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
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