Match Information
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Borden Village 0-0 Minster
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When: Saturday 13th May 2023
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Kick-off: 2.45pm
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Where: Playstool, Wises Lane, Borden, Sittingbourne, Kent ME9 8LP
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Competition: NRG 24HR Gym Kent County Football League Premier Division
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Attendance: 250
With the National League System fixtures having been completed at Steps 1 to 6 below the Football League for 2022/23, I looked around for an attractive game to continue my groundhopping adventures.
Borden Village versus Minster quickly came to my attention because it was the Kent County League Premier Division outright title decider in a competition ranking at Step 7.
Borden Village were top going into this last match of the campaign and only needed a draw to clinch their league crown. Meanwhile sitting one point behind, second placed Minster essentially had to win to become champions.
Advance online forecasts optimistically predicted warm, sunny weather thus encouraging my wife and four year old daughter to accompany me for a day out.
We set off early on our 160 mile round trip, initially stopping off at Leysdown Beach on Kent’s Isle of Sheppey. Alas, it was overcast and breezy when we arrived so we didn’t stay too long.
However my daughter still had time to collect some sea shells on the beach before ravenously devouring a portion of chips, some seaside candy floss and an ice cream.
We then drove 15 miles to Borden which is a village housing 2,500 residents on the south-west outskirts of Sittingbourne.
Ground Description
Access is down a narrow lane to the picturesque Playstool recreation ground containing homely clubhouse and changing room facilities.
The main pitch has an enclosed feel caused by hedges and tall trees lining three touchlines.
Result of my @KCFL1516 match today@VillageBorden 0@MinsterFC1911 0
— Tony Incenzo - my 50th football season (@TonyIncenzo) May 13, 2023
Attendance 186 (my headcount), teamsheet programme printed from FA Full Time. Football grounds visited - 2,508@NonLeagueCrowd @KentFA @NonLeaguePaper @888sport @KentishFootie @AndrewGidleyKOL pic.twitter.com/nl992yC9tg
Also, steep grass banking in the corner behind one goal affords panoramic views of football action. A cricket square was roped off to protect the grass.
Borden Village FC quite often switch end of season home fixtures elsewhere due to cricket taking place, but it was fortunate that the cricket team were playing away on this particular weekend.
Programme Details
I diligently printed a colour teamsheet and league table from the FA Full-Time web site. Therefore I had derived adequate background information plus an essential souvenir of my visit.
In addition, up to date starting line-ups were displayed for spectators on a prominent whiteboard in front of the clubhouse.
The Match
I could immediately gauge the interest being generated when pitchside parking areas started filling up an hour prior to kick-off. Groundhoppers were incoming from all over the country alongside many local Kent football fans.
My first half headcount of those present was 186 although the official attendance was eventually recorded as 250. It just depends at what stage of the afternoon you count people since there are usually latecomers.
The game itself was a scrappy affair incorporating extremely few clear cut goalmouth chances.
Minster went mighty close to victory in the very last minute when Todd Jordan rattled the base of a post via his low left footed shot. But it ended 0-0 and Borden’s players celebrated in style on the final whistle with champagne corks popping.
Moments later, the glistening Kent County Football League championship trophy was presented by league fixture secretary Brian Smith.
After watching these joyous scenes, we rounded off our totally enjoyable family excursion courtesy of a delicious Chinese meal in Sittingbourne.
The People
Borden Village chairman Ian ‘Knocker’ Williams adopted a real hands-on approach throughout the day.
He personally directed pre-match car parking arrangements, afforded everyone a warm welcome and spoke really proudly to me about his team’s role within their village.
Furthermore, I spotted him out on the pitch celebrating amongst his players afterwards.
It is always nice to meet loyal club volunteers like Ian who has given 45 years of service to Borden Village as a player, manager and official.
*Credit for photos in this article belongs to @TonyIncenzo*
