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

 

 
     

CADBURY ATHLETIC 4 - 0 F.C. DARLASTON

 

      BIRMINGHAM SATURDAY VASE, 3RD ROUND 

Hayes Playing Fields, Birmingham Rd, Hopwood, Worcestershire, B38 8LP

                              20/11/2021   2pm Kick Off

I had at first thought of going to a FA Vase 2nd Rd match and Atherstone Town had been top of my list but in the end I wimped out and decided to go to a more local competition, namely the Birmingham Saturday Vase.

As Cadbury Athletic at present cannot use their own excellent recreation ground pitch, due to covid restrictions, they are currently hiring out an artificial pitch on some playing fields that Alvechurch FC now own. This is the site that's primarily going to be developed for their new ground in the future and the articial pitch is hired out to different clubs in the meantime.

The Cadbury match secretary, Russell Cooke, informed me by email that this ground is a caged affair but one side has room for spectators. At first, I was not that keen but as the weather forecast is quite good I decide to go for it, plus Russell also mentioned there are refreshments available and match programmes too! 

I travel by train to Longbridge and go browsing around the local shopping centre, even buying some Christmas Cards, have a meal at Sainsbury's cafe and walk to the ground, which takes me about 50 minutes. I definitely need the exercise!

I don't realise until later that this facility lies just over the border in Worcestershire, my home county.

I make my way up the new looking road and come to a table where 2 guys from Cadbury are taking the gate money and selling the match programmes and club badges.

The road takes a left turn and the pitch is on the left as I walk up and beyond are some toilets (much needed by now), with the changing rooms behind them plus a club house that's still not fully completed inside.

I go to the entrance of the cage and walk along the spectator area till I am just over half way along and get ready for the match.

 Soon the 2 teams, come out on to the pitch, with Cadbury in their usual home strip of purple and FC Darlaston from the West Midlands League are in their away kit of all red.

The 'Chocolate Men' are in control at the start and are pressing for an early goal. Darlaston have a set back after just 6 minutes when their No.8 has to hobble off the pitch and take no further part in the proceedings!

Cadbury Athletic press well and are playing with a confidence that underlines their current good form which sees them top of the 2nd Division of the Midland Football League.

Their best first chance falls to their No.10 who I think is Tom Craine, their joint top scorer but his shot is blocked by the visitors keeper. Then their No.2 lets fly with a shot that fly's just over the bar.

Eventually the Cadbury No.9 does score and later on Tom Craine wrong foots the goalkeeper and slots home in to the bottom right-hand corner of the goal, when his team are awarded a penalty.

Darlaston do mount attacks of their own but these are usually snuffed out before they reach the penalty area and the home keeper has competently dealt with anything coming his way.

So Cadbury Athletic are 2 up at the break and are looking comfortable to move forward in to the 3rd Round draw.

At half time I go in to the club house and have a cup of tea and a ham roll. When I walk out a club official points to some steps that lead to a raised area, where the Alvechurch ground will be built. He tells me that I'm welcome to go and have a look but of course there is not much to see yet. 

The fortunes of Alvechurch have been taking an upturn in recent years and that's very good considering they are basically a village team but with a very proud history of course.

FC Darlaston are a club that was only formed in 2017 by 2 former officials of Darlaston Town, Paul Foster and Mark McIntyre. They started off by recruiting mainly local players and then signed up some former 'Town' players the next season and achieved promotion to Division One but this will (hopefully) be their first full season in the top flight, following the covid restrictions of the previous 2 league campaigns. 

The second period commences and it's Cadbury Athletic mainly on top but Darlaston do manage to implement more attacks this time round.

Tom Craine is foiled twice by the visitor's keeper in quick succession and then hits the rebound over the bar in the 59th minute.

   The Chocolate Men miss a great chance to go 3 goals up when their No.12 substitute hardly makes contact with the ball when it's passed invitingly in front of him in front of goal.

One of FC Darlaston's best players, their No.7, hits a shot over the bar after 75 minutes as a reminder that his side still intend to fight all the way.

Cadbury have other ideas and do score the all important 3rd goal soon after when the ball is glanced in at the far post when a cross comes over from the left.  

        (The Cadbury Athletic No.3 almost bends it in like Beckham)

The home side complete their scoring with 8 minutes remaining when their No.9 goes on a good run down the right and scores from close in.

Cadbury Athletic have been well worth their victory today and next week sees them hosting their close rivals and second placed team, Knowle FC. Should be quite a contest. They will be playing here at 'The Hayes' until the end of this season and then hopefully will be able to go back to their ground in Bournville.

FC Darlaston will be trying to resurrect their season as they currently occupy bottom place in their division.

Before I leave the site, I get chatting to a guy called Dougie Griffiths, who turns out to be a director of Alvechurch FC. He's an ex-player and informs me when I tell him I come from Worcester, that he was the deputy manager for 2 seasons when George Rooney was in charge at Worcester City in the 1980's. It turns out he has been involved with several Midland clubs in the past and has plenty of stories to tell.

All in all a good trip and it will be interesting to see the new Alvechurch stadium in the future.

Match Attendance:        60

Entrance Fee:               £4

Programme:                 £1

Entertainment value:  7/10  

 

 

 

WALSALL WOOD 0 - 1 WORCESTER CITY

 

   MIDLAND FOOTBALL LEAGUE, RESERVE DIVISION,

        at the BBG Stadium, Lichfield Road, Walsall Wood, WS9 9NP

                                  13/11/2021   2pm K.O.

My choice of game today, reflects my roots as I have decided to see Worcester City, the place of my birth and see their reserve team playing at Walsall Wood's ground. I had wanted to see their first team play at Romulus 2 weeks ago but my plans came unstuck when I got confused as to where the second bus taking me close to the ground in Castle Vale, was going from. The Traveline West Midlands website had not been clear on that matter and I wasted 20-30 minutes looking for the correct bus stop, so I ended up not going as I would have been late arriving.

This time around I had no such trouble as I have been to Walsall Wood's ground on 2-3 occasions before. The only problem I had was trying to eat all the meal I had ordered at the cafe I used in Walsall town centre. So I had to reluctantly leave half of the chips uneaten and hurry out for my bus at the nearby bus station.

I catch the No.10 bus which 20 minutes later drops me off just in front of the ground. 

It's just a £3 entrance fee today and I forget to ask for a programme but I think there will not be one today.

I just have time to go to the loo and when I get back outside there is a minute's silence for Remembrance Day, with both teams lined up and music provided by some Army cadets I think?

The Walsall Wood team are in their usual strip of all red while Worcester City are in an alternative strip of all green. It's nice to see that the club have a few stewards in attendance and some ball boys are provided from the club's boys teams.

When play starts, defences are mainly on top for the first 10 minutes but 'The Wood' do have 2 corners awarded for their efforts.

The home team are looking the more likely to break the deadlock and the Worcester keeper has to make a save from the Walsall No.10 on the right side of the goal, after 19 minutes. 4 minutes later and the same player makes a good run in to the visitor's box only to be thwarted again by the the keeper.

As the first-half progresses, Worcester get in to the game more and their first real chance comes in the 34th minute with their No.7 having his effort well blocked by The Wood's keeper (as shown below).

  After 36 minutes, City's No.10 hobbles off the pitch after he's made a good showing with his forward play, especially in laying off the ball for his team mates.

Worcester's No.9 then breaks through on goal after 39 minutes but his shot is acrobatically turned over the bar by the Walsall keeper. Their first choice goalkeeper certainly has some competition on that showing!

The end of the first 45 minutes sees the scoreline still goalless with the defences generally on top but it certainly hasn't been dull.

During the interval I have a warming cup of tea and I speak to a guy at the entrance end of the ground who tells me that their first team are playing up the road at Hednesford in a friendly, as they didn't have a fixture today. He also says that he manages the Twitter content for the club.

I ask him if an old guy called Bill Shaw is still connected to the club and he informs me that no, he passed away a few years ago. I tell him that I'd met Bill 2-3 times in the past and he had once kindly got the club to print some of my photos in their programme from The Wood's FA Vase victory at Malvern Town, that we had both attended the week before. He's been remembered by the club as they have named the opposite end of the ground the 'Shaw End'. A nice touch.

In the second half, the play is quite even between both teams and The Wood have a few corners at the end where I'm stood but the City defence stand up to the pressure well.

  Not to be outdone, Worcester's No.11 sees his shot from the left go past the right hand post.

After 92 minutes, Worcester take the lead and I miss the goal except that I just have time to see the ball going in to the right hand corner. I think the ball had not been able to be cleared by the Wood's defence following a corner and I find out later that the goal scorer was Armani Bennett. I think he may have been playing at No.8?

This spurs on the home team to press for an equaliser and in the last minute, a hard cross from the right is tipped over by the Worcester keeper.

The visitor's manage to keep their lead intact and I must admit, a draw may have been a fairer result but I will take the win gladly for sure.

It's been good to visit this ground again as Walsall Wood seem to be a well run and friendly club. Also it's been good to re-acquaint myself with 'The City' as I have to confess it's been a very long time since I saw them in action. It must be 7 years, when I saw their famous FA Cup victory at Coventry City, along with 3,000 other City supporters! A great day which no City fan will ever forget. Let's hope that those days will come again in the not too distant future. I have certainly been impressed with the progress the club have been making both on and off the pitch in recent times and feel that they are going in the right direction, as the fan base is certainly there.

Match Attendance:         Approx, 35-40.

Entrance Fee:                                 £3.

Match Programme:         none available 

Entertainment value:                 7.5/10                      

 

 

EDGBASTON SPARTANS 1 - 1 WELLINGTON AMATEURS DEVELOPMENT

 

   WEST MIDLANDS REGIONAL LEAGUE, DIVISION 2

  TSA Sports Ground, Eckersall Rd, Kings Norton, Birmingham, B38 8SR

                                  06/11/2021      2pm K.O.

I had planned to go to Derby again for a match but a look on my weather app put me off as it indicates rain there this afternoon. Instead I am staying in Birmingham and ticking off my first West Midlands League game for this Blog.

In the four years since I was last here in the West Midlands, there have been many clubs moving over from this league to be incorporated in to the Midlands Football League and I have been wondering what the future holds for this historic competition?

Anyhow I want to go to a game with an earlier kick-off time and so I have plumped for the 2nd Division home game of the splendidly named 'Edgbaston Spartans', who I find play at an old haunt of mine, the TSA Sports Ground, formerly the home of the now defunct Pilkington XXX and then Cadbury Athletic. I used to occasionally take photos for Pilkington for their programme but it looks as if they may have disbanded in 2017.

My journey by train to Kings Norton goes as planned and I give myself enough time to get a snack at a local cafe in nearby Cotteridge before setting off for the 20 minute walk to the ground. I am feeling a bit more optimistic about the weather as the sun has come out now and again this morning.

When I get to the ground, some of the home side players have been limbering up but there don't seem to be many spectators about and there is no-one to take money for the entrance fee. I stand by the goal at the changing room end of the ground and I ask a guy (whose face I saw on the website) if it's OK to take photos? He turns out to be the young Chairman of the club, Giani Ntente and he tells me yes that's fine. He informs me that The Spartans are a very new club (formed in 2020) and so this will be their first full proper season in action.

A bit later, another guy comes over and tells me that the entrance fee is £3 and when I pay up I get a match ticket! I later find out that he is the friend of Giani and co-founder of the club, Dimitros Ampatzidis.

The match starts a bit later than planned, with Edgbaston taking to the field in a red and white strip while Wellington are in blue and white. It looks as if Wellington have mainly young players with a few older hands thrown in.

In the early minutes it's the hosts who start off on the front foot and have several attacks on the Wellington goal but then the visitors start to launch attacks of their own and are the more dominant team in this half.

Their generally younger's players speed is causing The Spartans defence some problems and they take the lead after 18 minutes with a scrappy goal. They have a corner from the right and the Edgaston keeper and one of his fellow defenders get in each others way and the ball drops for Lewington to stab home from close in.

15 minutes later and Wellington break away when they get the ball from a Spartans corner and their No.20 shoots across goal while under pressure from a defender and sees his shot drift just wide of the right hand post.

Half-time arrives with the visitors still a goal to the good and Edgbaston will have to up their game to win this match. Both teams find themselves both near the foot of this division and have plenty to play for in the next 45 minutes.

During the first-half a spectator asks me if I can send him some photos that feature his son, Elliott Hadley and I agree to this. It turns out that he needs some photos for his portfolio as he is looking to take up a sports scholarship at a College in the U.S.A. and he is funding it himself.

When the teams come out for the second period I notice that the weather is not improving and because of the dwindling light levels I give up on taking any more photos for today. Indeed for the last 25 minutes I take shelter in the stand when it starts to rain.

An unfortunate incident takes place after just 6 minutes when the young No.11, Souleiman Adamu I think, for Spartans bursts through the middle on goal to be met by the on-rushing Wellington keeper and comes out 2nd best from the collision and eventually has to hobble off the field. A shame as he looks to be a useful player and I hope he recovers quickly.

This half sees an improvement from The Spartans and it's much more of a contest now.

The home side equalise in the 58th minute when a great through ball sends Eddie Foweather through to slot home. 

It's a very competitive game now with the play switching from end to end.

Both sides go close to scoring again and at one point I think Wellington have got the winner when one of their defenders has a header that seems destined for the right side of the Spartans goal only for it to be cleared. 

In the last few minutes Wellington finish the stronger but cannot get that 2nd goal. It ends 1-1 and I think that's a right result. Edgbaston showed great character to come back strongly and will hope to build on that.

I am glad I came to this game and it's good to see this ground still being used. I find out later that the 'Spartans' part of the club's name is due to the Greek connection as the co-founders Messers, Ntente and Ampatzidis both hail from that country and only started the club in January last year. I would have realised quicker maybe if they had been named something like 'Edgbaston Olympiakos' or AEK Edgbaston !

They are promoting the Greek and Cypriot sporting community and are also busy developing players from different cultural backgrounds. That's good to see and I wish them well in this venture.

Wellington played well and seem to have to some good young talent coming through.

 

Match Attendance:         Approx 30

Entrance Fee:                           £3

Entertainment Level:              7/10 

Match Programme:  None Available     

 

  

 

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

 

KNOWLE 4 - 0 BOLDMERE SPORTS & SOCIAL FALCONS

        MIDLAND FOOTBALL LEAGUE, DIV 2, 09/10/2021

    The Robin's Nest, (Draintech Community Stadium), Hampton Road, 

                                  Knowle, Solihull, B93 0NX 

 It's time for me to fly over to the Robins Nest ground of Div 2, Midland Football League team of Knowle F.C., who are currently riding high in the league table. The first four teams, (Fairfield Villa, Coton Green, Knowle and Cadbury Athletic) are all in very close proximity to each other and there is the prospect of a very exciting title race for this season between them.

I take the short rail journey to Dorridge and then catch the A8 bus to the High Street of Knowle village. Again I am lucky with the weather, with it being cloudy but with plenty of sunny intervals.

I make it in to Knowle village centre and it's a very smart shopping area, much better than some town centres that come to mind. I have a panini and coffee at a local coffee shop and make my way to the ground which is just 5 minutes walk away.

It's a venue I have visited twice before and the third time I have watched Knowle, with every time resulting in a Knowle victory!

 The ground is now called the 'Draintech Community Stadium' no doubt due to a sponsorship deal. I walk in and pay my £3 entry fee that comes with a free programme and it looks to be the last one!

Today's visitors from Boldmere, are in a mid table position (sixth) and I think that Knowle will probably win 3-1 but I'm not known for my accurate predictions. 

I'm a bit put out that I won't be able to take any photos from the end nearest the entrance as there is a mesh fence right across there to stop stray balls going over the hedge and in to a neighbouring property. So I decide to go to the far side of the ground, a few yards away from the small stand (seats for 48 spectators), with the portacabin like club house, close by on the other side and then further along the changing rooms and toilets.

The far end of the pitch is accessible to spectators and the other side has the team dugouts and it's where the car park area is located too (handy for the older spectators on a cold winter's day, as you can get a warmer view from your vehicle).

The 2 teams come out and the home team are resplendent in their usual red shirts, black shorts and socks. Boldmere have to change from their usual red and black stripes, to a mainly dark blue kit with yellow trimmings.

It's Boldmere on the attack for the first few minutes but Knowle hit back quickly and see a header just go over the bar. After 6 mins, the home team take the lead with their No.9, Nathan Corry, taking advantage of a mix up in the Boldmere defence to slot home from close in.

It's mainly 'The Robins' on the offensive after this and 'The Falcons' keeper is definitely the busier of the two.

Coming in to the last 15 minutes of this half, the visitors start to mount some attacks of their own, inspired by their captain Matty Tyler. He is an excellent box to box midfielder who I saw play for one of my then local teams from 5 years ago, Worcester Raiders and was one of their key players at that time in an improving team (seen in action below). 

 However this proves to be a false dawn for Boldmere's hopes as some more sloppy defending on their part, sees Knowle's Charlie Morris score from close in.

Just a minute before half-time sees a slick attacking move by Knowle, from right to left across the pitch sees their No.3, Jay Payne, score goal number 3! Then in injury time, Knowle's George Seeley screws his shot just wide when he should have scored.

So Knowle are 3 goals to the good at the interval and have been the sharper team, with a good pressing game, helping to force mistakes from the visitors.

During half-time a man called Ronald Crane comes over to me and introduces himself and asks if I can provide some photos for the club's Facebook page. Of course I'm happy to oblige and he is the guy who writes the match reports for the programme, which turns out to be a good informative read.

The first team's last match turned out to be a closely fought 1-1 draw with 4th placed Cadbury Athletic and also there is a match report on the Ladies team's FA Cup victory over the higher ranked Coundon Court Ladies from Coventry.

It's good to see the club doing well and Knowle go close to scoring again after just 5 minutes of play in the 2nd half when one of their attackers beats the Boldmere keeper to the ball finds the angle too acute to score from.

Another good attempt in the 78th minute sees a Knowle player spotting the visitor's keeper some way off his line and his attempted lob sails just over the bar.

Yet another defensive mix up by Boldmere sees the ball go to a Boldmere substitute, Kaine Williams, who takes it past the keeper and strokes it in to an empty net.

An emphatic victory to The Robins who have certainly clipped the wings of The Falcons, who will have to work on their defensive short comings if they want to improve their season.

Knowle are looking likely title contenders and indeed with today's result and results elsewhere, they leapfrog on goal difference over former leaders Fairfield Villa in to top spot!

It's interesting to read in the programme that Knowle are looking to move to another nearby site that will enable them to have on site training facilities and an all-weather playing surface too.

I have enjoyed my visit today, pleased with keeping my 100% viewing, winning record for Knowle FC.

I make the short walk in to the High Street and while waiting for the bus I take a photo of the church and village sign across the road.

Match attendance          51

Entrance fee                 £3

Programme                Free

Match entertainment  7/10

 

  

  

SUTTON COLDFIELD TOWN LADIES 2 - 0 REDDITCH UNITED LADIES

                    Women's FA Cup, 2nd Qualifying Round,

         The Central Ground, Coles Lane, Sutton Coldfield, B72 1NL  03/10/2021 

                                   

This weekend I have decided not to go to any games on Saturday as the weather forecast is pretty dismal and I notice that it's the Women's FA Cup being played on Sunday. I have a look at the fixtures and decide to go to Coles Lane, for the Sutton Coldfield v Redditch United game at 2pm.

I get the train to Sutton Colfield, have a snack and a coffee and a quick look around the Gracechurch Shopping Centre and walk for 20 minutes to get to the ground.

I'm greeted by a friendly lady in a blue tracksuit and I pay my £3 entrance fee. Later on I think she may be the manager? 

The forecast is sunny with showers for the first part of the match and I have gone to stand at the far end of the ground by the side of the goal to keep out of the direct sunlight and under some shelter.

The teams come out with Sutton in an all royal blue strip and Redditch in all red. As soon as the game kicks off, the rain decides to start falling!

 Sutton Coldfield hit the match running and take the lead after just 2 minutes. The ball is lobbed over from the right and their No.14 heads home.

The same girl scores a second but I must confess to not seeing it as I had been checking some previous shots on my camera.

Sutton are quicker to the ball and in speed of thought and I am beginning to fear that they will be totting up a cricket score at this rate but Redditch do gradually get more in to the game and they have a few attacks of their own down the left.

They don't trouble the home goal keeper while the Redditch keeper has had to save several shots in this half although most have been straight at her.

So it's half-time with Sutton two goals to the good and Redditch will be looking to get an early, confidence boosting goal in the next 45 minutes.

Both teams are in the West Midlands Regional League, Premier Division and I have noticed the difference in class between this level and the first 2 levels of the Women's football pyramid which I have watched in the past.

The weather is mainly still rain and sometimes it's heavy too.

'The Royals' of Sutton Coldfield are attacking towards me now and they are pressing from the off again.

After 55 minutes, there is a nasty collision between the Sutton No.10 who bravely goes to head the ball with the Redditch keeper rushing out. They both collapse to the floor but fortunately they are just winded rather than injured and are able to resume after about 2 minutes.

After 62 minutes, Redditch have their best attack of the match when they have a shot turned away by the home keeper for a corner.

They have a few attacking forays down the left but it's still The Royals looking the most likely to score. I am impressed with their No.19 who seems to be their driving force from midfield (shown in action in the photo below). 

As you can see, the playing conditions got a bit too unpleasant at times but luckily the real downpours didn't last too long.

Near the end, The Royals twice go close to scoring again, once from a corner and another from a shot going just the wrong side of the post, from the right hand side.

The full-time whistle blows soon after and it's Sutton Coldfield's name that will go in to the draw for the next round.

I have enjoyed the match, much more so in the 2nd half as I got used to the style of play and admired the ladies efforts in the trying conditions. I will see if I can get in another women's match before the end of  this season.

Match Attendance:        70

Entrance fee:               £3

Entertainment value     6/10

Match Programme        None available