Saturday 11th November 2023 ko 14:00

Shropshire County League Premier Division

ST MARTINS 1 (Smart 28og)

DAWLEY TOWN 9 (Sabar 17 Knowles 48 67 81p 88 90 Watkins 65 Smart 67 McLeod 75)

Att c40

Entry FREE

Programme £2

After being involved in 3 organised groundhops in 5 weeks, I wanted to avoid anything quite so organised for a while. If you have asked me on the way back from Billingshurst what I fancied visiting next I’d have probably said something low-key with a view. I’ll leave you, dear reader to work out whether St Martins added up to that choice!

Inevitably the organised hop did get in the way. St Martins fell out of the North West Counties League the season before last but were extremely supportive of what we were trying to achieve with that league’s hop. The issue was that to get grading for Step 6 they’d relocated to Park Hall, home to The New Saints, and since groundhoppers and groundshares really don’t mix, we have to explain that they couldn’t host. Even then, the club were still supportive, so I felt, on a personal level at least, I owed them a game. And for what little it’s worth I’m sure they would have been excellent hosts.

You are only around 2 miles away from the border to Wales here. So close in fact so you can see the Welsh town of Chirk the other side of the valley, and when switched on, the floodlights of Cefn Druids The Rock stadium. It was pointed out to us that you are far closer to Wales than Park Hall, and yes, The New Saints do play in the Cymru Premier (using Oswestry Town’s exception).

The views over the valley, and over the border are certainly spectacular! And before you ask yes you can watch a game a lot closer to the border between England and Wales. Chester City is the obvious example but the prettier one would be North Gloucestershire League outfit Redbrook Rovers. Not heard of them? One for your bucket list I’d suggest.

The ground is called Stan’s Playing Field, mainly because it’s to be found behind Stan’s Superstore. Don’t just use the place to park, as the cafe there is excellent. I did get the impression that they’re well used to seeing football types just before games!

I’m sure some will immediately spot that St Martins are still producing a rather good programme and use that as a reason to visit. Some might spot that the club are looking to build a Step 6 compliant ground behind the local school, but for me the great joy of a visit here is all about the people.

Yes, life is a struggle, the team are the youth team from two years ago that have had to step up from Division One post-relegation. But everyone we met was happy to see us, and friendly to a fault. If you want a measure of how friendly, the drubbing handed out by Dawley was painful for us to watch. It was enough for the hosts to part company with manager Liam Braidsdell afterwards; we saw the beginnings of the impromptu meeting as we pulled out of the car park.

Yes, it was painful for friendly St Martins, but there is light at the end of the tunnel and losing to a Dawley side currently top of the table and making ground improvements for Step 6, was no disgrace. That said a history on the North West Counties League is no guarantee of success. Ellesmere Rangers won as hosts on the opening evening of last year’s hop but are now bottom of the Shropshire Premier with just two points. It was a sobering thought as we attacked the M54.

Thanks to both clubs from Robyn and I for a lovely afternoon out.