Histon Football Club announce reserves will play Cambridgeshire County League matches at Bridge Road next season
Cambridgeshire County League football will return to Bridge Road next season following confirmation from Histon that their reserve side will play on the same pitch as the first team.
Reformed ahead of the 2022/23 campaign getting under way, the Stutes’ second string played their home matches at Comberton Village College last term due to the groundshare agreement in place with Cambridge City.
However, after the Lilywhites struck a deal with St Ives Town for the upcoming season ahead of their impending switch to a brand new stadium in Sawston, Histon have taken the decision to bring the reserves back home.
Reserves manager Matt Payne, who is also the club’s head of youth, said: “A lot of young lads play in the reserves and so having a 3G surface to play on at Comberton has really suited the style of football we’ve been playing.
“But there is no doubt playing at Histon’s main stadium makes it much more homely for the team. It will make the players feel more part of the club and create even more of a togetherness.
“I’ve been involved with the club for around six years and I have to give a big credit to the groundsman Mark Critoph. The pitch towards the back end of the season was the best I’ve ever seen it at that stage. He’s done a great job and it will be perfect to play on.”
After a slow start to the previous campaign, Histon Reserves picked up and even had a shot at gaining promotion from Senior B before their form tailed off at a crucial time and they eventually finished in sixth place.
Payne believes the move to Bridge Road will aid his young team in their quest to go up to the Premier Division next year, although he did also issue a warning.
He added: “It was a difficult start trying to get players in and we didn’t get much of a pre-season. But we went on a good nine-match unbeaten run and with six games to go we had a shot at finishing in the top three, only for injuries and the availability of key players to hurt us.
“It was disappointing in some ways but when you look at the remit for last year being a mid-table finish and making sure at least four of the players appeared for the first team it was job done.
“We want to go up and playing at Bridge Road will be a big thing for us. It will allow us to sign better players because it’s going to be one of the best grounds in the division.
“But it also means the game for other teams is going to be a bit like a cup final when they go there. They’ll want to win even more on a good pitch and in an impressive stadium, so they’ll be a bit of a target on our backs in some ways.”
Meanwhile, the club’s senior side will once again compete in the United Counties League Premier Division South in 2023/24 after the Football Association revealed the make up of the National League System on Monday.
Aylestone Park, Leicester Nirvana, Racing Club Warwick and Rugby Borough will all be new opposition for the Stutes, while they will also renew acquaintances with Daventry Town, Yaxley and St Neots Town after they all dropped down from Step 4.
