Sherburn Village WMC FC v Coxhoe United FC

Venue: Sherburn Leisure Centre, Front Street, Sherburn Village, Durham DH6 1HD
Kickoff: 18:30 Weds 21 Aug 2013
Weather: dry, warm, light wind, overcast/sundown (gloomy by end @ 8.30pm)

LOCATION REPORT

FOR SPECTATORS

SatNav: DH6 1HD
Staff: Leisure Centre fully-staffed, inc first-aid etc.
Parking: ample parking, 75+ spaces in 4 onsite carparks plus overflow on side-road
Loads of cycle racks, and even somewhere to tether your horse (bridleway passing by)!
Public transport: #64 (Durham-Arnison Centre) and #24 (Durham-Sunderland), directly out-front.

Refreshments: vending machine in centre, Sherburn village shops nearby.
Toilets: in centre, including disabled
Weather protection:
Rain: covered bench (see photos!), plus under trees on either flank
Wind: as above, or against walls at either end of pitch
Sun: as above
Cold: zero, unless you stay in the car or nip inside the centre periodically to warm up!

FOR PLAYERS

Pitch: grass (freshly-mowed tonight, with huge clumps of cuttings across the pitch!), surrounded by well-maintained railings.
Floodlights: none
Changing: full leisure centre changing facilities

MATCH REPORT

Approx crowd inc casual passers-by:
50+ genuine spectators stayed throughout;
easily >100 if you add every passerby/centre attendee;
including umpteen youths hanging-out together and enjoying the pleasant evening sun;
and even a horse tethered pitchside (see photo!)....and, inevitably, several well-behaved dogs!

Full-time score [h/t] (colours):
1 [0] Sherburn (white, blue)
2 [1] Coxhoe United (yellow/black halves, black)

Bookings: 3 CU, 3 SWMC (bad tackles, dissent)
Sent Off: 2 SWMC (scything tackle, off the ball afters spotted by lino)

Official Match Report:
http://www.durhamAllianceLeague.org.uk/core/teamsReport.aspx?fixtureID=2435

NORVENMUNKI's COMMENTS:
What a lovely community atmosphere!! Absolutely delightful.
Young and old, enjoying the warm evening.

A bit of banter on the pitch, mostly directed (respectfully) toward the officials.
Some heavy tackles flying in, plenty of testosterone!
Even with 10 men, Sherburn were the more likely to equalise, but game over as a contest after silly second red and another Coxhoe goal inevitably followed. Sherburn consolation with literally final touch, too late but deserved for endeavour.
Kids helped to retrieve a few balls that got stuck in the trees from full-blooded clearances.
Outdoor gym equipment for the energetic spectator.
Kids playground for the restless youngsters.
Not many venues have a "Wildlife Meadow" adjacent.
After-match pint at Lambton Arms in village centre.

GBA rating: Yes, no worries.