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

 

   

DROITWICH SPA U-21's 4 - 5 WORCESTER CITY RESERVES

 WORCESTERSHIRE SATURDAY CUP,  Q - FINAL

King George V Playing Fields, Briar Mill, Droitwich Spa, WR9 0RZ

28th January 2023          12:30 pm Kick-Off

I had originally thought of going to watch Pelsall Villa Colts, who I have never watched before, in their game v Gornal Athletic in the West Midlands League but changed my mind when I remembered that there was a Worcestershire FA Saturday Cup tie between Droitwich Spa Under 21's v Worcester City Reserves. Two local rivals of sorts although they play in different divisions of the Midland Football League.

I find out it's being played on the 4G pitch that lies next to the 1st team's pitch at the King George V ground and the early start means that it should be easier for me to take photos, although the forecast is for a cloudy day.

I'm able to take a train all the way from Acocks Green station in Birmingham to Droitwich and arrive in this Spa town with time to have a meal before the match starts.

I have an all-day breakfast at the 'Spats Coffee House' in the old High Street and I have to say it's the best one Iv'e ever had at a Cafe. Perfectly cooked and quickly presented too! A bit pricier than what I usually have but it was worth it.

While wandering around the town I realise I'm cutting it a bit fine to get to the ground in time but I manage to make it just as the players are starting to saunter on to the pitch. There is a high wire fence surrounding the pitch and there is space for spectators on the side nearest the 1st team's ground and the team dug-outs are located on this side too.

Both teams as expected are in their first team colours, with Droitwich Spa in red & black striped shirts, white shorts and black & red socks while Worcester City are decked out in blue & white striped shirts, blue shorts & socks.

It's the home team who have started the brighter in the first few minutes but City come back strongly and go close when a goal mouth scramble takes place and then take the lead in the 13th minute when their No.9's glancing header finds the net following a corner taken from the left.

Droitwich Spa equalise when their No.10, Sam Hurdman, manages to head the ball just ahead of the City keeper Ben Clay and in to the net.

There is plenty of end to end attacking football and it looks as if this could be a high scoring game. It's City's turn next when they score after 30 minutes following a free kick on the left. I'm not sure who has the last touch but it might be their No. 10.   

In the very next minute, there is a very promising break by the home team on the left but their N0.7 is pulled back by the City No.2 and is duly booked for his efforts. 

Droitwich do get a second equaliser when the City keeper Clay can't get hold of the ball properly and it eventually falls to the Spa No.9, Louis Mitchell to tap the ball in to the unguarded net.

At the end of this half the score stands at 2-2 and it's hard to predict the eventual outcome but I'm sure that there will be more goals to come. It's funny that when I saw Worcester City Reserves play a few weeks ago at home to Chasetown, both defenses were on top in a scoreless draw but today both teams look as if they might score with each attack!

During the break a fellow spectator tells me that the Droitwich keeper, Ryan Williams, lives in Worcester and Ben Clay the City keeper lives here in Droitwich. 

The second period of the match begins and it's Worcester City looking the stronger team now. They go close to scoring after 53 minutes when from a corner on the right a header hits the angle of the upright and crossbar and out. Then 6 minutes later and another header from a corner see City take the lead again.

In the 64th minute, the City No.11 turns well in front of goal and sees his shot well saved by Williams the home keeper.

Droitwich Spa go close themselves a few minutes later when their No.2 hits a post with a shot, which rebounds to Mitchell but he shoots wildly over the bar. A good chance wasted there.

Worcester City increase their lead in the 71st minute when their No.4 heads home from a free kick and then 4 minutes later they score a fifth goal following a misunderstanding between the Spa keeper and a defender which allows the City No.11 to roll the ball in to an unguarded net.

To their credit though Droitwich Spa make a spirited comeback late in the game. Firstly Clay the City keeper, perhaps inspired by Williams in the Droitwich goal comes racing out is dispossessed and the Droitwich attacker is brought down by a panicking defender on the left of the penalty area.

Aston Amies, the Droitwich captain makes no make with the penalty and the home side cut the deficit to just one goal when substitute Reece Emmony scores following a free kick on the left.

With just 4 minutes to go Droitwich have another goal disallowed for offside and in injury time City's Ben Clay makes a good save at the foot of the right hand post.

So City have weathered the late storm by Droitwich and achieved a win which takes them in to the Semi-Finals. A good spectacle for the neutral fan but a nerve wracking match for both the City and Spa fans today. Neither defence covered themselves in glory but it's been entertaining!  

Entrance Fee:       Free        

Match Attendance:       Approx, 30-40

 Match Programme:       None Available 

          Entertainment Value:       8/10                           

    

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