F.C. AZZURRI

Sunday 24th November 2013

F.C. AZZURRI 2-1 EAST GOSCOTE ATHLETIC

Alliance Football League Bill Walton Cup 2nd Round

@ Cleansing Sports Ground, Braunstone Lane East, Leicester

I stayed local for my football game of choice this morning and visited possibly the nearest ground to my home that I had not previously seen a game at. This was a cup tie between FC Azzurri who sit top of the Alliance Football League's (AFL) top division (The Premiership) with an unbeaten record from their opening six games against league new boys East Goscote Athletic. Goscote were placed in division 3 and have found their surroundings to their liking, sitting in second place after nine league games.

FC Azzurri

The Bill Walton Cup is the AFL's main knock out cup competition in which teams from all eight divisions compete and this tie was at the last 64 stage, and the home side went into it under strength but I was still expecting them to progress to the third round. They did but not without having to make hard work for it as Goscote made a real game of it and if their finishing was better, the result could have been very different. Azzurri got the opening goal early on when a well worked moved down the left hand side resulted in a first time finish. Their second came later on in the first half and came via the penalty spot, though apparently this was a contentious decision. I did not get a clear view of it, but I know the visitors were not happy about the awarding of it.  

Half time 2-0

Early on in the second half and Goscote deservedly got back into the game when they made it 2-1 with a cracking free kick. Soon afterwards and Azzurri were awarded a second penalty kick, but this time it was well saved by the Goscote keeper and the follow up blasted over the bar. Despite plenty of endeavor neither side added to the score, though it was the visitors who came closest when an angled shot crashed against the bar.

Overall it was not a bad game to watch, and more competitive than I expected it to be. 

The Cleansing Sports Ground is located in the south west suburbs of Leicester and is a basic affair. It is home to three football pitches and a cricket pitch. I believe it is also home to Leicestershire Church League side United Churches of Leicestershire. This was the 133rd venue that I have seen football at in Leicestershire & Rutland and the location of the ground can be viewed in the following link and it is icon "red 33" - map.

Websites / Social Media
Alliance Football League - official website - twitter
FC Azzurri - twitter
East Goscote Athletic - twitter

44 photos taken during the game can be viewed in the following link: photos.