Chester FC Academy 0 Maidstone United Academy 1

I don't normally watch the Chester Academy team but they had reached the National League Academy Cup Final where they faced Maidstone United youngsters. What made this interesting was that the game was played at St George's Park which is where the England men and women teams train.

The complex was huge with around a dozen pitches and this game was played on the Fara Williams pitch, number 5. Surprisingly the game was all ticket but even more surprising was that the tickets sold out last week. This isn't quite as impressive as it sounds as the only stand held around 300 and there was no standing allowed.

Although I had a ticket my friend Jon missed out so I arranged to get a photographer's pass and gave him my ticket. This meant I could wander around the pitch and had a great time taking photos.

I have to say that the pitch itself was superb and put the average weed strewn lawn to shame.

There wasn't much in the game but Maidstone won with a single deflected goal.

Album of the Day - Eyes Open - Snow Patrol (2005)