MIDLAND FOOTBALL LEAGUE, DIVISION TWO
The Boggery, Field Lane, Solihull, B93 0NX
15th January 2022, 2pm Kick-Off
So I am keeping my 2nd visit to a match of this new year strictly local today and I will be seeing the MFL 2nd Division local derby at Hampton F.C. who are hosting 2nd placed Knowle.
On paper, it looks to be a fairly easy task for the high riding visitors but I have a feeling it will be a tight, hard fought game.
I make my way to Solihull on the No.4 bus, have a quick wander round the town, have a meal of scampi and chips before going to the bus stop that I need opposite the Solihull Rail Station. I have left it a bit late and have to run some of the way, jump on to the wrong bus (X2 instead of the X12) and when informed by the driver, jump off again and catch a taxi from the town centre.
I get to the ground 20 minutes before kick off but £7 lighter. This cheap local trip is turning out to be more expensive than planned.
I have time to get a cup of tea in the club house, buy an impressive club badge (a black griffin (?) on a red background) and settle down to watch the Premier Division early kick off game between Man City and Chelsea, which is scoreless so far.
When I go out to get to the pitch later on, the guy who is taking the gate money informs me that the game is taking place on another pitch as the usual one has not thawed out properly. Also there are no programmes available as the Editor is on holiday. Well at least the game is being played!
The teams come out with Hampton in their home colours of red and white shirts, black shorts and red and white socks. Knowle are in a change strip of all light blue.
Hampton are the team to be making the early running and in the 5th minute, their No.10 makes an impressive run in to the Knowle half, sees his shot rebound to team mate and No.11, Hamza Siddique to slot home in to the left hand corner of the net.
First blood to the underdogs and this promises to be more interesting than I had first thought.
Knowle come back with some attacks of their own and when their No.10 bears down on goal, a Hampton defender makes a great tackle before he can get in a shot from a promising position.
In the 21st minute, the home team increase their lead when Knowle are unable to properly clear the ball after a Hampton free kick and Hampton's No.8, Will Simmons shoots in to the net.
Knowle come back strongly with their No.3 shooting just over the bar and their No.11 shooting in to the side netting after a good attack down the right.
Hampton show they are still dangerous on the break and Will Simmons takes a shot before he can steady himself properly and slices his shot wildly to the right of the goal.
When Knowle are thrown a lifeline, with the award of a penalty in the 41st minute, their No.7 sees his effort easily saved by Matt Allely in the Hampton goal.
So the first half ends with Knowle facing an uphill task to get any points from this game in their quest to make some ground on runaway leaders, Cadbury Athletic, who are in cup action today.
It's certainly a cold day and my hands are feeling a bit numb, even with gloves on. It reminds me a little when I came here before, nine years ago, when it was cold but it was also windy then too. At least the sun has been showing his face a little today.
I notice that the Knowle programme editor, Ronald Craine, is in attendance today, busy with his match report and I make my re-acquaintance with him after first meeting him at Knowle a few months ago. He has been disappointed with his sides performance so far and reckons they don't fancy the pitch they have had to play on. Hampton's first choice pitch certainly looks in good nick.
I'm sure they will make a greater effort in the next period and so it proves to be when play starts again. They are putting in a lot more effort and they quickly reduce arrears when their forward, Nathan Corry scores with a great shot from just outside the penalty area in the 50 minute.
After 16 minutes, the Hampton keeper makes a good save and the shot from the rebound goes just wide of the goal.
Hampton are defending well, albeit desperately at times. It's certainly a hard fought and physical game as you would expect from a local derby.
Their cause is not helped when their No.9, Tom Parnaby, is sent off after being booked a second time in the 79th minute.
Knowle are awarded plenty of corners from their attacking efforts in the second period but are not able to make it count and go close again in the 87th minute when their No.3 shoots across the goal but just wide.
Although there is about 9 minutes of injury time played, Knowle are unable to find an equaliser. They have certainly played much better in this half but the luck has not been with them today. They will no doubt be hoping on some slip ups in the coming weeks by Cadbury Athletic to aid their championship bid.
Hampton on the other hand can take credit from their performance today and will be looking to get in to the top half of the Division 2 table.
Entrance Fee: £3
Programme: none available
Match Attendance: 72
Match Entertainment: 8/10
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