BELPER UNITED 0 - 3 LICHFIELD CITY

                 FA CUP, EXTRA PRELIMINARY ROUND

Raygar Stadium, Christchurch Meadows, Bridge St, Belper, DE56 1BA

                          Sunday 7th August,  3:00pm Kick-Off

I have decided to go to the wilds of Derbyshire for my first game of this new season. It's an FA Cup clash between Belper United of the United Counties League, Premier Div North (who ground share with their hosts, Belper Town) and Lichfield City who play in the Midland Football League, Premier Div.

I like to go to cup games that feature clubs from different league competitions if I can and I am thinking this could be a good one to watch with the home side gaining promotion to Step 5 of the Pyramid for the 1st time and Lichfield being a fine footballing side that finished 3rd in their division last season.

The train I catch from Birmingham (Edinburgh bound) this morning is crammed with passengers and it's a miracle that I eventually find a spare seat. When I change trains at Derby for Belper, again there are a lot of passengers and again I am lucky to find a seat. Must be the holiday season!

It's certainly a fine sunny day with the temperature set to reach 23 centigrade. Belper is a cute small town that lies on the banks of the River Derwent just seven miles north of Derby (population 22,000). It dates back to Norman times and really came to prominence in the early days of the Industrial Revolution with the help of cotton manufacture (particularly cotton stockings) when cotton mills were built in this area powered by the river.  

The town centre has plenty of good independent shops and I find a good fish & chip restaurant called 'Nik's' to have a meal.   

Afterwards I have a look around the town and go to the Belper River Gardens overlooking the weir.

 It's certainly a scenic area and one I'd like to come to again. I decide to take the short walk to the ground and soon I am walking through the gates, on the eastern side of the ground.

I pay my entrance fee and get a programme too but I'm disappointed that there are no club badges available today. I'm assured that the club had ordered some but they still hadn't arrived yet.

The pitch looks to be in great condition and at first I thought it was an artificial surface. 

The main stand is located on the southern side of the ground and that's where all the seating is available. Another smaller covered stand is on the entrance side of this stadium while there is another stand on the northern side along with the team dug-outs. The western end of the ground features no shelter and is in front of a small artificial practice pitch.

A club house is directly behind the main stand, where I manage to get a cup of tea and then make my way to the end of this stand just past the seating area but still with some shelter from the sun.

The teams come out in their usual 1st team colours, Belper in green & black striped shirts, green shorts & socks while the visitors are all in blue.

 From the off it's Lichfield with their possession game that are dominating proceedings while United favour a more direct approach.

They are creating chances on a regular basis and the stand-in keeper for Belper, Charlie Woods, is performing heroics to keep the visitors at bay. His great save from Lichfield captain, Kyle Patterson, in the 24th minute is a particularly worthy effort. On this showing he should be Belper's regular custodian.

      (Charlie Woods makes sure that this Lichfield attack is stopped)

After 36 minutes, a Lichfield shot hits Belper's left-hand post and is gratefully scooped up by Woods on the rebound.

Luke Childs has been tormenting his marker, Belper United's No.3 Jake Dodds, with his skill and elusive running and he sees a shot of his saved by that man Woods in the 40th minute.

So half-time arrives with still no score and the home side somehow are still in with a chance in this tie. It's hard to see at the moment though how they can win this game but Lichfield will definitely have to score soon to make their superiority count, otherwise they might lose confidence, the longer this game goes on.

This ground certainly has a dramatic backdrop with the now disused East Mill towering above on one side.

Also, at the entrance end of the ground you have the presence of the much closer Catholic church called, Christ Church, looming too.

I'm informed by a Belper United supporter that the club will have to look for an alternative ground after the close of this current season. I wonder if they have any plans for getting their own ground in the not too distant future? 

One of the club's officials comes round with copies of the team sheets for anyone who's interested. Very useful and much appreciated!

When play resumes, Belper are taking the game to their opponents but without creating any clear cut chances. Then normal service is resumed with Lichfield having one shot go above the bar followed soon after with them taking the lead.

It's scored by their new No.9, Ethan Muckley, after the ball is passed to him on the right, with the keeper drawn out of position and he makes no mistake with this opportunity. 

     (A very happy Ethan Muckley is congratulated by his team mates)

Belper respond a few minutes later when their No.9, Richard (Itchy) Hanslow races through to hit a shot over the visitor's bar. Their No.8, Martyn Smyth also shoots another effort over the bar but Lichfield are still dominating the game.

They do score the all important second goal after 82 minutes with Luke Childs fooling both his marker and then the keeper to stroke the ball in to the unguarded net.

At this point I decide to leave the ground as I am worried about catching the next train back to Birmingham, as there is a long wait before the next one.

Of course later on I find out that Lichfield score another late goal, courtesy of substitute, Chandler Pegg, in the 86th minute. I think I probably could have seen that goal but it's better to be safe than sorry.

So Lichfield City go through to the next round, which will played in 2 weeks time and maybe Belper United will have better luck in the FA Vase competiton? 

I have certainly enjoyed my visit to this scenic town and ground and it's certainly one I'd like to come to again.

Match Attendance:         178

Entrance Fee:                  £8 (£5 concession)

Match Programme:        £1

Entertaintment Value:  7/10

  

  

 

GRAHAM STREET PRIMS 0 - 4 LICHFIELD CITY

 

               FA VASE 1ST ROUND, 23/10/2021 

        ASTERDALE SPORTS GROUND, BORROWASH ROAD, SPONDON,

                                      DERBY, DE21 7PH

Well today, it's FA Vase time again and I have decided to visit a new ground in a city I have never been to before. The city in question is Derby and the ground is that of the team called Graham Street Prims. An unusual name but 'Prims' is just an abbreviation of 'Primitive Methodists' and that was the name when the Graham Street club was first formed in 1904. They sound like they were a hard bunch of God fearing men!

I take the train from Birmingham New Street with no problems and get to Derby in about 40 minutes. I have enough time to visit the Art Gallery & Museum, the Cathedral (see below) and a quick wander around the very large 'Derbion' indoor shopping complex.

After having a light meal at a cafe near the Cathedral I make my way to the Bus Station and take the Indigo Number 4 bus (bound for Nottingham) to Spondon and get off near Borrowash Road where 'The Prims' ground is located.

Unfortunately I walk past the entrance to the ground, as I can only see a derelict building and there is no visible sign indicating the club. I realise my mistake when I soon consult Google Maps on my phone. I go to the left after going up the drive to the derelict building, as the ground is soon visible.

I pay to get in at the entrance but I'm disappointed when the guy tells me that there are no programmes available. I do find out that club badges are for sale and I purchase one in the club house.

The Fred Harding Ground is a bit basic but definitely good enough for this level. It has floodlights, with hard standing all around and a small stand is near the entrance with seating for about 100 spectators, to the side of the goal at the western end of the pitch. There is fencing all around, except for 2 gaps either side of the goal at the eastern end, so that any stray balls can be retrieved (very important feature). On the southern side of the pitch is a sheltered area with a long bench for more seating. The team dugouts are located on the opposite side.

The teams come out in their usual colours. Graham Street in red and white striped shirts, with black shorts and socks. The visitors are in their all blue kit apart from the white frontage on the shirts.

I have predicted a 4-1 victory for Lichfield today as I know they are in good form and in 2nd position in the Midland Football League, Premier Division, while their hosts are next to bottom in Div One of the United Counties League, which is also a step below that of Lichfield. Only their very near neighbours, Borrowash United, sit below them in the league table.

From the off, it's Lichfield having most of the play and they take an early 5th minute lead. It starts with left back, Joe Haines going down the left and crossing the ball for Lichfield's captain Patterson but the home keeper gets to the ball first but he only manages to see the ball loop in to the air for the waiting Jack Edwards to control it well and turn to shoot in to the right hand corner. Seen below being congratulated by a team mate.

   Luke Childs, scores a second when he receives the ball from a corner on the right makes a run across the to the goal, scuffs a shot and a Prims defender makes a hash of clearing the ball and the ball goes past him and the startled keeper and in to the goal. A bit of a fluky goal.

The hosts are battling to get in to the game but find it hard going as the superior passing game of Lichfield means that they don't see that much of the ball and the visitors defence is coping well with any attacks.

Lichfield bag another goal in the 40th minute when their midfield lynch-pin and captain, Patterson, is pulled back by The Prims No.4 Garton while running toward goal in the box and their No.10, Lomas, strokes the resulting penalty home.

So at the break, City are in control and three goals to the good and Graham Street need to up their game to get a look in.

It's a cloudy and cool day and I decide I will need to wear my gloves for the 1st time this season, to keep my shutter finger warm.

In the second half it's still Lichfield dominating the play and their No.9 Dixon sees his shot blocked by the keeper, Musgrove, when he gets through on goal.

After 70 minutes Luke Childs sees his shot well saved by Musgrove and 3 minutes later he saves well from another Lichfield effort. It's only a brief respite however as from a right hand corner, the ball drops invitingly for Dixon to slot home goal number 4.

Graham Street Prims keep battling to the end and their substitute, No.14 Wilks sees his header go close. I think he probably should have played from the start as he does trouble the visitors defence with his speed and physical presence, (shown below, holding up the ball).

 Lichfield have enough time to see them go close to scoring a fifth goal when substitute Pegg has a shot crash against the cross bar and Childs has another shot saved with a minute to go.

It's been a tough game for the home team but they stuck to their task well despite being outplayed for much of the time and I hope they can fare better in their league before the end of the season.

On the other hand Lichfield City continue to the next round in November for a home encounter with fellow Midland Leaguer's Highgate United and they still have an eye on the Premier Division title.

I certainly have enjoyed my first visit to Derby and I can recommend a visit to this friendly club. Just make sure you don't miss the entrance to the ground!

Match attendance:      60 (approx)

Entrance fee:                           £5

Match programme:  none available                       

Entertainment value:             7/10

 

LICHFIELD CITY 1 - 1 BOLDMERE ST. MICHAELS

                           Midland League, Premier Division, 30-08-2021  

              Trade Tyre Community Stadium, Brownsfield Rd, Lichfield  WS13 6AY

                 This Bank Holiday Monday sees the first match report of my brand new Blog. It's a local derby and a top of the table clash between the 3rd placed hosts of Lichfield City against the table topping visitors of Boldmere St.Michaels. 

I made my way by train to Lichfield and the city centre is a buzz of activity with plenty of market stalls providing mainly an assortment of food and drink and some activities for the kids.

After I have had a nice lunch of scampi and chips at the welcoming Fountain pub in Beacon Street I make my way through the crowds and take about 20-25 minutes walking to Lichfield's ground in Brownsfield Road. The club have put in artificial pitch since my last visit here 8 years ago when I attended a Presidents Cup Final between the now defunct Phoenix United and Cadbury Athletic.

I have been impressed by the recent wins of Lichfield that featured on the 'Brooksy TV' channel on You Tube, especially their excellent away FA Cup win at Evesham United. I think they will push 'The Mikes' all the way today.

I had to rush to get to the ground on time and in the process I forget to ask for a programme when I part with my entrance fee. I did manage to remember to ask for a club badge for £3, from behind the Bar. Number 47 in my growing collection.

The teams are playing in their usual colours of Lichfield City in all blue while Boldmere are in their black and white kit.

For the first 10 minutes the play is pretty even but then City start to get the upper hand and their No.4 fires over the bar after some sustained pressure. They create another chance when their No.8 breaks down the left and provides a pass inside for a team mate to again shoot over the bar.

Boldmere are still dangerous though and the Lichfield keeper has to make a block from one of their forwards.  

So there has been plenty of effort from both sides but it's still 0-0. The home side have been the more dangerous so far and anything can happen in the next 45 minutes.

Lichfield are the first to score in the 52nd minute when their No.7, Jack Edwards cuts across the Boldmere goal to the left and then guides the ball in to the opposite side of the net. A classy goal to break the deadlock!

For the last 30 minutes, there is increasing pressure from the visitors and they make 3 substitutions during this time. In the 71st minute, Boldmere think they have equalised when their No. 14 bundles the ball home from close range but the linesman flags for handball. 

Of course with no VAR system there are protests from some of the Boldmere players and coaching staff but to no avail, the linesman's decision stands.

 To their credit, Boldmere intensify their efforts for the equaliser but on occasion this leaves them open to the counter-attack, especially from a Lichfield substitute, their lanky No.16, going on probing runs on the right flank. The closest he gets to increasing City's lead happens when he chips the ball over the bar as the keeper rushes out.

It's mostly one way traffic after this and in the 90th minute, the Mikes No. 15, Isaac Phillips bursts through to score with the Lichfield keeper out of position. 

It is a fair result in the end although I suspect that Lichfield City might not agree with that. It's been an intense, hard fought local derby that has been a treat for the Bank Holiday crowd.

City now have their FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round match at home, next Saturday v Nuneaton Borough, with the game being televised as well!  A tough task but with some quality players, like full-back Luke Childs and the forward, Jack Edwards, Lichfield have a chance of springing an upset.

Match entrance fee : £3 (concession)

Match programme : not obtained (if any were issued ?)

Attendance:  187 

Match entertainment value : 8/10