box low, oh and Stansted haven’t dealt with it and here’s number 2 from close range… He finishes!!! Easy finish and Ilford have the lead here!! 1-0!
30th minute and Stansted have a throw in on the left, it’s played to number 7 on the left wing, he crosses, in towards number 6 with the header… Wide. 35th minute and Stansted come down the right hand side, in comes the cross, number 11 with the header! Brilliant header!! 1-1!! game on! “BEEEEEEEEP!” One Stansted fan has brought an air horn to the game tonight… Cover your ears!!
Stansted starting to look more dangerous now! Right on half time and Stansted have a throw in on the right wing, it’s a long throw in, it’s flicked on, number 11 is there at the far post… What a save by the keeper!! He’s tipped it onto the crossbar… Ilford clear!! Brilliant goalkeeping!! that would be the last action of the half with the score at 1-1.
Second half, 47th minute and Stansted have a free kick in the Ilford half, it’s lumped into the box, keeper comes… Misses it… it comes to number 11 with the goal gaping… IT’S OFF THE LINE!! Ilford clear! Fantastic defending there by Ilford!
54 minutes on the clock and Stansted have a throw in on the left, it’s another long throw, keeper misses it again… It comes to number 11 again… Blocked by the Ilford defender and they clear. 61 minutes now and Stansted have the ball on the right, he crosses in, it comes to the Ilford man in the box… Did he control it with a hand there…? “Yes!” Says the Referee! Penalty! I thought so too, it’s unlucky but that’s football! Number 8 steps up… And he scores!! It’s 1-2! And no more than Stansted have deserved this half! Cover your ears… “BEEEEEEEEEEP!” There it is again!
Stansted starting to dictate play now, Ilford? No answer… 71 minutes played and Stansted come forward again, a through ball is played out to the left, number 9 gets it in the box and he pulls it back for number 10… He finishes!!! It’s 3 for Stansted!! Good work there and Ilford look dead and buried… Not again… “BEEEEEEEEEEP!” Let’s hope that’s it for the Stansted goals tonight… RIP Ear drums…
Stansted looking more likely to add a fourth than Ilford getting back into this you have to say. 89th minute and Ilford come forward, it’s played to number 10 in his own half, he drives forward, he’s around 30 yards out and he shoots… Deflected… Keeper saves comfortably.
Into stoppage time now and the ball is played back to the Ilford keeper to clear… Number 11 chases it and the clearance hits him and he gets the ball in the box, he puts it on a plate to finish… It’s off the line!! But was it by a hand? “Yes!” Says the Referee! Penalty again and it should be a Red Card shouldn’t it…? Yes it is! Ilford are down to 10 men… It’s number 8 again… Saved!! Ilford clear! But that would be the last action of the game and it’s a great start to the league campaign for Stansted!
FT: Ilford 1-3 Stansted
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 3/10 – A few in tonight and that one Stansted fan with the air horn has driven up this score line tonight!
- The Ground: 3/10 – It does have 2 stands and a good vantage point from the bar, but sadly it is more of an athletic ground than a football one…
- Expense: 10/10 – £7 is decent and it was a good game I saw here tonight!
- Overall Experience: 6/10 – A decent night out! A good game at a friendly club! The lady on the bar was fantastic and I’m glad I came!
22/40