Newport Pagnell Town 2-0 Yaxley
United Counties League Premier Division
Saturday 10th November 2007
Willen Road Sports Ground
Newport Pagnell was chosen for two reasons 1) due to them being on my "hit list" for a few years now 2) the nearest UCL club that I hadn't visited.
Willen Road is easy to find just five minutes from junction 14 of the M1 and about an hours drive from my home in south west Leicester. The clubhouse is outside the entrance to the pitch which contains a bar and toilets - there was no hot food available today, just cups of tea which being a coffee drinker left me having to buy either an alcoholic or soft drink. There were also ham and cheese cobs available at £1.40 from the bar. The ground entrance is nearest the clubhouse on the right hand side and cost £4 plus £1 for an average programme. There is hard standing all around the pitch with two seated stands either side of the pitch - one of these was only erected during the summer and is of the modern metal variety that a springing up and down the country.
The game itself...
Newport started the strongest and scored with a well worked move after only 3 minutes and had the better of the exchanges and chances for the majority of the first half. Yaxley came into it for the last 5 or 10 minutes or so which also saw the home side reduced to 10 men for what I believe, retaliation. The second half saw Yaxley come out with more purpose but clear cut chances were few and far between. Newport seemed to be happy to try and play on the counter attack and it was they who scored a decisive second goal 10 minutes from time to secure a victory they deserved.
The only disapointment I felt was that the attendance was a paltry 54 (head count). With the MK Dons away from home @ Crewe in the FA Cup the people of Newport it seems have no desire for their football club. A real shame. Nice friendly club run by nice friendly people and I hope they get the support they deserve in the future.
