ROMULUS 'KEEN TO HOLTE' GOOLE

GOOLE AFC 2 V ROMULUS 3
EVOSTIK NPL SOUTH @ THE VICTORIA PLEASURE GROUND
14 NOVEMBER 2015 --- 3PM

THE VICTORIA PLEASURE GROUND

Romulus took away all three points from Goole with two lovely strikes from Luke Keen and Liam Holte effort after being two down to their hosts.  A remarkable comeback one that saw the roles reversed for Goole who last week had put Sheffield FC through the same emotions.
A wet weekend in Goole at The Victoria Pleasure Grounds [The VPL]..............................yes please.  With the weather once again being a concern for all hoppers it was a spot of Michael Fish meteorological work plus transport planning for a few games, I know pretty much the same as last weeks blog introduction!  Here again today the blog was further aided by Goole AFC who after an early text were straight back with the prospects and with a twitter feed always up to date it does give you an added confidence when visiting clubs like The Vikings.

GOOLE TOWN CENTRE OVERVIEW

A later than normal start would not leave time to take in the local 'spoons' but we arrived in our destination the inland port town of Goole at just after 1.30pm.  It was already drizzling but not bad enough to give too much concern and as research had shown, backed up by comments from Goole officials, its very rare a game is called off for waterlogging at The VPG.
The station is a smart little affair that seems pretty well used but with an uninspiring waiting room and entrance.  The station seems to divide the town into two with a nice precinct the opposite way to the ground and a small indoor market.  The shops on the way to the ground appear to be of the smaller and more local variety and are the other side of the 'divide'.  Overall though the town seems to be functional and have a fair selection of shops.  The two water towers literally peer over Goole from varying vistas around the surrounding streets an with Associated British Ports buildings also overseeing the town the areas history is not too difficult to work out.

GOOLE STATION A 'STANDARD' WELCOME

After a small tourist trail around we set off for The VPL and having gone back past the railway station we were on our way into the tight terraced back to back houses that welcome you on the approach to Goole's homestead.  There is a surprisingly 'old' football ground feel about the positioning of the ground which is really nice for us old uns and even when we turn the corner to see the turnstile block and entrance this theory is not dispelled.

ENTRANCE TO THE VICTORIA PLEASURE GROUND

A warm welcome was obtained from our first contact with the clubs officials around the turnstile, they are clearly well organised and by the time we had made ten yards through the gate we had been able to purchase a programme, raffle ticket and goalden goal ticket.  All clubs need proactive officials like todays purveyors of all things fund raising for the club and a good job they did too, sadly they did not sell us a winner.
With the wet stuff still coming down the blog set off on a circuit while Mick entertained the biggest meat pie chips and peas I have seen at a ground.

HERES A SMALL PORTION!

The club has a reputation for the local butchers speciality and today plenty of people were arriving early to make sure they got their weekly supply from John who was doing a pleasant job of serving.

THE PIES AT GOOLE GO DOWN WELL

All portions were generous indeed my chip butty, I did try cob but soon found out its butty here in the East Riding of Yorkshire, was massive well done Goole supporting the theory of well priced generous non league food.
Off to the right as we enter the ground and of course you will have noticed the ground is surrounded by a  normal size running track that on both ends goes down to 4 lanes, apparently the local athletics club still train at The VPL.  As with all running track surrounded grounds its never ideal but overall today I have to say it did not affect my enjoyment of the game that some other examples have. 

COVERED STANDING

The far side offers a stepped covered concrete terrace which straddles the half way line.  This area offers a superb view of the two water towers and for the train enthusiast a view of the Doncaster to Hull line with regular passenger and freight services offering a distraction from the proceedings on the pitch.  Behind the far goal you really are a distance away from the action but its hard standing all the way round to the far side were all the main club activities are based first up is a small derelict terrace with grass overgrowing, followed by a current uncovered small terrace.

FORMER TERRACING

Just before the stand to the rear is The Vikings Bar a small but comfortable purveyor of ales, coming back to the stand to the rear is the PA announcers box.  The announcements it has to be said were clear and good all around the ground a real change from some of the poor systems at some grounds, another plus for Goole.  The stand is made up of a mixture of bench and red tip up seats with to the rear a small enclosed hospitality area.  The players tunnel is a caged affair and joined onto the stand is the main steeped covered terraced area which offers a good vantage point, although this does have a few support posts to peer around.

MAIN STAND LOOKING TOWARDS THE ENTRANCE

Back now to the main entrance which following entry as a wide open tarmac area.  Attached to the turnstile block is the club shop and relaxing hospitality area.  In this area is the snack bar and ground toilets and there you have The VPL.
So to the game and it was Goole keeper Thomas Beaurepaire who was remarkably in early punching action on at least three occasions when he was spotted flying through the air like a certain comic book hero.

THE CLASSIC PHOTO OPPORTUNITY AT GOOLE AFC

The visitors from the West Midlands were looking very sharp and all but odds on to take the lead, of course you know what happens don't you?
Goole took the lead after 22 minutes Mathew Semley was quick to nip in on hesitation in the visitors defence and although pushed wide he finished from a tight angle and it was 2-0 after 33 minutes.  Referee Burgess played a good advantage allowing Nick Guest to confidently slot past Romulus keeper Chris Gemmell.
Romulus gave themselves a chance on 39 minutes when a sharp finish from Holte reduced the arrears.

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION

The second half started brightly for the visitors and the equalised on 52 minutes when Keen fired home well from just inside the box.  Twenty minutes later the comeback was complete when  Keen got his second and the third for Romulus with another edge of the box finish that finished up in the bottom right hand corner of the Goole net.
The closing stages could have seen either side add to their tally Alex Varley saw his shot go across the face of the goal and for the visitors Jordan Francis saw his effort cleared off the line by Joshua Wright.  Before in the second minute of stoppage time Goole captain Sam Colbear rose majestically at the far post but his header was over the bar when Goole probably should have seen this as an equaliser.
An entertaining game in some wet conditions which produced some neat finishing from both sides.  Football is a funny old game, so somebody said [!] Goole last week came back from 2-0 down against Sheffield FC to wind but today the roles were reversed by Romulus who would have enjoyed their long journey back home with three points secured.

LEAVING THE VPL BACK ONTO THE DARK WET STREETS OF GOOLE

Plenty of time to get back to the station for the 1725 return to base with a quick change at Sheffield. 
A welcome afternoon at the match further enhanced by some friendly people from both clubs.
Having passed The VPL a few times this season and had Goole on the 'to do list' for a while it was an enjoyable experience with hopes of a quick return on a slightly more weather welcoming afternoon to allow a better look around the town.

GBRF FREIGHT WORKINGS BY THE VPL