Enter Sandhurst
Bottom Meadow, Sandhurst GU47 9BJ
First of all lets appreciate a stadium name that includes Bottom and BJ in its address - well done.
Beautifully presented stadium, 3G pitch, hard standing all round. One stand seating approximately 100 and a second safe standing area . The pitch is fully surrounded in black. Partially metal fencing, mixed with cleverly recycled shipping containers.
Home to at least three clubs, Bracknell Town. Sandhurst Town and Aldershot Town U21s.
Superb club lounge that allows for viewing of the match while sitting in the comfort of the bar area.
There it is, just a few facts. Thank you Bottom Meadow for being 20 minutes from home and having an artificial surface that has allowed me to go to at least a dozen (and counting) games in my season.
Tuesday 9th January 2024
Bagshot FC v. Sandhurst Town
For the first blog of 2024, it's a bit of a piggyback on an existing page.
A proliferation of rain followed by wintry showers and below zero temperatures, have caused Bagshot to move their Cherry Red Records Premier Challenge Cup 2nd Round tie at short notice to the home of visitors Sandhurst Town.
Bagshot are without a permanent place to call their own, using Krooner Park, Camberley for home games normally.
A chance encounter with the chairman of Bagshot in the car park on arrival has given me one of the unluckiest stories of the season. After a hard days work, Mr Wickens told me he arrived at Krooner Park and was unsure as to why there were no lights on and nobody else was there. Transpires nobody had told him the game had been moved to Bottom Meadow. Therein followed a high speed dash from Camberley to Sandhurst, unfortunately resulting in an encounter with the local constabulary and a £100 fine (Sorry Mr Chairman , hope you don't mind me using this anecdote).
Onto the football, a thoroughly entertaining game. Lots of attacking action to warm up a chilly but clear January Tuesday evening. Sandhurst coming out on top on the balance of play and good value for the win. Special mention to the Bagshot keeper who had an absolute belter of a game - unlucky fella for ending up on the losing side tonight.
My head count of the attendance was 43. Not sure which team gets the gate money as both are technically away and home. Either way after payment to the officials, electricity for the floodlights and the very helpful staff in the bar , there probably won't be enough to cover Mr. Wickens' motoring misfortune.
Just time to mention a very brief encounter with a mouse in the safe standing area , and all this for the price of a pint - I bloody love, non-league footy.
[FInal Score: Baggies 2 Fizzers 4]
