TEN MAN HARROWBY GRAB A LATE EQUALISER AGAINST WISBECH TOWN

HARROWBY UTD 1 V WISBECH TOWN 1
UNITED COUNTIES PREMIER LEAGUE @ THE ENVIRONCOM STADIUM
19 DECEMBER 2015 --- 3PM

HARROWBY UTD FC ENVIRONCOM STADIUM

[The blogs Facebook page 'we all stand together' will feature a few pictures not used in the blog shortly]
It looked like a second minute goal from Michael Frew for Wisbech would be enough to earn the visitors all three points especially when Sam Weatherstone was sent off for Harrowby early in the second half.  But the determination of the home side and in the end Danny Durkin 7 minutes from time earned the Grantham based side a point.
We arrived at Saturday and the forecast around base was surprisingly for rain and with a few early call offs a Michael Fish study of the weather had once again taken place and following the encouraging chat with some UCL officials at Yaxley last Saturday we headed towards the better weather at the metropolis of Grantham.  Just over an hour away from base station it is a town that I have never visited before even though I have visited the outskirts.  Following some planning of a few places I wanted to take a look at I discovered the Grantham circular bus could be joined at the end of the cattle prod tour of the town centre. 

GRANTHAM GUILDHALL AND ISAAC NEWTON

Arrival at Grantham station just after 1pm, we proceeded to take a look at the smart Guildhall fronted by The Isaac Newton statue, Newton was born in Lincolnshire and educated in the town.  A walk down the High St took us to take a look at the majestic St Wulfram's Church with a towering spire surveying the town.
The next part of the journey took us the former corner shop of Alderman Alfred Roberts the father, and birthplace, of Margaret to become Thatcher first women Prime Minister.  The building is now a healing centre and has a plaque high up on the building to mention the historical relevance.

THE BIRTHPLACE OF MRS MARGARET THATCHER

Before we arrived at the building we passed a thoughtfully named pub called the 'blue pig' and over the road from the former shop the 'nobody inn', great name!
At this point following a sharp walk we were on time to catch the Centrebus 1, 'Into Town' service, at the same time a 1 to Lincoln arrived and we nearly hopped on the wrong bus.  However a few minutes later the correct number 1 arrived for a tour around the estates of Harrowby.  Departing adjacent to the ground we took a small investment to Mark Jarvis bookmakers before visiting a big 'T's small 'T' version for a snack.

SPENCER WISBECH FAN RECORDING ALL THE ACTION

Tracing our steps back towards the ground and down Dickens Rd and to the tight and sheltered entrance of the ground.  Entry today was via the bar with the gate and I guess pay shed not in use, it was though a good policy and with an attractive Christmas tree on show we settled in the bar for a swift lemonade before purchasing the programme, a scratch card team and getting todays team line ups.  In the build up the blog managed to say hello to Simon the Harrowby secretary who had kindly replied to the blogs text to advise about the status of the game in the morning.
Also in the snug bar area was Spencer a long term Wisbech fan who now undertakes many tasks including videoing todays game.  Many will probably remember him hitting the headlines when the visitors moved to their new ground he moved into a flat there!  Spencer did inform me that he has moved on about 18 months ago but I guess that would be many non league fans ideal home!

CLUB HOUSE AND CHANGING ROOMS

Before we departed we also got into conversation with the grandad of Aaron Butcher the Wisbech, and former Ilkeston, goalkeeper.  An interesting chat ensued but it was soon time to pop outside and do the obligatory cicuit, entrance fee paid we entered via the tunnel and departed to our right.  First on show was the snack bar and then a small play area for any younger supporters.  A new cabin with a decking area around the front exterior is to aid hospitality, managers and physio rooms. 

VIEW FROM THE DECKING AREA TOWARDS THE DUG OUTS

Straight on are the two dugouts just separated by enough distance to avoid to close contact at times of heightened tension.  The whole surround is hard standing and down both sides you are a little away from the touchline the closest area to the action is behind the goals.  So behind the bottom goals we have a quite wet area of concrete standing with a scaffold catchment netting threatening to fly away.  The far touchline sides onto playing fields which are part wooden and net fenced off from the Environcom Stadium. 

THE NAME SAYS IT ALL

The main accommodation is on this side and goes by the name of 'Stan's Stand'.  A cracking structure with high rising bench seating and too either side covered standing areas.  The stand is names after Leslie Stanisland an esteemed gentleman who was heavily involved in the reforming of the club in 2012 and sadly passed away around that time, a nice tribute by the club.
The top goal is hard standing fenced off with alternate red and black wooden exterior fencing and to the near entrance end corrugated fencing of the same colouring.

REFEREE SARAH GRUNDY HEADS UP TODAYS OFFICIALS

Arriving back at the club house photo's taken and quick chat with a few people including a quick hello to today's match referee Sarah Grundy a level 4 who is well thought of in the UCL. 

THE MODERN HARROWBY UTD CLUB CREST

The club operated a good audible pre match public address system, this was though missing at half time a shame because there had been a good selection of music before kick off that I had enjoyed the walk round to.
The ground it has to be side needs a little loving with quite a few fence panels, I guess affected by the wind, in need of replacing but of course that is a costly exercise and with as ever the volunteers doing their upmost to run a club in a well populated area it would as ever be nice to see some more people of the large estates around he ground come along and support the club I guess.  Overall I loved the ground though and we had many a friendly chat and welcome during the afternoon from fans of both sides, thank you!
So as ever to the purpose of the afternoon 90 minutes of football and when after 2 minutes Frew headed in a cross from Mathew Sparrow to give Wisbech the lead we did not know what to expect.

HARROWBY UTD ON THE ATTACK EARLY IN THE FIRST HALF

The visitors threatened again on 19 minutes when Sparrow fed Stuart Cobb whose shot fell to the far post and with Frew about to add to his tally the ball was hooked away by the Harrowby defence.
Harrowby showed in attack and on 33 minutes Butcher was well placed to save from Durkin's header.

OPEN GOAL?

Just before half time Wisbech should have wrapped it up when Sparrow disposed the home defence rounded home custodian Johnathan Hotson and with and open goal proceeded to 5 yards short of the goal he placed his shot into the side netting before ruefully looking, blamefully, at the divot in the pitch.
We entered half time with the visitors in the lead from that early strike and made our way to the snack bar for soup, tea and a couple of sausage rolls.  There was also a nice selection of pies all served up by the amiable Donna and Lynne who had become favourites of Mick by the time I arrived.
The challenge became harder for The Arrows on 51 minutes when referee Grundy produced a second yellow and the inevitable red for Harrowby's number 4 Weatherstone.  His first half caution was I'm told by the home supporters a case of mistaken identity so I guess he could feel himself very unlucky here.

STUART COBB [WISBECH TOWN FC]

Hotson had to be alert on 70 minutes but he pulled off an excellent save from a header from Frew for the visitors.
The second half had been a hard defensive job for the home side but they had battled admirably and got their chance on 83 minutes as so often happens the work rate they had put in since being reduced to ten men paid off.  A goal mouth scramble wasn't cleared by Wisbech and Durkin was on hand to bundle the ball over the line from close range.
Wisbech could still have won it with five minutes remaining Hotson was on hand again to deny livewire Frew at full stretch.

The visitors would feel hard done to by the result but it has to be said that Harrowby never gave up and celebrated their equaliser with sheer delight that earn them a hard earned point.
Departure was brisk at the end allowing us to return by the opposite circular tour route of Centrebus service 1 back into Grantham with 3/4 of an hour to our departure from the rail station.
Base station was made at 7.20 after a very enjoyable afternoon in the company of two more UCL clubs.  Hopefully soon a visit to Wisbech will come to the top of the 'to do list' and a recommendation to pop along and take a look at this nice little club Harrowby Utd if you have not visited before.

CENTREBUS OPTARE ON SERVICE INTO TOWN 1 OUR MODE OF ARRIVAL