Harland and Wolff Welders FC

 As I crossed the Irish sea for the weekend the main aim of my dad's birthday trip was to do Windsor Park and Linfield FC, however I couldn't resist a bonus first division fixture at the excellent blanchflower stadium, Annagh United the opposition, boasting ex York City midfielder Niall Henderson in their match day squad. However Henderson and other senior players were left out, with Annagh having one eye on the promotion play off with Crusaders next week, instead opting to play numerous 16 year olds for this game.


At the ground, I got a taxi there from the hotel, takes about 15 minutes from the city centre, the stadium itself is opposite Belfast City Airport, just a bit further up the road from Glentorans famous old Oval stadium. The turnstiles opened at 1915, a bit late, half hour before kick off but at a head count the attendance was only 130. It was £10 admission and I have to say the recently upgraded facility is excellent, toilets along every side, 3 good seating areas, a big terrace and plenty of other standing areas. The food left a lot to be desired though so if you can eat elsewhere, I didn't and was served a very poor burger for £5, the girl serving also vaping behind the counter. It was burger or nothing so no choice either. There was no club shop so my badge was obtained on ebay.


The match began and it really was men against boys and it showed, wave after wave of Harland and Wolff attacks ensued and the game followed this pattern for the entirety, nevertheless it will have served as good experience for the young Annagh lads. Welders took the lead with a long diagnol pass into the wingers path who finished accurately, the second came in similar fashion but from the other side. For the 3rd the centre forward just ran clean through and the fourth near to the end was a neat strike from outside the box after relentless pressure. The game wrapped welders season up whilst Annagh try to gain promotion. 


After the game I walked to Sydenham train station, about a 15 minute walk away and got the train back to Belfast Grand Central for £2.20,taking about 15 minutes also.


https://buymeacoffee.com/davidgroundhopper

































Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Brackley Town FC

Image
 One of only two national league clubs I've not visited, the other being Boston. A rare trip to see my team in action, York City, with us being in good form too I was buoyant pre match. I arrived in Brackley far too early, on the plus side the turnstiles open at St James Park (there 3rd one I've visited after Newcastle and Exeter) at midday, so at least I had shelter from the horrific weather conditions, swirling torrential rain and an ice cold wind. On the downside, due to the game being segregated we were not allowed the warmth of the bar, but I was under cover and soaking up all the pre match excitement. I'd not seen city play since Solihull away last season. Unfortunately for me, the club shop at Brackley is also in the home end of the ground, however very helpfully I obtained my obligatory pin badge from the ticket office portakabin in the car park, well done for some forward thinking Brackley! Onto the game I'll try and give my unbiased review, city dominated poss...
Read more

Runcorn Linnets FC

Image
 I arrived in Manchester early doors for this one, not entirely sure where I would be going due to games being called off for waterlogged pitched. Had an excellent bacon and egg sandwich from Manchester Arndale Market, a regular stop off of mine. My first choice game was Maine Road vs AFC Blackpool but at 1130 that fell foul of the rain, so I bought my train ticket to Runcorn East and off I went to the Apec Taxi Stadium. Runcorn always resembles a fondness in my mind, due to being the setting for hit comedy of its time Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, however upon arrival at Runcorn East, the walk to the stadium couldn't have been more bleak, I passed nothing at all along the mile long route to the ground other than a sort of private road way for buses which I've never seen before and seems a good idea. When at the ground I was surprised to see a Marstons pub, I went in for a j20 and watched some of the Villa vs Arsenal game to get out of the weather. There is also a ...
Read more

Esh Winning FC

Image
 A midweek journey to the North East, and the secluded ground of Esh Winning FC. Entry through a front door, not a turnstile, straight into the bar, mince pie and chips, good quality pies and sausage rolls on offer, I believe they have a partnership with local butchers and bakery.  A rag tag ground that oozes character, trolley shelters for cover, fake grass along the walk ways, fences and decking that have seen better days and small covered areas at the top of a bank behind the goal. A decent little main stand and a fair pitch with a traditional grass surface.  Entry £5 and £3, easier to get to by car rather than public transport. Check out my pictures and if you enjoy my reviews then buy me a coffee. buymeacoffee.com/davidgroundhopper
Read more