RUSHALL OLYMPIC 1 - 4 REDDITCH UNITED

                        FA CUP,  1ST QUALIFYING ROUND

                          Dales Lane, Rushall, Walsall, WS4 1LJ

                          3rd September, 2022        3pm Kick-Off

Today I am going to my 3rd FA Cup tie so far this season. It's an Southern League, Premier Central tie between 'The Pics' of Rushall Olympic v 'The Reds' of Redditch United. I am anticipating a close contest as after 6 league matches so far, Rushall lie in 13th place while Redditch are just 2 places above them.

I hope this journey will prove to be more fruitful than last Saturday's visit to Bilston Town who were playing Racing Club Warwick in the FA Vase. Everything went well and I saw Racing Club come away with a hard-earned 1-0 win.   Went well that is until later that evening, when I was sorting out my photos and in a weary state I mistakenly deleted ALL of my match photos. Aarrgh!!! First time that's happened and hopefully the last.

When I catch the train for Walsall, the weather is not bad, cloudy with sunny intervals but with the chance of rain later this afternoon. After having a good value meal in the town centre, I take the short bus journey to Dawes Lane, with the stadium entrance almost opposite the bus stop.

I have been to this ground several times in the past and although it has an artificial playing surface, I have always enjoyed coming here as the officials are very welcoming and the ground is good for taking good photos.

I take up a position at the far end of the ground, where there is some shelter if needed. The 2 teams come on to the pitch with the home side in their usual strip of amber shirts, black shorts and socks while Redditch are decked out in their away strip of all light blue.

It's the visitors who strike the first blow after 18 minutes when after a good break down the right, Olympic defender Kristian Green turns a low cross into his own goal.

Redditch are causing plenty of problems for 'The Pics' defence and soon score another goal when Max Sheaf sends in a cross from the right and Bernard Mensah manages to get the ball in from close range.

After 29 minutes it looks as if they have scored a third when Ryan Boothe gets the ball in to the net after a scramble in the home goal mouth but it's ruled out for a committed foul. 

Rushall dig in and begin to get a grip on the game and prove to be more of a threat and Kristian Green atones for his earlier own goal by sliding in the ball after 40 minutes. 

It looks like we have a proper contest now but 'The Reds' quickly re-establish their 2 goal cushion when Ryan Boothe flicks the ball in off a post.

 Some of the nearby Redditch fans rush down close to me by the celebrating players in the corner and are jumping up and down wildly at seeing their heroes scoring again.

The score remains the same when half-time comes along and this match is not panning out so far to be the very close contest that I'd originally anticipated.

That's football for you, especially the FA Cup at that. I'm sure the home side will be pressing for an early goal in the next period in order to mount a serious comeback.

One of the Rushall officials kindly walks around the ground telling everyone the outcome of the 50-50 draw but unfortunately I have missed out on the £110 prize.

The home side do indeed press forward in search of another goal but are thwarted in their efforts.

Their cause is not helped when their captain, Richard Batchelor, is given a second yellow card with just 8 minutes played in this half.

There is plenty of effort from 'The Pics' but Redditch are able to comfortably keep them at bay.

'The Reds' confirm their advantage in stoppage time when the impressive Mensah, curls in the ball in to the top left-hand corner.

The games ends soon after and Redditch deservedly find themselves in the draw for the 2nd Qualifying Round for the first time after many years of trying.

Rushall Olympic have been disappointing today but I am sure they will be looking to repeat last season's league form when they made the play-offs.

Entrance Fee:                  £10 , (£7 concession)

Match Programme:        £2.50p

Match Attendance:         246

Entertainment Value:    7/10

 

RUSHALL OLYMPIC 1 - 2 BANBURY UNITED

      SOUTHERN LEAGUE, PREMIER DIVISION CENTRAL

            Dales Lane, Rushall, Walsall, West Midlands, WS4 1LJ

                    5th March, 2022         3:00 pm  Kick-Off

I had earmarked the fixture I am attending today, for a probable visit three weeks ago. Rushall Olympic who have been in great form since the new year and who are currently in second place are hosting the runaway leaders of the Premier Div Central in the Southern League, Banbury United. I have seen 'The Pics' of Rushall Olympic, twice in the past while I have watched 'The Puritans' of Banbury United, just once at their own Spencer Ground about 12 years ago. 

Rushall is a former mining village that is now a part of the town of Walsall and their football team although being formed initially in the late 19th century, have only seriously started to rise up the ranks of the Non-League pyramid in the last 20 years. 

Banbury United were formed in 1931 under the name of Spencer Sports Club (as they were the works team of the Spencer Corsets factory) and were only named 'Banbury United' in 1965 after being known as 'Banbury Spencer' for many years.

I leave it relatively late to travel by train to Walsall, have a meal of fish & chips at a cafe near the bus station and then catch the No. 997 bus which takes me to just outside the ground. After I pay my entrance fee at the turnstile, I can see that there should be a decent sized crowd for this game, as there are plenty of Banbury supporters around the ground.

I take my place at the far end of the ground, so that the sun is behind me. To my right behind the goal is a sizeable contingent of United fans and they are in fine voice too.

The 2 teams come out on to the pitch accompanied by a fanfare of some dramatic music. There is also a minutes silence called over the tannoy system for someone, maybe a former player or official at this club and also to acknowledge the current conflict in the Ukraine but then everyone is encouraged to clap their hands. 

When the match starts, it proceeds to be action packed with Rushall taking the lead after just 5 minutes. Ben Usher-Shipway is sent down the right and his pass finds Rackeem Reid who although bundled to the ground in the ensuing melee and with the ball tucked up behind his right knee, somehow still manages to poke the ball home. I think he must have managed to get his left foot underneath the ball.

It's a goal, whichever way it's scored and it's a great start for the home team.

The league leaders have other ideas though and duly equalise just 3 minutes later. Their speedy No.9, Chris Wreh, is put through on goal but is foiled by a desperate tackle. The ball goes loose to the No.20 Jack Stevens who places the ball past the Rushall keeper, Tom Palmer.

It's a thrilling start to the game and makes me wonder if we are going to be treated to a goal feast today?

There is a chill wind blowing across the pitch even though we have plenty of sunny spells and it's not long before I have to put my gloves on.

I am pleased to see Tom Thorley playing at No.4 for Rushall today, as in the past he played for my home town team of Worcester City. He was always a very dependable player for us and he looks to be in good form today, helping to keep the ball moving around and switching the play to probe any spaces in the visitor's defence.

There are chances created at both ends, especially when Wreh goes past a few Rushall players on a good run but there is no further score in the this first period.

I notice that there is a photographer at the left side of the pitch to me and I think it might be a guy called Steve Walker, who now takes photos for Rushall and is well known for his work in Non-League circles.

I decide to move across to near where he is standing, for another view of the pitch and I have the misguided idea that it might be there warmer too but no such luck on that score.

The second half proves to be a close affair too and 'The Puritans' take the lead after 58 minutes when it's their danger man Wreh who volleys home when the home team aren't able to clear the ball.

    (Some of the Banbury United fans celebrating their teams 2nd goal)

Although the Banbury fans are understandably very excited by events on the field, there is no excuse for someone throwing on a smoke flare just behind the Rushall goal. It had happened before after the first Banbury goal and just before the start of the second half too.

These events don't spoil the good footballing contest that is taking place today and 'The Pics' threaten the visitor's goal on a few occasions.  

Their substitute Tyler Little, who has scored 11 goals so far this season, is the closest to scoring an equalising goal near the end with an effort just going wide of the post.

Also I'm pleased to see another Rushall substitute come on to the pitch, who happens to be another ex City player, a striker called Danny Glover. He didn't stay at the club as long as Tom Thornley but did score plenty of goals in his one full season with the club.

Despite the best efforts of 'The Pics' the match ends with yet another victory for 'The Puritans' of Banbury and on the balance of play, probably they just about deserved it but they have been pushed all the way, in an absorbing contest for all the fans.

Banbury United look assured for promotion while Rushall Olympic will have to fight all the way to acheive 2nd place, especially with Coalville breathing down their necks.

I'm very glad I came to this match and I hope that the remaining games I see this season, will be as good as this one.

 

Entrance fee:             £10,  (£7 concession)

Match programme:     £2.50

Match attendance:      626

Entertainment value:  9/10 

 

 

 

SUTTON COLDFIELD TOWN 2 - 1 RUSHALL OLYMPIC

 

                MIDLAND FOOTBALL LEAGUE, 

           UNDER 21 (NORTH WEST) DIVISION

           Central Ground, Coles Lane, Sutton Coldfield, B72 1NL

                     5th February, 2022         10:30 Kick Off

Well I had originally planned to make a longer trip than usual this Saturday, Telford in Shropshire, to see Dawley Town play Newport Town in the Salop Leisure League, a competition I had never seen before. 

My change in plan came about at approximately 10 pm on Friday after checking the weather forecast and found out that there was more chance of showers in the afternoon. An early kick off was required and the top of the table clash between Sutton Coldfield (2nd) and Rushall Olympic (3rd) Under 21 sides seems like a good contest.

So I take the train from New Street to Sutton and it gives me just enough time to walk to Coles Lane, buy a cup of tea and take my place at the far end of the ground, where there is shelter from any showers which are threatening but sun is forecast too.

It's my first trip to an Under 21 match this season and I have seen a few in the past. The standard is usually pretty good and they tend to be clean games too! 

The home team come out in their all royal blue strip with white trimmings and Rushall are in their usual colours of gold and black.

It's Rushall who are the team in charge of proceedings at first and they go close when their No.10 hits a shot in to the side netting after 14 minutes. The Sutton Coldfield keeper comes to his sides rescue when he smothers another shot from close range.

30 minutes have gone when 'The Pics' see another effort on goal, this time their No.4 getting in a good position in front of the Sutton goal following a corner but hits his shot disappointingly high over the bar.

Rushall are made to pay dearly for their misses when after 40 minutes Sutton Coldfield break away and open the scoring. Unfortunately yours truly misses it as I had been checking my camera's settings to make sure the shutter speed was still fast enough. Damn!! I did get a shot of the players celebrating though. I think the scorer's name might be Morgan Russell.

So although Rushall Olympic have been on top for long periods of the first-half they have not delivered the goods in front of goal and will need to improve to keep their unbeaten league record intact. Sutton Coldfield are now in the driving seat and if they improve in the next 45 minutes, have a good chance of winning this game.

During the game I get speaking to a man and a woman from Nottingham who turn out to be the mother and grand-father of Sutton's No.10, Benni Wilson. He happens to be at university in the Birmingham area and is taking the chance to play for Sutton Coldfield now. Later I tell them that I will send them some photos of Benni, which they are pleased about.

When play resumes, Sutton Coldfield are upping their game and start this half more brightly.

The Pics though show they are still dangerous, when in the 57th minute their No.14 goes close with an effort from the left.

Sutton double their lead though 10 minutes later when their No.12 slides in a shot in to the left hand side of the Rushall goal. I think his name is Tyrese Cromwell.

The visitors respond with a shot that goes close from the right and just 3 minutes later, do get on the score sheet, when they are awarded a penalty although again I miss why it was given. It's duly slotted home by Dylan Harris and Rushall Olympic have a chance of salvaging their record.

Sutton are the team that go closest to scoring again when they break down the middle through Benni Wilson, who is sent flying from a challenge from the Sutton keeper (shown below) who has rushed out of his area (and get's booked), the ball goes to the Sutton No.7 who was running alongside Wilson but sees his effort cleared by the Rushall No.10 who throws himself in front of the unguarded net. 

A great piece of last ditch defending but his team can't get the equaliser they seek.

Sutton Coldfield have rode their luck a bit in the first half and taken their chances and although Rushall have surrendered their unbeaten record, they have games in hand over both Sutton, leaders Lichfield City and remain favourites to take the title.

I have enjoyed this game, as there was plenty of good football from both sides and the referee had a good game too, allowing the play to flow whenever he could and ignoring several calls for penalties.

Match Attendance:         Approx 30-40

Entrance Fee:                Free

Match Programme:        None available

Match Entertainment:    7.5/10