Thursday 21 October 2010

Chasetown v Kendal Town Saturday 4th September 2010 Evo-Stik Premier League

Having enjoyed my first experience of seeing Chasetown on Monday, I decided to head to the Scholars Ground for my game on what was designated National Non-League Day. We meet up with Helen in the car park and make our way into the ground.

You enter the ground where all the facilities are situated. This encompasses the Club Shop, Clubhouse, changing rooms and seated stand. I set off clockwise around the ground leaving Mrs Reynard and Helen to find a seat.

The area behind the end to the left as you come in is vast with only a small covered stand sitting behind the goal. There is hard standing running the whole way around the ground but I do not think I have seen such a large area behind an end before, and I have to add it was perfectly kept.

The far side of the ground has a wide three step terrace running it’s length and the dugouts are situated in front of this terracing and there are four floodlight pylons situated on the bottom step of the terracing.

Just a note about the dugouts. There is an additional one between the home and away dugouts which I assume is for the fourth official to use. Something else I do not think I’ve seen before!

Being on this side of the ground also gives you a good view of the covered stand and facilities opposite.

I carry on to the other end of the ground which has the flags I saw at Ferriby on Monday already is position on the fence behind the goal.

There is a thin strip of hard standing at this end and again there is a fairly large grassy area behind the goal, again in immaculate condition. Both ends have a catering wagon in position too, very handy for anyone who is hungry.

This brings me back to the side of the ground I entered. As with the rest of the ground there is a wide terraced area leading to the buildings on this side.

The first building you come to is a lovely press box in the blue of Chasetown.

This leads to the dressing rooms and then the seated stand, behind which is the Clubhouse and toilets.

The game kicked off in bright sunshine and there were several League club shirts on view on Non-League Football Day which was nice to see. The football was just as bright and it was clear from the outset that both teams were looking for a win. A good end to end game unfolded with both teams creating chance but failing to find the back of the net.

Kendal began the second half better than their opponents and it was they that made the breakthrough on 52 minutes. Danny Wisdom got the ball wide, cut inside and beat a couple of defenders before passing it to Danny McGahon who put his shot past Price in the Chasetown goal. Both teams continued to press for more goals but Kendal’s cause was not helped by numerous injuries and they finished the game with several walking wounded. This all resulted in a whopping eight minutes additional time but no further goals saw Kendal run out winners.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable day out. Superb weather, nice ground with some lovely quirky parts, friendly natives and a decent game.

More pictures of The Scholars Ground here.

Chasetown 0-1 Kendal Town
Att: 414
Admission: £8
Programme: £2

6 comments:

  1. Love the old school seats and those flags behind the goal. Was 414 much of an increase on their usual gate?

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  2. It was actually down believe it or not. Gates have been mostly higher since too.
    The seats looked like the ones at Burnley. Apparently they will be gone by the start of next season, as a new stand is being built over the Clubhouse and new dressing rooms will also be built.
    Thanks for the comment.

    Paul

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  3. Shame. They'll end up with plastic bucket seats I bet. Non-League Day felt like a success anyway.

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  4. Enjoy your Northern League weekender, by the way.

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  5. The 'Dugouts' were built as part of a sponsorship deal by a local company just before the historic 'FA Cup' televised First round match v 'Oldham' in November 2005. The original Ones were Two brick built structures, but the new Ones were built to accomodate a Fourth official for the big game.

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