Larges Lane, Bracknell
Bracknell Town FC vs. Maidenhead United FC
Friendly
Two years agone I was thinking virtually how I could possibly cram more unnecessary trips to sporting events into my life when I suddenly had a brainwave. Why non endeavor brand role of my time (just not my money) too combine trips in addition to accept in another sport? This seemed particularly appealing given my honey of ice hockey in addition to their 6pm starts. And then the 'double header' was born.
 |
| A wait within Larges Lane. |
I outset attempted this in January 2018, together with got off to the best possible commencement thank you to a dire goalless depict betwixt MK Dons five AFC Wimbledon. Undeterred past the fact I never got to use the rather comfortable looking seating at Stadium MK thank you to booking a ticket inward the away cease, I made the short effort to Planet Ice Milton Keynes to scout the Lightning v Dundee Stars inward an Elite League ice hockey game, which thankfully contained a fleck more than goalmouth activity.
Since and then I've pulled a yoke of multi-sport double headers. But it wasn't until a hastily rescheduled for TV game betwixt Salford City together with Maidenhead that I realised, why non endeavour in addition to make ii football games inwards a row? With Bury kick off at 3pm only downwards the road, a dominant Salford display allowed me to slink out a piddling scrap early (I don't like leaving anything earlier it'sec finished, I don't get it at all, but needs must) to make it just in time for the kickoff of Bury 5 Colchester.
 |
| A majority of the crowd gathered every bit far away from me equally possible. |
What does whatever of this take to make alongside this game? Not a lot. But I had originally planned this game to be my offset double header of the flavor. The circumstances were perfect, Maidenhead arranged a friendly away at Ascot for a lunchtime kick off, too so I could jump in my auto too head straight downwards the A329 to Bracknell as well as accept in Bracknell five Maidenhead.
Nice idea in theory, until finding out the first game would live taking home at Bisham Abbey. And merely when I thought I could sneak inward a cheeky novel earth (it'sec listed on Football Ground Map so it definitely counts), Maidenhead put out a tweet the twenty-four hour period earlier that this would be a behind shut door friendly entirely. Ah good, at least I could accept a lie inward.
Larges Lane is easy to reach by prepare. Just a few brusque stops from Reading, or many stops from Waterloo, y'all can leap out and make the walk to the ground from the station. You'll frequently run across many lost too bewildered people struggling to navigate the labyrinth of underpass leading towards to the town heart inward the opposite direction.
 |
| The intimidating Bracknell ultras conspicuous by their absence for a friendly. |
A large crowd, of what could live at best described every bit human being cattle, huddled exterior a block of flats (nearly the belike not ironically named 'Mount Pleasant' that leads to the earth) alongside an ambulance indicated about drama had befallen soul. Judging past the potent olfactory property of stale cigarette smoke, i could exclusively assume they caught on fire.But after carefully manoeuvring circular them without making middle contact, nosotros were on our mode.
This was my 10th trip to the redeveloped Larges Lane, which is x more times than I visited the one-time version. It'second go one of my favourites due to its slowly to accomplish location, the 3G pitch, as well as the fact y'all tin can beverage a beer pitchside (£3 a pint).
In that fourth dimension I've seen the earth live swallowed up by the housing evolution that make the whole place look a little claustrophobic, as well as sure as shooting likewise small for a club as ambitious as Bracknell Town. But they've continued to educate the earth into a squeamish trivial stadium for Step four.
 |
| Nothing says modern day non league more than a transportation container masquerading as a stand up. |
I chose this game every bit it offered a chance for Maidenhead to audition for my affections. Having been a flavour ticket holder at York Road for the last ii seasons equally I glory hunted their promotion into The National League, I'd grown concerned that possibly the guild had probably gone as far every bit it could since big patches of concluding season proved to be completely rotten to spotter.
This game was in all likelihood non the 1 to confirm whatever conclusion, equally it was played amongst all the intensity of a preseason friendly (shocker), littered alongside players from the Trialist family, and contained rattling piddling activity at all. But it was hot too yous could relish a beer or ii.
Useless data almost Larges Lane
Address: Larges Lane, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 9AN
Capacity: 2,500
Pitch Type: Artificial
Ticket Price: £5
Programme: None (programme normally online solely during flavor)
Cheapest Pint: £three