WEST MIDLANDS REGIONAL LEAGUE, DIV ONE
The Dell Stadium, Bryce Road, Brierley Hill, DY5 4NB
14th January 2023, 2:00pm Kick-Off
I have been lucky to have found a match that is still going ahead, the West Midlands League, Div One clash between Gornal Colts and their table topping visitors, Saltley Stallions. Originally I was hoping to see Wyrley United play Allscott Heath from Shropshire, in the same Division but it was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, like so many other games today.
This is my second visit to the Dell Stadium, the first being in May last year when I saw Droitwich Spa win a hard fought League Cup semi-final against 'The Colts'.
I have managed to get to the ground 15 minutes before kick-off, by train to Stourbridge and then by bus despite setting off relatively late.
When I pay my entrance fee at the gate, I'm informed that the game will be played on the 3G pitch which is adjacent to the main pitch and it's outlying athletics track. I'm not a big fan of artificial pitches but at times like this they are a definite bonus!
The game starts and Gornal are playing in their usual strip of navy shirts & shorts with grey socks, while Saltley are in their away strip of green shirts, black shorts & socks.
Saltley who have started the brighter of the two teams, take the lead after 8 minutes but I miss it completely as I had turned round to talk to the Gornal club secretary, the very helpful Susie Johnson, who had informed me earlier by text that the game was still on.
Saltley go close after 15 minutes when their No.9, Arabab Ali, has a cross shot from the left following a free kick.
Gornal Colts do get into the game more and have 2 efforts in the next 20 minutes, the second being a shot from their No.10 which goes over the bar when he was in a good central position.
Saltley are looking the more dangerous team in this half and the Gornal coach is pacing the touch line, encouraging his players to close the opposition down as much as possible.
After 35 minutes 'The Stallions' No.8, Mohammed Konteh, has a shot blocked by the rapidly out-coming home keeper but they are not to be denied and their No.12, Ruman Hussain, has plenty of time when the ball is slipped in to him from the left to guide the ball in to the right hand corner of the net.
Gornal Colts hit back 4 minutes before the break when they are awarded a penalty and this is dispatched by their No.10.
So it's good to have seen some goals and there seems to be the likely prospect of more in the second half of this game.
I have been talking to a guy who turns out to be the father of today's referee. He is only 18 years old but is in a Birmingham County FA programme of fifteen candidates to fast track them to a higher level. Although young he has shown good judgement and authority so far.
I have time to have a warming cup of tea in the club house, as there is a cool wind blowing from the south west across the pitch today. Indeed I have to put on my gloves when play resumes to enable me to keep taking photos.
It doesn't take long for Saltley to take a firmer grip on this game when their No.8 scores from close range and then things get worse for the hosts when on the hour Saltley's No.14 shoots home from the left.
It's 4-1 to the league leaders and it's looking to be an uphill struggle for Gornal now. They get a foothold back in the game, just 4 minutes later when following a defensive mix up, the Gornal No.7 athletically volleys the ball home from close in.
The home side are visibly gaining confidence now and look hungry for the ball. However Saltley, with their speedy forwards always look dangerous on the break and Konteh heads the ball against the bar following a good cross from the left.
Gornal's No.11 goes on a good run a bit later and shoots across the goal from the left....but wide. Saltley don't heed this warning though and the same player makes a similar run and shot and this time is successful.
The league leaders are being pressed back strongly by the home side now and are awarded another penalty when Saltley's keeper panics and brings down a Gornal player just inside the right-hand side of the penalty area. Gornal's N0.10, Will Slater, scores his second spot kick for the equaliser.
In injury time there is still time to see Gornal Colts No.15 go racing in on goal but Saltley's No.20 hurries over to make a great blocking tackle but is hurt in the process.
The full-time whistle is blown soon after and brings to an end a great advertisement for football at this level. Both sides showed a willingness to attack throughout the game and although Gornal Colts showed great fight and made a stirring comeback, Saltley must feel that they threw away 2 points and very nearly 3!
Saltley do retain their No.1 spot, 3 points clear of 2nd placed Gornal Athletic with Allscott Heath, looking to be the favourites as they have 5 games in hand over Saltley now and are only 6 points behind them in 3rd. Still they have to keep winning and that could be prove to be a hard task if the postponed fixtures keep piling up on them.
Gornal Colts are in 10th place and encouraged by today's display will be looking to improve on this before the end of the season.
Entrance Fee: £5 (£3 concession)
Match Attendance: Approx 15-20
Match Programme: Non Available
Entertainment Value: 9/10
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