IK ZenithGround: Hovgårdsvallen Visits: 1 Date: 13th May 2023 Match: IK Zenith - Vänersborgs FK 1-2 (Division 2 Norra Götaland) Attendance: 110 For Saturday I was planning a double and first up was IK Zenith v Vänersborgs FK in Division 2 Norra Götaland. Wanting to avoid a very long day I stayed the night in Varberg and from my hotel it was then only around an hour of driving to Hovgårdsvallen. Driving in and around Göteborg is always a challenge and today there was Göteborgsvarvet, a half-marathon, to take into account as well. My route to the ground included crossing the impressive Älvsborg bridge and with the half-marathon crossing the same bridge I was pleased to find out I would pass before the half-marathon started. Anyway, Hovgårdsvallen is situated in Björlanda on the island of Hisingen and as I parked my car I noticed plenty of youth games being played. IK Zenith were promoted from Division 3 last year but have had a tough start to the 2023 season. The opening three home games of the season have been played at the artificial pitch at Hovgårdsvallen and today was their first home game of the season at the grass pitch. It was a warm day with around 21 degrees, a clear sky and hardly any wind. With no trees or roofed stand it was quite hot for visiting fans but I had thankfully put on some sun lotion. On the pitch Vänersborgs FK opened the scoring with a stunning free-kick and early on in the 2nd half it was 0-2 on the score-board. IK Zenith pulled a goal back but it ended 2-1 to the visitors from Vänersborg. After the visit to Hovgårdsvallen I have been to 7/14 grounds in Division 2 Norra Götaland but I will hopefully add a few more grounds in this league later on in 2023. ![]() Clubhouse Welcome West Stand West Stand North End East side South End Players and officials entering Kick-off West Stand West Stand View of play View of play View of play Pano |