Saturday 27th July 2025 ko 19:00

United Counties League Premier Division South

DAVENTRY TOWN 6 (Colbourne 28 47 Burrows 33 60 Jackson 40 Mitchell- Gears 83)

HINCKLEY AFC 0

Att 465

Entry £8

Programme £3

The UCL Hop’s final game of the Saturday saw us visit Elderstubbs, and I felt slightly conflicted. Most groundhoppers have clubs they look out for, they’re not fans, but have a soft spot for. One of mine is Daventry Town; I saw quite a bit of them during my days living in Banbury.

As the hop coach pulled into the car park, I knew there was an issue, the club secretary was in hospital after being taken ill that morning. Quite honestly I’d have been unsurprised if the club had called off the game, and I for one would have understood completely. I wondered how the club would host the game, a hop game does call for something different from a normal league game. We offer advice, but I’d never want to be in the business of telling people how to run their club.

So when the club retreated into running the game exactly as they would on any given Saturday I got it. I concerned myself with GroundhopUK’s red lines, mainly getting the time line-ups to those interested. Yes the tea bar didn’t open as early as I would have liked, the evening game always sees hungry hoppers, but I did stop, think and understand the bigger picture.

But we all got through it, and the official did recover. On the pitch Daventry took Hinckley to pieces; their margin of victory was entirely realistic. We headed back to the accomodation in Coventry for a beer or two. Somehow I felt I deserved them, and yes I do still look out for Dav’s results. I probably always will.