Due to the adverse weather conditions today, I have had to change my travel plans. Originally I had been looking to see the Worcestershire Junior Cup semi-final at Studley between Feckenham and Inkberrow. This has been postponed so I am going with Plan B and am going south to see the Hellenic Premier League clash between Cheltenham Saracens and Oxford City Nomads. This will be a new ground and a new league for me too.
I haven't visited Cheltenham for at least 2 years, so it will be good to have a look around.The weather is cold and cloudy when I leave Worcester on the train. 30 minutes later I am walking out of Cheltenham station and I take the footpath to the town centre that follows the route of an old railway line.
When in town I come across the Art Gallery & Museum, which had undergone some refurbishment. There is a small collection of paintings, featuring a diverse range of artists and in the museum section is a great collection of Arts & Crafts period furniture, beautiful hand made pieces. Well worth a visit if you like a bit of cultchar!
After a bite to eat, it's time to catch the bus to the ground which is situated to the north west of the town centre, just off the Tewkesbury Road. The bus driver kindly stops as close to ground as possible after I had told him my destination and then I make the 3 minute walk to the ground. It's situated right along side the railway track on the east, with a housing estate to the north and west, with the River Chelt just behind it to the south.
After paying my entrance fee, I walk in to see that to my right is a small club house, with a toilet block on the other side. To my left is a small stand with the seats painted in the club colours of blue and yellow. Looking down the pitch, on the left are the dug-outs and beyond them is a small covered standing area for spectators. On the opposite side is another small stand with seats. The teams come out on to the pitch from the north west corner, down a path from where the changing rooms must be located.
Cheltenham Saracens are having a very tough season and find themselves at the foot of the 20 strong division with Nomads in 13th place. The Saracens have been in the Premier Division since the 2011-12 season. Their opponents today play at the same ground as Oxford City and are now an integrated part of their development squad. They were crowned champions of this league in 2012.
The teams are the very picture of colour co-ordination, with Cheltenham in royal blue shirts, shorts and yellow socks. Nomads are in yellow shirts, shorts and blue socks.
Cheltenham Saracens attack from the start and in the very first minute, go very close to scoring. They continue in this vein and after 5 minutes have the ball in the net...only for it to be ruled out,... for offside maybe? (as shown below).
They certainly don't look like a team rooted at the bottom of the table with just 5 points to their name so far.
After the first 10 minutes, Oxford City Nomads start to establish themselves in this contest and the 16th minute finds them too having a goal disallowed. 2 minutes later and they have a shot from the right that goes in to the side netting.
The first half is turning out to be an even affair and the Saracens are the next team to go close when their No.8 produces a dipping shot that just go's over the wrong side of the bar.
In the 41st minute, Nomads are awarded a penalty but their captain and No.5 has his shot saved by the keeper. No need to worry though as their No.10 shoots over the keeper and under the bar on the stroke of half-time.
During part of the first half I chat to the Saracen's club photographer, who also happens to be their Chairman's brother. There is also a photographer in attendance from the local press. She leaves after 20 minutes, probably for another local sports assignment.
I warm myself up in the small club house and have a quick look at some of the match photos on the walls.
The late first half goal looks to have galvanised the Nomads and sucked the confidence out of the home team as the second half is a very one sided affair.
Oxford City Nomads increase their lead after 15 minutes from a header and 11 minutes later their No.6 taps in from close range after the ball is passed in from the right wing.
It gets worse for the Saracens when goal number 4 comes courtesy of a penalty which is awarded when their No.6 brings down a player. As he had stopped an almost certain goal scoring opportunity, he is duly shown a red card by the ref. The spot kick is dispatched by the Nomads No 10.
To my surprise Cheltenham get a consolation goal right near the end when their No.10, their best attacker in my opinion, cuts in from the left and beats 2 defenders before slotting the ball home.
So the game ends in a convincing defeat for the Saracens, which had been a bit surprising given their spirited first half display.
Match attendance: Approx 25
Match entertainment: 7/10
Match entrance fee: £4
Match programme: £1
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