LYE TOWN 3 - 2 PERSHORE TOWN

 

SMEDLEY CROOKE MEMORIAL CHARITY CUP 

FINAL 

Trico Stadium, Sallie Swan Street, Redditch, B97 4AU

27th May 2023,   1:00 pm Kick-Off

I'm going to my final game of the season and like the season before, I'm heading to Redditch United's ground for this charity cup final. Again the current holders, Pershore Town are involved. They are proving to be a great cup winning team, as they already have the Hellenic League cup under their belts this season, as well as achieving promotion to the Premier Division of their league competition, by winning the 1st Division championship.

Their opponents today, Lye Town, are also having a great season after achieving promotion to Step 4 in the Non-League pyramid for the first time ever. They did this via the play-off's, after finishing 2nd in the league. This game is shaping up on paper to be a very good one.

I have made the journey to Redditch on the train and get here just after midday. As it's a 1:00 pm Kick-Off I need to get my lunch soon. Luckily I notice a cafe, just along from the toilets at the foot of the entrance to the Kingfisher Shopping Centre and get a meal of omelette & chips. Just the job!

The stadium is located just a few hundred yards up the Bromsgrove Road and soon I am turning right down to the ground.

It's certainly good weather today and there should be a decent sized crowd for it. I pay my entrance fee and receive a free programme too before making my way to the cafe for my usual pre-match cup of tea.

When I go to find a position at the southern end of the ground to take photos, I am disappointed to find that no-one is allowed to stand directly behind the goal but have to make their way back on to the terracing behind this area. As it's a bit too far from the pitch for photography, I make my way to the western side of the ground where the main stand is located. I take a position half-way between the stand and the corner flag, with the sun behind me over my right hand shoulder.

Maybe it's a better position but it makes me wonder if there has been any crowd trouble this season, for there to be a clear space behind that goal?

Soon the teams come out on to the pitch, with Lye Town (The Eagles) in their usual all navy blue strip while Pershore Town (The Plums) are in their 2nd strip of all red.  

When play commences, Lye Town apply some early pressure, win 3 corners but without reward.

Pershore go close with an effort saved by keeper Ben Newey and then Lye's midfield maestro, Ben Billingham, in the 14th minute spots Pershore keeper, Scott Loader off his line but his effort goes wide of the left hand post.

Pershore Town are looking more dangerous now, especially down the left hand side with good runs by their No.3 Sean Cooke and with the trickery of No.11 James Baldwin and twice go close on the 20 minute mark.

Lye Town make good with one of their chances on the half hour to take the lead, when their No.9, Zidan Sutherland, is neatly played through for a one on one with Loader in the Pershore goal. He cooly slots the ball home in to the left hand corner.

Pershore show they are not out of this contest when their No.4, Steve Webb, smashes in a shot on goal but it's well held by Newey.

Ben Billingham then goes through on the right and just about manages to push the ball across the goal but it's cleared by a Plums defender. He's not to be denied though and doubles The Eagles lead when Sutherland's shot comes back off the keeper and Sutherland taps the ball across to Billingham to smash home a great shot at the near post.

Pershore Town go close twice before the half-time whistle and are still looking dangerous despite their higher ranked opponents 2 goal advantage.

During this half I have been chatting occasionally to a photographer who turns out to be another groundhopper, called Paul, who hails from Castle Bromwich in Birmingham. It turns out that he posts some of his photos on Twitter (to be found @groundhopper174) and I check them out later that evening. Not surprisingly some of his photos are similar to mine.

There are also 2 official photographers in attendance too today, with their more expensive looking gear. Not that I'm jealous of course, ha ha!

Yes, it's been a feast of attacking football so far, even better than last years final and it's going to be interesting to see what unfolds next. 

When play resumes it's Pershore who threaten first when the marauding Sean Cooke, following neat build up play on the left, cuts inside to shoot past the right hand post.

Then Pershore close the gap when the ball is passed inside to Baldwin who slides the ball past Newey.

That's what 'The Plums' desperately needed to keep themselves in the game.

Lye go close with a long range shot going just wide of the right hand post but it's Pershore who equalise through the irrepressible Baldwin. He's put through by Jordan Jones and cuts inside to slot home inside the right hand post. A quality goal!

'The Eagles' come back with a shot from danger man Sutherland and Baldwin gets through again only to be denied by Newey.

In the 70th minute, Lye's captain Sam Tye scores his sides 3rd goal, when he heads in a cross in to the opposite side of the net.

5 minutes later and a good shot from Pershore's Sean Cooke is well saved by Newey, who also later on saves Steve Webb's header.

That's how the scoreline stays for a narrow victory for 'The Eagles' in a great advertisement for West Midlands Non-League football.

The cup is presented to the Lye Town captain and the players celebrate in front of their fans with another trophy in a great season and they have the Northern Premier League to look forward to in August.

'The Plums' have played their part in an entertaining match and have their next season in the top flight of the Hellenic League to look forward to, albeit without the services of outgoing manager Danny Janes.

Match Attendance:                200

Entrance Fee:                         £5 (£3 concessions)

Match Programme:               Free  

Match Entertainment:          9.5/10     

 

 

  

BEDWORTH UNITED RESERVES 1 - 1 LEAMINGTON UNDER 23's (4-5 PENS)

 

MIDLAND FOOTBALL LEAGUE, RESERVE DIVISION

CHALLENGE TROPHY FINAL

The Oval, Miners Welfare Park, Coventry Road, Bedworth, CV12 8NN

20th May 2023           1:00 pm Kick-Off

Today I had to put a Plan B in place after finding out on Friday afternoon that I have been refused permission to take photos at the upcoming Birmingham County FA, Saturday Vase Final between Sutton United and Knowle. I knew that they had an official photographer in place but still I couldn't take photos just for this Blog. So I quickly looked at what fixtures are available and decide the Challenge Trophy Final for the reserve teams of the MFL is the one to go for.

On Saturday morning I get to New Street train station in time for the train to Coventry but then find out that as it's a London bound train it's been cancelled due to a shortage of drivers. I get on the next Coventry (London) bound train 15 minutes later and soon find out that there's no seats available. Aaarghh!

Blood pressure rising and when I look at the Train Departure screen again the next Coventry train is.......CANCELLED!!! What the f...!!!

Luckily the 10:47 pm train is OK and I board it quickly to get a seat. 

I get to Coventry, no problem but when I arrive I find out that the next train to Bedworth is leaving in 30 minutes. Not great seeing as it's just about 7-8 miles away.

I decide to eat early to save time and pop into a cafe just outside the station, for a panini and coffee.

When I eventually get the Bedworth train, I find that I'm sitting close to some young Leamington supporters who are going to the match. They are in good spirits, singing and drinking cider and they have a few club flags with them. I'm sure they are hoping that their Under-23's will bag a trophy today to help make up for the disappointment of their first team's recent relegation from the National League North.

When arriving in Bedworth I walk the short distance into the town centre, buy myself a chocolate ice cream and saunter down to the Miner's Welfare Park on this fine sunny May day.   

I have been to this ground on 2 previous occasions, both times to see the senior men's team and I think it's a neat stadium. I pay my entrance fee and decide to stand at the southern end of the ground. To my left is where the club house is situated and opposite this are located the team dug-outs and and the large main stand. In this stand, in the end nearest to me and at the back, the young 'Leamington Ultras' are singing away and also I notice there are plenty of Leamington FC banners and flags tied to the perimeter fencing. A very colourful display.

When the 2 teams come on to the pitch, they are both decked out in their usual first team colours. 'The Greenbacks' of Bedworth in an all green strip and 'The Brakes' of Leamington in gold & black.

There is a good sized crowd today, being helped by the sizeable Leamington away support.

Bedworth have done a league double over their opponents this season and will looking to make it a hat-trick.

The home side create a chance in the 13th minute when a cross from the left is headed by their No.9 but it's well saved by Ethan Pheasey  the Leamington keeper.

10 minutes later and the Bedworth keeper is called in to action to save at the feet of an incoming Leamington player.

In the 33rd minute, 'The Greenbacks' No.19 has a shot blocked resulting in a corner and Pheasey saves a header from this.

Defences have been on top for most of this half in an even contest so far and it's looking as if one goal might be enough to win this game when the players troop off at half-time.

There are 2 other photographers in action today and a young guy who's taking photos for Leamington tells me that he is the official photographer for Brackley Town FC. He says he knows some of the people at the club and has agreed to cover their game today.

Bedworth's photographer is a local guy who takes photos at some of the club's in the area, like the Bulkington Poppys, who play in the Coventry Alliance.

The second half gets underway and it's the visitors who are starting to boss the game. After just 2 minutes sees their No.10 hit a shot over the bar.

Bedworth's No.19 threatens again when he races in to head the ball but just fails to connect from close range.

It's Leamington who deservedly break the deadlock when their defender, No.16, Ben Scharzmann heads in a cross from the right.

Leamington create a couple more chances and then Bedworth start pressing them back and are rewarded for their efforts in the 82nd minute when their N0.14 is put through to take it past the keeper and stroke the ball home in to the unguarded net.

That's how the score stays at the final whistle and the games going to be decided straight away with a penalty shoot out. After 5 penalties, both sides have missed one and then after Leamington score their 6th penalty, the Leamington keeper and captain Ethan Pheasey saves the next Bedworth kick at the foot of his right hand post.

A great save and this sparks celebrations by both the players and fans.

The cup is duly awarded to the Young Brakes and they pose for plenty of photos by their fans.

I'm glad I came to this match today as it was a good close contest with Leamington raising their game to win this trophy, no doubt inspired by the vocal support of their young fans.

There were some players on both sides who I'm sure will be getting some game time with their first teams soon.

Entrance Fee:                     £7 (£4 concessions)

Match Attendance:           Approximately 150

Match Programme:          None available

Entertainment Value:      7.5/10

 

   

 

EVESHAM UNITED DEVELOPMENT 1 - 1 WORCESTER CITY RESERVES (1-3 PENS)

 

WORCESTERSHIRE CO F.A. SATURDAY CUP FINAL

County Sports Ground, Claines Lane, Worcester, WR3 7RN

29th April 2023           2:00 pm Kick-Off

For my football trip today, I am going back to my roots, namely my birthplace, the city of Worcester to see the Worcestershire County F.A. Saturday Cup Final. This features Worcester City Reserves against the Evesham United Development team.

It promises to be a close contest as both sides are faring well in their league competitions this season. City are in second place in the Midland Football League, Reserve Division while United are occupying the 4th spot in the Hellenic Football League, Division 2 West. 

When I set out on the train from my local station in Acocks Green, the weather does not look that promising, being mainly cloudy but it's supposed to brighten up a bit later. Sure enough by the time the train arrives at Foregate Street station in Worcester, it's turned out to be mainly sunny.

I nip around the corner and look in at the Art Gallery, where they have an exhibition of 'British Impressionism', which turns out to be pretty good. Then I walk down to a Cafe near the River Severn, where I have a snack and a coffee. I just have time to wander down by the river, looking across to the Cathedral, for about 15 minutes before I make my way to the Bus Station to get to the ground for the 2 pm start.

When I get in the queue for the bus, I bump into a guy called Simon who Iv'e met before, who is a Droitwich Spa supporter and he tells me that their club have 2 coaches taking fans on Monday to see their Play-Off Semi-Final against Hinckley. That should be a good match as both sides are scoring lots of goals this season.

Soon I am walking off the bus and turning into Claines Lane to get into the County FA ground that they share with Worcester City.

It's the first time I have visited the main pitch since leaving Worcester 6 years ago, when Worcester Raiders were the tenants. I get to the ticket booth and am surprised to see local football legend, Mark Owen, working there today. He helps out at the County FA and is in training to be a referee. He played as a striker for Worcester City and other local clubs before managing the City Under-21 side and then Droitwich Spa among others.

Also I don't have to pay today as Nichola Trigg of the Worcestershire FA has said that as I am taking some photos for them, I can get in for free!  

I have time to go to the club house situated at the northern end of the ground and it's at a higher level and so you have to climb up some steps to get there. This is also where the offices for the Worcestershire FA are located, on the next level I presume?  I buy a cup of tea and then take in the good view you have of the pitch from this vantage point. I then make my way back to pitch level and take up a position on the western side facing the 2 stands on the opposite side. The team dug-outs are located further down, near the centre of the pitch from where I'm standing. There is a slope running the down the pitch, from north to south.

It's a nice enough set up for this level but Worcester City have aspirations on progressing to a higher level in the future. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be any prospect of a better ground at the moment for 'The City', especially with a distinctly unhelpful City Council thwarting their plans.

The teams duly come out on to the pitch at 2 pm and it's Evesham United in their red & white striped shirts, black shorts & socks who will be kicking up the slope to start with. Worcester City are decked out in their usual blue & white striped shirts, blue shorts & socks.

The play is pretty even to start with but then disaster strikes for Worcester when the Evesham No.11, Matt Kear, pumps in a high ball into the City penalty area but there is only their keeper, Ben Clay, anywhere near the ball. It looks like a routine catch but he manages to lose control of the ball and it goes into the net. The United players are elated but the keeper looks very disappointed with himself of course.

Not a great start for 'The City' but there is plenty of time to rectify matters.

Soon after this I decide to move further down the pitch to photograph any Worcester City attacks. On my way down I bump into 'Roz' who is the wife of a cousin of mine called Chris Dale. She tells me that he is also taking photos and points to where he is standing by the side of the goal. I tell her, that is where I'm heading to and soon I'm talking to Chris. The last time we met was at his Mother's funeral last May and it's good to see him in happier circumstances. He is decked out in a yellow photographer's vest and he also has his camera mounted on a monopod. Definitely more professional looking than myself.

He used to work as the groundsman at Worcester City for 3 seasons when they were still at their old ground in St. Georges Lane and later on he worked at the County FA as the Disciplinary Officer for several years. I know he takes photos sometimes at these kind of games so it shouldn't be too much of a surprise to see him in action today.

In the 20th minute during one City attack there is a nasty looking collision between their No.11 and the Evesham No.2. After a few minutes of treatment they are able to carry on. 

Defences are mainly on top in this game so far and both teams are looking a bit nervous to me as the game is not flowing that well.

Evesham United go close to scoring when their No.10 hits a shot that goes just wide of the left hand post in the 37th minute and then 7 minutes later, Worcester's No.10 , goes close with a header.

So it's still Evesham United who have the lead when half-time arrives and I don't think that there will be many goals scored in this game.

Near the start of the game I had talked a bit with the father of the City No.5, Dan Noke and he admitted he was feeling very nervous about the match. To counter this he has been walking around the pitch a lot and sometimes he has been shouting encouragement to some of the Worcester players, especially the keeper Ben Clay.

Chris has moved up the pitch for the second half and has decided to change to a smaller lens so that he will be able to capture photos of the players located closer to the side of ground.

As in the first half, the game is not that much of a spectacle but there is occasionally some goal mouth action to keep the spectators interested.

After 69 minutes the Evesham keeper makes a great save to keep out a goal bound effort and then 11 minutes later the City No.9, Matt Pinder, is just beaten to the ball by the keeper when chasing after a good pass into the penalty area.

It's not looking good for Worcester with time running out but then in the 85th minute they are awarded a penalty and Evesham's Daniel Lee gets sent off, presumably for bringing down a player, as I was at the other end of the pitch. Matt Pinder sends the keeper the wrong way with his spot kick while placing the ball into the right hand corner of the net.      

City also go close to scoring the winner right near the end of the game when Dan Noke curls in an effort from the left that hits the woodwork and out. That would have been a great match winning goal and it would have pleased his suffering father too!

To their credit, Evesham United nearly score the winner themselves when they too hit the woodwork. A frenetic end to the match in the last few minutes but now it's time for the nail biting conclusion of the penalty shoot-out.

Ben Clay makes a great save from the first spot kick when he dives to his right.

Indeed, he saves 2 of the next 3 penalties he faces while City score 3 out of 4 to win the match. Ben Clay has more than fully redeemed himself after his error in the first half.

I see Dan Noke's father when the Worcester City team are presented with their trophy and he looks a happy man now.

I'm glad I came to this match today as although it wasn't a great match to watch, it made up for it with all the drama near the end and seeing Worcester City lift the trophy, to make up for all the disappointments of the relegation threatened first team this season. 

Entrance Fee:                    £5 ( Free for photographers)

Match Programme:         none available

Match Attendance:          Approx  100-150

Match Entertainment:    7/10