Sunday 10th September 2023

Bedfont Recreation Ground, Feltham TW14 9QS

Brentford FC Women v. Ruislip Rangers Ladies

What a beautiful day for a train hop to the edge of the metropolis. My destination today is the home of Bedfont Sports, Deportivo Galicia and today's hosts Brentford FC Women.

The area may not be considered a hot-bed(font) of English football but there's a fair smattering of step 5/6 Combined Counties sides within the environs competing for your dollar.

Out of the station and my two faves , Spoons and Costa side by side both within a two minute walk. The less said about the area round the station the better. Think concrete jungle meets Soviet Union, it's no surprise that a lot of people just do nothing round these parts.

The walk to the ground is another suburban streets and shops stroll. It ends on a detour over a small river with the floodlights tantalisingly in view behind the long and intreguing Hatton Road allotments, (presumably because people don't have Hatton Gardens?). Not sure everything on the allotments is being grown is for the dining table mind.

Once inside the ground it is very well set out. Small pavilion with clubhouse and dressing rooms. Social club is excellent, multi screens with Sky TV , individual booths decked out in red and black, lovely night club vibe.

Ample spectator seating both sides of the clubhouse, a small stand behind one goal, covered standing around three sides plus another stand behind the dugouts (with artificial grass underfoot!), topped off with three tier bench seating behind the other goal.

Certainly top level for this standard, fully justifying why three teams share the facilities.

Being very close to the end of one of the runways at nearby Heathrow Airport, means you can enjoy roar of jet engines taking off and landing if the game is not filling your senses.

The match itself full of effort and endeavour and since we're close to Hounslow it did have a 'Bend It Like Beckham' feel. I'm going to stick my neck out and say Brentford FC Women are unlikely to reach Wembley, this season at least.

Another fun hop on a tropical day with a mix of sun and showers. A well presented and busy place - worth a trip!

[Final Score: Bees 4 Rangers 0]