I’d been to Ilford FC before for twenty minutes. It was enough time. A dull 0-0 draw back in September against Thamesmead Town played in an unloved athletics stadium. I didn’t think I would be back here in a hurry but here I was walking into the Cricklefield Stadium.
Beggars can’t be choosers in the non leagues these days. Winter, which started back in October still had its grip firmly on the fixture list. I was supposed to be standing on the terraces at Hayes Lane, watching Lewes take on Cray Wanderers. But I wasn’t. I was here. I was loving life. My plan B (Corinthian Casuals), C (Walton & Hersham), D and (Lordswood) had all gone the same way as Cray. Scrambling around for another option at 2pm my eye was drawn back to Ilford. Had I been a bit too harsh before? I’m all for giving someone a second chance and so I headed east to the metropolis known as Ilford.
Times are hard for Ilford. They survive on crowds of less than 50 on most occasions, battling for the title of “least supported team in the league” with tenants Waltham Forest, and fellow relegation candidates Redbridge. Whilst West Ham play in the richest league in the world just a few miles away, Ilford survive on a tiny budget and a massive dollop of hospitality.
This wasn’t supposed to happen. I had mentally programmed myself not to enjoy the afternoon, rather using the opportunity to get in a game of football after a two-week hiatus. But something was making me smile. Deep down inside I had a feeling that this would be a good afternoon.
Whilst Ilford were looking nervously over their shoulder about a return to the Essex Senior League, Witham were still stubbornly refusing to give up on their play off hopes. A win here would put the pressure back on those above them, although goal difference was a concern – they simply didn’t score enough goals.
Ilford 2 Witham Town 7 – Cricklefield Stadium – Saturday 16th March 2013
Wow, where do I start with this one? Nine goals, three penalties and a good old fashion playing surface from the 1970′s. It must have been touch and go whether the game went ahead but I for one are really glad it did. Hats off to Ilford for approaching football with a Corinthian spirit of hospitality ahead of victory. I’m sure that is no consolation when looking at the result in the cold hard light of day, but that is football. Everyone needs to get down to the Cricklefield Stadium to watch a game.
Unfortunately it seems that neither team had anyone who uses Twitter and so I have no idea who scored any of the nine goals in this pulsating game. Witham were the better team but perhaps not by that margin. I can tell you the visitors took the lead from a header after 10 minutes or so. The Ilford manager laid into his captain – “You are the tallest person on the pitch but you cannot head the ball…you muppet”. Of course five minutes later when he went up the other end and equalised with his head the manager was a tactical genius for sending him up for the set piece.
Goals followed every ten minutes or so, with Witham having packed their shooting boots, or rather their heads. The poor Ilford keeper was powerless with each of the three Witham goals in the first half, before being sent the wrong way from a harshly awarded penalty on the stroke of half time to make the score 4-1.
I headed upstairs into the Olympic Bar and fell in love with this place. West Ham memorabilia lined the walls, including a rare copy of the squad’s 1975 FA Cup Final ALBUM (not just a single back in those days) Hail to the Hammers. Food was on sale at bargain prices. Pukka Pie? £1.50 Sir. Heinz Chicken Soup with a roll? £1.50 Sir. Gingsters Steak Slice? £1.50 Sir. I think you can see a pattern here. And the view of the ground? Well, floor to ceiling windows certainly gave you a panoramic view of proceedings. Best non league bar of the year (bar the Dripping Pan, of course).
Game over. Six-one. But then the sun came out, illuminating the Witham goal and Ilford started to attack once again. As if guided by some guilt at the two he had given at the other end, the referee awarded Ilford a penalty for a soft challenge. Not often you see three penalties in one game, especially with all three converted. Any hope of a comeback were then snuffled out by Witham who scored a seventh to wrap up a good day on the road for them, but one to forget for Ilford.
Every cloud has a silver lining and for me it was listening to that inner voice on a day when said cloud dumped the Atlantic Ocean on South East London. The same voice that also told me to buy THIS shirt. Still can’t always be right.