Whitchurch United 4 Folland Sports 1 - Wessex League, Division One
Whitchurch is a town in the
borough of Basingstoke and Deane in Hampshire. It is situated on the River Test,
13 miles south of Newbury, 12 miles north of Winchester and 12 miles west of
Basingstoke. Due to the amount of wildlife around the River Test, its course and
banks are designated as a site of special scientific interest. Local groundhopping celebrity Vinny Goodfield, has a fond attachment to Whitchurch
United FC and lives three minutes from the ground. During the night of 7 February 2018, Henri de Portal’s former paper
mill, Bere Mill, which had been converted into a family home, was largely
destroyed by a major fire. The mill house was fully restored in 2020.
The football club was established in 1903
following a merger of Whitchurch Rovers and Whitchurch Albion. In 1958 the club
joined the Hampshire League. Success came in 1989-90 when, having won Division
Two, promotion was secured to Division One. In 1991-92 the club was promoted to
the Wessex League. Relegation in 1993-94 was followed by an immediate promotion
the following season. The club play their home matches at Longmeadow.
A midweek jaunt to Hampshire was facilitated by
the offer of a lift (much appreciated Phil). The journey via A10 and M25 and M3
to Whitchurch, was punctuated when we detoured to Hanworth to collect the
Fridge Magnet from his abode (Did not see his shed - so close and yet so far!).
Just an hour later and we had arrived and parked up at the ground.
With plenty of time to explore,
we walked into the town centre in search of refreshment. An old part of town
with some very old looking pubs! At The Bell, this Pieman enjoyed the reliable
Timothy Taylor Landlord ale. However, when travelling to different places, I
usually look for something a bit more local. This quest was satisfied at The
Kings Arms where I delighted in King John (4.2%), from Andwell Brewing Company,
based in Hook “deep amber in colour with a blend of pale ale and crystal malt. The
bitterness and fruity aroma are developed from a combination of hops"
On our return to the ground, we arrived at the same time as some of the Folland Sports players. Enjoying a good start to their season, they were confident ahead of this evening’s match. We were able to take plenty of daylight photographs and wander around the playing area. The only covered accommodation for spectators is the seated stand which straddles the half way line. The dugouts are on the opposite side of the pitch. Which backs on to all-weather enclosed football pitch, which is used by the community. Behind one of the goals is a school, with the other end backing on to a new housing estate, where said Vinny has made home.
The clubhouse, which also serves the wider
Longmeadow Sports complex is blessed with real ale options. My swift half of
Cheriton Porter (4.2%) from Flower Potts Brewery (based at Flower Potts Inn, Cheriton
Hampshire) was a treat. The volunteers that run the football club are a very
friendly welcoming bunch, taking the time to chat with us and giving us an
insight into how the club operates and its ideology.
Folland Sports were completely overrun in the
first half of the match as the form book went out of the window. Goals from Dec
Shuttleworth, Kyle Williams and a penalty converted by Kieran Rodgers with
barely half an hour gone, livened up the evening before the visitors pulled a
goal back, just before the interval. However, just after the break, Ryan
Timmins hit a fourth goal for the hosts to cap an impressive team
performance. Our journey home was slightly delayed by some inconsiderate
parking, but this did not spoil an excellent evening at a lovely club. The roads
behaved on the way home with the Fridge Magnet safely deposited at Hanworth
around 23:00 and this Pieman alighting at Cheshunt an hour later.
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