BROMYARD TOWN 3 - 3 DROITWICH SPA ( 9-8 penalties )

      WEST MIDLANDS REGIONAL LEAGUE, DIV ONE

                           LEAGUE CUP FINAL

       Bilbrook Juniors FC, Pendeford Lane, Wolverhampton WV9 5HQ 

                21st May, 2022         3:15 pm   Kick Off  (delayed)

Originally I had pencilled in to watch the Birmingham FA Vase Final today between Cadbury Athletic and Tipton Town at the Birmingham County FA headquarters at Ray Hall Lane. This choice was derailed due to the excitement of the ongoing achievements of Droitwich Spa, a team that was local to me when I was still living in my home city of Worcester a few years back. I occasionally took photos of their team, having them published on my previous blog, on their website and in the local newspapers. This week they were crowned champions of the West Midlands League, 1st Division and are now chasing a league and cup double in the League Cup final at Bilbrook's ground in Wolverhampton. 

When I set out from Birmingham on the train, the weather forecast is very promising, it's going to be mainly sunny with temperatures about 18-19 degrees centigrade.

When I get to Wolverhampton I decide to have a quick look around the Art Gallery and I find out that they have an exhibition of photographs and memorabilia of well known musical groups and artists from the region, (such as Slade, Robert Plant, Beverley Knight, The Wonderstuff etc)  called 'Black Country Beats'. It also highlights the different multi-cultural music artists from the area, who are well known in the Reggae and Bhangra genres of music. 

      (Singer Robert Plant at Molyneux for a charity penalty shoot-out)

                      (The soul singer Beverley Knight in action)

I then get a good value meal at little restaurant called 'Nutmeg', (even that name has a football connection) and then hop on to the No.3 bus bound for the Fordhouses district where the ground is located. 20 minutes later I get off the bus and make the short walk to the ground along a footpath that leads in to Pendeford Lane and soon I am turning in to to the car park with the ground to the right of it.

  This ground is home to the West Midlands League Div 2 outfit, Bilbrook Santos FC and the pitch looks to have a decent playing surface. On the left hand side of the car park are some mini-pitches, while on the other side of the car park, beyond the main pitch is another full sized pitch but lying sideways on.

The club house/changing room complex lies at the top of the main pitch and the main road is beyond that, while on the other side of this road is located the huge Jaguar-Land Rover Engine Manufacturing complex.

There is a rail surrounding the main pitch with the team dugouts on the side facing the club house. There are floodlights with a small covered shelter for spectators on the dugout side in the corner.

I have a half pint of Strongbow to quench my thirst and when I wander outside I meet up with some of the Droitwich Spa's faithful followers, who have been in action at a Wetherspoon's in town on their way here (but not too worse the wear for it).

We find out that there is some kind of delay and so the match will start at 3:15 pm instead. This also means that if the scores are still level at full-time then it will go straight to penalties, as they will be having another function here at 6:00 pm.

I go to the shelter with some of the Droitwich supporters and when the teams troop out on to the pitch, both teams are decked out in their first team colours, with Bromyard Town in all blue strip and 'The Spa' in red & black striped shirts, white shorts and black socks.    

The first half turns out to be a scrappy affair and with Droitwich especially a bit too frantic in their efforts and not passing it around much. Their manager Andy Crowther is not very impressed and is basically telling them to wake up. 

Not many chances are being created and Droitwich are given a warning after 37 minutes by their opponents when their No.7 gets through on goal and his shot is saved well by Droitwich's young keeper, Ryan Williams, who usually turns out for their Under-21's side.

Bromyard keep up the pressure and take the lead in the 42nd minute when their No.11, Ben Cowlishaw fires past Williams.

                (The Bromyard players celebrating their first goal)

Just a minute later and the Herefordshire team double their lead when Andrew Hudson fires in a great shot from the right.

Droitwich leave the field in shock at half-time and will need to fight back quickly to get back in to this game. I hear one of their supporters say that it's the worst football he's seen them play this season. 

I notice that there are at least 3 other photographers here today. One of them I met at Gornal Colts last week and I think he's based somewhere in the Black Country. He tells me that he's planning to go to a cup final in the west Welsh coastal town of Barmouth tomorrow. I'm sure the scenery will be good there as it lies close to Snowdonia.

When play resumes, Droitwich Spa are looking up for it more now and they peg a goal back through their No.9, Connor Collins.

In the 72nd minute Droitwich's No.12, Connor Baker, comes through to score the equaliser for the League champions. He is certainly making an impact on the game after coming on in this half as a substitute.

Soon after Droitwich Spa's, Haydn Morris, scores to put his team in front and their dreams of a League and Cup double are looking more likely.

Bromyard Town though score an equaliser right near the end, when they are awarded a free kick on the right and the subsequent cross is powerfully headed in by Daniel Cottrill.

There is just enough time to see the Droitwich skipper, James Lemon  run through and shoot over the bar. That would have been some finish if it had gone in!

So it's the dreaded penalty shoot out and the Droitwich keeper saves the first two he faces.

Unfortunately Droitwich Spa miss 2 of their own later on and then it comes down to the 9th lot of penalty kicks and it's the 2 keepers who are taking them now. Williams hits his spot kick straight at the Bromyard skipper Alex Rhodes and then Rhodes coolly slots home his effort to the left of Williams and in to the corner of the net to win this topsy turvy encounter.

Rhodes runs off in jubilation and is soon mobbed by his team mates.

The presentation takes place a few minutes later and soon the Bromyard Town players and coaching staff are jumping around in celebration. They certainly showed great fighting spirit today. Also they finished in a very creditable 3rd place in the League. Maybe they can kick on next season with their own championship challenge? 

Then it's 'The Saltmen's' turn to celebrate when skipper, James Lemon, is presented with the Division One League championship trophy and he proudly holds it aloft surrounded by his team mates.

A great way to end the best season in the club's history (founded in 1985) which sees them promoted to Step 6 for the first time and they will be playing back at their refurbished home at the King George V Playing Fields ground.

Entrance Fee:                £4 (£2 concessions)

Match Attendance:         100-120 (guesstimate)

Match Programme:         none available

Match Entertainment:     8.5/10

GORNAL COLTS 1 - 3 DROITWICH SPA

 

 WEST MIDLANDS REGIONAL LEAGUE, DIVISION ONE                     LEAGUE CUP (SEMI-FINAL)

   The Dell Stadium, Bryce Road, Brierley Hill, West Midlands, DY5 4NB 

                        14th May 2022          3pm Kick-Off

Today I am going to another new ground, this time The Dell Stadium in Brierley Hill where Gornal Colts currently play and watch their League Cup, Semi-Final v Droitwich Spa. 

Also it will be only the second time that I have watched a game at a ground with an athletics track between the spectators and the pitch. The first was six years ago when I went to The Pingles Stadium in Nuneaton Griff to watch their FA Vase tie against Salisbury. That time along with a few other photographers, I was given a pass to go near the pitch to take my photos. No such luck this time as the club secretary, Susan Johnston informed me that they have a rule for everyone to stand behind the barrier around the outlying running track, so it will be interesting to see if I can get some good shots today.

It's a promising day weather wise, as the forecast is for temperatures reaching 20 c later this afternoon, with plenty of sun too. 

I decide to go to Stourbridge on the train from Acocks Green, my local station and then travel from on from there by bus to Brierley Hill, where The Dell Stadium is located.

I haven't been to Stourbridge for some time and I have a good look around the town, have a good meal in a place called 'Stuffed' and decide to come back later in the summer to have a look at a glass museum up the road.

I take the No.6 bus headed for Dudley which takes me to Brierley Hill, High St and decide to walk the rest of the way as it's such a nice day. 20 minutes later I make it to the ground.

There is a building just past the car park, where the club house and changing rooms are. Behind it is an artificial football pitch and to the left is another football pitch, with the main pitch situated to the right of the club house. This pitch is enclosed by the athletics track, with the covered seating housed in a stand in front of the artificial pitch. On the opposite side are the team dugouts. 

Before I go in to the club house I chat with some of the Droitwich supporters who are gathered in the car park. I am able to get a cup of tea in the club house but unfortunately they don't have any club badges for sale.

Gornal Colts were formed in 2005, when most of the youth teams left the set up at Gornal Athletic. After enjoying some success in youth leagues like the Midland Floodlight Youth League, their senior side went straight in to the West Midlands Regional League. I'm not sure how long they have called The Dell Stadium their home, as I remember Dudley Town were the tenants when I left the West Midlands 6 years ago.

I decide to shelter from the sun for the 1st half and sit in the stand. There seems to be a decent sized crowd today. The winners of today's contest will play Bromyard Town, who had a walk-over  from their semi v Gornal Athletic.

Droitwich Spa are in their 2nd strip of gold shirts and black shorts while Gornal are in a mainly dark blue strip.

The Droitwich team are looking a bit sluggish, which is not really a surprise as they have been having to play 3-4 matches per week in recent times, including a vital 3-2 win over close rivals Gornal Athletic.

Gornal Colts are giving them some problems but they unfortunately give the first goal away, when there is a defensive mix up by their No.6 who heads back to his keeper, who is not where he thought he was and the ball bounces in to an unguarded net, after 22 minutes.

This helps to inspire 'The Saltmen' who then increase their lead when their forward, James Lemon is put through and he neatly sidesteps the oncoming Colts keeper to slip the ball home.

  Gornal Colts are unable to take any of the chances that come their way and so trail 0-2 at half-time.

For the second-half I decide to wander over to the other side of the ground, for a more varied view of the action.

After 73 minutes, Gornal Colts peg a goal back when they are awarded a penalty when a Droitwich defender mistimes a lunged tackle.

Leon Salmon fires home the spot kick and the home side are back in with a chance.

 Droitwich have other ideas though and seal the tie 7 minutes later when Connor Collins heads in at the far post when a good cross is delivered to him from the left.

Gornal Colts have shown plenty of energy at times in this game but have lacked that killer instinct this time round, with the experience of Droitwich Spa getting them through.

The final is going to be played at Bilbrook Juniors FC next Saturday. Also today I found out that Droitwich Spa have been awarded the league title too as they had an outstanding fixture v AFC Bentley that couldn't be fulfilled even though they had tried to get the fixture played 3 times but Bentley were unable to field a team. Not the most satisfactory way to win it but I'm sure that Droitwich would have most probably have won that game.

I'm glad that I finally visited The Dell Stadium today and I look forward to watching 'The Colts' in the future and monitor their progress.

Droitwich Spa will be stepping up in to the Midland Football League, Division One next season and will be playing their home fixtures back at their newly refurbished ground with new floodlights too!

Entrance Fee:              £5 (£3 concession)

Match Programme:       none available

Match Attendance:       80-100 (guesstimate)

Entertainment Value:    6.5/10

 

 

REDDITCH BOROUGH 1 - 2 DROITWICH SPA

 

             W.F.A. SATURDAY CUP, 3RD ROUND 

    Redditch Borough Sports & Social Club, Cherry Tree Walk, Batchley,

          Redditch, B97 6PB.     04/12/2021    2:00 PM KICK-OFF

I have decided to go back to my original plan for last Saturday's excursion and attend the Worcestershire F.A. Saturday Cup clash at Redditch Borough of the Midland Football League, Div 2. As like many games in the area last week, this one was cancelled due to the snowy weather conditions and I was pleasantly surprised it was re-arranged for this Saturday.

This is a ground I haven't been to before and the club were a bit of a mystery to me, so I did a bit of research on Wikipedia and watched some of the Borough match highlights on You Tube too, with some good recent performances. A club definitely worth investigating. 

I made the trip by rail to Redditch with no problems (but the return journey was certainly not straightforward with the covid induced rail staff shortages and subsequent cancellations).

I have some lunch at a cafe just outside the Kingfisher Shopping Centre and after a quick bit of window shopping I head off up the nearby Bromsgrove Road and arrive at the club entrance 20 minutes later.

There is the car park in front of the club house and behind this are one full sized football pitch and 3 mini pitches. To the side of the club house can be found some tennis courts and a bowling green too. Finally on the far side to the left of the club house is situated the Borough 1st team's ground. So it's a great facility for the local community and Borough moved in here in 2017.

I have time to go in to the club house and it's quite a place, with 4 different spaces for the public to enjoy and I go in to the bar area immediately in front of the entrance. There are 2 big screens showing the Coventry v WBA game and I order a shot of whisky to keep out the cold when I go back out again.

Suitably refreshed I go over to the main pitch and notice that the Droitwich team are in a gold and black kit, not their usual red and black and Borough are in their home kit of all blue.

It's a nice sunny but cold afternoon when the game starts and there is a cold wind too. Droitwich, who currently lie second in the West Midland 1st Division, are the more threatening side in the early exchanges and after they attack down the left in the 5th minute, Redditch have to clear the ball off their line. A minute later and a Spa shot from the right goes just over the bar.

In a Borough attack, their No.19 goes down in the visitors penalty area but the referee immediately waves play on, much to the displeasure of this player. Indeed he seems so displeased with this that he continually pushes Droitwich players who happen to be in front of him, when they have the ball, maybe trying make a point of some kind? Later in the half the ref has a word with him and he's fine after this.

Just 3 minutes after this incident and 'The Spa' take the lead when 
their No.7 get's crowded out by the Borough defence when attempting a shot from close in on the right of the goal but the ball bobbles out for another Spa player, No.10 James Lemon I think to poke it in to the net.

3 minutes later and Droitwich double their lead when the ball is crossed from the left and is headed in at the far post.

It's by no means a one sided contest and the Borough do mount attacks of their own but without troubling Oliver too much in the visitor's goal.

Due to the recent rain the pitch has cut up a bit and looks to be a heavy energy sapping surface.

So half-time arrives with Droitwich still in the driving seat and Redditch have their work cut out to get back in to this match. Borough have got this far by having a bye in the 1st Round and then winning against AFC Bromsgove 6-1 in the last round. Droitwich also had a bye in the 1st Round and then were awarded a walk-over against their 2nd Round opponents, Tenbury United, for whatever reason.

I venture back to the club house and join the big queue for the refreshments and the ladies working there are having to work very hard to keep up with the orders but they do so with good humour. I eventually get my cup of coffee and I am able to buy a club badge too for the cheap price of £2, which makes the wait very worth while.

By the time I get back to the pitch, 5 minutes has already been played but with no further score. When I am walking past the goal at the far end I see some Droitwich Spa supporters who I used to travel with a few times in the club's minibus to some away games 5 years ago.

We have a chat during the second half and catch up on some news. It's good to see that their club is still well supported at away games as I also saw a number of other Droitwich supporters in the club house and especially too as their 'home' games are at Stourport while their ground improvements are going ahead.

The game itself this half is a more even contest and the Droitwich defence are having to work harder now. On the hour mark, Borough do reduce the deficit when Paul Bonar scores after an attack on the left of the Droitwich goal.

The Droitwich defence do well in dealing with the Borough attacks and still manage to trouble the home defence.

Max Court the Borough keeper does make a noteworthy save from James Lemon later on as can be seen below.

The game ends without any more goals and Droitwich go through to the quarter-finals next year.

Redditch Borough battled well until the end and I think they can improve on their league position of 9th before the end of the season. It's a good set up at this club and I see that there is a big emphasis to get the young players involved from an early age. Indeed that's how it all started when the present Head Coach and Secretary, Julian Workman, set up an under 10 boys team in the past and it mushroomed from there. His wife Kim is heavily involved too as she is the Chairman.

Yes, a good trip in the end, a new ground and team watched, plus I have met up again with some of the Droitwich Spa faithful. 

Match Attendance:        Approximately 60

Entrance fee:                Free

Match Programme:       None available

Entertainment Value:    7/10