I reckon I find this time of the year exciting and frustrating in equal measure. Excited for the new season ahead, and frustrated by the drip-feeding of fixtures and cup draws, and frustrated not knowing – due to working shifts – which weekends i’ll be free and which i’ll be otherwise engaged. I also feel overwhelmed trying to decide on matches to go to, but I suppose that just goes to show the abundance of great football teams in the UK’s south west.
So anyway, this August my opportunities to get on the road will be limited by a perhaps ill-thought out trip to Spain; leaving on the 3rd and returning on the 10th – thereby missing two, three, four of the opening match days of the season. My first chance to get some competitive football in my system could be shortly after my return should one of the local FA Cup Extra Preliminary games require a replay. Looking at the draw i’ll be relying on Keynsham Town and Bradford Town, or Street and Odd Down not being able to find a winner first time round. Fingers Crossed!
I’m working on the weekend of the 17th August so that’s a no-go. The following Tuesday looks rosier – Keynsham, in their first season back in the Western League Premier Division, are due to take on Roman Glass St George. That could well be my first game of the season proper. I went to see Keynsham take on Cheddar last season in Division One and failed to witness a promotion-winning performance – the home side losing 0-3 to the Cheesemen.
Saturday 24th August brings with it the FA Cup Preliminary round – after a lot of deliberation i’ve decided to make the trip to Yate Town and see them take on either Exmouth or Barnstaple Town. Yate were promoted last season to the Southern Premier League South. I’ve been meaning to get to Lodge Road for a while now and the FA Cup seems a great time to do it. Replays from this round of the cup seem less like due to work and indeed work hampers my plans for matches on the 31st!
So all in all while I am sure to get to at least a couple of games, August looks like it will prove to be frustrating. Not to worry – the season will still be in its infancy and I can’t wait to see what it has to offer.
WEST COUNTRY FOOTBALL 