Guardian Warehousing Arena, Noose Lane, Willenhall, WV13 3BB
19th February 2022, 3:00 pm Kick-Off
As the recent weather has been so appalling and it's been raining this morning I don't have much choice but to travel to a game being played on an artificial surface. Also as I have not watched a MFL Div 1 game so far this season, it's a good opportunity for me to see Dudley Town play at their current ground where they are the tenants of Sporting Khalsa.
I have never seem them play before and they are currently doing well, occupying 4th place in the league table. They are one of the oldest clubs in the West Midlands area, being formed in 1888! In the 1980's they even reached the Southern League and spent 2 seasons in the Premier League too. They even reached the 1st Round of the FA Cup and played in front of 5,000 spectators against York City, drawing 1-1 and losing the replay 1-4.
Their opponents today, Cradley Town, also hail from the Black Country and their formation happened in more recent times, in the year 1970, following the merger of Albion Rovers and Haden United, being named Albion Haden United and then Cradley Town in 1975. They currently are 13th in the league table.
I go by train to Walsall and then take the 529 bus bound for Wolverhampton. I get off the bus 20 minutes later at Willenhall, which lies halfway between Walsall and Wolverhampton. I'm disappointed that my original choice of my lunch time stop, the splendidly named 'Greedy Pig Cafe' is not open. Instead I soon find 'Sarah's Cafe' in the town centre and my healthy appetite is appeased by ordering their 'Super Breakfast' which proves to be quite filling and I still have time to have a quick look around the town centre. Willenhall's centre is a bit run down but does have some interesting old buildings, like the The Bell Inn (an old Coaching Inn, dating back to 1659), which has been purchased by the Willenhall Heritage Trust, who have plans to restore it.
Also I find some artwork, celebrating the town's old manufacturing industry of lock making.
I make my way to the ground, (which I have visited twice before) by cutting through the Willenhall Memorial Park and then I'm outside the ground just 12 minutes later.
I find the entrance and pay my entrance fee and manage to get a programme too for a further £2, which proves to be a good read. I also manage to get a club badge for £4 and it's one celebrating 130 years of existence from the year 2018.
The ground itself has 2 stands on both sides of the pitch, with enough seating for approximately 4-500 spectators, befitting a club of Sporting Khalsa's status (Northern Premier League, Midlands Division).
The teams come out with 'The Robins' of Dudley Town, in their home colours of red shirts, white shorts and black socks, while Cradley are in their change strip of blue shirts and black shorts and socks. Dudley will be looking for revenge as Cradley won the their home league match against them (2-0) earlier in the season.
Dudley certainly make the early running and score after only 6 minutes when the Cradley keeper parries a shot from the Dudley No.9, Matt Gardner but only as far the incoming No.3, Rhys Boswell who sweeps the ball in to the net.
A great start for this promotion chasing team!
Cradley are the next to go close when their No.10 has a shot blocked by the home defence.
After 16 minutes, 'The Robins' No.7 is put through on a one on one with the Cradley keeper but has his effort smothered from close range. Dudley aren't to be denied and their No.8, Brad Ward sees his shot take a deflection and then loop over the Cradley No 1.
A bit lucky but it's a fair reflection on how the game is going.
Cradley Town escape further punishment before the interval and will be hoping to get more in to the game in the next period.
There is a good sized crowd today and shows that Dudley Town have a good fan base even though they are playing their home games 10 miles away from Dudley itself. I wonder if they have a plan in place to return to their own borough in the future?
In the 2nd half, Dudley start to take control again and in the 60th minute, Matt Gardner lobs the Cradley keeper from just outside the penalty area for their 3rd goal.
Cradley go close just a minute later but their player wastes the opportunity by blasting well over the bar. This underlines their main problem of scoring goals this season, with a return of just 34 from 28 games.
(Dudley Town, No.10 Dan Jones, shown here shielding the ball)
The home team increase their advantage in the 72nd minute when Matt Gardner is nicely played through the middle and places his shot past the advancing keeper.
Cradley are still fighting when they break away soon after this only for their No.15 to shoot across the face of the Dudley goal.
The Robins are playing with a lot of confidence in the last part of the match and probably should have scored another goal.
So Dudley Town run out convincing winners and look to take their hunt for a promotion place right to the end of the season. They now leapfrog Darlaston Town in to 3rd place (albeit playing one game more) and are now 4 points behind 2nd placed Stapenhill from Derbyshire. Atherstone Town are the runaway leaders, a further 11 points ahead.
Cradley will no doubt be looking to solve their goal scoring problems in the last part of the season and acheive a mid-table position.
Entrance Fee: £5 (concession)
Match Programme: £2
Match Attendance: 156
Entertainment Value: 8/10
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