MALVERN TOWN 0 - 1 PERSHORE TOWN

 

   SMEDLEY CROOKE MEMORIAL CHARITY CUP FINAL

Redditch United FC, Trico Stadium, Sallie Swan Street, Redditch B97 4AU

                              8th May 2022,    1 pm Kick-Off

A few days ago I was in a bit of a quandary as I realised that there were 5 cup finals in the West Midlands area that I could go and see, after originally planning to see the Worcestershire Saturday Cup Final at the County Ground in Claines Lane, Worcester.

I have finally decided to go to Redditch F.C.'s ground instead to watch the final of the Smedley Crooke Memorial Charity Cup between the Worcestershire clubs of Malvern Town and Pershore Town. As both of these teams have had impressive seasons, it's got all the hallmarks of being a cracking game.

The weather is good today, mainly sunny and the temperature is going to reach the 19 C mark later this afternoon. My rail journey to Redditch goes well and after having an early lunch in the Kingfisher shopping centre I walk down the Bromsgrove Road to make the 10 minute journey to the Trico Stadium. It's the first time I have been here for 6 years, when they still had a grass pitch and had the old name of 'The Valley Stadium'.  

This is a new cup competition for me and it's named after a former Conservative MP for the old constituency of Birmingham Deritend, which he served for many years. He arranged for this charitable competition to help blind and partially blind people and it started immediately after the Great War in 1919. It's contested usually by teams from the Worcestershire and Birmingham areas, from the Midland Football League and the West Midland Regional Football League.

When I pay my entrance fee, the guy at the turnstile tells me that they collected £5,000 for local charities the last time around. Of course this competition has not seen finals being played in 2020 and 2021.

This ground has it's main stand on the west side of the pitch which houses the club house and changing rooms and has cover for seated spectators at the front. There is another stand on the opposite side which is standing room only.

I place myself at the southern end of the ground, to the right of the goal and there seems to be mainly Pershore supporters located here.

Both teams are wearing their first team colours when they come on to the field of play, Malvern (The Hillsiders) in sky blue shirts with maroon stripes, white shorts and sky blue socks. Pershore (The Plums) are decked out in all blue kit.

Although Malvern are the team that's on top in the early stages, hitting a post with one effort, Pershore Town get more in to the game and in the 28th minute, take the lead with a great header from their No.7, Jordan Jones. Malvern's keeper Kieron Blackburn gets a hand a on the ball but is unable to keep it out.

It's hard to believe that it's the end of the season as both teams are putting on a great display of attacking football.

Both teams have created chances but there's no more score before the break. During the game I chat to a guy who is following 'The Plums' as a relation of his is playing at No.5 for them. It turns out that he's a long term (and probably suffering) fan of Sunderland as he originally comes from that part of the country. Of course he's hoping they will make it back in to the Championship via the play-offs and I think they might just do it this time round.

Pershore Town have seen an amazing transformation this season as a few months ago they appointed a former player of theirs, Danny Janes as the new manager and he and his coaching team have helped them reach 5th place in the League (losing in the play-off semi-final) and taking them to 3 cup finals! They beat Worcester City in the Worcestershire Senior Cup on penalties, then triumphed 5-2 over Roman Saint Glass (from Bristol) in the Hellenic League Supplementary Cup too, both opposition teams playing at a level higher than themselves, which is the same situation with Malvern Town who play in the Hellenic Premier.

Malvern Town too have had a decent season, as they finished in 3rd place in their division. 

When play resumes, it's Malvern who are asking all the questions as they take control for long periods of the second-half.

    ( Pershore keeper, Eddie Cox has to stretch to keep Malvern at bay)

The Hillsiders hit the woodwork again with another effort but Pershore are proving to be still dangerous on the break, especially their tricky winger, James Baldwin.

  ( Malvern skipper, Matty Turner, trying to find a way through on goal )

Both sides go close in this enthralling encounter but it's Pershore Town who are the first team to keep a clean sheet against Malvern Town this season and turn out to be the most resilient team and win this cup.

 Then the Pershore players and their young manager after receiving their trophy come over to my end of the pitch and applaud their waiting fans as a thank you for their valued support.

I'm really glad I came to this match, as it's been one of the best that Iv'e seen this season, even if only one goal was scored. I now understand how my home town team of Worcester City could be beaten by Pershore, as they certainly have a great team spirit which bodes well for next season, especially if they can improve their squad. Malvern too should do well again on this showing and were a tad unlucky today.

Entrance Fee:               £5 (£3 concessions)

Match Attendance:        400

Match Programme:        Free 

Match Entertainment:    9/10