Field Olympic FC

After the long journey to Coleshill the night before I had a nice local trip on the Tuesday, to Bradford based club Field Olympic. I've plenty to write about them as it has been much discussed with my fellow groundhopper Pete. Field have long been in the West Yorkshire league, they moved to Olympic Park probably 18 months to 2 years ago, having visited Eccleshill FC many years ago, I thought initially they had moved into their former home, however upon much discussion I established this ground used to be a Rugby club ground, I have no idea what happened to the rugby club. Anyway it's really easy, only just over the Leeds border of Calverley, into Bradford just off Harrogate Road. There is a small car park but be warned it is very rough terrain and there is a good chance you will be blocked in after the game for a small period. Round to the turnstile and admission is £7 and £4, you are then faced with the food hut that is very well stocked with pin badges and programmes, I had a mouth open moment when I saw pie and Peas priced at £7 but I have to say it was really good quality, it was also that or nothing with the only other credible tea option being a samosa with unknown filling for £2. Upon entering the car park you could credibly watch for nothing from the car but I was pleased to see a club official come and tell 4-8 lads they needed to walk around and pay to enter, when you are only getting 97 fans then every pound counts at this level. They were mumbling about paying £7 when they passed me, much to my amusement. I was expecting big things, Field won the West Yorkshire league comfortably last year, seeing off the challenge of perennial runners up and top side Beeston St Anthony's. They've started this season much where they left off, second only to Brigg and I fully expect them to carry on and win the title after owner and manager Muj Malik has assembled a really good squad with attacking flair and defensive solidity. The ground is very much a work in progress, the pitch I have to say is immaculate, but lacking any structural stand on the grassy bank terraces the club have improvised and positioned probably 80 loose seats at the top of the bank, better than nothing and I watched from here during the second half. Down at the bottom there's some good standing space. The opposition were Immingham Town, who I visited earlier in the season and who I don't think have picked a point up since that visit. Ironically the day I went there they were playing top of the table Brigg and gave a good account of themselves that day despite losing 1.0. However I fully expected them tonight to be bereft of confidence, which they were and coupled with the long midweek trip things didn't bode well for them. 

To my astonishment, despite constant Field pressure and probably 95% possession, Immingham defended admirably, despite it being unorthodox at times, for 44 minutes. If they could have got in at half time level at 0-0 who knows what may have happened, but it wasn't to be. A good cross field pass caught the defenders arm and penalty was given despite him pleading his innocence. It was hit with venom, 1.0 to the home side and they weren't done there. More or less straight from kick off and with Immingham probably wanting the whistle, Field attacked with pace, the keeper came out and made a hash of it, Field didn't panic though by shooting early, instead they continued running at them before getting into the area and shooting into an empty net, 2.0 and for me the game was over at this point. 

Weirdly given the expensive price of pie and peas, a pint could be obtained for £4 which in this day and age is relatively cheap, some were taking good advantage of this at half time, merrily walking past with one in each hand. 

It only took eight minutes into the second half and the ball was flicked around the keeper from close range in what was a really smart finish, 3.0 and coasting. Then four minutes later the centre back slid the ball home from a corner for 4.0, eventually after numerous blocked and failed attempts at goal in a mass scramble. Just before the hour mark the linesmans flag stayed down to allow Field to race through from the right for 5.0 ironically Immingham had just had their best and probably only chance of the game as they broke with a man over but the pass to him was well intersected and the chance was gone as quick as it came. 

Disaster struck with just over 20 minutes left as the lights went out, I feared the worst as these thing usually lead to abandonment at this level but credit to the referee he was patient. It looked as if someone from the visitors bench offered their help, maybe qualified in electrics and after a few minutes probably 75% of the lights came on, the referee resumed the game at this point much to my relief. Eventually the rest of the lights came on aswell. Somebody was saying this had happened before this season so maybe something the club need to look at otherwise it may cost them in the future. 

I'd lost track of time after this stoppage but with approximately ten minutes left a close range finish made it 6.0 once more after several blocked attempts. That was how the game finished and was fully deserved for the impressive home side.