7 AM start from Eton
My short-planned expedition to Weymouth, solo- due to its stupid complexity – was carried off without notable problems. Credit GWR, South West Trains, Virgin Cross Country and Elizabeth Line – 8 trains – not one late (contrast with the Yeovil Pen Mill, Weymouth service). I was lucky but when public transport works, it is a delight.
Not so lucky was the large family whose matriarch was struck down shortly into the second half of Yeovil’s away fixture at Weymouth. I was standing by the medical room, having purchased a cider when she was rushed in with her extended family in tow.
Shortly after, the lino had to inform the ref that the situation was bad enough for an air ambulance to be needed and shortly after, one arrived.
Weird drama at Weymouth game this pm. pic.twitter.com/Q9CP5U21zp
— Henry Tapper (@henryhtapper) April 1, 2024
By now, sufficient time had elapsed for the future of the remaining 20 minutes to be in doubt. After a further wait, the players emerged, Yeovil in crocs, Weymouth in boots. It was pretty obvious who wanted to play on, Weymouth were leading 1-0.
But ground staff removed the corner flags and Yeovil’s manager emerged to tell us that his players were athletes and hadn’t got another 20 minutes in them.
Officially, the game was abandoned after 75 minutes.
On April 12th , the League made a decision to award the game to Weymouth.
National League statement on the abandoned Weymouth v Yeovil Town National League South fixture
— The Non-League Paper (@NonLeaguePaper) April 12, 2024
As we made our way back to the station, ( a 40 minute trudge) , we were passed by a number of Weymouth fans who clearly didn’t think much of our incapacity to carry on. You can see their point. The match was abandoned with Yeovil 18-1 against to turn things round.
It had been hard to get too excited over a first half where Yeovil were pretty rubbish.
Unimpressed by today’s performance. But only 3 points from promotion pic.twitter.com/Cj0PRk56Me
— Henry Tapper (@henryhtapper) April 1, 2024
Yeovil’s travelling fans numbered more than 2,000 and were in good voice with a decent repertoire of songs but while the fans turned up, the team didn’t.
My memories of the day include the fine wild-fowl-life of the Radipole wetlands
Not much to be said for the game today- but top ducks pic.twitter.com/5rbNl69hGi
— Henry Tapper (@henryhtapper) April 1, 2024
And the weirdness of trains running to time!
8th and final train of the day. No goals for #ytfc , no result, but relieved that we got lucky. Thoughts with the invalid #ytfc pic.twitter.com/p4nYuifvji
— Henry Tapper (@henryhtapper) April 1, 2024
Yeovil got lucky,our rivals, Chelmsford lost to bottom club Dover and we are now but one win from promotion by being league champions.
The best news for me personally was to get a message from Chris Sier who was also in Weymouth , watching his daughter sailing. Chris, that you are out and about after the winter you’ve had, is fantastic!
And my favorite moment? – the guilty handshake from the lad who threw his Corona empties into the hedge, bless our fans and bless Weymouth too, even if it is a shit-hole.