Tuesday 13th August 2024 ko 19:45

Hellenic League Premier Division

HARTPURY UNIVERSITY 7 (Kone 15 Osborn 24 Rusg 28 McGregor 39og Jenkins 54 Manning 90 90+2)

LYDNEY TOWN 0

Att 60

Entry £8

Teamsheet FREE

It seemed a lot less than 3 years since I watched Hartpury University midway through their demolition of the Herefordshire League despite the club being based in Gloucestershire! It seemed to me even then the only limiting factor on the club was the pitch near the entrance to the sports facilties they were using. It was certainly good enough for the league they were in, barely for the lower division of the Hellenic, but the Premier? Not a chance?

It is tempting to see Hartpury as trying to be the Loughborough of the south. Here though the number of sports on offer is fewer with an eye-catching partnership with Gloucester RUFC the most striking, Hartpury RFC play in the second tier English Championship. And its those excellent facilties that have proved a salvation to the football club.

By moving a mere couple of hundred yards into the main stadium the club have solved their ground grading problems at a stroke. There is a certain rugby flavour to it all, be it the advertising for legal firms, or the fact that the catering is barista coffee or individual stonebaked pizzas!

I’m not decrying either, by the way, even if I partook in neither. The bit that might just be unique is the view of the university’s show jumping course. I’ve not seen the like at a football ground, has any one else? I and others were glad of the cover though, when the rains came! Perhaps its the more straightforward of facilities that are the most important!

What hadn’t changed in 3 years was Hartpury absolutely walloping their visitors. Last time it was Bourton Rovers this time it was Lydney‘s turn to be put to the sword. Most of the time you look for some kind of salve for those on the receiving end, here there was none save for that Lydney won’t see too many sides as good at Hartpury this season.

It did seem odd taking exactly the same route to a new stadium as I did previously, even down to parking in the same car park. For Hartpury Uni FC though having an excellent facility available for them to move into is fortunate for both them, and those of us who like ticking off the stadia!