Short Lane - Ashford Town (Middlesex)

Short Lane - Ashford Town (Middlesex) - 2009

Kingstonian's first home game of the season was against Ashford Town (Middlesex, not to be confused with the Kent side of the same name)

Short Lane is in Stanwell and was built in 1986. Since this article was written it has been renamed 'Robert Barker Stadium' after long time chairman Bob Barker.

The 'barrel' end (next to a fuel storage container so best not have a cheeky cigarette) was barely deep enough to allow for two deep and K's were able to spectacularly claim that they had indeed filled the away end. I felt like a dolphin trapped in a tuna net as a mysterious ball stopping device gave the away end a nice fishing trawler theme like a fish and chip shop. The net would periodically slap you in the face.

The scene behind us was perhaps more reminiscent of a prisoner of war camp. For us ze war was over as we were well beaten 3-1 on the day.

Achtung!!

Special mention goes to the home end with a fence precariously close to collapsing, a massive empty space which footballs got lost in and the poor steward looking for a ball we had already found with us helpfully pointing him further and further into the wild woods. 

They also sold out of programmes and I arrived 30 minutes before kick off!