LYE TOWN 8 - 0 NORTHAMPTON SILEBY RANGERS

 

                F.A. VASE, FIRST ROUND PROPER

                Sports Ground, Stourbridge Road, Lye,  DY9 7DH

                     22nd October 2022           3:00 pm Kick-Off 

I have decided to go to a FA Vase cup tie today and the one that I am going to is taking place at a club that I last visited in October 2014. Again it was a match in the FA Vase and it was between the Black Country team of Lye Town v Pegasus Juniors (now Hereford Pegasus), which ended in a 2-1 victory for the visitors.  

The weather forecast is a good one with mainly sunny spells and little chance of rain.

I take the train from my local station at Acocks Green in Birmingham whose destination is Kidderminster but I get off at the penultimate stop at Stourbridge. I have time for a meal and a quick look round some of the shops before catching the No.9 bus from the nearby bus station and then a few minutes later I get off the bus near Lye town centre.

I walk up the road to Lye Cross and turning left at the traffic lights I come across a memorial (in the shape of a film-strip) commemorating Lye's most famous son, the star of stage, movies and later television, Sir Cedric Hardwicke.

Some of his most famous Hollywood films were ' The Hunchback of Notre Dame' (1939) and 'The Ghost of Frankenstein' (1942).

Lye is a small Black Country town of approximately 12,000 people and it grew in size from a village during the Industrial Revolution with the manufacturing of goods such as nails, anvils, chains etc.

I passed the entrance of Lye Town's ground on my way up here and I just have to re-trace my steps and cross the road to get there.

As you can see, the same sports ground is shared by the local cricket club, a similar situation to that of nearby Stourbridge. I walk through the car park the club house is to my right and the turnstile entrance is in front. I had emailed the Club Secretary, Paul Roberts, yesterday about my impending visit and taking photos for my blog and he got back to me a bit later, informing me that yes it's OK for me to take photos and that I would be allowed to get in free!

What an unexpected and nice gesture. 

Unfortunately there are no programmes for sale.

I get myself a cuppa, buy some raffle tickets and take my place at the side of the seated stand, which takes up a third of the side of the ground opposite the side which borders the cricket ground. At the one end of the ground nearest the entrance, there is another stand for standing spectators and the opposite end has a grass bank behind. A few younger spectators are going to be watching the game from there.

The teams come out and Lye Town are in their usual all-blue strip while the visitors of Northampton Sileby Rangers are in their first team strip of red and black striped shirts, black shorts and socks. They play in the 1st division of the Spartan South Midlands League (Step 6) while Lye Town are a Step 5 side from the MFL Premier Division.

It's the home side who come rushing out of the blocks and virtually have this tie sealed in the first 10 minutes! Firstly, Northampton don't clear their lines properly and the ball falls nicely for Lye's No.9, Josh Hessom to hit the ball straight in to the left hand corner of the net.

Next, Lye Town are awarded a free kick for a needless push in the back of one of their forwards and Ben Billingham, the captain and former Stourbridge player, steps up to score with a great free kick which arcs over the wall and nestles in to the bottom right hand corner, despite the scrambling efforts of the keeper.

 

Just a minute later and it's goal number 3 after Lye's No.5 Matt Aston scores with a flicked header.

This is most unexpected and before 'The Rangers' can get back in to this game, Hessom scores a beauty from a shot with the outside of his boot after 24 minutes.

Ben Billingham next turns provider with a flighted ball for No.8, Joe Palmer to run on to and shoot past the Rangers keeper, Dan Smith and the same player scores the sixth and final goal of this half after 34 minutes.  

So the first half comes to an end and 'The Flyers' of Lye Town are certainly living up to their nickname, with this flying start. Northampton must be wondering what's hit them and it's certainly a damage limitation job for them now.

I get talking to a groundhopper from Newcastle-Under-Lyme and it's the first time he's been to this ground. He tells me that he even goes abroad to watch games, especially in Spain.

Before this game started I had talked to a guy who turns out to be Ben Billingham's dad and he said he's been watching him play since he was 8 years old. He must be feeling a proud father today.

In the second half, to their credit the shell shocked visitors try their best to get in to the game but without really testing Ben Newey in the Lye Town goal.

After 15 minutes, the home side add to their tally when their No.6, Sam Hall, heads in from a corner.

 Josh Heesom gets his hat-trick goal when his shot is parried by the keeper but not enough to keep it going in to the net.

In the last minute they 'The Flyers' have a good chance to make it 9 following a good move down the left but when the ball is played inside to the advancing No. 3, Jason Chilton, he slices his shot wide.

The final whistle blows and the visitors escape any further punishment. They were unlucky to find Lye Town in such fine form and have kept trying to play good football.

It will be interesting to see who Lye Town draw in the 2nd Round and they will also want to improve their current league position of 14th place. Their opponents today though currently lie in 3rd position in their league competition and will be mainly concentrating on promotion.

Match Attendance:            94

Entrance Fee:                     Free 

Match Programme:           none available

Match Entertainment:      7.5/10   

 

 

DROITWICH SPA U-21 4 - 5 STOURBRIDGE U-21

 

    MIDLAND FOOTBALL LEAGUE, U-21 DIV (WEST)

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

                  15th October 2022                   10:30am Kick-Off

As I will be out this evening in Birmingham, I have decided to go for an early kick-off and what better match than the top of the table Under 21 clash between Droitwich Spa (2nd) v Stourbridge (first)?

Also it's an opportunity for my first visit to Droitwich's new/re-developed ground. I have heard good reports about it and the first team have been pulling in very good sized crowds there too.

Weather wise it's a gorgeous sunny Autumn day as I make my way to my local railway station at Spring Road and I'm taking the 8:53 am train for Droitwich. It's on time and there's plenty of room too as you'd expect at this time on a Saturday.

Later on when we have passed through Stourbridge I look at and appreciate the beautiful countryside of my home county of Worcestershire, with a view of the Clee Hills (I guess) in the distance.

I like Droitwich Spa with it's old buildings in the town centre, the canals and nice parks too. It's a place that I always enjoyed visiting when I lived in nearby Worcester.

I have time to grab a coffee at a cafe close to the railway station and then make my way to the ground through a housing estate and soon I am walking on a path by the rustling reed beds of the canal. I find the footbridge which takes me to the other side and there are some football pitches close by and then there is the new 3G pitch of Droitwich Spa FC and just beyond it lies the newly built ground of the first team.

  The entrance is close at hand and I go through the open gate in the perimeter fence and pay my entrance fee to Mark Roberts who is the Secretary of the Under 21 side.

He tells me that the Droitwich Youth set-up is not actually part of Droitwich Spa FC but is affiliated to it and use their facilities, while the Under-21 team is the entrance point to the first team.

I make my way to the left of the entrance and decide to start the game at this end of the ground, especially as the sun is shining over my shoulder.

On the right hand side of the pitch looking down is a seated stand, which I think can hold 100 spectators and on the opposite side are located the team dug-outs.

Before the game starts I have time to have a quick chat to Matt Mason who is the main photographer of the football club. He tells me that he's going to be busy today, as he's been asked to umpire a ladies hockey match at the nearby club before this game finishes and he's also been asked to play in a football game too this afternoon.

The 2 teams come out with Droitwich in their usual colours of red & black striped shirts, white shorts and red, black & white socks. The visitors are in their change strip of all blue.

It's the home team who are pressing strongly for the first 10 minutes of this game, especially down the left, with their No.9, Louis Mitchell proving to be a handful and he has a shot saved by the keeper.

  After this early scare, Stourbridge are starting to get more into this match and in the 17th minute take the lead, with a shot by their No.10 I think, from the edge of the penalty area.   

The visitors are starting to dominate the game now and in the 31st minute they double their lead, when from an attack down the right, the ball is passed inside for one of their players to neatly flick the ball into the net.

Just 4 minutes later, the Stourbridge No.8 is left unmarked at a corner from the left to plant a header into the goal.

Droitwich Spa unexpectedly reply a minute later, when their is a mix-up between the visitors keeper and a defender, allowing Louis Mitchell with an open goal and he duly scores.

  Unfortunately for Droitwich, this is just a small respite as in the 42nd minute, following a cleared Droitwich free kick, the ball is quickly moved downfield for their No.10 to slot the ball home.

The scoreline is made more unreal when in injury time the live-wire Stourbridge No.7 shoots past the home keeper in to the right hand corner.

'The Spa' are trailing 1-5 at half-time and now they need to re-group and somehow restore some pride in the next 45 minutes. Stourbridge on the other hand must be wondering, by how much can they improve their goal difference today?

During the latter part of the first-half I have been talking to a guy, who is watching his sons play in the Stourbridge side and he is originally from Cyprus. They are Kyri and Michael Kourouyianni and Kyri is the captain too. He also tells me that his eldest son plays for Tividale and he scored a goal last week in their win at Worcester City. Quite a family football dynasty in the making there!

When play resumes, a defensive mistake on the right lets in the Stourbridge No.7 who shoots in to the side netting.

Droitwich respond in the 57th minute when their No.5's header clips the top of the bar from a free kick.

They go close again when one of their players pushes the ball past the keeper but his shot is blocked by a defender and I wonder if a penalty should have been awarded as it looks as if it struck him on the arm.

They are eventually rewarded when they get a penalty in the 70th minute and their No.6 places it into the left hand corner of the goal.

Although Droitwich are much more in the game now, Stourbridge still look dangerous on the break, especially down the right.

        (Spa captain, Aston Amies, snuffs out this Stourbridge attack)

2 more chances are created for the home side but not converted before they are awarded another penalty for a hand ball in the area.

 This is converted and then in injury time they score again when the ball is taken round the keeper and slotted home for the 4th goal.

       (Droitwich keeper, Dominic Rogertson safely gathers the ball)

Droitwich Spa have run out of time though and Stourbridge come away with the 3 points that they nearly messed up.

A spirited come back by The Spa and they must surely rue their first half defensive lapses. Stourbridge keep their 100% record and must be the hot favourites to win this division.  

It's good to have finally made it to this new ground and next Tuesday it will be hosting the much awaited local derby between Droitwich Spa and Worcester City in the First Round of the Worcestershire Senior Cup. That could see yet another record attendance.

This redeveloped ground is certainly an improvement to what was here before and the sloping pitch is a thing of the past. The grass pitch apparently had been a bit threadbare at the start of the season when there had not been much rain but it's certainly looking good now.

Entrance Fee:                       £3

Programme:                          none available

Match Attendance:              40 (approximately)

Match Entertainment:        7.5/10

PAGET RANGERS 1-1 DUDLEY TOWN

 

     MIDLAND FOOTBALL LEAGUE, DIVISION ONE

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

                         8th October 2022,    3pm Kick-Off

There is another rail strike on today and following my last weeks bus journey back home, I have decided to make sure that I will not be going through the city centre this time.

Travelling back from Darlaston had been fine until I got to the centre of Birmingham and then realised that the traffic was so bad that nothing was moving by Moor Street rail station for the five minutes I was waiting for the No.4 bus back to Acocks Green. I decided to start walking, which I did for most of the way (with a 20 minute meal stop), until I finally managed to get a bus for the last mile and ended up getting back at 9pm!

So today I am going to Sutton Coldfield via Erdington to watch the leaders of the Midland League Div One, Dudley Town in their away match at Paget Rangers who ground share with their landlords, Sutton Coldfield Town at Coles Lane.

It promises to be an intriguing clash as Paget have a good home record while Dudley are proving to be a handful both home and away.

It's a glorious day of sunshine with temperatures around the 15-16 C mark.

I take the 11A bus to Erdington without any problems, have time for a light meal at a local cafe and then catch one of the several buses that go to nearby Sutton Coldfield.

I have got to the Central Ground 20 minutes before kick-off, pay my entrance fee and have time for a leisurely cup of tea. 

For a match like this, it's looking to be a disappointing turn out, although I do know that Paget these days don't have a large following.

Both teams in the past have enjoyed brief stints in the Southern League and now ground share with other clubs who have artificial pitches (Dudley Town at Sporting Khalsa).

When the teams come out, 'The Bears' of Paget Rangers are attired in their usual colours of yellow & black striped shirts, black shorts & yellow socks while 'The Robins' of Dudley Town are wearing their first team strip of red shirts, white shorts and black socks. 

The visitors are using their pressing game to good effect in this half, being awarded several free kicks and winning plenty of corners too.

Dudley's No.11, Harry Crook cuts the ball back from the right for No.8,Todd Sherwood to volley wide of the left hand post and then Crook goes close with a free kick which skims the top of the cross bar.

In the 18th minute the home side spring to life when they break away and their lanky No.9, Szhem Whyte-Hall has his shot easily saved by the Dudley keeper.

The visitors next go close when their No.6, Owen Massey, heads just over the bar from a corner.

Dudley's failure to make their dominance count comes back to haunt them in the 38th minute, when Whyte-Hall makes a good run down the right. His attempted lob deflects off the Dudley Town No.5 who'd turned his back and the ball loops up, hits the cross bar and comes down for The Bears No.7, Tim Oyanda, lurking near the far post, to volley in the ball with his outstretched right foot (a la Erling Haaland).  

So the home side, who have battled well despite not seeing much of the ball, unexpectedly go in to the break with a goal lead and it promises to be an interesting second half in this tightly fought contest. 

The Dudley Town fans move down to the far end where their team will be attacking and they have been very quiet in the first half. There must be about 20-30 of them.

When play resumes they become more vocal and their efforts lift their team to push harder for a goal.

The Robins go very close in the 56th minute, when they have an in-swinging  corner delivered from the right and the ball ends up just going wide of the far post. 

However a few minutes later, the dangerous Harry Crook is put through again on the right and an over eager Paget defender takes his legs away from him for them to be awarded a penalty, which is scored by Owen Massey, much to the delight of the nearby Dudley Town fans. 

Paget Rangers are definitely not out of this contest yet and their No.11, Harry Jackson, fires in a fierce shot which stings the hands of Ethan Hawkes in the visitors goal.

Then in the closing minutes, both sides have great opportunities to get the winning goal. Firstly, Dudley Town's Harry Crook cuts the ball back in to the penalty area for their No.9 to fire wide when it might have been easier to score and then a Paget forward bursts through on goal only to blaze the ball way over the bar.

That's how the score stays when the ref blows his whistle for the end of a match, which was a credit to both teams.

Dudley Town stay on top despite this draw, with Bilston Town cutting down the gap to just one point after their hard fought 1-0 win over Smethwick Rangers and Leicestershire's Ashby Ivanhoe are just one point behind them in 3rd spot.

Paget Rangers are lying in 10th place and maybe fancy finishing in the top 5 or 6 if they improve their away form? 

 

Entrance Fee:                 £6 (£4 concession)  

Match Programme:       none available

Match Attendance:        70

Entertainment Value:    8.5/10           

   

DARLASTON TOWN 0 - 1 BEWDLEY TOWN

 

     MIDLAND FOOTBALL LEAGUE, DIVISION ONE

       The Paycare Stadium, Bentley Road North, Walsall, WS2 0EA

                           1st October 2022,   3:00 pm Kick-Off

With yet another rail strike on this Saturday, I decide to be adventurous and visit a new ground for me, The Paycare Stadium home of the newly promoted club, Darlaston Town. They have been on my radar for some time now.

I work out on Friday evening that I can take the faster bus up to Walsall, the X51 from Birmingham city centre and then the short ride west on the Number 529. 

I get to Walsall a bit later than planned as there was confusion where the X51 bus actually started from. After missing 2 buses I managed to figure which was the correct bus stop, no thanks to the Traveline West Midlands website though.

I have enough time to have a good meal and a bit of window shopping before hopping on to the 529 bus that drops me of on the Wolverhampton Road ten minutes later. 

Then just as I turn into Bentley Road North, a car stops on the other side of the road and the driver shouts across to me 'Are you John?' Even though my name is Jonathan, a lot of people call me 'Jon', so I answer 'yes' and call back 'Are you Simon?' The reason for my question is that I emailed the Darlaston Town secretary, called Simon Cox, the previous day, asking about the availability of club programmes and badges.

He answers 'yes' and tells me to hop in to his car and he will take me to the ground. I'm thinking this is a really good and unexpected service but when we get to the ground entrance he carries on driving. I just think that there must be another entrance nearby but confusingly he soon turns off to the right for the AFC Bentley ground. I tell him that I am going to see Darlaston and he realises he's made a mistake as he'd thought that I was one of the match officials for the game taking place at this ground. We have a laugh about the situation and he kindly takes me back to the Darlaston Town entrance and drops me off there.

I find out when I relate this story to a fellow spectator later on, he tells me that before the kick-off that he thought he heard that there was found to be an extra linesman at the ground. If so I hope he made it in time for the start of the AFC Bentley game!

I walk through the car park, pay my entrance fee and get a programme too, while being told that there are metal badges for sale at the bar. I go in to the club house and there are plenty of people in here, with the Arsenal v Spurs derby highlights being shown on TV.

I buy a cup of tea,  a club badge (£4) and sit down at a nearby table and a bit later on, a guy comes along handing out neatly printed team-sheets for anyone needing one. A very nice touch!

Later I go out and take up a position by the side of the goal that's nearest the entrance. To my left are the changing rooms and the club house, with the team dug-outs in front. A bit further up is a small stand with seating for 50 spectators.

There is another small stand on the opposite side of the ground but just for standing spectators.

The teams come out with 'Darlo' in their home strip of blue & white striped shirts, blue shorts & socks. The visitors are in their change strip of lime green shirts, black shorts & socks.

It's Darlaston who go close to scoring first when from a free kick on the left the ball is crossed over to the far post where a Darlo hits a shot on the valley that goes across the goal and just past the wrong side of the post. 

Although Darlaston are mainly on top for the first 10-15 minutes, Bewdley start to get in to the game more and more in the first half. Darlaston go close again after 25 minutes when the lively Ryan Winwood passes to a fellow forward who sees his shot hit the stanchion and out.

When I move up to the far end of the ground, I get talking to another photographer who turns out to be the Club Secretary, Simon Cox. He is well kitted out with 2 of the latest Canon camera bodies with top notch looking lenses attached and a sturdy tripod too. Nice set-up!

He makes a comment about it not being the best of games and I have to agree. There is plenty of effort but it's just too frenetic with not many chances being created.

So it's no surprise when half-time arrives and it's still 0-0.

Darlaston Town, might be a new club but their forbears, the old Darlaston team had been founded in 1874! So they have a proud history. It's good to see them settled at this neat looking ground after having to ground share before after they had reformed the club for the 2014-15 season.

When play resumes, a Bewdley player finds himself in a one on one encounter with the Darlo keeper, Joe Sidaway who is able to block his shot.

Just 6 minutes later and Sidaway makes a clearance just from underneath the cross-bar from a Bewdley corner.

Defences are remaining on top and I think that the longer this game goes on, then the first team to score will probably win it.

Just a few minutes later and Bewdley Town's, No. 10, breaks through to push the ball past Sidaway.

 That goal had been coming from the visitors mounting pressure in this half but Darlaston are not going to lie down that easily.

They pile bodies forward in a bid to score an equaliser but the Bewdley defence manages to hold firm and take away the 3 points.

It's been good to finally visit Darlaston Town's ground. They are a friendly well run club who are certainly looking to put their team on the map. It's just a shame I have caught them on an off-day today.

They have come a long way since the first and last time I saw them in December 2014 at a muddy Bartley Green, where they won 3-2.

Bewdley Town look to have improved from last season, when they made a last minute escape from relegation. Hell, they won 0-3 at Worcester City recently, hastening the resignation of the then manager Tim Harris, who had guided them to a very respectable 4th spot in the last campaign.

 

Match Attendance:                 128

Entrance Fee:                          £6 (£4 concession)

Match Programme:                £2

Entertainment Value:            6/10

ST ANDREWS 0 - 4 BOURNE TOWN

                       FA VASE, 2ND QUALIFYING ROUND

      Teamwork Partnership Stadium, Canal Street, Aylestone Road,

          Leicester  LE2 8LX,    24th Speptmber 2022, 3pm Kick Off

As there are going to be more rail strikes coming in October, I have decided to make the most of it and travel to the East Midlands for the second time this season to the city of Leicester. It's 'Non-League Day' and a City I haven't been to before. I will be watching an FA Vase tie at a club called St. Andrews, who play in the district of Aylestone.

I play clever and buy an advance return rail ticket for just £11 and have no problems with scanning the QR code of my e-ticket at the ticket barrier at Birmingham New Street to pass through and start my journey. It's the first time I have bought a ticket this way and I think it probably won't be the last.

It's quite a boring journey to be honest but we get to Leicester on time and I walk the short journey to the Museum & Art Gallery, where they have an exhibition on 'German Expressionism', roughly from 1910 till the 1940's. It's quite interesting and then I walk to the old Guildhall, then walk by the river and go round the pedestrianised shopping area before finding a place for a cheap fish & chip meal.   

Suitably refreshed I walk to the area where I will be catching my bus but have time to go over to the stadium in Welford Road, where the mighty rugby union team of Leicester Tigers play. When I go through the front door, there is a trophy cabinet to my left and I'm allowed to take a photo by the security staff there. It's an impressive sight and shows that 'The Tigers' are one of the top Rugby Union teams in the UK and probably Europe too.

Soon I cross back over the road and catch the No.85 bus which takes me close to the St. Andrews ground after an eight minute journey. On the way there I pass the Leicester City FC ground and then the Leicestershire county cricket ground. Handy for local sports fans! 

I walk down Canal Street and come to the car park and entrance of the ground. I pay my entrance fee and buy a programme too at the turnstile and go in to the club house to my right, which lies just behind a small seated stand and buy my usual pre-match cup of tea. There are another 2 small stands, one behind the far goal and the other on the opposite side of the ground, alongside the team dug-outs. It's a neat little ground and there is another full size pitch at the far side with a smaller pitch / training area located behind that. 

Although there's still 15 minutes before kick-off there are not many spectators around. Maybe the club's 0-11 thrashing at Radford last Saturday has put them off? Their opponents today are fellow United Counties League, Div One team, Bourne Town, who come from Lincolnshire and are currently lying in a mid-table position.

The teams eventually come on to the pitch, with the hosts in their black & white striped shirts, black shorts & red shorts. Bourne Town are decked out in a mainly all-claret kit with light blue bands at the top of the shirt sleeves.

The first 20 minutes sees the home side taking the game to their opponents, trying to erase the memory of last week's game no doubt.

They create the first chance after 7 minutes when their No.9 goes on a run down the middle and has his shot blocked by the oncoming keeper.

Bourne Town though weather the storm and start to get more in to the game after the 20 minute mark, without creating any clear cut chances and St. Andrews have a header saved at the right hand post. The visitors then quickly have a shot hit the bar just before the half-time whistle is blown.

So it's all-square at the interval and I'm beginning to think my ploy of wearing my black & white checked shirt is bringing the home team some luck. 

They were founded in 1973 and have won the Leicestershire Senior League 3 times and the East Midlands Counties League once in their history. In the 2013-14 season they played West Auckland in the semis of the FA Vase. After a 0-0 away draw, they led 1-0 until the last 11 minutes of the second leg only to be undone by 2 late goals. The victors went on to win the Final too.

Unfortunately in the last few seasons, they have been relegated from the Premier Division and have struggled in the First Division. Maybe it's due to lack of funding but I hope that they can turn things around in the near future.

During the first half I got talking to a guy who it turns out is the father of the St. Andrews goalkeeper. He used to play himself and has managed the Leicestershire club Shepshed Charterhouse too. This explains why he shouts out advice to some of the St. Andrews players from time to time. 

The 2nd half sees the more experienced looking Bourne Town take control of this tie.

James Hill-Seekings slots home in the 58th minute after being put through with a lofted pass and then 8 minutes later they double their lead when Thomas Edwards flicks a header in to the right hand corner of the goal.

  James Hill-Seekings get his second of the match when his shot seems to take a deflection on it's way to the net for the killer goal.

St. Andrews seem to have run out of ideas the longer this match has gone on and in injury time their opponents add a fourth when Shaun Archer shoots in from the right.

A 0-4 defeat seems to be a bit harsh on St. Andrews after their spirited performance in the 1st half but Bourne took their chances well with some clinical finishing and travel back to Lincolnshire with their dreams of Wembley still intact for now.

If St.Andrews could sign 2 or 3 more experienced players, maybe that will help their struggle in the relegation end of the table?

I have enjoyed my visit to this lovely ground and I look forward to coming again to Leicester in the future.

Entrance Fee:                    £6 (£3 concession)

Match Programme:         £2

Match Attendance:          45

Entertainment Value:     6.5/10

DSC UNITED 0 - 4 CENTRAL AJAX

            MIDLAND FOOTBALL LEAGUE, DIVISION 3

      The Trevor Brown Memorial Ground, Church Road, Boldmere,

                                     Sutton Colfdfield, B73 5RY

                     17th September, 2022       3:00 pm Kick-Off

It feels good to be going to a game today after last Saturday's cancellations. I did go to a game last Tuesday evening though when I went to see Paget Rangers v Droitwich Spa in their MFL Div One match at Sutton Colfdield FC's ground. I did not write a post about this game as my camera & lens is not really up to the job for good photos under floodlights although I did get a few reasonably decent ones.

However I did watch my best match so far this season with the hosts running out 4-2 winners, with both sides contributing greatly to a entertaining encounter.

Today I have decided to go once again to the town of Sutton Coldfield, this time to the home of Boldmere St. Michaels, with their artificial pitch, to watch their tenants, DSC United play a MFL Div 3 match v Central Ajax who come from Warwick.

DSC (which stands for Digbeth Snooker Club!) were founded just recently in 2019 and last season finished in 10th place while their visitors finished in 5th place in a 15 team division. I'm sure both sides will be expecting to finish in higher positions this time around. 

Indeed Central Ajax are already in top spot, with DSC United occupying 5th position.

It's a mainly sunny day with a temperature around the 16 C mark with a coolish breeze. Perfect playing conditions.

I make my way to Boldmere by bus, first in to the city centre, then boarding the number 907 for Sutton Coldfield. It takes about 25 minutes before we get to Boldmere and I get off by the shopping area there. It's the first time Iv'e been here and it's very pleasant.

After having an all day breakfast at one of the local cafe's, it's time to make my way to the ground, which takes a 20 minute walk.

When I get there, I'm a bit surprised to find that the ticket booth entrance is closed and I'm able to walk in round the back of it and in to the ground, (although the DSC United Secretary, Imran Khan had emailed me that it was OK for me to get in free). I have time to get a cup of tea at the kiosk at the front of the club house and set up my position at the entrance end of the ground, by the side of the goal. 

The teams come out, with the home side in a smart looking kit of grey shirts with black shorts and socks, while the visitors are in a change strip of white shirts, red shorts and socks.

After observing a minutes silence for our dearly departed Queen, the match duly starts with Central Ajax taking the game to their hosts. 

They take the lead after 9 minutes when their defender, Will Jefferies heads home from a corner.

 The visitors are largely on top so far and score a second goal when following a defensive error, their No.7, Shaye Eden slots the ball in to the net. 

DSC United do show some fight, largely through the efforts of their No.10, Shevron Chaner. He shows some good skill after 33 minutes when he takes the ball past 3 opponents and almost connects with the ball when receiving a return pass in front of goal.

In the next 2 minutes, they twice more go close, with the Ajax keeper coming out to smother the ball at the feet of a United attacker and then Channer sees his shot going just wide of the right hand post.  

United's failure to score is punished by the visitors when their No.9, Gordy Lewis scores twice, first through poor marking letting him run through to shoot past keeper, Nathan Davies and then Dan Holt runs down the right to cross for him to flick a header in to the net.

A classy goal to finish the first period and leaving their opponents looking a bit dejected when the teams troop off the pitch.

Central Ajax have so far ruthlessly taken the advantage against their younger and less experienced opponents.

If any of the spectators are expecting more of the same after the interval then they are given a big surprise as DSC United are full of fight and energy.

In the first 15 minutes they are swarming over the visitors defence, with the substitute No. 17, Ousman Drammeh, featuring strongly with his unorthrodox skills.

They go close several times in the first 10 minutes and then Drammeh shoots high over the bar from a good position.

After 25 minutes Drammeh cuts across from the right and has his shirt tugged by an Ajax player and eventually takes a tumble in the box. I think the visitors got away with that one. Soon after this the DSC, No. 19 sees his close range shot rebound off a post. 

                 (Shevron Channer threatens the Central Ajax goal)

Five minutes from the end of the match Ousnam Drammeh has a shot turned around the post by the Central Ajax keeper.

                  (Ousnam Drammeh is thwarted by a great tackle)

The match ends in a 0-4 win for Central Ajax but DSC United restored some pride with a much improved second half performance and should have scored 2 goals but were denied this by some sterling defending from their opponents and at times by their own wayward finishing. 

Central Ajax on this showing certainly look like strong candidates for promotion this season. DSC United? Well that's a more unpredictable story but it's going to be an interesting journey!

Match Attendance:                             40

Entrance Fee:                                      £3   

Match Programme:       none available   

Entertainment Value:                    8/10      

   

RUSHALL OLYMPIC 1 - 4 REDDITCH UNITED

                        FA CUP,  1ST QUALIFYING ROUND

                          Dales Lane, Rushall, Walsall, WS4 1LJ

                          3rd September, 2022        3pm Kick-Off

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Entrance Fee:                  £10 , (£7 concession)

Match Programme:        £2.50p

Match Attendance:         246

Entertainment Value:    7/10