For one of their final outings of the season, ‘Two Men in Search of the Beautiful Game’ headed to the city of Chelmsford, yeah, they didn’t know it was a city either, but it’s got a cathedral so it must be, for Chelmsford City FC’s National League South Play-Off Semi-Final.
As much as they wanted to get excited about the game, they first had to overcome the heat, the searing and oppressive heat, the thermometer getting close to 28c, but once they realised that the Melbourne Community Stadium had an athletics track, they had bigger problems, neither of them had brought their binoculars.
The size of the occasion was apparent, from the size of the crowd and the ever growing atmosphere, that started to gather pace long before kick off. The arrival of the singing away fans of Hampton & Richmond Borough FC, the “Beavers” joined the shouts of the program seller and the constant bark from the women at the burger van, “next, next, next”.
It would seem when there is the option to have pineapple on your burger, a new one for them and for you too I’m sure, the people of Essex come out in their droves.
Many flags were hung, one in particular with all the care and attention of someone hanging a great masterpiece, another from the hammer cage, which sat on one corner of the pitch.
The tiny red dot matrix scoreboard read 14:50, the players jostled for space in the cramped confines of the claret tunnel, the noise volume continuing to rise, both sets of fans in good voice. “City, City, City” cried the home fans, “Hampton, Hampton, Hampton” replied the visitors.
Across the strip of rolled out fake grass, passed the long jump pit, and right at the hammer cage, the teams made their way onto the pitch, in front of a 1,651 strong crowd.
With just two games separating each team from the National League, who would come out on top?
To find out more you can read their full account of the match or watch their vlog from the game below – ‘Two Men in Search of the Beautiful Game‘
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