A VISIT TO FOLLAND SPORTS AS THE ROAD TO WEMBLEY STARTS IN THE ISUZU FA VASE

Hamble-Le-Rice only has a population of around 4,600 but is the home to two non-league football clubs. The beautiful coastal village is home to both Folland Sports of the Wessex League Division One and Hamble Club who play one step above in the Premier Division. 

I was down in the local area visiting family so was able to get along to Folland Sports for an Isuzu FA Vase First Qualifying Round game. 

Their Folland Park home must be the only football ground in the United Kingdom (and maybe the world!) which has a monument of an airplane which commemorates the "GNAT T MK 1" which was manufactured on the site by Folland Aircraft in 1960. ARE THEY ANY OTHER GROUNDS WITH SUCH A THING?

The Planemakers were formed in 1938 as "Folland Aircraft" by and for workers from the local airplane factory. They have had several names changes over the years as follows - 

1938 - FOLLAND AIRCRAFT

1948 - FOLLAND SPORTS 

1990 - AEROSTRUCTURES SPORTS & SOCIAL

1998 - HAMBLE AEROSTRUCTURES SPORTS & SOCIAL  

2011 - GE HAMBLE 

2013 - FOLLAND SPORTS 

The best recent seasons for the clubs are from 2009 to 2014 when they won the Wessex League Division One title in 09/10, reached the 3rd QR of the FA Cup in 10/11 and finished 3rd in the 13/14 Premier Division. 

Relegation back to Division one came in 2016 and a few seasons of struggle towards the bottom of the league table before a fourth-place finish in 21/22 which qualified them for the end of season play-offs. They lost in the play-off SF against Newport (IOW) 5-4 on penalty kicks after a 2-2 draw. 

Folland had got some revenge back on The Port with a 1-3 win on the Island on Saturday 13th August. 

Wessex Premier Division side Shaftesbury were the visitors who made the trip from Dorset. They took the lead with Luke Delaney's effort from outside of the box on the right-hand side. It was one of those which you could file under was it a shot or a cross? I'm sure Luke will tell you it was a shot! 

It was a largely scrappy game with not much goalmouth action. Shaftesbury had a chance to wrap up the game in the second half with a penalty, but it was well saved by the Folland goalkeeper. 

Luke Hooper scored an equaliser around five minutes from the end of time to send the game to kicks from the penalty mark. 

It was Shaftesbury goalkeeper Konrad Szymaniak who was the hero making two good saves to make the score 4-2 on spot kicks and send his side through to the next round. 

They will visit Combined Counties League Premier Division South side Badshot Lea in the Second Qualifying Round.

Folland Park has one main stand and seating area. It also has a very nice tea hut in the entrance corner to the ground and the aforementioned airplane. 

The village is a lovely place to take a stroll around with Hamble Point Marina, Hamble Common Beach and Port Hamble Marina close by and well worth a visit. Visitors of a certain age may be able to spot some places where "Howard's Way" was filmed. The 1980's BBC Drama attracted up to 14,000,000 viewers for some episodes. 

BRIEF HIGHLIGHTS OF THE GAME including penalty save and Folland's goal

PENALTY SHOOT OUT