Page 6 - Bath City v Chelmsford City - Tuesday 15 December 2020 - FA Trophy

FROM THE BOARDROOM

legs we were away by 3.10pm have missed our league match
expecting to arrive at Concord against today’s opponents last
between 6-6.15pm. Saturday.
We were making good time until Leaving a wet Canvey Island at
the sound of sirens alerted us to 11.10pm, we, or should I say our
a possible accident but it was the driver, had to contend with the
M25 and these things happen closure of the M4 and a detour
given the amount of traffic on that through Reading in the early hours
motorway. With mobile phones and what appeared to be never-
being checked for information, it ending red traffic lights. Having
became clear that the motorway picked up Ryan Clarke at 3pm, we
had been closed and we were dropped him off back at Chieveley
going to be delayed for some time. eleven hours later and he was the
Calls were made to alert Concord first to leave the coach. Never let
and match officials of our position anyone say that the players have it
but until the traffic was moving easy in non-league football as they
again we were unable to provide would have been up for work on
any indication as to our time of Wednesday, with a few hours of
arrival. sleep, trained on Thursday evening
As we passed the incident, it and travelled to Essex again on
Good evening and we extend a was clear two cars had been Saturday. Let’s hope that journey
warm welcome to the players, involved in the outside lanes of the was uneventful.
officials and supporters of motorway and hopefully no one Enjoy the game.
Chelmsford City to Twerton Park for was seriously injured.
this FA Trophy 2nd round tie and PAUL WILLIAMS
wish them a safe journey home Fortunately, Tim at Berkeley
after the game. Coaches had decided to use
two drivers or else we would
In these trying times, we have to have had to stop with a limit on
try and see the funny side of events drivers’ hours, and eventually
and keep a positive attitude. I we arrived at 7.45pm when the
have to say this was sorely tested match should have kicked off. With
as a funny thing happened on the the agreement of the referee, the
way to Concord Rangers – could players changed and warmed up
be a film title for the older readers staying out on the pitch for kick off
amongst you. at 8.35.
Upon setting off for deepest Essex After the journey, the match could
at 1pm, I didn’t expect to return at have been an anti-climax but
3.45am but that is what happens it was an entertaining game in
when you have a two hour wait which we were very unfortunate
in traffic on the M25. The journey to lose with almost the last kick of
had started well with arrival at all the match. It was good to be able
the usual pick up points – Emersons to keep the same starting eleven
Green, Junction 16 Swindon for two matches in a row, but an
and Chieveley Services – at the injury to Dan Ball in the second
appointed times. So, with a quick half required a switch around in
coffee break and a stretch of the defence and Dan will probably

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