After my bucket list visit to Mousehole AFC in the FA Cup on the previous Saturday when live betting peaked during a pulsating 2-2 draw against Willand Rovers, I continued my week long adventure in lovely Cornwall. Next up I targeted a couple of South West Peninsula League midweek fixtures.
I have to say the SWPL is one of my favourite competitions. Not only does it cover an extremely picturesque part of the country but I also admire the devoted work of league secretary Phil Hiscox.
He is one of football’s most enthusiastic administrators travelling far and wide to watch multiple matches across his own parish and further afield.
Phil expertly organises the SWPL’s regular Easter groundhopper weekends whereby staggered kick-off times attract hundreds of interested aficionados from all over Britain and even abroad. A great public relations exercise boosting the league’s already well-respected profile.
In addition, I like the fact Phil adopts a sensible approach to calling matches off in times of adverse weather.
In effect, the SWPL can authorise postponements the day before games without need for a referee’s pitch inspection if seriously bad conditions are imminent. The policy dramatically reduces those frustratingly late cancellations which affect travelling teams and supporters.
Overall, Phil is a fantastic ambassador for our Non-League family. And now here are the details of my two SWPL groundhops…
Dobwalls 4-0 Millbrook
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When: Tuesday 20th August 2024
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Kick-off: 7.30pm
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Where: Lantoom Park, Duloe Road, Dobwalls, Liskeard, Cornwall, PL14 4LU.
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Competition: South West Peninsula League Premier West Division
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Attendance: 72
I drove from my holiday cottage overlooking the bay at Polzeath for a sunny pre-match stroll around beautiful Looe seafront.
Then it was back inland for this evening game. Dobwalls itself is a village housing 3,600 people located three miles west of Liskeard.
Ground Description
There is a prefab seated grandstand on one side of the pitch and covered standing opposite.
Meanwhile, the ‘Lantoom Park Shed End’ lies behind the goal offering a row of sheltered bench seating.
Programme Details
No programme was issued on the night. However, Dobwalls’ joint-manager Ben Washam helpfully handed me the 16 page undated shell of an old edition containing pre-prepared adverts.
I’ve printed line-ups off the FA Full Time site to go inside it so this becomes a decent matchday souvenir.
Furthermore, I obtained a metal Dobwalls FC pin badge for my extensive collection of groundhopping memorabilia.
The Match
It was 0-0 at half-time yet Dobwalls had dominated and any football betting experts would’ve favoured their chances.
Indeed, the home side stepped matters up beyond that point and scored four times incorporating three within a seven minute purple patch. Marksmen were Kai Burrell (64, 84 minutes), Colin Pritchard (66 mins) and Charlie Castlehouse (71 mins).
The People
I had a fascinating chat with Dobwalls’ club photographer Colin Hilton about his past playing career at Non-League level in Surrey.
And it was nice to meet a fellow Italian called Massimo Rowse De-Franco from Venice who was filming the action for Cornwall-based RadMax Productions.
Holsworthy 0-1 Callington Town
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When: Wednesday 21st August 2024
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Kick-off: 7.30pm
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Where: Upcott Field, North Road, Holsworthy, Devon EX22 6HF
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Competition: South West Peninsula League Premier West Division
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Attendance: 129
I went to the beach at Bude beforehand but the weather turned unexpectedly cold.
Therefore I made a rapid departure and proceeded over the county border into Devon to reach Holsworthy. This is a market town possessing 2,600 residents.
Ground Description
Holsworthy AFC have played here since 1949.
The dominant spectator feature is a sturdy covered enclosure along one touchline embracing seats at the front and standing spaces behind.
Programme Details
An excellent 32 page homespun effort on sale at £1 from the entry gate.
Contents included sponsorship details, fixtures & results, SWPL table, club news, line-ups and Holsworthy’s history dating to their formation in 1891.
The Match
A tight affair was decided through Kieran Ryall sliding horizontally to poke in Callington Town’s winner at close range on 66 minutes.
The People
Holsworthy volunteers Tracey Bingham and Adam Wosnitzka gave me a warm welcome on arrival thereby setting the tone at what is a very friendly club.
*Credit for the photos in this article belongs to Tony Incenzo*
