Lazy Saturday Afternoon

Chase 55







To say Ilford were lucky to come away with a point last night, would be an understatement.
Again, this was a terrible pitch, which could only be suited to the sort of football played in the flight path of a Boeing.
Coming into the game, Ilford had won 1 in their last 15 games, and were languising in the lower depths of the division. Wingate, on the other hand, were looking to continue their great run of form, which has seen them unbeaten in 13. This, however, is a ground that Wingate had never won on in previous years.
It was a cautious start by both teams, with Wingate trying to adapt to the playing surface, while Ilford's game plan consisted of simply launching the ball into orbit.
Wingate's 4-3-3 formation saw Smith, and Chase, scare seven bells out of the full backs, every time they had the ball to feet.
The Ilford goal came when Sawyer hit a speculative shot from distance, that would have been picked up 99 times out of 100. Unfortunately, this time, it hit a bump and bounced over Gavin King, leaving us wondering if we should have a whip round for a roller.
Wingate had several chances, with Laird, and Smith, having shots well saved or cleared off the line.
So, we were 1-0 down at the break, and it looked like it was going to be 'one of those nights'

In the second half, there was only one team in it.
Ilford continued to punt every ball skywards, and got progressively worse as the game went on.
Wingate continued to improve, and totally dominated the half from start to finish, getting a well deserved equaliser in the 55th minute.
Laird played a through ball to the feet of Chris Chase who, as he'd done most of the night, outpaced his marker before smashing a shot into the top corner. There must have been 4 or 5 similar occasions where Laird and Smith had one on ones, but were foiled by the excellent Ilford keeper, who was my man of the match.
In the last 5 minutes came what can only be described as a legalised mugging. As a Wingate corner was delivered into the box, the keeper, trying to claim it, ran into the back of his own defender and hit the deck. The ball fell to Laird, who had the simple job of putting it in the back of the net.
The referee, deciding that the official rules weren't to his liking, disallowed the goal, obviously not being able to tell the difference between the two sets of players.
Even the Ilford supporter standing behind us couldn't understand why it wasn't given.

So it finished 1-1, but could have been 6-1.
Ilford were one of the poorest teams I've seen in a long time, but they had a decent club house, and the burger was nice.

Apologies for the lack of photos. My camera obviously isn't suited to night games, but then again maybe trying the 'night' setting may have helped.

The Ground
£8 to get in, which is probably how much the pitch cost. Young 'un didn't go.
£1 for a programme, which was the one made for the original, called off, fixture. Quite a bit of info, and not many ads. Worth the money.