ST ANDREWS ALL 'HART' AS THEY HIT ARNOLD FOR 8 TO BECOME CHAMPIONS

ST ANDREWS 8 V ARNOLD TOWN 0
EAST MIDLAND COUNTIES FOOTBALL LEAGUE AT CANAL ST
23 APRIL 2016 --- 3PM

ST ANDREWS EMCFL CHAMPIONS

A Steve Hart hat trick barnstormed St Andrews to the league title following this 8-0 demolishing of second bottom club Arnold Town.  On a bobbly end of season pitch it was the home side who lead 5-0 at half time and while Hart completed his hat trick in the 2nd half the Leicester based side really should have entered double figures and barring a couple of good saves and the woodwork they surely would have.  Scenes of joy at the final whistle were capped off by the presentation of the league championship trophy as their band of supporters helped St Andrews complete a successful season which will now see them move up to ply their trade at step 5.
We entered this Saturday's game in a state of doubt only making the decision on the morning, what was going on?  After months of bad weather and postponements the blog could not make its mind up of where to go and I guess over the last 5 months the weather as normally made the choice!  St Andrews as come up so many times that we really had to pop along for a visit and with the season end upon us its quite handy to select a game with something left in it and today a point would see St Andrews claim the EMCFL title so off to Leicester we went.  Later departure than for ages from base station with Sheff Weds being at Derby at 1230 we knew the train service to Leicester would be busy.  Thankfully we managed to grab a seat and had time to have a quick laugh at the platform announcement stating that the first class would be at the front it wasn't it was at the rear so we had a quick dash to the cattle class seats and then a clear lack of counting ability when the train was announced as a 10 carriage service....................it was 7!

WELFORD RD HOME OF LEICESTER TIGERS

Onwards past Derby with a slightly quieter train we departed just short of 1230 an opted for a mini sports ground tour by foot to Canal St home of St Andrews.  First up was Welford Rd home of Leicester Tigers Rugby Union Club and with a smartly developed ground since my last visit to this area of the city it was an impressive visit capped off by a chance to take a look at the club shop.  An impressive line up of items of which Mick purchased some small Tigers embossed goods.  Crossing over the road the chance to brush by the old Filbert St base of Leicester City Football Club and before we did a circuit of their new ground, The King Power Stadium, we found a little jewel of a cricket ground.

ELECTRICITY SPORTS GROUND WITH TIGERS GROUND IN THE BACKGROUND

The Electricity Sports Cricket Ground on Pavillion Close was an oasis in the middle of terraced houses and industrial units and was clearly lining up a game for this afternoon with the rugby ground stand in view behind the pavilion.  Just a short boundary away is The Foxes new home and as they strive to claim the Premiership title the club shop was doing a brisk trade and we had a walk around the perimeter of the ground.

THE KINGPOWER STADIUM

Taking our leave and venturing along Saffron Rd past the athletics stadium and on to Friar Lane and Epworths ground, formerly Friar Lane Old Boys, there was activity and thankfully we were able to get a picture of the ground.

FRIAR LANE AND EPWORTH ON KNIGHTON LANE

I had missed this fixture today against top of the table Birstall and this was slightly disappointing as we felt a little rude popping off to St Andrews after a little chat with one of the spectators bit we certainly hope to visit for a game in what will now be next season.  The railway line looks down upon the ground and having seen it from the train many times it was interesting to see an East Midlands train pass the ground today as we visited.  Back to the small red ball now as we walked through Aylestone Park to Grace Rd home of Leicestershire County Cricket Club.  The ground was looking immaculate and was now adorned with their brand new floodlights which I believe had been finally installed this week which will enable the club to play evening 20/20 games and county championship games in darker conditions.  Had we have had a little more time close by is the Leicester City academy and Aylestone Park FC's ground.

GRACE RD WITH ITS NEW FLOODLIGHTS

Having got back on track we were soon approaching the home of St Andrews FC down Canal St over the humped back bridge which allows you to cross the Canal and turning left we were greeted by the friendly and welcoming two 'L's' in Lisa and Les who were our first contacts with the club at the pay booth.

LES AND LISA OFFERING A WARM WELCOME TO ST ANDREWS FC

We have said before but a warm early welcome makes a good impression and here we received this again, thanks!  Turnng into the ground the club are clearly fencing off their ground from the car park and changing rooms with green meshed fencing and installing a new full size turnstile, probably formerly from Leicester City, at the side of their stand.

NEW TURNSTILE BLOCK

The club house and changing rooms are set back to one side behind the stand and we managed to sample an excellent chip cob for a pound, other clubs take note this is real non league food at a very reasonable price.  So reasonable that we proceeded to purchase during the afternoon a selection of lucozades and snacks, Mick even sampled his favourite Bovril in addition.  With teams gained thanks to todays match officials there was time for a circuit of the ground and with hard standing all round the far side of the ground houses the dug outs and behind them further training pitches.

CLUBHOUSE AND STAND AT CANAL ST

The main stand is a smart small affair one step up from an Atcost facility and that really sums up the ground there is not too much else to describe but on this pleasant afternoon it offers an acceptable stadium which is tucked away on the edge of the city and away from the hustle and bustle.  I guess any community events and pre season friendlies would be very enjoyable in the summer months here.
So to the game and Arnold were soon in trouble as St Andrews stormed to an unsurmountable lead.  It took just 4 minutes for the home side to take the lead and a cracker it was too Eliot Putman looping a 25 yard effort over visiting keeper Ross Cherry, it was 2-0 after 11 minutes when Joe Latham powered home his back post header.

2-0 JOE LATHAM

You began to fear for the Nottinghamshire visitors when they went 3 down on 17 minutes when Rob Morgan saw his low driver beat Cherry.  Just before the half way stage of the first half it was 4 when Putman put in a near post cross that Shay Brennan cheekily back heeled into the visitors goal.

Following a lull in the goal scoring it was 5 minutes before the break until St Andrews made it 5-0 thanks to Steve Hart whose cross goal shot fell past the visiting keeper.
The second half started frustratingly for the home side substitute Lewis Turland saw his header crash back off the bar and then Hart had an effort cleared off the line by the visitors Jordan Wall.  Normal service was resumed though on 68 minutes with a wonderful goal, Rob Morgan picked the ball up on the half way line and powered his way through the Arnold defence before rounding the keeper to slot home to further extend the lead.

STEVE HART

It was 7-0 when Hart saw his header come back off the right hand post but he was on hand to pop the ball over the line.  The home number 10 was now in search of his hat trick and on 77 minutes the home side hit the post this time with the strikes shot rebounding to safety.  There was no denying Hart his hat trick though and with 7 minutes remaining he teed himself up 10 yards out and as the ball came down he convincingly fired home to make it 8-0 and by this stage the Championship Trophy was being prepared by the League officials for presentation immediately after the final whistle.

HART MAKES IT 8 AND COMPLETES HIS HAT TRICK

A very successful season for St Andrews who over the last few seasons have consistently showed improvements in both FA Vase appearances and League positions.  They can enjoy their summer celebrations and await their next league placement.  This was a difficult afternoon for Arnold Town who battled away all afternoon trying hard to defend and clear their lines but St Andrews were just too good for them today.
Handily at the end of the game the Aquamarine boys provided an immediate service 87 back to the city and just after 5.30pm we were on our way back to base station for arrival 50 minutes later.  All included and enjoyable visit to Leicester sporting sites and St Andrews the champions of the EMCFL.

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