The Moaning Over Stadium
AFC Wimbledon 1 v Sutton United 0
EFL Trophy, Round 2
Tuesday 22 November 2022
Athletic Newham 2 v Saffron Walden Town 0
Essex Senior League, Premier Division
Wednesday 23 November 2022
Wimbledon's "Moaning Over At Last" new build ground at Plough Lane is the 407th ground I've watched and ticked football on. (That ground currently badged as The Cherry Red Records Stadium).
And, the frankly grim, Terence MacMillan Stadium in E13, by the A13, is the 408th.
I counted more, but the official attendance at the Terence was given as 32. I'd say at least half from SWT. The building next to the pitch houses the Badminton Courts of Newham Leisure Centre. (The spectator bogs are in there). Far more playing badminton than watching the game. Those Saffron W Bloods fans were getting more and more irate as the game went on. The Athletics went ahead on 24. But, a Red Card for the Saffron Walden lad on 43 changed it a bit. It was one of those occasions where I think the Ref gave the Red on SOUND. Even with the running track between me and the action, it sounded fucking horrendous. Just a simple, loud, thwack. Up in the air he goes, down to earth he comes, much sponging ensues and he's carried using only his one good leg and two of his mates shoulders to lean on. Long, long way to those dressing rooms in the Leisure Centre matey.
There were complaints, lasting the whole of the rest of the game, that the Officials had missed a push in the build up to the Ally Oops. Eventually, Athletic Newham clinched it with a second on 77.
And, despite everything, that Wimbledon new build has a business model I can get right behind and outside of. South West London brewers, By The Horns, have built/converted a TapRoom which is part of the stadium. On non match days, you just wander down a ginnel and the bar is off that. On matchdays, that entrance is blocked. You have to have your ticket and go through the turnstiles, through a door, down some stairs and the delightfully dim n dark Taproom unfolds in front of you. (Plastic glasses only as it was match day). Different doors open out into courtyards and the whole bit behind the stand becomes one big beer yard.
Don't know what it's like in the week. They've built a lot of residential stuff around the ground. Maybe they get those residents in. Anyway. As football clubs strive to use more of their space, more of the time, this looks like a great idea.
Bit of a mismatch between the board & the clips. There were a couple on Cask. And, let's settle on 7 Keg.
I went;
By The Horns, Crazy Gang, Pale Ale on Keg at 4.2%
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