A dramatic season opener at Marlow

Marlow is known for being on the River Thames, Tom Kerridge’s Hand and Flowers Restaurant and now we can tick it off as another ground completed on the Daddy Daughter journey.

After a morning in the park, Miss, Uncle Mike and I set off for Marlow in Buckinghamshire for Winchester City’s first league game of the season. Having already seen Uncle Davo on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, Miss got to see him a third time at The Alfred Davis Memorial Stadium.

The journey up was clear, taking just under 90 minutes and we arrived with lots of time to spare. Parking was easy, we pulled up outside the turnstiles and parked for free. Although I’d imagine if you arrive much less than 30 minutes before kick-off, there would only be on street parking available.

Miss and I had a kickabout as the players arrived. She picked her red and ball today - the same as City’s home colours.

Ken, the Chairman of Winchester City, very kindly bought us both some lunch. Miss indulged on a portion of chips as well as her packed lunch whilst Daddy had loaded chips - thanks Mr Chairman!

Miss was running around in lots of the open space beneath the Main Stand but she was getting carried away with her football and fell a couple of times, grazing her knee. This is becoming a theme on Saturday’s - sorry Mummy 🤦‍♂️ After a visit to the away changing room and a plaster applied by Jo, the City Physiotherapist, all was good in the world with Miss again, and the football was kicked about again!

As for the ground - there were no Baby Changing Facilities unfortunately - but it is an old ground with lots of character. There is lots of room for Miss to roam around, but lots of steps, loose gravel, loose drain covers (be careful, Miss picked one up!)

The game itself was entertaining. City took the lead when Trevor Caborn scored a wonder strike just before half-time but sadly City’s new signing, Dan Bartlett, was stretchered off. Marlow equalised late in the game with an excellent long range effort and Ollie Griggs was then sent off in stoppage time for the visitors.

Miss was on great form and had a kickabout with Kev and Phil, she waved and played with Rob and had cuddles with Uncle Mike.

All in all a good day out, a good point on the road for City. A memorable stadium, lots of history and character but not the best for a youngster in a pushchair - that said the stewards were all very friendly.