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
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