WEST MIDLANDS LEAGUE, DIVISION ONE
Huxley Logistics Stadium, Long Lane Park, Essington, WV11 2AA
18th February, 2023 3:00 pm Kick-Off
Well, another dull winter Saturday afternoon in the West Midlands is forecast and I have decided to go a ground (Long Lane Park) that I visited once before on a sunny afternoon in May, 2016.That was for the West Midlands League, Premier Division Cup Final which saw a young Smethwick Rangers defeat the hot favourites, Wolverhampton Sporting by a single goal.
Now this ground is the home of Sikh Hunters FC, a club founded in 1964 by 3 Indian football players originally from the Punjab who wanted to carry on playing the game in their new country. The club started life in the Sunday leagues and after some success, a few seasons later made the switch to Saturday football.
I have watched this team in action before on 2 occasions, firstly when they played at the former Oldbury United ground in York Road, in Rowley Regis and then when they played at Wolverhampton United (now a defunct club).
Today they host the current league leaders of Division One, Gornal Athletic, while Sikh Hunters themselves are lying in 13th place in an 18 team division.
My journey from New Street station is at first an uncomfortable one, as Aston Villa have an early kick-off game today v Arsenal at 12:30pm. Even though 2 trains have been laid on at this time, both trains are chock a block with fans, making for a hot stuffy ride for 3 stops. It's good to see though that there will a big crowd for this match against the league leaders.
When I get to Walsall, I first have a look around the Art Gallery but there is not much to interest me there today apart from the permanent collection which has some good paintings and sculptures.
Later on I have a meal of fish and chips at a local cafe and then catch the number X51 bus, ultimately destined for Cannock. I find out that the West Midlands Travel website (from the night before) has given me some duff information about from which stop to start my journey and it takes me about 20 minutes to find out where to catch this bus.
When I do catch it, the journey takes about 20 minutes, just over the border into Staffordshire up the A34, where I get off near the turning for Long Lane in the village of Newtown. Then I walk 15 minutes up this road past the Wyrley United FC ground (another one to visit) on my left close to the railway line and then crossing over the canal I soon find Long Lane Park on my right.
I walk in to the car park and then go past the club house where the entrance to the pitch is to the left of it. I have made it with just 7 minutes before the start of the match. The pitch lies in front of the 100 seater stand while the team dug-outs are situated on the opposite side.
When the teams troop out, the hosts are decked out in their current first team strip of all grey with black trim, while Gornal are in their usual colours of yellow shirts, green shorts and socks.
After early pressure from the visitors, Sikh Hunters have the first real effort on goal when in the 7th minute their No.3 goes on a good long run down the left and has a shot saved at the near post.
Gornal are the next to threaten when they too attack down the left hand side and see a shot turned around for a corner.
They take the lead soon after, when they have a free kick and the Sikh Hunters keeper spills the resulting shot and the ball is eventually scrambled away for a corner. However they are awarded a penalty and I think possibly there was a handball during the melee.
The spot kick is comfortably dispatched and they double their lead when there is a misplaced pass in the home defence and the Gornal N0.7 takes advantage of this and slots the ball home from the left.
I'm now wondering if this game is going to follow the same path when they played at Gornal's, Garden Walk Stadium earlier in the season when Sikh Hunters lost 0-6? Their early season defensive frailties don't appear to be a problem now as they are definitely showing some fighting qualities in this game.
In the 35th minute, their N0.6 and captain, Sanjay Malhi, slots through a ball for their speedy No.7 to shoot past the advancing Gornal keeper but it's quickly disallowed for offside.
Half-time arrives with no further score and the home side have a lot of work to do to get back in to this match today.
During the interval I ask a guy who is writing at the back of the stand if he is writing a match report but it turns out he is assessing the performance of today's referee. He also tells me that he thinks he's doing a decent job of it so far.
At least half of the supporters in the small crowd today, appear to be from Gornal Athletic. Although they sit in first place, Saltley Stallions are just 2 points behind them in 2nd place and the favourites, Allscott Heath from Shropshire are 5 points adrift but with 4 games in hand.
For the second half I have decided to stand by the goal where Gornal will be attacking now.
In the 19th minute, the Gornal Athletic No.7 clatters in to the Sikh Hunters No.10 and eventually gets booked for his efforts, even though he keeps asking the Referee ,'How was that a foul?' To be honest I don't think it was anything malicious but he is quite a robust physical player.
Gornal go close after 22 minutes when their No.11 goes on a good run down the left but sees his shot saved by the keeper. 7 minutes later and the visitors No.5 heads straight at the Hunters keeper from a free kick.
In the very next minute, a Gornal player breaks through and pushes the ball past the out-coming keeper in to the net but is in an offside position.
Right near the end of this match, Gornal attack down the left and a good ball is played in and their No.10 races in to shoot but over the bar.
The visitors win 2-0 and despite Sikh Hunters putting plenty of effort in to this match, have not been able to create many chances. They certainly have given the leaders a fight today and will be looking to improve their league position.
Gornal Athletic are worthy winners but they will be looking for Allscott Heath to slip up before the end of the season to have any chance of lifting the title.
Match Attendance: 40 (approx)
Entrance Fee: £5 (£3 concessions)
Match Programme: none available
Match Entertainment: 7/10
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