Tuesday 15th August 2023 ko 19:45

Wessex League Division One

FLEETLANDS 2 (Wrapson 37 38)

HAMWORTHY RECREATION 3 (Deem 12 Rosenwald 42 Cooper 68)

Att 72

Entry £6

Programme £2

When you’ve completed a league sometimes keeping it that way can be something of a chore. I’d completed the Wessex League in almost indecent haste once the groundhop project foundered, so the last couple of seasons I’d got mostly out of the habit of heading south down the A34. In fact Robyn and I stumbled across Fleetlands’ Lederle Lane home en route to another Gosport-based club – Solent Devils Ice Hockey!

But Fleetlands are welcome exception for that rule, even down to the KFC outside of the ground! The club’s background is military, the ground was part of DARA, the Defence Aviation Repair Agency tasked with repairing the RAF’s Chinook, Lynx and Sea King helicopters. DARA is no more, but the ground still lies on MOD land, and it does come with probably the unique distinction of having both a helipad and a golf course. Yes, you can theoretically be hit by a stray gold ball, football, or helicopter here!

That helipad does impact on how the ground looks. I’m told the club can’t put up metal structures, for fear it might impact on the aircraft’s navigation systems. That avoids just about anything modular so the club have had to be inventive to fulfil ground grading rules; I think you’ll like the results! Do look out for the creek formed by the River Wallington. The derby between Fareham Town and AFC Portchester is known as El Creekio for a reason!

But there’s more to like about Fleetlands that just bricks and mortar. The sense of pride is obvious from the moment you reach the pay booth, even down to the neatest team line-ups board I’ve ever seen and if other clubs are reading this, do treat this as a challenge!

Of course I jinxed them, you know what happens every time I visit a friendly club. Here though I’ll hide behind the figleaf that they knew playing Hamworthy Rec’ would be tough, and despite new manager Steve Claridge’s plotting, and at times rage, the visitors showed why they’re strong candidates for the divisional championship.

That of course will play out over the course of the season, but Robyn and I tackled a far shorter journey home then we’ve become used to, with a smile. It’s lovely when you uncover a gem.