Tags
football, Non league, norfolk football, Norwich Utd, Stowmarket town fc, Suffolk football, Thurlow nunn
A day that started with a quick taxi to Stowmarket and ended the same way with one home from it.
Originally I had planned to go on the train to March to watch one of my old players , Kalum Benham, perform for Leiston Res but after an injury he wasnt involved so we decided to check out the talented Stowmarket squad that are supposed favourites for the Premier division title.
However, you have to start these trips with food! We decided to try the Mill right by Stowmarket station and we were not disappointed, both our meals were fantastic. But……..then we saw the ‘other’ menu. Thats where the six shooters come in , not cowboy revolvers but six shooters for 12 quid. Of course, nobody in their right mind does these at lunch do they? Erm, a few B52s, squashed frogs and jam doughnuts later, we realised at least two people do!
After a quick heaven and hell, Baileys and black sambuca mixed, we decided to walk to the ground. Of course, the shooters love a walk in the sun. At least one of us stayed on the 6 foot pavement haha.
Arriving at the ground, I am delighted the prices are decent, think the 2 quid for 17/18 yo is brilliant. Most that age dont have jobs after all. I guessed theyd never believe i was eligible so I paid my 7 quid, wondering after if feeling like an OAP qualifies you for a concession.
Pitch looks massively better and I am instantly greeted by Stow boss Rick Andrews, a man I believe epitomises everything right about non league managers. A real gent with time for everybody no matter how old or relevant to the team. I told him I was on a mission to buy him a beer, in recognition for the hundreds he buys others every season. I also bump into Dan Snell, not having an easy time currently, but again despite that a pleasure to see again and talk to. We share a dislike of managers on MOTD blaming every defeat on referees but avoided the subject on this occasion.
Seeing two local football faces of course is never enough so I was delighted to then see the most famous non league fan around in James Beardwell, legendary for his Witham support and featured on BBC news, Sky and near every football twitter account there is! Look him up, hes literally off the scale fan wise.
Studied the team sheet and disappointed Charlie Hitch on bench for the visitors. Massive fan of this lad, thought he was as good as anyone I saw when I saw some Anglian Com games at Harleston. I predict huge future for this still very young player.
Anyway, Stow for me totally dominated the first half, creating plenty of chances. I thought no way could a team withstand that pressure for the whole game. I did feel Stows crosses were maybe too aimed at men not danger areas and also pull backs to the edge of the area may be better and that was proved when it lead to Stow scoring through Howell in exactly that way. As half time sounded, you just expected the second half to see more Stow goals.
As often before, I got that wrong! Stow came out somehow more reserved and Norwich had much more possession without creating much. Neither keeper was overly worked in the second half but several watching had that feeling that one is a dangerous lead and so it proved. Deep into added time , Applegate’s fine strike hit the bar and landed, in my opinion, behind the line. The referee thought so and gave the goal.
Heartbreaking for Stow with the whistle 2 touches later but as Rick rightly observed after, its about taking your chances when on top. Norwich showed spirit in the second half and for that probably feel deserving of the point, Stow I imagine feel like its 2 points dropped.
Those who read this nonsense of mine know I dont do match reports per se as those are available elsewhere, written much better than I could ever do. For me personally, I think among many good displays Phil Weavers was my man of the match , dealing with a lot of clearances in the second half and I felt talking and organising really well.
I stuck that pint in for Rick and walked at the speed of a shackled brontosaurus back to the station to get the cab home, yes I probably resembled one too.
I had a great day meeting so many people I like and respect, plenty of laughs were had, a decent game of football watched and some good food and drink absorbed.
Stow ground, as a place gets better every year. The better they do, the more fans watch and the cycle continues. More revenue generated, better players afforded, more wins so more fans etc. Stow have a lot of talented players, maybe not quite gelled yet but close go doing so and will be superb then. The management team is really good, even the physio knows his stuff. Norwich are in transition but have some good players and whatever their bosses said or did at HT was good, so you imagine they will also improve as the season goes on.
I miss managing teams a lot now but the welcome I get at these games and the people I know from my time on the line remind me why I love it. So to all I spent time with today but especially Kalum, Rick, Dan and James, my heartfelt thanks. Only downside was failing again on the raffle😭
Thanks for taking the time to read this and please share , retweet etc . I know its rubbish but its rubbish I enjoy writing.