FA VASE, 2ND QUALIFYING ROUND, 25/09/2021
Brinsford Stadium, Brinsford Lane, Coven Heath, Wolverhampton,
WV10 7PR
Today I am going to a ground that has been on my radar for a long time now, namely the Brinsford Stadium ground of the Wolverhampton Casuals club. They are playing against Ellesmere Rangers from Shropshire in the 2nd Qual Round of the FA Vase.
I have read good reports about this venue from other bloggers in the past and it's an added bonus that it's a cup tie too.
I get to Wolverhampton OK by train and have time to re-acquaint myself with the town centre after a number of years and also the Art Gallery. Unfortunately it's undergoing refurbishment but it's good to wander round for 15 minutes before I leave and get an all-day breakfast in a cafe round the corner.
Then I catch the No.3 bus from near the Wolverhampton University building and twenty minutes later I am getting off just before the M 54 junction and the Stafford Road. The guy who gets off in front of me is looking at his phone (for directions ?) and I strongly suspect he's going to the match too.
It turns out his name is Earl and he's definitely going to the game. He's from Darlaston and has just started to going to see teams in his area.
We get to the entrance of the ground about 10 minutes later, I pay my entrance fee and £1 for a professional looking programme and I'm told that there's a chance there might be some club badges for sale at the bar.
Unfortunately when I get there I'm told that the last one was sold 2 weeks ago. So that's an excuse for another visit sometime. The club definitely has a nice looking, well cared for grass pitch, which lies parallel to Brinsford Lane. There is a stand on the far side of the pitch, which looks as if it can seat about 100 people and on the side is a tea bar and alongside this is the club house / changing room building.
I am a bit disappointed that I won't be able to get to the far end of the ground as a barrier has been placed there. It would have been the best place probably for taking photos.
The 2 teams take to the field in their usual first team colours, with the 'The Cassies' in green and white and 'The Meremen' in an all yellow strip.
It's the home team who dominate proceedings when the game gets underway and it's no surprise that it's the tall Casuals No. 9, Anthony Smith, who gets the first goal after nicking the ball off a defender and scoring from close range in the 15th minute.
9 minutes later and it's Smith who turns provider, after he goes to the right of the goal and passes to the No.4 to shoot home.
The Cassies are firing on all cylinders now and in the 27th minute, it's practically game over when their No. 8 scores with a beautifully curled effort from the left.
Ellesmere to their credit do get back in to the game before half-time and in the space of 5 minutes, fashion 3 chances, the closest being when they hit the bar from a free kick.
So it's the end of the first period with a scoreline not many people were expecting. Ellesmere play in the North West Counties, Div One South and are in a respectable 7th place. Wolves Casuals on the other hand are struggling in the League and are fifth from bottom, with 2 wins from 7 games.
One of the club officials told me before the game that their manager from last season had left the club and taken many of the players with him, so they will probably take time to adjust.
At the interval I chat to a guy who turns out has come down from Shrewsbury to spy on Ellesmere, as his team, Haughmond, have drawn them in the Shropshire Senior Cup. I definitely want to see Haughmond's ground in the not too distant future.
When the game resumes, Ellesmere are definitely more in the game now and after going close when their No.8 shoots just wide with the keeper beaten, the same player shoots home on the hour.
I'm pleasantly surprised later on when the Ellesmere No.14 comes on as a substitute and it turns out to be a former Worcester City striker called Marco Addagio. I reckon he must be at least in his mid thirties by now and it looks as if he's been eating a few pies in the last few years. It's great to see him still in action though.
Anthony Smith is put through in the 76th minute and slides the ball past the oncoming keeper only to see his effort glide the wrong side of the post. He's replaced soon after and near the end the Ellesmere keeper makes a good save when he manages to push the ball on to the bar and out from close range.
So Ellesmere have put up a better showing in the second half although the Casuals have won quite comfortably. Wolverhampton Casuals are in the hat for the First Round proper and I'm sure will be looking to get a home draw.
I have enjoyed my visit today and thoroughly recommend anyone to visit this ground. It has a 'homely' feel to it and the pitch is a credit to the ground staff.
Match attendance: 70
Entrance fee: £6
Match programme: £1
Entertainment value: 7.5/10
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