HAUGHMOND 0 - 1 WORCESTER CITY

 

    MIDLAND FOOTBALL LEAGUE, PREMIER DIVISION

      Shrewsbury Sports Village, Sundorne Road, Shrewsbury, SY1 4RQ 

                     23rd April 2022           3:00 pm  Kick-Off

Today I am travelling west to the old Shropshire town of Shrewsbury as I want to see my home town club of Worcester City play in their last game of the season at relegation threatened Haughmond F.C.

It will be a new ground for me too and a bonus is that I have wanted to re-visit Shrewsbury for many years after looking around the town for just a couple of hours one day on a family holiday. It looked an historical and interesting town.

When I make an early start by train from Birmingham, the weather is not very promising, with a cool northerly breeze and it's cloudy too. The forecast is promising for this afternoon though, with an increasing chance of sunny intervals.

I arrive in Shrewsbury at about 10:15 am and my first port of call is the town's Museum & Art Gallery, in the Town Square. There is an imposing statue of Robert Clive (of India fame) who helped bring that sub-continent under British rule.

          (View of the Town Square behind the Robert Clive statue)

After a quick visit to the Museum I have a stroll along the nearby River Severn, go to a small gallery where there is an exhibition of British cartoons, from publications like 'Punch', 'Private Eye' etc which are very witty, enjoy the architecture in the town and have lunch in a cafe before catching the No.24 bus that takes me close to the Shrewsbury Sports Village on the edge of the town.

Haughmond FC were formed in 1980 and their name comes from a nearby hill that lies just east of their current ground. They have had a bad season this time around and in their last game at home to basement club Bewdley Town, lost 0-1 and swapped places and now need a win today to escape relegation. Worcester City on the other hand are guaranteed 4th place and don't have so much to play for.

I walk through the car park in to the front of the building and come across the cafe where I have time to buy a cup of tea before walking out and down the steps where the football pitch lies. Wire fencing encloses the whole pitch and I walk to the nearby corner of it where the entrance gate is, pay my entrance fee and buy a club badge too. Spectators are able to access 3 sides of the ground while the eastern side houses the team dug-outs. There is a grass pitch with a covered stand with seating on the western side, with another smaller stand, that looks like a bus shelter further down that side. It's certainly an impressive facility for the local community as their are plenty of other football pitches too.

            (View of the ground from the southern end of the pitch)

I just have enough time to get settled in a spot between the Sports Club house and the main stand before the teams come out on to the pitch. Haughmond are in their home colours of white shirts, black shorts & red socks while 'The City' are in their away strip of yellow shirts (with diagonal white and blue stripes, blue shorts & socks. 

There is a strong wind today which seems to be blowing across from the east. It will be testing conditions for both teams.

Worcester were pressing the most at first but Haughmond looked dangerous on the break, their No.7 going on some good runs down the left and their captain at No.10 looking pretty useful too.

City's No.14 has a shot saved and then Muirhead in the 25th minute has a good effort from the right turned away by the outstretched right hand of the Haughmond keeper, Sam Jones. Great save!

5 minutes later and Haughmond go close with a shot from the left that goes just the wrong side of the right hand post.

            (Midfield action with Haughmond Hill in the background)

Just before the break, the ball is played in from the right for the City No.6 but Jones saves his shot from close in.

It's a scrappy game and the ball is not played on the ground enough for the play to flow well.

So the first 45 minutes ends in a stalemate and it looks as if it can end in a scoreless draw today which will not benefit Haughmond of course. At times their approach play is good but with no end result and according to a local supporter that I talked to, it was the reason they lost to Bewdley last week, after largely dominating the game for long periods.

It's good to see that there are about 20-25 City supporters at this game and another photographer is in their ranks too.

For the second half I go to the far end which Worcester will be attacking and get talking to 2 of the supporters. One has managed to see all their games this season and that's dedication for you!

Worcester start off well and their No.11 goes on a run down the middle but shoots well over the bar.

On the hour, the Haughmond No.16 is played in but his shot is well saved by City keeper, Adam Harrison.

3 minutes later and a Worcester player (Muirhead I think) swivels round on the edge of the area but drags his shot wide of the right hand post.

Like the first half, the game is still generally scrappy and a goal does not look likely.

I get to talking to the photographer I'd noticed earlier and it turns out he goes to plenty of the City's games and gets his photos posted on the website. I tell him that I go to different grounds in the West Midlands and let him know about my Blog too.

In injury time, a miracle happens and Worcester score! It happens when Haughmond desperately pile everyone in to attack and City substitute, Fortune Maphosa gets the ball, goes down the pitch, draws out the home keeper and passes to his left where Ben Tilbury is waiting to put the ball in to the unguarded net.    

 It's rough justice on Haughmond who have at least been equal to Worcester City in an unmemorable match.

The Worcester players led by captain, Craig Jones, come down the pitch to applaud and show their appreciation to the travelling City supporters and this is reciprocated in turn by the City faithful.

Although the game itself has been disappointing today, I'm glad to have seen City's first team again after a huge gap of 8 years! Plus I have got to view the historic town of Shrewsbury again and bagged a new ground too.

I hope Haughmond regroup next term and have a good shot at promotion back to the Premier Division. Worcester City on the other hand will be looking to improve on their good season next time around and maybe get promotion?

Match Attendance:         121

Entrance Fee:                 £5 (£3 concession)

Match Programme:         None available

Match Entertainment:     6/10     

    

NORTON CANES 2 - 1 SIKH HUNTERS DEVELOPMENT

 

 WEST MIDLANDS REGIONAL LEAGUE, DIVISION TWO

           Pride Park, Hazel Lane, Great Wyrley, Walsall, WS6 6DL

                            16th April 2022,   3:00 Kick-Off

I was looking to go to a new ground this week and I decided that the Pride Park ground of Wolverhampton Sporting FC would be a good one. Earlier in the season I had intended to see this club play against the runaway leaders of the MFL Div One, Atherstone Town but that fell through for a reason I can't recall now.

Wolves Sporting are not at home today, so it's a good opportunity to see a new team as well, in the shape of Norton Canes, who are playing their first season in the West Midlands Regional League and ground share at Pride Park.  They were formed in 2001 and had previously been playing in the Birmingham & District League. Norton Canes is a nearby former mining village, located in the old and now defunct Cannock coal field.

Again like last week the forecast is a good one and I make my way to Walsall by train, have time to look in a few shops and then have a fish & chips at the local Tesco Cafe. I then take the train again to Landywood, which is just 3 stops away and it's just a 15-20 minutes walk to Hazel Lane where Pride Park is located.   

I am greeted just outside the entrance by the father of Ryan Horton, who is the Secretary and 1st Team Manager too. I had emailed Ryan on Thursday about my impending trip and he said I was most welcome to come and take photos for my Blog and that I could watch the match for free! A very nice gesture. Ryan had briefed his father so he let me straight through.

Pride Park is certainly a nice little ground, with a Club House and bar upstairs in the building behind the nearest end of the pitch. Underneath are the changing rooms. Either side of the club house are 2 stands for seated spectators, with the one nearest the entrance having benched seating and the other having individual seating. Both at a guess have room for 100 spectators each.

On the northern side of the grass pitch is located another covered area for standing spectators and the opposite side are the team dugouts. There is hard standing and railing on all sides.

After buying a cup of tea from the friendly bar maid upstairs I make my way to the pitch side to get settled and ready for the match. 

The 2 teams duly come out on to the pitch, with both in their first team colours. Norton Canes in orange shirts, blue shorts & socks while 'The Hunters' are in their all royal blue kit.

The Ref seems to start the match about 3 minutes early and it's the visitors who go closest to opening the scoring in the 7th minute when they attack down the right and have a shot that goes across the goal and wide of the left hand post.

Norton Canes look the more dangerous team after this and take the lead after 15 minutes. They are awarded a corner on the right and their No.8 delivers a great cross for their giant No.5, Brad Grice, to nod home at the far post. I think he probably scores a few goals at set pieces!

A good start for the home side and they nearly double their lead a few minutes later, when their No.10, Keenan Powell, is put through but sees his shot blocked by the keeper's legs.

A bit later, the Sikh Hunters keeper seems to get upset by the Ref and has to be told to calm down by the Hunter's No.4 and Captain. He gets booked for this but does not cause any more trouble afterwards.

The visitors go close to equalising when their No.14 hits a post with his shot and then the same player, from a good position in the 40th minute has a shot saved, as it was not hit with enough power.

Just before the interval, Keenan Powell of Norton Canes has a another shot blocked by the keeper's legs but they deserve their lead as they have generally looked the more dangerous side so far.  

The weather is holding up although there are cloudy intervals since the game kicked off.

The second period commences with the home team on the offensive. Their No.2, Sheldon Malcolm, goes on a good run down the left and crosses for one of his team mates to head wide of the right hand post.

Sikh Hunters get back in to the game in the 59th minute when their No.10 comes in from the left to slot home a shot for the equalising goal.

Their lead barely lasts a minute however as Norton Canes re-take the lead with their next attack. 

It's their No.2 who again goes down the left to pass inside for striker, Keenan Powell, to shoot home. 

                 (The build up for Norton Cane's second goal)

That's a good come back from Norton Canes. There is a funny but hairy incident later on when the under pressure No.3 for Sikh Hunters turns to pass back to his keeper but gets it wrong and sees his pass gently hit the right hand post and in to the keeper's grateful arms.

There is still time for the home sides No.11 to go close for goal number 3 after they attack down the right.

So a win for Norton Canes as they look to finish their inaugural season in this league on a high. They also have a Div 2, League Cup semi-final to look forward to too.

Sikh Hunters have contributed to a good contest and it's certainly been a clean game with not many histrionic episodes from the players, which makes a nice change.

When I am leaving the ground, I see one of the guys who have been doing some repair/building work on the entrance side of the ground. I tell him 'I hope they are paying you well?' He replies by telling me ' Pay me, I own the place! then proceeds to tell me that he and his fellow helpers are trying to rectify the damage incurred when Virgin had installed one of their cables in the road just outside. It had badly affected the drainage and as a consequence the car park area has been badly affected by flooding since then. Also Virgin had graciously declined to pay any money towards the repair costs. I'm sure that would break Mr. Branson's bank account.    

I hope the work goes well as the game needs clubs like Wolverhampton Sporting and Norton Canes at the grass roots end of the game! 


Match Attendance:      20

Entrance Fee:             none today 

Match programme:     none available 

Entertainment Value:  7.5/10
 

COVENTRY ALVIS 2 - 2 COTON GREEN

 

      MIDLAND FOOTBALL LEAGUE, DIVISION TWO

    Alvis Sports & Social Club, Green Lane, Finham, Coventry CV3 6EG

                           9th April 2022,   3:00 Kick-Off

Today I have decided to watch the match that will determine if Coton Green will finish second in the MFL Div 2 as Cadbury Athletic have already secured top spot this season. Cadbury have opted out of promotion so Coton Green will be promoted in their stead if they get at least one point from their final game today at Coventry Alvis.

Their nearest rivals, Knowle FC are away to Barnt Green Spartak and need to win to have a chance of finishing second. This will be my first visit to this ground and I am looking forward to my trip as the weather forecast is good and it's not too far to travel.

I get to Coventry at midday and when I go for the way out at the station I end up in the new extension, which has finally been completed and it's very smart, with the exit leading out to the bus stops and the other way leads to the car parking area.

I walk out to the front of the station where there is a Tourist Information booth and pick up some leaflets about forthcoming events in this city.

I then walk to the City Centre and make my way to a cafe at the side of Coventry Market where they sell some reasonably priced meals and have my lunch there. It's popular with the locals as there is only one free table left.

As I don't have much time to have a look around I just go to a shop where they sell used electrical goods and have a look at what camera gear is for sale. Then it's back to the train station and I go to the side in Warwick Road to catch the No.9 bus to Finham where the ground is located.

15 minutes later and I have arrived in Green Lane and I find that Finham is a quiet southern suburb of the south of this city and the ground is set in a semi-rural location with houses to the north and fields lying to the south of the ground.

I soon find the sports club entrance and wander through. To my left is where the cricket pitch is situated but as the local season has not yet started, there are 3 football pitches marked out instead in this area. The road curves round to the clubhouse and to the right hand side of this can be found the car parking area. 

On the other side of the clubhouse is the entrance to the main pitch.

  I pay my entrance fee at the table and buy a club badge too (£3.50p) and have a quick chat with 2 friendly club officials, including the Chairman Don Corrigan.

I then make my way over to the far (southerly) side of the ground, where the team dugouts are located and also there are 2 stands, one with seating for 50 spectators and a larger one with just standing room only. It's a neat little ground, with floodlights, hard standing and railings on 3 sides, with the one end having just a wire fence behind the goal.

The teams come out in both their first team colours, Alvis in light blue shirts, dark blue shorts and light blue socks, while the visitors are in all red with white trimmings.

The early exchanges are pretty even and the first real chance comes Coton Green's way, when their No.9 has a shot blocked by the keeper and it falls to the Green's No.10 Chris Lloyd but he is off balance with his attempt, his shot bounces in to the ground and hits the bar and out of play.

An early goal would have relaxed any nerves that they may have been feeling I'm sure.

It's by no means a one-sided contest but 'The Green Army' are looking the more likely to score, although they miss a good chance after 27 minutes when Chris Lloyd cuts the ball back from the bye-line but the Coton No.11 fluffs his attempted shot in front of goal.

Alvis show they are still dangerous when they quickly break down the left and their forward shoots across the visitor's goal and just wide of the far post. A few minutes later and Coton's No.11 has a close range shot smothered by the advancing Alvis keeper.

Just when I think that this half will end goalless Coton score with a header by their No.3, Joseph Smith, who dives low to connect with the ball.

     (Joseph Smith , 2nd left, being congratulated by his team mates)
   

So it's 1-0 to the promotion chasers and on the balance of play it's a deserved reward for their efforts so far.

Coventry Alvis were founded in 1928 as the works team of the Alvis Car & Engineering Company and amongst it's products, they produced military vehicles, including tanks, hence the club's nickname of 'The Tank Men'. They played in various local leagues in the Coventry area and had good success in the Coventry Alliance before moving up to the Midland Combination and then the Midland Football League when it was formed in 2014.

So it will be interesting to see if Coton Green can build on their slender lead in the second half or will the 'Tank Men' of Alvis be able to give them a battle?

After 50 minutes, Coton Green threaten the home goal again but are thwarted by a tackle from the Alvis No.2 close to his goal. 10 minutes later and Coventry Alvis are back in the game when following a throw in from the left, they score with a shot from their No.10 I think. It's not that surprising as they seem to be a bit more lively after the interval.

Coton Green go close again on the hour mark when a looping shot hits the bar on it's way over and then Alvis sees their No.2 have a shot saved after being played in from the right.

It's the Green Army who score next when their captain Joseph Smith breaks through the middle to stroke the ball home for his and his team's 2nd goal. That's the captain leading by example!

Alvis are not going down without a fight and after 76 minutes their No.16 hits in a great shot for the equaliser following an attack down the left flank.

Coton Green go close again when the Alvis keeper has to make a good save at the feet of one of their forwards but the game finishes in a 2-2 draw which satisfies both sides.

'The Green Army' will now be playing in the MFL First Division next season and it will interesting to see how quickly they can settle in at this higher level. Coventry Alvis on the other hand are looking to end the season in a creditable 8th place and they still have the Coventry Charity Cup to go for after their great 3-0 win over MFL Div One side Coventry Copsewood in the quarter-final.

Before I leave the ground I go in to the toilet and I hear the Coton Green players loudly singing 'We're going up. we're going up...etc' in the adjacent changing room.

Entrance Fee:              £4

Match Attendance:       45

Match Programme:      none available

Entertainment Value:   8/10 

  

CHASETOWN 3 - 0 CAMBRIDGE CITY

 

  NORTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE, MIDLANDS DIVISION

         The Scholars Ground, Church Street, Burntwood, WS7 3QL 

                     26th March, 2022         3:00 Kick-Off

Today I am going to watch a team that have been doing very well this season in the NPL, Midlands Division, namely Chasetown FC, who are based in the Chasetown village found in the town of Burntwood in Staffordshire. It's an old mining area and is the main reason of the growth of the town. I have been to their ground twice before in the past and had very much enjoyed the football on display there, seeing 10 goals being scored altogether in the process.

They are currently in second place in the table and a win today will guarantee them a place in the play-offs at least but I'm sure they are looking to capture top spot from the grasp of current top dogs, Ilkeston Town, who are there just on goal difference.

The forecast is excellent today, sunny with a temperature of 18 degrees C.

I make my way by train to Walsall yet again and this time I give myself enough time to have a quick look around the Walsall Art Gallery. They have permanent exhibits here and there is a display too by a little known British artist called Yasmin David which is quite good. She died about 14 years ago and her daughter has organised this show of her work.

It's good to have a bit of culture now and again and then I have a meal at the local Tesco Cafe. It's good but I wish the portions had been bigger. Then it's off to the nearby bus station where I catch the No.8 bus which is going to Lichfield eventually. On the way we go through Pelsall and the former ground of Pelsall Villa can be seen, with the floodlights still intact but with an overgrown pitch. A sad sight indeed and it makes me wish I had visited it in the past. I know that the club had been going downhill both on and off the pitch for sometime.

After a journey of 40 minutes, we make it in to Chasetown and there are already a steady line of fans making their way to the nearby ground. There should be a good crowd today.

When I get in to the ground and enquiring about match programmes, I'm told by a steward that they are only available online. Not what I wanted to hear but maybe a sign of the times?

The Scholars Ground, is quite a homely affair, with the main stand, club house and changing room complex on the entrance side of the ground. At the east end of the pitch is where a tea/burger bar can be found and there is another small seated stand with an electric scoreboard in the corner nearby.

I have opted to go to the southern side of the stadium where there is a long covered area for standing spectators and place myself a few yards along from it. At the western end of the pitch another small seated stand is located to the right of the goal.

The teams come out on to the field with the home team in their usual all blue kit with red and blue trimmings while Cambridge are in white shirts and black shorts and socks.  

Chasetown certainly start the match with attacking intent and go close in the first minute with a shot from the right that goes just wide. Their pressure pays off with in the 21st minute when their No.9, Joey Butlin, has an effort saved by the visitor's keeper but Chasetown's No.10 and captain, Danny O'Callaghan fires in the loose ball at the right hand post.

In their very next attack though Cambridge go close to scoring themselves when their No.10 has a shot that goes just the wrong side of the left hand post.

Chasetown are generally on top most of the time but Cambridge sometimes look dangerous on the break.

  One feature of this match I notice is that the Chasetown keeper, Curtis Pond, is adept at launching goal kicks that reach deep into the opposition's half of the pitch. This nearly pays off when from one of his kicks it falls to his team mate and No.7, Luke Mc.Ginnell , on the right and he's not closely marked and manages to get close to the Cambridge goal but his resulting shot is a weak affair and is easily saved. 

In the last minute, keeper Danny George, makes a brilliant save to deny Chasetown's leading scorer, Jack Langston, when the ball falls to him following a free kick on the left.

It's a good start for 'The Scholars' and they will be looking to wrap this game up in the second period, while Cambridge are still in the match and will be looking to spoil the party.

As a bit of background information, the Chasetown FC nickname 'The Scholars' dates back to the founding of the club back in 1954, when associates of the Chase Terrace High School formed a youth team, calling themselves, Chase Terrace Old Scholars. They later progressed to adult football and moved up to the Staffordshire County League and then the West Midlands League, becoming known as Chasetown FC in 1972.

They then later moved on up through the Midland Alliance, the Southern and then Northern Premier Leagues. Their most famous cup exploit to date was in the 2007-8 season when they beat Football League side Port Vale after a replay and reached the 3rd Round, where they lost to Championship side Cardiff City 1-3 in front of 2,420 supporters!

It's more of the same in the second-half, with the home side looking the more dangerous side and in the 55th minute from an attack down the right, Liam Kirton has a shot and the unfortunate Cambridge defender, Yan Nantini-Ofusu, gets in a tangle while trying to clear the ball but instead bundles the ball and himself in to the net.

Three minutes later and the match as a contest is effectively over when Jack Langston heads home from Butlin's cross.

City though are still looking to get a goal and are presented with a great chance to do so, when they are awarded a penalty but Pond is able to get down and save this effort by his right-hand post.

When he kicks the ball downfield following his save, the ball travels all the way to the City keeper who manages to catch the bouncing ball just underneath the cross-bar!

Chasetown manage to see the game through for what's turned out to be an easy victory.

Over the tannoy system, it's announced that The Scholars are now at least going to be involved in the end of season play-offs and then incorrectly says that they have also gone top of the table. At the time he probably hadn't heard that Ilkeston had managed to score in the last minute of their home game v Yaxley (1-0). 

It's been a good game to watch and it keeps my 100% record of watching Chasetown win at home.

Entrance fee                 £9  (£6 concession)

Match attendance          905

Match programme         free (online)

Entertainment value      7.5/10

  

OLD WULFRUNIANS 0 - 2 GORNAL ATHLETIC

 

 WEST MIDLANDS REGIONAL LEAGUE, DIVISION ONE

                LEAGUE CUP, QUARTER-FINAL 

        CKW Stadium, Castlecroft Road, Wolverhampton, WV3 8LU

                     19th March, 2022       3:00 pm Kick-Off

I'm heading to Wolverhampton today, to the leafy suburb of Castlecroft in fact to see some Cup action, between the hosts of Old Wulfrunians against the Division One leaders of the West Midlands League, Gornal Athletic.

'The Old Wulfs' play at the same ground as their senior club of 'AFC' who play in the Midland Premier. I have visited there twice before but I decided it was time I watched some West Midland League teams again.

The forecast is good and I make it to Wolverhampton OK by train (10 mins late) and I wander over to the Molineux Stadium, home of course to the Premiership team of Wolverhampton Wanderers. To get over to the other side of the road I first have to go through the 'Molineux Subway' which has pictures of key dates in the club's illustrious past on the walls. One I definitely remember is from 1974, when Wolves beat my favourite Football League team, Manchester City, by a score of 2-1 in the League Cup final. The photo shows the then captain, Mike Bailey holding the trophy.

I wonder if the club will be winning any more silverware in the next few years?

I then walk down to the Art Gallery which has now fully re-opened after refurbishment. It's good to see again some of their permanent collection but the featured exhibition is not worth bothering with. I don't have a clue what it's about and I don't really want to know either.

Before I go I have a breakfast in the new cafe, which is a very pleasant space to have a meal, although a bit expensive.

I catch the No.3 bus, just across the road to the Gallery and the 20 minute journey takes me close to the ground. There are several sports grounds in close proximity here, as can be seen from the photo.

This also includes the football pitches of the Old Wulfrunians club, including that of their 2nd team, who play in the Premier Division of the Birmingham & District League. They are playing there today against league leaders, CPA. One to visit in the future.

I take the short walk to the CKW Stadium, with it's impressive stand. It was originally built as a training ground facility for the England rugby team, hence the red rose emblem to be seen on the side of the stand.

I pay my entrance fee and the guy who is taking the money turns out to be the Chairman/Secretary, Simon Marsh. I then proceed to the other end of the stand, as I know that up the stairs is the bar area. I get myself a cup of tea there and I'm able to buy an AFC Wulfrunians badge too. 

The teams come out on to the field in their respective first team colours; the hosts in red & white halved shirts, black shorts and red socks, while Gornal are in yellow shirts, green shorts and socks. This makes for a colourful spectacle on a sunny day like today. Gornal must be the hot favourites but only beat their hosts by one goal in the league game at their own ground.

Gornal certainly mean business when play starts, they are constantly pressing Wulfrunians and go ahead after 4 minutes, when a shot is desperately clawed out from underneath the bar by the home keeper only for it to fall to Gornal's No.9, Sam Oakley, to shoot home.

      (Every picture tells a story, as Gornal Athletic celebrate scoring)

This sets the trend for the next 15 minutes as Gornal take control and are constantly threatening the Wulfrunians goal. Their No.10 shoots just wide in the 7th minute and in another attack 5 minutes later, a shot hits the left hand post and out.

At one point, I can hear the home sides No.2 telling his team mates that they are giving their opponents too much space and to tighten things up.

They do start to make attacks of their own from 20 minutes on but find the Gornal defence a tough nut to crack.

It looks as if there will be just one goal in this first half but then Gornal score again after 43 minutes and it's Sam Oakley who gets his and his sides second goal.

 The Old Wulfs keeper has come out too far from his goal and his defenders looked as if they expected Oakley to be adjudged to be in an offside position.

So the first 45 minutes ends with the league leaders firmly in control and look to heading for the semi-finals.

I have been talking to a guy just before half time, who is wearing a Wolves jacket but with a Gornal Athletic scarf and Bayern Munich beanie hat! He's called Malcolm and is a life long Wolves fan, who has visited plenty of Non-League grounds too with plenty of local football information.

The second period starts and the home side are looking more lively now. They twice go close in the first 11 minutes and makes me think that they might just get something from this game after all.

 Gornal Athletic are still dangerous though and in one attack one of their players lobs the keeper, only to see the ball hit the bar, bounce down on the line and out again.

So the game ends with a 0-2 victory for Gornal Athletic, who now no doubt will be looking to get a League & Cup double this season.

Old Wulfrunians, although having a poor first-half showed a marked improvement in the second and can take heart from this and will be trying to improve their currently low league position. I later find out that their 2nd team managed to get a creditable 1-1 draw against CPA in their Birmingham League game. 

Next season will mark their 100th anniversary and I hope it will be a special one for them. 

Match attendance:                32

Entrance fee:                       £4

Match programme:               none available

Entertainment value:            6.5/10

 

  

 

HAMPTON 0 - 4 COTON GREEN

 

      MIDLAND FOOTBALL LEAGUE, DIVISION TWO

     The Boggery, Hampton Sports Club, Field Lane, Solihull, B94 5DX

                      12th March, 2022      3:00 Kick-Off

Well my trip today is definitely a case of lastminute.com as my first plan was to visit the ground of West Midlands League club, Sikh Hunters who play at Long Lane Park north of Walsall.

Unfortunately when I was checking out the bus times late on Friday, I found out that because of road works taking place at Perry Bar, it was affecting the journey times. So I decided to go elsewhere and then later on 'The Hunters' secretary kindly informed me that the game was called off anyway due to a waterlogged pitch.

In the end Iv'e decided to keep things simple and pop down the road to nearby Solihull and visit Hampton for their clash v 2nd placed Coton Green who I have never watched before.

When I get in to Solihull on a fine but still cool day, I see that there is a street market with plenty of food stalls of varying cuisines. In the end I plump for a light meal in the cafe of the local Theatre and then get some cheese cake from one of the stalls in the market.

I get the X 12 bus from the town centre (15 minutes late) and walk in to the ground with 10 minutes to spare. When I go in to the club house, there are definitely more people here than when I last visited in January, which is good to see.

After using the toilet I go outside and pay my entrance fee and go to the left hand side of the pitch. I get talking to a lone spectator there and he says he's seen me before, probably at nearby Knowle FC last autumn. During our short conversation he tells me that the probable champions of this division,Cadbury Athletic, haved declined promotion so that gives Coton Green a big incentive to make sure of a 2nd place finish. 

The teams come out on the field with Hampton decked out in their usual home kit of red & white striped shirts, black shorts and red & white socks. Coton Green are in their 2nd strip of mint green shirts, blue shorts and socks.

As Coton Green (who come from that district in Tamworth) are doing so well this season, I predict an away win of at least 0-2. 

The first half sees Hampton doing well and trouble the visitor's defence on several occasions but Coton Green look dangerous on the break.

    I'm beginning to wonder if Hampton can spring a surprise like the last time I watched them when they won their local derby v near neighbours Knowle FC ?

For the last 20 minutes of this half, Coton begin to dominate the play and force a series of corners but the hosts manage to keep them out. 

Their defence finally cracks in the 41st minute when Coton's No.10, Harry Howard, goes on a mazy run through the middle before poking the ball past the advancing Hampton keeper, Mark Allely. 

It's a fine goal to break the deadlock and Howard is rightly ecstatic in his celebrations, especially as it's his debut appearance for the 'Green Army'! 

On the stroke of half time, Howard volleys the ball at the far post from a corner on the left but Charlie Noakes is credited with the goal as he's adjudged to have had the final touch before the ball crosses the line.

So the visitors at half time find themselves in the driving seat and it's going to take a big effort for Hampton to get back in this game, especially as they have a general difficulty in scoring many goals this season.

When play resumes, Coton Green are very much on top and determined to ensure they win today.

In the 52nd minute they surely put this game to bed when their No.3, Jay Payne, goes down the left wing and cuts the ball back inside for the skipper, Corey Powell to shoot home. Another fine goal for the visitor's.

          (Jay Payne on his way to passing the ball for the 3rd goal)

Mr. Payne is involved again with the 4th goal for 'The Green Army' as his assist enables their No.11, Chris Lloyd to place the ball in to the right hand corner of the net just 3 minutes later.

This purple patch just before and just after half time has produced 4 goals and their captain is urging them to score more.

Hampton to their credit do get more in to the game and go close with efforts in the 71st and 78th minutes.

Hampton are unable to breach the visitor's defence though and Coton Green come away with a comfortable win, which strengthens their position as their nearest rivals, Knowle, have drawn today at leaders Cadbury Athletic. This puts Coton Green six points ahead of them and 3 points behind Cadbury but having played 2 games more.

Hampton are now in 12th place just 4 points ahead of the basement boys of Bolehall Swifts but I think they should be safe of relegation, if they could only score more goals!

They have a nice ground at Field Lane and I wonder if they are looking to install some floodlights in the future?

Match attendance:         76

Entrance fee:                 £3 

Match programme:        none available

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