BROMYARD TOWN 3 - 3 DROITWICH SPA ( 9-8 penalties )

      WEST MIDLANDS REGIONAL LEAGUE, DIV ONE

                           LEAGUE CUP FINAL

       Bilbrook Juniors FC, Pendeford Lane, Wolverhampton WV9 5HQ 

                21st May, 2022         3:15 pm   Kick Off  (delayed)

Originally I had pencilled in to watch the Birmingham FA Vase Final today between Cadbury Athletic and Tipton Town at the Birmingham County FA headquarters at Ray Hall Lane. This choice was derailed due to the excitement of the ongoing achievements of Droitwich Spa, a team that was local to me when I was still living in my home city of Worcester a few years back. I occasionally took photos of their team, having them published on my previous blog, on their website and in the local newspapers. This week they were crowned champions of the West Midlands League, 1st Division and are now chasing a league and cup double in the League Cup final at Bilbrook's ground in Wolverhampton. 

When I set out from Birmingham on the train, the weather forecast is very promising, it's going to be mainly sunny with temperatures about 18-19 degrees centigrade.

When I get to Wolverhampton I decide to have a quick look around the Art Gallery and I find out that they have an exhibition of photographs and memorabilia of well known musical groups and artists from the region, (such as Slade, Robert Plant, Beverley Knight, The Wonderstuff etc)  called 'Black Country Beats'. It also highlights the different multi-cultural music artists from the area, who are well known in the Reggae and Bhangra genres of music. 

      (Singer Robert Plant at Molyneux for a charity penalty shoot-out)

                      (The soul singer Beverley Knight in action)

I then get a good value meal at little restaurant called 'Nutmeg', (even that name has a football connection) and then hop on to the No.3 bus bound for the Fordhouses district where the ground is located. 20 minutes later I get off the bus and make the short walk to the ground along a footpath that leads in to Pendeford Lane and soon I am turning in to to the car park with the ground to the right of it.

  This ground is home to the West Midlands League Div 2 outfit, Bilbrook Santos FC and the pitch looks to have a decent playing surface. On the left hand side of the car park are some mini-pitches, while on the other side of the car park, beyond the main pitch is another full sized pitch but lying sideways on.

The club house/changing room complex lies at the top of the main pitch and the main road is beyond that, while on the other side of this road is located the huge Jaguar-Land Rover Engine Manufacturing complex.

There is a rail surrounding the main pitch with the team dugouts on the side facing the club house. There are floodlights with a small covered shelter for spectators on the dugout side in the corner.

I have a half pint of Strongbow to quench my thirst and when I wander outside I meet up with some of the Droitwich Spa's faithful followers, who have been in action at a Wetherspoon's in town on their way here (but not too worse the wear for it).

We find out that there is some kind of delay and so the match will start at 3:15 pm instead. This also means that if the scores are still level at full-time then it will go straight to penalties, as they will be having another function here at 6:00 pm.

I go to the shelter with some of the Droitwich supporters and when the teams troop out on to the pitch, both teams are decked out in their first team colours, with Bromyard Town in all blue strip and 'The Spa' in red & black striped shirts, white shorts and black socks.    

The first half turns out to be a scrappy affair and with Droitwich especially a bit too frantic in their efforts and not passing it around much. Their manager Andy Crowther is not very impressed and is basically telling them to wake up. 

Not many chances are being created and Droitwich are given a warning after 37 minutes by their opponents when their No.7 gets through on goal and his shot is saved well by Droitwich's young keeper, Ryan Williams, who usually turns out for their Under-21's side.

Bromyard keep up the pressure and take the lead in the 42nd minute when their No.11, Ben Cowlishaw fires past Williams.

                (The Bromyard players celebrating their first goal)

Just a minute later and the Herefordshire team double their lead when Andrew Hudson fires in a great shot from the right.

Droitwich leave the field in shock at half-time and will need to fight back quickly to get back in to this game. I hear one of their supporters say that it's the worst football he's seen them play this season. 

I notice that there are at least 3 other photographers here today. One of them I met at Gornal Colts last week and I think he's based somewhere in the Black Country. He tells me that he's planning to go to a cup final in the west Welsh coastal town of Barmouth tomorrow. I'm sure the scenery will be good there as it lies close to Snowdonia.

When play resumes, Droitwich Spa are looking up for it more now and they peg a goal back through their No.9, Connor Collins.

In the 72nd minute Droitwich's No.12, Connor Baker, comes through to score the equaliser for the League champions. He is certainly making an impact on the game after coming on in this half as a substitute.

Soon after Droitwich Spa's, Haydn Morris, scores to put his team in front and their dreams of a League and Cup double are looking more likely.

Bromyard Town though score an equaliser right near the end, when they are awarded a free kick on the right and the subsequent cross is powerfully headed in by Daniel Cottrill.

There is just enough time to see the Droitwich skipper, James Lemon  run through and shoot over the bar. That would have been some finish if it had gone in!

So it's the dreaded penalty shoot out and the Droitwich keeper saves the first two he faces.

Unfortunately Droitwich Spa miss 2 of their own later on and then it comes down to the 9th lot of penalty kicks and it's the 2 keepers who are taking them now. Williams hits his spot kick straight at the Bromyard skipper Alex Rhodes and then Rhodes coolly slots home his effort to the left of Williams and in to the corner of the net to win this topsy turvy encounter.

Rhodes runs off in jubilation and is soon mobbed by his team mates.

The presentation takes place a few minutes later and soon the Bromyard Town players and coaching staff are jumping around in celebration. They certainly showed great fighting spirit today. Also they finished in a very creditable 3rd place in the League. Maybe they can kick on next season with their own championship challenge? 

Then it's 'The Saltmen's' turn to celebrate when skipper, James Lemon, is presented with the Division One League championship trophy and he proudly holds it aloft surrounded by his team mates.

A great way to end the best season in the club's history (founded in 1985) which sees them promoted to Step 6 for the first time and they will be playing back at their refurbished home at the King George V Playing Fields ground.

Entrance Fee:                £4 (£2 concessions)

Match Attendance:         100-120 (guesstimate)

Match Programme:         none available

Match Entertainment:     8.5/10

GORNAL COLTS 1 - 3 DROITWICH SPA

 

 WEST MIDLANDS REGIONAL LEAGUE, DIVISION ONE                     LEAGUE CUP (SEMI-FINAL)

   The Dell Stadium, Bryce Road, Brierley Hill, West Midlands, DY5 4NB 

                        14th May 2022          3pm Kick-Off

Today I am going to another new ground, this time The Dell Stadium in Brierley Hill where Gornal Colts currently play and watch their League Cup, Semi-Final v Droitwich Spa. 

Also it will be only the second time that I have watched a game at a ground with an athletics track between the spectators and the pitch. The first was six years ago when I went to The Pingles Stadium in Nuneaton Griff to watch their FA Vase tie against Salisbury. That time along with a few other photographers, I was given a pass to go near the pitch to take my photos. No such luck this time as the club secretary, Susan Johnston informed me that they have a rule for everyone to stand behind the barrier around the outlying running track, so it will be interesting to see if I can get some good shots today.

It's a promising day weather wise, as the forecast is for temperatures reaching 20 c later this afternoon, with plenty of sun too. 

I decide to go to Stourbridge on the train from Acocks Green, my local station and then travel from on from there by bus to Brierley Hill, where The Dell Stadium is located.

I haven't been to Stourbridge for some time and I have a good look around the town, have a good meal in a place called 'Stuffed' and decide to come back later in the summer to have a look at a glass museum up the road.

I take the No.6 bus headed for Dudley which takes me to Brierley Hill, High St and decide to walk the rest of the way as it's such a nice day. 20 minutes later I make it to the ground.

There is a building just past the car park, where the club house and changing rooms are. Behind it is an artificial football pitch and to the left is another football pitch, with the main pitch situated to the right of the club house. This pitch is enclosed by the athletics track, with the covered seating housed in a stand in front of the artificial pitch. On the opposite side are the team dugouts. 

Before I go in to the club house I chat with some of the Droitwich supporters who are gathered in the car park. I am able to get a cup of tea in the club house but unfortunately they don't have any club badges for sale.

Gornal Colts were formed in 2005, when most of the youth teams left the set up at Gornal Athletic. After enjoying some success in youth leagues like the Midland Floodlight Youth League, their senior side went straight in to the West Midlands Regional League. I'm not sure how long they have called The Dell Stadium their home, as I remember Dudley Town were the tenants when I left the West Midlands 6 years ago.

I decide to shelter from the sun for the 1st half and sit in the stand. There seems to be a decent sized crowd today. The winners of today's contest will play Bromyard Town, who had a walk-over  from their semi v Gornal Athletic.

Droitwich Spa are in their 2nd strip of gold shirts and black shorts while Gornal are in a mainly dark blue strip.

The Droitwich team are looking a bit sluggish, which is not really a surprise as they have been having to play 3-4 matches per week in recent times, including a vital 3-2 win over close rivals Gornal Athletic.

Gornal Colts are giving them some problems but they unfortunately give the first goal away, when there is a defensive mix up by their No.6 who heads back to his keeper, who is not where he thought he was and the ball bounces in to an unguarded net, after 22 minutes.

This helps to inspire 'The Saltmen' who then increase their lead when their forward, James Lemon is put through and he neatly sidesteps the oncoming Colts keeper to slip the ball home.

  Gornal Colts are unable to take any of the chances that come their way and so trail 0-2 at half-time.

For the second-half I decide to wander over to the other side of the ground, for a more varied view of the action.

After 73 minutes, Gornal Colts peg a goal back when they are awarded a penalty when a Droitwich defender mistimes a lunged tackle.

Leon Salmon fires home the spot kick and the home side are back in with a chance.

 Droitwich have other ideas though and seal the tie 7 minutes later when Connor Collins heads in at the far post when a good cross is delivered to him from the left.

Gornal Colts have shown plenty of energy at times in this game but have lacked that killer instinct this time round, with the experience of Droitwich Spa getting them through.

The final is going to be played at Bilbrook Juniors FC next Saturday. Also today I found out that Droitwich Spa have been awarded the league title too as they had an outstanding fixture v AFC Bentley that couldn't be fulfilled even though they had tried to get the fixture played 3 times but Bentley were unable to field a team. Not the most satisfactory way to win it but I'm sure that Droitwich would have most probably have won that game.

I'm glad that I finally visited The Dell Stadium today and I look forward to watching 'The Colts' in the future and monitor their progress.

Droitwich Spa will be stepping up in to the Midland Football League, Division One next season and will be playing their home fixtures back at their newly refurbished ground with new floodlights too!

Entrance Fee:              £5 (£3 concession)

Match Programme:       none available

Match Attendance:       80-100 (guesstimate)

Entertainment Value:    6.5/10

 

 

MALVERN TOWN 0 - 1 PERSHORE TOWN

 

   SMEDLEY CROOKE MEMORIAL CHARITY CUP FINAL

Redditch United FC, Trico Stadium, Sallie Swan Street, Redditch B97 4AU

                              8th May 2022,    1 pm Kick-Off

A few days ago I was in a bit of a quandary as I realised that there were 5 cup finals in the West Midlands area that I could go and see, after originally planning to see the Worcestershire Saturday Cup Final at the County Ground in Claines Lane, Worcester.

I have finally decided to go to Redditch F.C.'s ground instead to watch the final of the Smedley Crooke Memorial Charity Cup between the Worcestershire clubs of Malvern Town and Pershore Town. As both of these teams have had impressive seasons, it's got all the hallmarks of being a cracking game.

The weather is good today, mainly sunny and the temperature is going to reach the 19 C mark later this afternoon. My rail journey to Redditch goes well and after having an early lunch in the Kingfisher shopping centre I walk down the Bromsgrove Road to make the 10 minute journey to the Trico Stadium. It's the first time I have been here for 6 years, when they still had a grass pitch and had the old name of 'The Valley Stadium'.  

This is a new cup competition for me and it's named after a former Conservative MP for the old constituency of Birmingham Deritend, which he served for many years. He arranged for this charitable competition to help blind and partially blind people and it started immediately after the Great War in 1919. It's contested usually by teams from the Worcestershire and Birmingham areas, from the Midland Football League and the West Midland Regional Football League.

When I pay my entrance fee, the guy at the turnstile tells me that they collected £5,000 for local charities the last time around. Of course this competition has not seen finals being played in 2020 and 2021.

This ground has it's main stand on the west side of the pitch which houses the club house and changing rooms and has cover for seated spectators at the front. There is another stand on the opposite side which is standing room only.

I place myself at the southern end of the ground, to the right of the goal and there seems to be mainly Pershore supporters located here.

Both teams are wearing their first team colours when they come on to the field of play, Malvern (The Hillsiders) in sky blue shirts with maroon stripes, white shorts and sky blue socks. Pershore (The Plums) are decked out in all blue kit.

Although Malvern are the team that's on top in the early stages, hitting a post with one effort, Pershore Town get more in to the game and in the 28th minute, take the lead with a great header from their No.7, Jordan Jones. Malvern's keeper Kieron Blackburn gets a hand a on the ball but is unable to keep it out.

It's hard to believe that it's the end of the season as both teams are putting on a great display of attacking football.

Both teams have created chances but there's no more score before the break. During the game I chat to a guy who is following 'The Plums' as a relation of his is playing at No.5 for them. It turns out that he's a long term (and probably suffering) fan of Sunderland as he originally comes from that part of the country. Of course he's hoping they will make it back in to the Championship via the play-offs and I think they might just do it this time round.

Pershore Town have seen an amazing transformation this season as a few months ago they appointed a former player of theirs, Danny Janes as the new manager and he and his coaching team have helped them reach 5th place in the League (losing in the play-off semi-final) and taking them to 3 cup finals! They beat Worcester City in the Worcestershire Senior Cup on penalties, then triumphed 5-2 over Roman Saint Glass (from Bristol) in the Hellenic League Supplementary Cup too, both opposition teams playing at a level higher than themselves, which is the same situation with Malvern Town who play in the Hellenic Premier.

Malvern Town too have had a decent season, as they finished in 3rd place in their division. 

When play resumes, it's Malvern who are asking all the questions as they take control for long periods of the second-half.

    ( Pershore keeper, Eddie Cox has to stretch to keep Malvern at bay)

The Hillsiders hit the woodwork again with another effort but Pershore are proving to be still dangerous on the break, especially their tricky winger, James Baldwin.

  ( Malvern skipper, Matty Turner, trying to find a way through on goal )

Both sides go close in this enthralling encounter but it's Pershore Town who are the first team to keep a clean sheet against Malvern Town this season and turn out to be the most resilient team and win this cup.

 Then the Pershore players and their young manager after receiving their trophy come over to my end of the pitch and applaud their waiting fans as a thank you for their valued support.

I'm really glad I came to this match, as it's been one of the best that Iv'e seen this season, even if only one goal was scored. I now understand how my home town team of Worcester City could be beaten by Pershore, as they certainly have a great team spirit which bodes well for next season, especially if they can improve their squad. Malvern too should do well again on this showing and were a tad unlucky today.

Entrance Fee:               £5 (£3 concessions)

Match Attendance:        400

Match Programme:        Free 

Match Entertainment:    9/10

 

   

WALSALL PHOENIX 5 - 0 BALL HAYE GREEN

 

      STAFFORDSHIRE COUNTY SENIOR LEAGUE,                                   PREMIER DIVISION

        Stick & Wicket Club, The Green, Aldridge, Walsall, WS9 8NH

                          30th April 2022,   2:30 pm Kick-Off

Earlier this week I was toying with the possibility of attending the Northern Premier League (Midlands Division) Play-Off Final at Chasetown FC v Belper Town but found out on Friday morning that only 50 tickets remained unsold after going on sale at the ground the previous evening. As they were only being sold at the ground itself, I quickly gave up on that idea.

Instead, I was itching to go to a ground I hadn't visited before and then I remembered that I'd pledged myself a few weeks ago to go to a Staffordshire County League game for the first time. Two of the nearest grounds to me are at Brereton Social near Rugeley and also at Walsall Phoenix, who play in the town of Aldridge. As Brereton are playing in a cup game I decide to see Walsall Phoenix instead.

Saturday comes and the forecast is very promising, temperatures at the 15 c mark with long spells of sunshine!

I go to Walsall by train without any problems and then take the Sutton Coldfield bound bus that goes through Aldridge on the way.

Aldridge is yet another town in this area that was known for it's coal mining and also because of the quality of the local clay, had several brickworks located there too. Today it has a population of approximately 35,000 people.

The bus is running on time and the first thing I do is locate a cafe in the town square, which I visited before about 9 years ago and it's still there. I have an all day breakfast (with chips) and coffee included for £6:25p!

I then make my way over to the ground which is just 5 minutes walk away. The 'Stick & Wicket' club is so named because the local hockey and cricket clubs play there. Also there is a fitness club there as well as the Walsall Phoenix football club. When I walk in to the grounds of the club I notice that there are 2 cricket games taking place. There is a communal club house for all the teams playing here and after briefly looking at one of the cricket matches I walk over to the far side where the football pitch is situated.

The pitch lies sideways on with a short flight of steps to leading down to it for the players and officials, with a rail all around it too. On the far side are the team dugouts and there is a noticeable slope running down from the eastern end of the ground.

The teams come out in their first team colours, Walsall in all-red kit while Ball Haye Green (who come from the town of Leek) are in yellow shirts, green shorts and yellow socks.

Walsall Phoenix are lying in 8th place while their visitors are in 15th in an 18 team division.

When play starts, it's the home team who quickly establish their superiority.

They do most of the attacking and Ball Haye Green are finding it difficult to get out of their own half even though they are playing down the slope.

When they do manage to mount some attacks, they usually get pulled up for being offside.

After plenty of near misses, Walsall Phoenix finally take the lead through their No.9 after the visitors are not able to clear the ball properly in the 25th minute.

They double their lead 7 minutes later through their No.11. Somehow Ball Haye Green escape further punishment before the interval and it's just 2-0 for their hosts. 

Both of these clubs have long histories with Walsall Phoenix celebrating 125 years of existence (founded 1897) and Ball Haye Green, are an even older club (founded 1880).

I have been chatting with an elderly couple who although they live in Aldridge, are visiting this club for the first time today. They are both West Bromwich Albion season ticket holders and have come here due to their team playing away from home. They are both impressed with the facilities at this local sports hub. 

When play resumes, it's much the same as in the first half, with the home team very much on top and exploiting the slope by planting the ball behind their opponents back line so that their forwards can run on to the goal.

It's not long before they are awarded a penalty when their No.11 is adjudged to have been fouled, by the Ball Haye keeper I think.

The best goal of the game is scored by the Phoenix No.18 who from near the right touch line, bends in a shot across the goal and just inside the far post, much to the annoyance of the visitor's keeper, who thinks he should have done better. At times he must have felt that he's been playing the Walsall Phoenix front line on his own.

Referring to my notes I can't see when the 5th goal was scored but that is the official score on the league website. I must have lost count!

So Ball Haye Green have been comprehensively outplayed today and it's hard to see how they only lost 3-4 at home to their opponents earlier in the season?

I think Ball Haye Green must have an injury crisis as their team seemed all at sea today. They are certainly lacking in confidence. Walsall Phoenix on the other hand looked more capable than their mid-table position suggests.

This result does not change the teams respective league positions and the main interest in the Premier Division is whether Brereton Social or AFC Alsager will clinch the league title. Alsager host Brereton next Saturday in a game that could be the decisive factor.

Match Attendance:       20-30 approx

Entrance Fee:              Free

Match Programme:      None available

Match Entertainment:  6/10

 

   

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