ROMULUS 3 - 0 HALESOWEN TOWN

 

                   F.A.  CUP,  PRELIMINARY ROUND

     Castle Vale Stadium, Farnborough Road, Castle Vale, Birmingham

                                                         B35  7LQ

                         20th August, 2022         3:00pm Kick-Off

It's FA Cup time again and for the 3rd week running I am going to a new ground. As the rail strikes are restricting my travels, I have to keep it relatively local and the tie that stands out this time around is Romulus v Halesowen Town, especially as the home side had disposed of Sutton Coldfield Town who play at a level above them, in the previous round.

The weather is sunny again but thankfully at least 10 degrees cooler than last Saturday. Like last week I don't experience any delays in my bus journeys, first to Erdington where I manage to get an all-day breakfast and then on the No.28 bus down to Castle Vale. When I get off the bus there, I have a walk of 15-20 minutes and I take a photo along the way at 'Spitfire Island' where there is a statue dedicated to the memory of that historic aircraft. I think this must be because there was a factory producing these aircraft at nearby Castle Bromwich.

It's certainly a striking landmark! I get to the ground 15 minutes before kick-off and have time to buy a club badge, obtain a printed team sheet (programmes downloaded on-line) and buy a cup of tea.

This is the first time that I will be watching a game at the Castle Vale Stadium, after failing to do so 10-11 years ago, when I came here to see a team called 'Phoenix United' (now defunct) who were playing in the old Midland Combination, 2nd Division. The gates were closed that day and I think the game was cancelled due to a waterlogged pitch, as there had been a lot of rainfall in the previous few days.

This stadium was built for the Paget Rangers club, who at that time were briefly playing in the Southern League. They went bust after falling in to financial difficulties (now happily reformed) and now Castle Vale Town of the Midlands Football League, Div 3 play there and it's ground-shared with MFL Premier team, Romulus.

They have an artificial pitch now, with the main stand on the entrance side of the ground, this houses the changing rooms with the bar at the top above the seating. The rest of the ground is open to the elements, which is certainly no hardship today.

Halesowen Town who have a sizeable travelling support today will be looking to continue their current good form of 2 league wins so far. They come out on to the pitch in their away strip of yellow shirts, blue shorts and yellow socks while Romulus are decked out in their usual red & white shirts, red shorts & socks.

In the 10th minute the home side are awarded a penalty when their No.10, Owen Watkins is adjudged to have been fouled while battling for possession with 2 Halesowen defenders. It looks to be a harsh decision but Watkins is happy to score and put his side into a morale boosting lead.

 This has clearly shaken the visitors and they fall further behind when from a throw-in from the right, their skipper, Cameron Lee, is able to score with a looping header, over the despairing keeper, Daniel Platt, despite being surrounded by Halesowen defenders.

So Romulus are 2 goals to the good and definitely on top in this contest and they follow up with a 3rd goal in the 25th minute, when they counter-attack down the right and the ball falls to their No.9, Trea Bertie, who sets himself up to smash the ball home in to the left-hand corner of the net to send the home supporters in to raptures of delight.

I noticed on the team sheet, that Halesowen's No.11 today is a player called Bailey Fuller who had an excellent season at Worcester City last season but along with most of the visiting team, is not making an impact on this game (and substituted at half-time) As Worcester is the city of my birth, it's been disappointing but it's early days at his new club.

Halesowen do mount some attacks before the interval and their best effort sees a shot cannon off the underside of the bar and out.

Half-time arrives and it's looking as if Romulus will carry out another giant killing today unless the visitors manage to regain some confidence with an early second half goal.  

During the interval, Halesowen Town photographer comes along to take his position for the next period and gives me a wry smile. I admit to him that I feel a little bit guilty, as I had earlier told him that I had seen his side lose in the Cup, at home last season to lower league opponents and feel like a jinx for them.  

The away supporters gather at the end where their team will be attacking and arrange their banners and flags and banners accordingly.

When play resumes, Halesowen certainly do have more possession of the ball but are struggling to create any clear cut chances.

Romulus are able to soak up the pressure and sometimes look dangerous on the break.

So Romulus are able to contain their opponents and gain another notable cup scalp that their dominant display merited. Today I have learned that they will have a tough away trip in the next round at Nottinghamshire's Basford United. Tough certainly but not impossible on today's showing.

Halesowen Town meanwhile will be looking to dust themselves down and continue their good early season league form.

Match Attendance:                   241

Match Entrance:                       £7 (£4 concession)

Match Programme:                  Online download

Entertainment Value:              7.5/10 

 

  

EDGBASTON SPARTANS 2 - 2 FC PREMIER

             West Midlands Regional League, Division 2

              Hollyfields Sports & Conference Centre, Woodacre Road, 

                                    Erdington, Birmingham, B24 0JT

                              13th August, 2022       3:00pm Kick-Off

Due to the current problems with the train strikes, I have decided to keep my travelling fairly local today but with another new ground to watch Edgbaston Spartans play in their first league match at Hollyfields in Erdington.

I watched them  once last season in their first full season in the West Midlands League and after struggling initially they had an improved 2nd half of the season and finished in eighth place and I think reached the semi-final of their League Cup competition.

I was wondering this morning, if going to this match is a good idea as it will likely be very hot this afternoon, probably 33 degrees + ? Not my kind of weather at all but I decide to go while taking suitable precautions, like taking plenty of liquids and electrolytes as well as putting on sun lotion. 

I surprisingly have no problems travelling by bus to Erdington and have time to have a look around the shopping centre and have a good value meal at a local cafe. I even have a problem free bus ride which takes me close to the ground on the number 25 bus. I usually would have walked to the ground but it's just too hot today.

Soon I am in Woodacre Road and at the gates to this sports ground.

This ground is principally used by Hollyfields FC who run several junior football teams who play in the Central Warwickshire Youth and also the Midland Junior Leagues. I believe that until recently this ground was used for cricket but I don't know which team/teams played here.

I walk through the car park and the club house/conference centre is to my right with the main football pitch directly in front and the other pitch to the left, on which side is also where the changing rooms are located.

I have time to have a refreshing half-pint of cider before venturing back in to the heat outside. I notice that lying in front of the club house is a decking area with tables and chairs, for leisurely viewing of the sporting action.

When the 2 teams come out, Edgbaston Spartans are in a new looking kit, mainly white except for grey shirt sleeves and red socks. I think FC Premier (who have come up from the Birmingham & District League) are in their change strip, which consists of red & white striped shirts with black shorts and socks.

At the start it's the visitors who are generally on top, being awarded 3 corners but not creating any clear cut chances.

Edgbaston though go close after 20 minutes when awarded a free kick on the right and the subsequent shot goes skidding across the goal and just past the right hand post.

Then FC Premier have a header go over the bar from a free kick and then within the space of a minute, Spartans have 2 shots, one going wide of the post and the other in to the side netting. 

The home side are looking the more dangerous team and it's no surprise when their unmarked No.9, Ermand Kaloti, strokes the ball in to the net.

They have 2 more chances and should have scored at least one more goal too.

So it's looking more promising today for Edgbaston after their unfortunate defeat last Saturday when conceding a goal in the 7th minute of stoppage time away to the Stourport Swifts Development team.

At one point during the first half I talked briefly to a young guy who was stood close by and he told me that he is joining the Edgbaston team and hopes to play up front for them. He has played Sunday league football up until now.

During the interval I venture up to the far end of the pitch where there is some shade under the tall hedge at the back.

When play resumes, FC Premier score an equaliser early on following a mistake in the Spartans defence and the visitor's No.14 shoots home for an easy goal.

FC Premier are definitely upping their game in this half and after 75 minutes they take the lead through their N0.8 and captain when he neatly side-steps a challenge and drills the ball home.

 6 minutes later and Edgbaston should have equalised but instead this time, Kaloti, blazes the ball over the bar from close in.

The home side are rewarded with their late pressure in the 44th minute when that man Kaloti makes amends and shoots home for the equaliser.

So this contest ends in a 2-2 draw and maybe that's the right result in the end as FC Premier improved in the second half.

The set up at this ground is pretty neat, with a good clubhouse and decent pitch, although not so good for spectators in the bad weather, as there is no shelter, although there is a small covered area in between the dug-outs. I'm not sure if spectators are allowed in though as it may be just for the coaching and playing staff?

I realised when looking at a map of this area before I got on the bus, that this ground lies just around the corner from Paget Road Junior School, where many moons ago my late father had gone to in his young school days. I think he always had a bit of a soft spot for Paget Rangers FC too.

On today's showing I think Edgbaston Spartans have improved from last season and will be looking to finish in the top half of the table. Also I'm sure FC Premier will initially be looking for a season of consolidation.

Both teams did really well in very trying conditions today, no doubt helped with drink breaks provided in both halves and hopefully we have seen the last of this extreme heat this year.

Entrance Fee:                   £5

Match attendance:          Approx 10-15

Match Programme:        none available

Match entertainment:    7/10

 

 

West Midlands Regional League
 

BELPER UNITED 0 - 3 LICHFIELD CITY

                 FA CUP, EXTRA PRELIMINARY ROUND

Raygar Stadium, Christchurch Meadows, Bridge St, Belper, DE56 1BA

                          Sunday 7th August,  3:00pm Kick-Off

I have decided to go to the wilds of Derbyshire for my first game of this new season. It's an FA Cup clash between Belper United of the United Counties League, Premier Div North (who ground share with their hosts, Belper Town) and Lichfield City who play in the Midland Football League, Premier Div.

I like to go to cup games that feature clubs from different league competitions if I can and I am thinking this could be a good one to watch with the home side gaining promotion to Step 5 of the Pyramid for the 1st time and Lichfield being a fine footballing side that finished 3rd in their division last season.

The train I catch from Birmingham (Edinburgh bound) this morning is crammed with passengers and it's a miracle that I eventually find a spare seat. When I change trains at Derby for Belper, again there are a lot of passengers and again I am lucky to find a seat. Must be the holiday season!

It's certainly a fine sunny day with the temperature set to reach 23 centigrade. Belper is a cute small town that lies on the banks of the River Derwent just seven miles north of Derby (population 22,000). It dates back to Norman times and really came to prominence in the early days of the Industrial Revolution with the help of cotton manufacture (particularly cotton stockings) when cotton mills were built in this area powered by the river.  

The town centre has plenty of good independent shops and I find a good fish & chip restaurant called 'Nik's' to have a meal.   

Afterwards I have a look around the town and go to the Belper River Gardens overlooking the weir.

 It's certainly a scenic area and one I'd like to come to again. I decide to take the short walk to the ground and soon I am walking through the gates, on the eastern side of the ground.

I pay my entrance fee and get a programme too but I'm disappointed that there are no club badges available today. I'm assured that the club had ordered some but they still hadn't arrived yet.

The pitch looks to be in great condition and at first I thought it was an artificial surface. 

The main stand is located on the southern side of the ground and that's where all the seating is available. Another smaller covered stand is on the entrance side of this stadium while there is another stand on the northern side along with the team dug-outs. The western end of the ground features no shelter and is in front of a small artificial practice pitch.

A club house is directly behind the main stand, where I manage to get a cup of tea and then make my way to the end of this stand just past the seating area but still with some shelter from the sun.

The teams come out in their usual 1st team colours, Belper in green & black striped shirts, green shorts & socks while the visitors are all in blue.

 From the off it's Lichfield with their possession game that are dominating proceedings while United favour a more direct approach.

They are creating chances on a regular basis and the stand-in keeper for Belper, Charlie Woods, is performing heroics to keep the visitors at bay. His great save from Lichfield captain, Kyle Patterson, in the 24th minute is a particularly worthy effort. On this showing he should be Belper's regular custodian.

      (Charlie Woods makes sure that this Lichfield attack is stopped)

After 36 minutes, a Lichfield shot hits Belper's left-hand post and is gratefully scooped up by Woods on the rebound.

Luke Childs has been tormenting his marker, Belper United's No.3 Jake Dodds, with his skill and elusive running and he sees a shot of his saved by that man Woods in the 40th minute.

So half-time arrives with still no score and the home side somehow are still in with a chance in this tie. It's hard to see at the moment though how they can win this game but Lichfield will definitely have to score soon to make their superiority count, otherwise they might lose confidence, the longer this game goes on.

This ground certainly has a dramatic backdrop with the now disused East Mill towering above on one side.

Also, at the entrance end of the ground you have the presence of the much closer Catholic church called, Christ Church, looming too.

I'm informed by a Belper United supporter that the club will have to look for an alternative ground after the close of this current season. I wonder if they have any plans for getting their own ground in the not too distant future? 

One of the club's officials comes round with copies of the team sheets for anyone who's interested. Very useful and much appreciated!

When play resumes, Belper are taking the game to their opponents but without creating any clear cut chances. Then normal service is resumed with Lichfield having one shot go above the bar followed soon after with them taking the lead.

It's scored by their new No.9, Ethan Muckley, after the ball is passed to him on the right, with the keeper drawn out of position and he makes no mistake with this opportunity. 

     (A very happy Ethan Muckley is congratulated by his team mates)

Belper respond a few minutes later when their No.9, Richard (Itchy) Hanslow races through to hit a shot over the visitor's bar. Their No.8, Martyn Smyth also shoots another effort over the bar but Lichfield are still dominating the game.

They do score the all important second goal after 82 minutes with Luke Childs fooling both his marker and then the keeper to stroke the ball in to the unguarded net.

At this point I decide to leave the ground as I am worried about catching the next train back to Birmingham, as there is a long wait before the next one.

Of course later on I find out that Lichfield score another late goal, courtesy of substitute, Chandler Pegg, in the 86th minute. I think I probably could have seen that goal but it's better to be safe than sorry.

So Lichfield City go through to the next round, which will played in 2 weeks time and maybe Belper United will have better luck in the FA Vase competiton? 

I have certainly enjoyed my visit to this scenic town and ground and it's certainly one I'd like to come to again.

Match Attendance:         178

Entrance Fee:                  £8 (£5 concession)

Match Programme:        £1

Entertaintment Value:  7/10