Feeling like Bucharest in - Cheshunt (FC Romania)

With my dad now doing goalkeeper coaching at Takeley I can easily get to and from different grounds in The Essex Senior League when Takeley themselves are playing, since I was at my dad's for the week, I decided to go with him to Takeley's away match in Cheshunt against FC Romania.

If you're not familiar with the Essex senior league, you're probably thinking "Romania?? That's a country, not a non league team on the outskirts of london??" Well it's both, the club originally started as a pub team formed by Romanian Immigrants, who are now good enough to play Step 5 in the football pyramid, and even had a good fa cup run last year making it from the extra preliminary round all the way to the second qualifying round, when they faced famous conference south side Sutton United. The team therefore is filled with different nationalities including Romanians, Bulgarians and a few English.

Apon arrival my first thoughts on the ground was "WOW!!!" it seriously did look epic for the step 5. The reasons for this are that FC Romania ground share with Cheshunt FC who play Step 4 in the Ryman division 1 North. And secondly the club recently made the ground much more modern very recently. The ground has two seating stands one which is a newly built stand on the side opposite the dugouts, the other is a fairly old stand behind the dugouts, however since the renovation of the ground there is now a massive gap between the pitch and that stand, and you're view is blocked by the dug outs if you sit there.

The space between the older stand and the pitch. Wouldn't be surprised if they knocked it down soon.

It's a great ground!!

Because I didn't have any dinner before we left, I decided to get something whilst I was there, decided to get Burger and Chips, the cost was relatively cheap but the quality of the chips were fantastic!!! Much better than the pie at Chester I tried the weekend earlier. If Romania do ever get their own ground they should absolutely be servicing Romanian Cuisine in the kitchen, it would be brilliant. 

Chips were awesome. Burger wasn't bad either.

The teams finally emerged from the changing rooms and I took my seat with everyone else in the newly built stand. About 40 to 50 people had turned out for tonight's match.

 Instantly from the get go it felt like we were in Bucharest, Romania were fighting for every ball that came their way and often left the Takeley players in the dust due to there original quick pass and move style of play. Romania instantly had very early header from which went wide of the left post.

Teams Emerging from the changing rooms.

Along came yet more chances for the Romanian Boys, which included a 1 on 1 shot from inside the area which hit the right post, and a speculative long range shot from the left hand side of the box which almost curled in, but a magnificent save was made by the Takeley keeper.

The goal did eventually come though for Romania when the sticker easily ran ball around the Takeley keeper inside the box tapped it in the net to go 1-0 ahead before the break.

HT: FC Romania 1-0 Takeley.

During the first half I managed to get talking with some managers and executives for both Cheshunt and FC Romania, they invited me back into the stylish new club house complete with great facilities (except it did have a security alarm that wouldn't stop making annoying noises) They offered me a coffee in which I gladly accepted and asked if they had any FC Romania scarfs. I was hoping they had a few in tonight because I really would like get one. Unfortunately they had placed an order for a few to be arrived in time for their FA Cup game the coming Saturday, but they hadn't arrived yet, I decided instead then to get a very nice Cheshunt scarf instead for about £7/8.

Cheshunt scarf and FC Romania Programme.

The second half began again with FC Romania's work rate still being immense, still going for every ball.

Takeley still looked half asleep and were punished by a ball through to the FC Romanian striker on the left hand side of the box, who shot over the Takeley keeper from a 1 on 1 chance and into the back of the net.

FC Romania Selfie

Shortly after came another Goal, and it really was an unfortunate one. A hoof up the field caused the Takeley keeper to miss time a heavy and dodgy bounce outside the area, he tried to header it but unfortunately went over his head. It was left then for the FC Romania player to put the ball in an open net. Really felt sorry for the keeper to be fair, because he did make some class saves during the game, but he is always going to remember his mistake in this game rather than his other class saves.

FT: FC Romania 3-0 Takeley.

Takeley team talk at the end.

Overall a really nice and friendly club, with a very good team and a good set of players. A return might be on the cards when Clapton play them away. Would have liked a few more Romanian Flags to be flying round the ground though, but that's a bit much to ask for a Step 5 team...

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