ST ANDREWS 0 - 4 BOURNE TOWN

                       FA VASE, 2ND QUALIFYING ROUND

      Teamwork Partnership Stadium, Canal Street, Aylestone Road,

          Leicester  LE2 8LX,    24th Speptmber 2022, 3pm Kick Off

As there are going to be more rail strikes coming in October, I have decided to make the most of it and travel to the East Midlands for the second time this season to the city of Leicester. It's 'Non-League Day' and a City I haven't been to before. I will be watching an FA Vase tie at a club called St. Andrews, who play in the district of Aylestone.

I play clever and buy an advance return rail ticket for just £11 and have no problems with scanning the QR code of my e-ticket at the ticket barrier at Birmingham New Street to pass through and start my journey. It's the first time I have bought a ticket this way and I think it probably won't be the last.

It's quite a boring journey to be honest but we get to Leicester on time and I walk the short journey to the Museum & Art Gallery, where they have an exhibition on 'German Expressionism', roughly from 1910 till the 1940's. It's quite interesting and then I walk to the old Guildhall, then walk by the river and go round the pedestrianised shopping area before finding a place for a cheap fish & chip meal.   

Suitably refreshed I walk to the area where I will be catching my bus but have time to go over to the stadium in Welford Road, where the mighty rugby union team of Leicester Tigers play. When I go through the front door, there is a trophy cabinet to my left and I'm allowed to take a photo by the security staff there. It's an impressive sight and shows that 'The Tigers' are one of the top Rugby Union teams in the UK and probably Europe too.

Soon I cross back over the road and catch the No.85 bus which takes me close to the St. Andrews ground after an eight minute journey. On the way there I pass the Leicester City FC ground and then the Leicestershire county cricket ground. Handy for local sports fans! 

I walk down Canal Street and come to the car park and entrance of the ground. I pay my entrance fee and buy a programme too at the turnstile and go in to the club house to my right, which lies just behind a small seated stand and buy my usual pre-match cup of tea. There are another 2 small stands, one behind the far goal and the other on the opposite side of the ground, alongside the team dug-outs. It's a neat little ground and there is another full size pitch at the far side with a smaller pitch / training area located behind that. 

Although there's still 15 minutes before kick-off there are not many spectators around. Maybe the club's 0-11 thrashing at Radford last Saturday has put them off? Their opponents today are fellow United Counties League, Div One team, Bourne Town, who come from Lincolnshire and are currently lying in a mid-table position.

The teams eventually come on to the pitch, with the hosts in their black & white striped shirts, black shorts & red shorts. Bourne Town are decked out in a mainly all-claret kit with light blue bands at the top of the shirt sleeves.

The first 20 minutes sees the home side taking the game to their opponents, trying to erase the memory of last week's game no doubt.

They create the first chance after 7 minutes when their No.9 goes on a run down the middle and has his shot blocked by the oncoming keeper.

Bourne Town though weather the storm and start to get more in to the game after the 20 minute mark, without creating any clear cut chances and St. Andrews have a header saved at the right hand post. The visitors then quickly have a shot hit the bar just before the half-time whistle is blown.

So it's all-square at the interval and I'm beginning to think my ploy of wearing my black & white checked shirt is bringing the home team some luck. 

They were founded in 1973 and have won the Leicestershire Senior League 3 times and the East Midlands Counties League once in their history. In the 2013-14 season they played West Auckland in the semis of the FA Vase. After a 0-0 away draw, they led 1-0 until the last 11 minutes of the second leg only to be undone by 2 late goals. The victors went on to win the Final too.

Unfortunately in the last few seasons, they have been relegated from the Premier Division and have struggled in the First Division. Maybe it's due to lack of funding but I hope that they can turn things around in the near future.

During the first half I got talking to a guy who it turns out is the father of the St. Andrews goalkeeper. He used to play himself and has managed the Leicestershire club Shepshed Charterhouse too. This explains why he shouts out advice to some of the St. Andrews players from time to time. 

The 2nd half sees the more experienced looking Bourne Town take control of this tie.

James Hill-Seekings slots home in the 58th minute after being put through with a lofted pass and then 8 minutes later they double their lead when Thomas Edwards flicks a header in to the right hand corner of the goal.

  James Hill-Seekings get his second of the match when his shot seems to take a deflection on it's way to the net for the killer goal.

St. Andrews seem to have run out of ideas the longer this match has gone on and in injury time their opponents add a fourth when Shaun Archer shoots in from the right.

A 0-4 defeat seems to be a bit harsh on St. Andrews after their spirited performance in the 1st half but Bourne took their chances well with some clinical finishing and travel back to Lincolnshire with their dreams of Wembley still intact for now.

If St.Andrews could sign 2 or 3 more experienced players, maybe that will help their struggle in the relegation end of the table?

I have enjoyed my visit to this lovely ground and I look forward to coming again to Leicester in the future.

Entrance Fee:                    £6 (£3 concession)

Match Programme:         £2

Match Attendance:          45

Entertainment Value:     6.5/10

DSC UNITED 0 - 4 CENTRAL AJAX

            MIDLAND FOOTBALL LEAGUE, DIVISION 3

      The Trevor Brown Memorial Ground, Church Road, Boldmere,

                                     Sutton Colfdfield, B73 5RY

                     17th September, 2022       3:00 pm Kick-Off

It feels good to be going to a game today after last Saturday's cancellations. I did go to a game last Tuesday evening though when I went to see Paget Rangers v Droitwich Spa in their MFL Div One match at Sutton Colfdield FC's ground. I did not write a post about this game as my camera & lens is not really up to the job for good photos under floodlights although I did get a few reasonably decent ones.

However I did watch my best match so far this season with the hosts running out 4-2 winners, with both sides contributing greatly to a entertaining encounter.

Today I have decided to go once again to the town of Sutton Coldfield, this time to the home of Boldmere St. Michaels, with their artificial pitch, to watch their tenants, DSC United play a MFL Div 3 match v Central Ajax who come from Warwick.

DSC (which stands for Digbeth Snooker Club!) were founded just recently in 2019 and last season finished in 10th place while their visitors finished in 5th place in a 15 team division. I'm sure both sides will be expecting to finish in higher positions this time around. 

Indeed Central Ajax are already in top spot, with DSC United occupying 5th position.

It's a mainly sunny day with a temperature around the 16 C mark with a coolish breeze. Perfect playing conditions.

I make my way to Boldmere by bus, first in to the city centre, then boarding the number 907 for Sutton Coldfield. It takes about 25 minutes before we get to Boldmere and I get off by the shopping area there. It's the first time Iv'e been here and it's very pleasant.

After having an all day breakfast at one of the local cafe's, it's time to make my way to the ground, which takes a 20 minute walk.

When I get there, I'm a bit surprised to find that the ticket booth entrance is closed and I'm able to walk in round the back of it and in to the ground, (although the DSC United Secretary, Imran Khan had emailed me that it was OK for me to get in free). I have time to get a cup of tea at the kiosk at the front of the club house and set up my position at the entrance end of the ground, by the side of the goal. 

The teams come out, with the home side in a smart looking kit of grey shirts with black shorts and socks, while the visitors are in a change strip of white shirts, red shorts and socks.

After observing a minutes silence for our dearly departed Queen, the match duly starts with Central Ajax taking the game to their hosts. 

They take the lead after 9 minutes when their defender, Will Jefferies heads home from a corner.

 The visitors are largely on top so far and score a second goal when following a defensive error, their No.7, Shaye Eden slots the ball in to the net. 

DSC United do show some fight, largely through the efforts of their No.10, Shevron Chaner. He shows some good skill after 33 minutes when he takes the ball past 3 opponents and almost connects with the ball when receiving a return pass in front of goal.

In the next 2 minutes, they twice more go close, with the Ajax keeper coming out to smother the ball at the feet of a United attacker and then Channer sees his shot going just wide of the right hand post.  

United's failure to score is punished by the visitors when their No.9, Gordy Lewis scores twice, first through poor marking letting him run through to shoot past keeper, Nathan Davies and then Dan Holt runs down the right to cross for him to flick a header in to the net.

A classy goal to finish the first period and leaving their opponents looking a bit dejected when the teams troop off the pitch.

Central Ajax have so far ruthlessly taken the advantage against their younger and less experienced opponents.

If any of the spectators are expecting more of the same after the interval then they are given a big surprise as DSC United are full of fight and energy.

In the first 15 minutes they are swarming over the visitors defence, with the substitute No. 17, Ousman Drammeh, featuring strongly with his unorthrodox skills.

They go close several times in the first 10 minutes and then Drammeh shoots high over the bar from a good position.

After 25 minutes Drammeh cuts across from the right and has his shirt tugged by an Ajax player and eventually takes a tumble in the box. I think the visitors got away with that one. Soon after this the DSC, No. 19 sees his close range shot rebound off a post. 

                 (Shevron Channer threatens the Central Ajax goal)

Five minutes from the end of the match Ousnam Drammeh has a shot turned around the post by the Central Ajax keeper.

                  (Ousnam Drammeh is thwarted by a great tackle)

The match ends in a 0-4 win for Central Ajax but DSC United restored some pride with a much improved second half performance and should have scored 2 goals but were denied this by some sterling defending from their opponents and at times by their own wayward finishing. 

Central Ajax on this showing certainly look like strong candidates for promotion this season. DSC United? Well that's a more unpredictable story but it's going to be an interesting journey!

Match Attendance:                             40

Entrance Fee:                                      £3   

Match Programme:       none available   

Entertainment Value:                    8/10      

   

RUSHALL OLYMPIC 1 - 4 REDDITCH UNITED

                        FA CUP,  1ST QUALIFYING ROUND

                          Dales Lane, Rushall, Walsall, WS4 1LJ

                          3rd September, 2022        3pm Kick-Off

Today I am going to my 3rd FA Cup tie so far this season. It's an Southern League, Premier Central tie between 'The Pics' of Rushall Olympic v 'The Reds' of Redditch United. I am anticipating a close contest as after 6 league matches so far, Rushall lie in 13th place while Redditch are just 2 places above them.

I hope this journey will prove to be more fruitful than last Saturday's visit to Bilston Town who were playing Racing Club Warwick in the FA Vase. Everything went well and I saw Racing Club come away with a hard-earned 1-0 win.   Went well that is until later that evening, when I was sorting out my photos and in a weary state I mistakenly deleted ALL of my match photos. Aarrgh!!! First time that's happened and hopefully the last.

When I catch the train for Walsall, the weather is not bad, cloudy with sunny intervals but with the chance of rain later this afternoon. After having a good value meal in the town centre, I take the short bus journey to Dawes Lane, with the stadium entrance almost opposite the bus stop.

I have been to this ground several times in the past and although it has an artificial playing surface, I have always enjoyed coming here as the officials are very welcoming and the ground is good for taking good photos.

I take up a position at the far end of the ground, where there is some shelter if needed. The 2 teams come on to the pitch with the home side in their usual strip of amber shirts, black shorts and socks while Redditch are decked out in their away strip of all light blue.

It's the visitors who strike the first blow after 18 minutes when after a good break down the right, Olympic defender Kristian Green turns a low cross into his own goal.

Redditch are causing plenty of problems for 'The Pics' defence and soon score another goal when Max Sheaf sends in a cross from the right and Bernard Mensah manages to get the ball in from close range.

After 29 minutes it looks as if they have scored a third when Ryan Boothe gets the ball in to the net after a scramble in the home goal mouth but it's ruled out for a committed foul. 

Rushall dig in and begin to get a grip on the game and prove to be more of a threat and Kristian Green atones for his earlier own goal by sliding in the ball after 40 minutes. 

It looks like we have a proper contest now but 'The Reds' quickly re-establish their 2 goal cushion when Ryan Boothe flicks the ball in off a post.

 Some of the nearby Redditch fans rush down close to me by the celebrating players in the corner and are jumping up and down wildly at seeing their heroes scoring again.

The score remains the same when half-time comes along and this match is not panning out so far to be the very close contest that I'd originally anticipated.

That's football for you, especially the FA Cup at that. I'm sure the home side will be pressing for an early goal in the next period in order to mount a serious comeback.

One of the Rushall officials kindly walks around the ground telling everyone the outcome of the 50-50 draw but unfortunately I have missed out on the £110 prize.

The home side do indeed press forward in search of another goal but are thwarted in their efforts.

Their cause is not helped when their captain, Richard Batchelor, is given a second yellow card with just 8 minutes played in this half.

There is plenty of effort from 'The Pics' but Redditch are able to comfortably keep them at bay.

'The Reds' confirm their advantage in stoppage time when the impressive Mensah, curls in the ball in to the top left-hand corner.

The games ends soon after and Redditch deservedly find themselves in the draw for the 2nd Qualifying Round for the first time after many years of trying.

Rushall Olympic have been disappointing today but I am sure they will be looking to repeat last season's league form when they made the play-offs.

Entrance Fee:                  £10 , (£7 concession)

Match Programme:        £2.50p

Match Attendance:         246

Entertainment Value:    7/10