The Courier |
CARNGHAM-Linton is taking the first step in returning to its constitution when it hosts Gordon at Snake Valley.
The Saints will play their first match at the venue in nine years on Saturday, and will see out the remainder of the Central Highlands Football League season at its traditional home.
Next year, Carngham-Linton will split its home games between Snake Valley and Linton Recreation Reserve, as is dictated in its constitution.
The Saints moved away from Snake Valley in 2005 as a result of sub-standard netball facilities.
A $30,000 redevelopment of the football oval last year, alongside a new blue plexi-pave netball court constructed in the last three months, has given the club reason to return.
Also included in the redevelopment are flood lights and a new netball changeroom.
“The plan’s been in movement for four or five years now,” Carngham-Linton president Sam Richardson said.
“We’ve also got a really good social room at Snake Valley – it holds about 300 people and this gives us more opportunities to use it.”
Prior to amalgamating with Linton in 1969, the Carngham Football Club played in the Ballarat Football League District Section for seven years from 1962 to 1968 against current CHFL clubs including Gordon, Buninyong and Dunnstown.
In an amazing piece of history, Saturday marks the 50-year anniversary to the day that Carngham last hosted Gordon at the venue.
On June 29, 1963, Carngham ousted Gordon at Snake Valley and Richardson is excited about the prospect of history repeating itself.
“We’ve got a really big weekend planned and I hope the boys treat it like a final,” Richardson said.
Carngham-Linton is looking to recover from back-to-back losses to Hepburn and Beaufort on Saturday, but will have to do so without captain Tim Clarke, who is out for the next few weeks while overseas.
Papua New Guinea recruit Scott Johnson returns to the line-up after making his senior debut against the Burras a couple of weeks ago.
Gordon is back in the eight after its hard-fought win over Skipton last Saturday but will miss coach Corey Grills, who is the major out for Saturday’s encounter.
PREDICTION: Gordon by five goals.
