I think we should start by saying the result of the first game of the season doesn’t define the season – of course that is the statement of a supporter of a team that’s just been thrashed in the first game of the season.
The opening game of the season, a new start, forget about the previous campaign this one is going to be the year, the year that it all clicks. Plymouth Parkway v Bracknell Town – The second year running that an away fixture would start the season for Bracknell. Last season Berkhamsted away, an hour from home and a 1-0 defeat.
This though is the big one, a four hour away trip, the longest journey of the season.
We’ve been to Bolitho Park several times now and to be honest I love it, nice ground, nice people and a great bar and food. We (me and Mrs L) had booked a Travelodge for the Saturday night, this meant an early start on Saturday morning, but also a few beers Saturday night. We were out the door at 8am, a quick fuel stop and before we knew it we were through Berkshire into Hampshire, sat in traffic for 15 minutes admiring Stonehenge in Wiltshire, through Dorset, Somerset and then Devon, another hour and we had made it.
Bolitho Park is a modern ground and was built on what was once Navy land, and indeed, the past couple of times we’d visited you could of sailed a boat on the pitch, so a game in August in the beating sunshine was a welcome change.
The ground itself was named after a local author and team sponsor, Janie Bolitho who sadly died in 2002 before the construction of the ground was completed. Also of note is that Truro City called Bolitho Park home for three seasons while construction of their new ground was taking place.
I’m sure most of you are familiar with the off-field goings on with Bracknell Town since the end of last season and before, this uncertainty had transferred to the on-field goings on with most supporters unsure of the squad let alone being able name the starting 11. Although talking of the squad, it was 2pm and they hadn’t yet made it
to the ground.
Around 2:10pm the coach carrying the squad and 20 or so supporters pulled into the car park. Possibly not the best preparation for a game after five hours of travel, but this is non-league: no fancy luxury coaches or staying overnight before the game, straight off the coach through the changing room and onto the pitch to warm up.
While the team warmed up the team sheet popped up on X, Anthony Cheshire, our one remaining long time Robins, was starting after a season out with a ruptured ACL. Supporters meanwhile, were making the most of the fantastic bar and food offerings, including pasties and burgers from the burger shack and £5 pints, a chap offered us a go on the ‘golden goal’ game – I went for the 13th minute.
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again!
Thursday 13th August is ABBA night at Koh-I-Noor!
We’ve got ABBA Stars in for a full evening of the greatest hits, two sets, with a belly dancing performance in between to keep things moving. Order off the full A La Carte menu while you enjoy the show.
8:00 PM start – £10 per person to book your spot (non-refundable — this secures your table for the night)
These nights sell out, so don’t leave it too late.
Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (a curry just after 8pm).
Call to book – find out how at koh-i-noor-bracknell.co.uk
#AD
As I was photographing the game I thought I’d better go outside and take in the atmosphere, 600 attendance, the sun shining, to be honest there was nowhere I’d rather be on opening day. The teams had lined up and ready to take the field, 26/27 was about to kick off. A dozen or so young Plymouth fans waved their big flags as the players entered the field, the referee took the match ball from a pedestal (under-used in non-league in my opinion) and we were ready to go.
Well, to be honest, that was as good as it got, 1-0 down after 3 minutes, 3-0 down at half-time. The away support still singing, although tailing off towards half-time. We’d had a couple of corners and a sort of a half shot that OPTA may or may not have put in the shots on target column. The half-time supporters chat wasn’t entirely positive, but we concluded it couldn’t be any worse in the second half, if we could just get one back early in the second half we could be back in it.
After a change at the back the second half started and, unfortunately, it did get worse, as did the supporters singing. You can never get “we’re going to win 8-7” to rhyme so we started the conga instead. A 7-0 opening day defeat, it’s a game we will never forget. What can you do apart from accept it and move on? After another, mainly negative, debrief with the supporters in the bar, we made our plans to meet up on Tuesday to watch Bracknell take on Gloucester City at Bottom Meadow.
Thank you Plymouth. Come on you Robins!
