Calpe CF - Spanish Groundhop

Ground number 2, a very modern ground in Calpe, halfway between Benissa and Benidorm. The stadium has a very impressive modern main stand but, as per usual in Spanish lower league, has nothing anywhere else in the ground. Probably my least favourite of the grounds due to the lack of character compared to Benissa and the fantastic Benidorm Stadium. We managed to get in without asking anybody so I have no info on the club but I think they're around the same level as Benissa

The side of the main stand

Some good scenery in the background

Very neat back to the main stand as you arrive

From the main stand looking over to the far goal

The main stand is very neat but doesn't have as much character as Benissa

Another shot of the stand

Looking out from the top of the stand. A very good view

Again very modern dugouts, I imagine the ground is quite new

Looking towards the far end

Back towards the near end

As you enter, you go up these steps into the stand

Looking from the far corner

Again, no terracing behind the goal but plenty of space

Looking at the main stand

And again. The stand is very impressive

From the furthest corner of the ground

Just hard standing along the far side

Electronic scoreboard rather than chalk at Benissa

Not sure what that is meant to be. Plenty of stray cats around in Calpe

Johnnie on the pitch near the stand

Behind the near goal. Once again just hard standing

The stand with holiday apartments in the background

Looking across the pitch

In the stand

From the stand again

The near goal

The 360 panorama of the ground

Benissa CF - Spanish Groundhop

So the first of the grounds visited by Johnnie whilst on holiday in Spain. There are 2 teams that play at this ground, UD Benissa and Sporting Benissa. UD have played here for over 70 years according to a helpful local, but Sporting have only been in existence for less than 10. One of the sides was on the verge of promotion to the third tier, but ultimately did not go up and now struggle financially, as most sides in Spain now do. The ground itself was similar to most lower league Spanish grounds. There is never anything behind either goal so I wasn't at all surprised to see a lack of terracing there. However, I was delighted to see the main stand was terraced and there were still seats over the far side. Overall a fantastic little ground as far as Spanish non-league is concerned

Potential friendly next season?

The stairs on the way up to the gate

Looking through the gate

Looking towards the near goal

As you arrive in the car park you see this fantastic painted logo.

And the floodlight next to it

Here is a close up of the logo

There is a net behind the goal to stop stray shots flying over. The main stand can be seen in the background

No terracing behind the goal, just hard standing

Quite a lot of space though

Looking across the (3G) pitch towards the main stand

Johnnie with his Sutton scarf

Looking back across the near end

Some seating on the far side, opposite the main stand. Not the highest quality seating ever!

The town hall can be seen in the background, behind the near goal

Looking towards the far goal

A very neat ground with very modern dugouts 

A close up

Johnnie in the far end seating. No cover for if it rains!

From the far corner looking over

And again

Notice the gate for segregation at the end of this area, Benissa used to have big attendances back in the day

Good old chalk scoreboard

The 'turnstile' at the home end

Onto the main stand

And it's terraced! A fantastic place to watch football

The view from the stand, looking towards the far end

Looking over at the far end seating, players' tunnel in the foreground

And looking towards the near end

As you can see, the stand is fantastically terraced

Makes a nice change to seated main stands in England

 Ash United vs Colliers Wood

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyQ_55XbNpI&list=TLjW_iVyjmHc4

On August 3rd at Wibbandune Ash United went against Colliers Wood in a Combined Counties Premier Division game. This game was quite important since the last time when these two teams met, they were in a relegation battle. Colliers Wood played a good passing game but they were disjointed which meant that they were not able to score any goals and this led to a loss. Overall it was a very tight game, Ash United   just edged Colliers Wood.

The game started with Colliers Wood passing the ball and retaining possession but you were able to see    that the team was disjointed. Every time the ball was passed from one player to the next the players found it hard to control the ball when a pass was played to them. The first chance came from Colliers Wood    with a shot outside the box that just went over the bar. Straight after, Ash United had a counter attack and this led to a shot that was saved by the feet of the Colliers Wood goalie. Later Colliers Wood took a shot, but it was not a very good one and it went wide of the goal. There was another really good Colliers Wood chance when a shot was taken which was pushed away by the opposition's goalie. Another shot was taken off the deflection which was kicked away by a Ash United defender. This was probably the closest Colliers Wood came

Soon Ash United had a few targets but their shots were off target so were not able to lead to any goals.  Ash united showed that they had great skill dribbling the ball and attacking to the opponent's goal. But what let them down was their accuracy if their shooting. Most of their chances were inaccurate. But sooner or later a shot was accurate enough to take the lead. Some good passing from Ash United to a winger made them have the advantage.  The winger did good work to hold off the defender that was marking him. A pass to Karl Dallaway who did a skilful chip over the goalie and scored a goal giving Ash United the lead.

For the rest of the 1st half and the 2nd half Colliers Wood did not give up. They kept on attacking but unfortunately their shots were saved by the Ash United goalie or they were just wide of the goal. Colliers Wood then had a penalty shout turned down. It seemed like an Ash United defender pulled the Colliers Wood player down. Many appeals were shouted but a penalty was not given. So no more goals were scored the full time whistle was blown and the score remained at 1-0.

Lastly we would like to say that our team really enjoyed the atmosphere at Wibbandane. We were impressed with the pitch and the people, overall Colliers Wood are a good, well run club.