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

 WORCESTERSHIRE SATURDAY CUP,  Q - FINAL

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

28th January 2023          12:30 pm Kick-Off

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Entrance Fee:       Free        

Match Attendance:       Approx, 30-40

 Match Programme:       None Available 

          Entertainment Value:       8/10                           

    

SUTTON UNITED 6 - 1 REDDITCH BOROUGH

 

MIDLAND FOOTBALL LEAGUE, DIVISION TWO 

Coleshill Road Nurseries, Coleshill Road, Sutton Coldfield, B75 7BA

21st January 2023,     3pm Kick-Off

This Saturday sees the local non-league football schedule greatly disrupted again, this time not to excess rainfall but the freezing conditions. My original choice of game this week is the MFL, Div 3 clash between AFC Birmingham v Wake Amateurs and my back-up game is Cadbury Athletic v Fairfield Villa in Div 2 but both games have failed early pitch inspections.  

While in Birmingham city centre, I then realise I will have to go again to a club that has an artificial playing surface. I then find out that MFL Div 2 front runners, Sutton United, are at home at their new ground that has an artificial pitch. Although it's a 3pm kick-off I decide to go there anyway. I much prefer an earlier start as the light will usually be better for my photos at this time of year but beggars can't be choosers!

I take the number 907 bus from the city centre and arrive in Sutton Coldfield with plenty of time to have an all day breakfast & coffee at a local cafe and a look around the shops.

Sutton's ground is a 15 minute walk from the town centre in Coleshill Road, next to a garden nursery. Apparently this facility has been planned for some time and mainly paid for by the club chairman. There is a car park in front of the club house and the pitch lies in front of this, with a 100 seater stand to the right of the changing room building. There is a hard standing path railed off and around the pitch, which in turn is surrounded by a high wired fence. The team dug-0uts lie on the opposite side and at the furthest end, there is a neatly piled bank of earth, still awaiting removal, where I hear there will be another stand built. Just behind this, lies the main railway line from Birmingham to Lichfield. Floodlights complete the picture of this modern looking facility along with an artificial training pitch. 

Sutton's opponents today are Redditch Borough from Worcestershire. On paper this looks like an almost given 3 points for the high scoring home team but I'm sure Redditch will be looking to give them a tough fight.

Thanks to my malfunctioning watch I have arrived at the ground with 10 minutes already played. I will have to get a new battery as my watch stopped completely at 3:30 pm at last weeks game at Gornal Colts. I'm assured by another spectator that no goals have been scored so far.

When I settle down to watch the game at the dug-out side of the pitch, Sutton United as expected are looking the more dangerous of these 2 teams. Both sides are in their usual first team kits with the home side in green shirts, black shorts & socks while Redditch are decked out in all navy blue.

After some sustained pressure, Sutton United take the lead in the 15th minute with a stooping far post header from N0.7 Tom Massey from a corner from the left.

In the following 10 minutes, Sutton's No.10, Joe Gildea, spurns 2 chances, first when he swivels round and shoots over the bar from a good position and then directing the ball in to the hands of the Redditch keeper when he stretches to an incoming cross but can't get any power in the shot.

Redditch Borough are containing their opponents quite well after this with their pressing game and create a chance of their own when their No.11 cuts in from the left and sees his shot well saved by the United keeper and then just before the break they have another effort blocked by the vigilant Sutton keeper, Reiss Wagstaff.

So half-time arrives and surprisingly Sutton have been restricted to just the one goal and this might encourage Redditch to spring a surprise today?  There looks to be a crowd of 100+ and I remember seeing on the Midland Football League website that they had a very impressive turn out of 427 spectators at their recent home Boxing Day fixture with local rivals Boldmere Sports & Social. That's certainly more than nearby Sutton Coldfield Town usually get at their nearby ground and they sit 3 levels higher in the Non-League pyramid!

When play resumes, any thoughts that the visitors may have had of springing a surprise result quickly vanish in the first 10 minutes of the second half. 

First Sutton United score from a penalty by captain, Josh Duggan  following a push on one of their players on the left of the penalty area. Then in the 51st minute their No.10, Joe Gildea, plants a header in to the net from a corner on the right. Just 2 minutes later and their No.2, Jonny Grigg gets in on the act with a great shot from the right after the ball was worked over to him from the left.

Redditch Borough are understandably a bit shell shocked after this goal blitz but they gamely get on to the score sheet after 70 minutes when their No.7, Tom Fishwick, rises highest to a free kick to head home a consolation goal.

Sutton United's dominance in this half is not to be denied however and Tom Massey fires home his second goal past Tony Swain from the right in the 75th minute and then in stoppage time, skipper Josh Duggan scores with another cracking shot.

(Some of the Nursery buildings can be seen at the back on the left)

A 6-1 win for Sutton United to increase their lead to 10 points over 2nd placed Cadbury Athletic, who now have 2 games in hand over them and a lead of 13 points over Knowle in 3rd place who have 3 games in hand.

It's certainly looking good for Sutton United in the title race this season, following their promotion from the 3rd Division last season and with their new ground, they are going places!

Redditch Borough have a Worcestershire FA Saturday Cup, Quarter-Final coming up next Saturday at Pershore Town, where they face Town's Development team and will be looking for some Cup glory. 

Although today's later starting time has meant that it's been more difficult to take photos with a fast enough shutter speed, it's been good to visit this new ground and it will interesting to see United's progress over the coming seasons. 

Match Attendance:                        100+

  Entrance Fee:    Free? (but late arrival)

Match Programme:      None Available

Entertainment Value:                    8/10 

 

   

GORNAL COLTS 4 - 4 SALTLEY STALLIONS

WEST MIDLANDS REGIONAL LEAGUE, DIV ONE

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

14th January 2023,   2:00pm Kick-Off

I have been lucky to have found a match that is still going ahead, the West Midlands League, Div One clash between Gornal Colts and their table topping visitors, Saltley Stallions. Originally I was hoping to see Wyrley United play Allscott Heath from Shropshire, in the same Division but it was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, like so many other games today.

This is my second visit to the Dell Stadium, the first being in May last year when I saw Droitwich Spa win a hard fought League Cup semi-final against 'The Colts'.  

I have managed to get to the ground 15 minutes before kick-off, by train to Stourbridge and then by bus despite setting off relatively late.

When I pay my entrance fee at the gate, I'm informed that the game will be played on the 3G pitch which is adjacent to the main pitch and it's outlying athletics track. I'm not a big fan of artificial pitches but at times like this they are a definite bonus!

The game starts and Gornal are playing in their usual strip of navy shirts & shorts with grey socks, while Saltley are in their away strip of green shirts, black shorts & socks. 

Saltley who have started the brighter of the two teams, take the lead after 8 minutes but I miss it completely as I had turned round to talk to the Gornal club secretary, the very helpful Susie Johnson, who had informed me earlier by text that the game was still on.

Saltley go close after 15 minutes when their No.9, Arabab Ali, has a cross shot from the left following a free kick.

Gornal Colts do get into the game more and have 2 efforts in the next 20 minutes, the second being a shot from their No.10 which goes over the bar when he was in a good central position.

Saltley are looking the more dangerous team in this half and the Gornal coach is pacing the touch line, encouraging his players to close the opposition down as much as possible.

After 35 minutes 'The Stallions' No.8, Mohammed Konteh, has a shot blocked by the rapidly out-coming home keeper but they are not to be denied and their No.12, Ruman Hussain, has plenty of time when the ball is slipped in to him from the left to guide the ball in to the right hand corner of the net.

Gornal Colts hit back 4 minutes before the break when they are awarded a penalty and this is dispatched by their No.10.

So it's good to have seen some goals and there seems to be the likely prospect of more in the second half of this game.   

I have been talking to a guy who turns out to be the father of today's referee. He is only 18 years old but is in a Birmingham County FA  programme of fifteen candidates to fast track them to a higher level. Although young he has shown good judgement and authority so far.

I have time to have a warming cup of tea in the club house, as there is a cool wind blowing from the south west across the pitch today. Indeed I have to put on my gloves when play resumes to enable me to keep taking photos.

It doesn't take long for Saltley to take a firmer grip on this game when their No.8 scores from close range and then things get worse for the hosts when on the hour Saltley's No.14 shoots home from the left.

It's 4-1 to the league leaders and it's looking to be an uphill struggle for Gornal now. They get a foothold back in the game, just 4 minutes later when following a defensive mix up, the Gornal No.7 athletically volleys the ball home from close in.

The home side are visibly gaining confidence now and look hungry for the ball. However Saltley, with their speedy forwards always look dangerous on the break and Konteh heads the ball against the bar following a good cross from the left.

Gornal's No.11 goes on a good run a bit later and shoots across the goal from the left....but wide. Saltley don't heed this warning though and the same player makes a similar run and shot and this time is successful.

The league leaders are being pressed back strongly by the home side now and are awarded another penalty when Saltley's keeper panics and brings down a Gornal player just inside the right-hand side of the penalty area. Gornal's N0.10, Will Slater, scores his second spot kick for the equaliser.

In injury time there is still time to see Gornal Colts No.15 go racing in on goal but Saltley's No.20 hurries over to make a great blocking tackle but is hurt in the process.

The full-time whistle is blown soon after and brings to an end a great advertisement for football at this level. Both sides showed a willingness to attack throughout the game and although Gornal Colts showed great fight and made a stirring comeback, Saltley must feel that they threw away 2 points and very nearly 3!

Saltley do retain their No.1 spot, 3 points clear of 2nd placed Gornal Athletic with Allscott Heath, looking to be the favourites as they have 5 games in hand over Saltley now and are only 6 points behind them in 3rd. Still they have to keep winning and that could be prove to be a hard task if the postponed fixtures keep piling up on them.

Gornal Colts are in 10th place and encouraged by today's display will be looking to improve on this before the end of the season. 

Entrance Fee:           £5 (£3 concession)

Match Attendance:            Approx 15-20

Match Programme:           Non Available

Entertainment Value:                        9/10

  

LICHFIELD CITY CASUALS 0 - 2 LEEK C.S.O.B.

 

                         LEEK CUP COMPETITION

   Trade Tyre Community Stadium, Brownsfield Road,

                  Lichfield, Staffordshire, WS13 6AY 

Well today I'm finally getting back in to action with this blog, as I caught the dreaded Covid bug, which I had for about 10 days and then it's taken me another 2 weeks to fully get over it. Fortunately when I did have it, it just felt like a bad head cold but it just also knocked my body out of whack. 

I did go to Worcester last Saturday to watch their reserve team's match v Chasetown, took some photos but couldn't  be bothered with a match report. It was a 0-0 draw that Worcester should have won and I did post some of my photos on the club website.

Due to the wintry weather conditions, I decide that only teams playing on artificial surfaces will be able to play today and after thinking of going to watch Paget Rangers, I remember that Lichfield City have a reserve team playing in the Staffordshire County Premier League and sure enough they have a home game against Leek C.S.O.B in the Leek Cup, a competition that Iv'e never heard of before.

I think it will be good to visit Lichfield as it's one of my favourite places in the West Midlands.

My train journey goes without a hitch and I soon find a cafe that sells reasonably priced meals. I have a warming dish of steak & kidney pudding with mash, which goes down well in this wintry weather.

There are plenty of Christmas themed stalls in the city centre which means that it's slow going, if you are trying to walk reasonably quickly, so I decide to go to the grounds of the nearby Cathedral and thankfully there aren't so many people around. If I had planned things better I would have got here sooner to be able to have more time to have a good look around.  

I make my way past the Cathedral and then along the path at the side of the nearby lake. 20 minutes later and I'm walking through the gates of the ground, which lies at the northern side of the town.

I have time to buy a cup of tea at the bar in the club house and then make my way to the far end of the ground, so that my back will be facing the sun, when it comes out from time to time.

Soon the teams are coming out on to the pitch with Lichfield in their first team colours of all blue, while Leek C.S.O.B. (which stands for County School Old Boys) are decked out in a Croatian style kit, (or Croatia copied them?) of red and white check shirts, red shorts and socks.

It's the home side who are attacking the most and have 2 efforts on goal in the first 25 minutes, their No.9 having a shot blocked following a free kick and then their lively No.10 (who looks very young) rises well to a cross from the right and sees his header tipped over the bar by the Leek keeper. He looks to be a good prospect.

Unfortunately they go behind a few minutes later when a Casuals 

defender decides to clear the ball, with the Leek No.11, Kieran Scotland, standing in front of him, who blocks the attempted clearance and shoots home for a gift of a goal. 

The Lichfield keeper makes a good close range save after 32 minutes, while the Leek keeper saves a close range header and 6 minutes later saves efforts from the hard working Casuals No.9 and then their No.10.

Half time arrives and Lichfield Casuals must be wondering why they are losing this match after they have been on top for most of this period.

Their defence has not got a good record this season ( 60 league goals conceded), while the Leek defence look more resolute. Still 'The Casuals' I'm sure will make a good fight of it in the next 45 minutes. It's been a pretty clean game so far and the Lichfield 2nd string are attempting to play like their first team, with a good passing style of play.

When play resumes it's soon apparent that Leek C.S.O.B. are looking the stronger team now and soon see a shot of theirs deflected for a corner. 10 minutes later and another effort of theirs hits a post and out.

It's no real surprise when the Leek No.9, Bradley Wilson breaks through the middle and scores their second goal after 68 minutes.

There is still life in the home side and their No.10 again goes close, when he breaks through from the left only to see the Leek keeper make another good save.

Although there are a few more chances for both sides, Leek hold on comfortably enough for a well deserved cup win but Lichfield certainly pushed them hard in the first half. 

It's been good to get another game under my belt and Lichfield Casuals played better than their league position (14th) suggests and I hope they start banging some goals in soon, which their approach play deserves.

I'm sure Leek C.S.O.B. will be looking to win this cup competition (last won in 2019) and also improve on their current league position (5th).

PS. I have not been able to find out which round of the Leek Cup was being played in this match. I think it might have been the quarter-final or semi-final but it's just a guess.

Match Attendance:           (approx 30-40)

Entrance Fee:                    £3

Match Programme:          None available

Entertainment Value:      7/10

 

 

WALSALL WOOD 4 - 0 SANDBACH UNITED

                            F.A. VASE  2ND ROUND PROPER

                 Titan Recruitment Stadium, Oak Park, Lichfield Rd,  

         Walsall, WS9 9NP     12th November 2022    3:00 pm kick-off

Today I have decided to watch the renowned cup fighters of Walsall Wood play against the North West Counties Div 1 visitors from Cheshire, Sandbach United. It's in the FA Vase, my favourite cup competition.

Walsall Wood managed to reach the Vase semi-final two seasons ago and no doubt, Wembley will be their target this season. They are going well in the League, topping the Midland Football Premier Division with just one defeat so far.

The weather forecast is a favourable one, with plenty of sunshine.

I have no troubles with my rail journeys to New Street and then Walsall stations and I have a meal in ,The Crossing', the retail section of St. Pauls church and then hop on to the No. 10 bus from the nearby bus station.   

It's only a 15 minute journey to Walsall Wood and the bus stop is in front of the ground. Soon I am paying my entrance fee and buying a match programme, which has a remembrance day cover.

I have plenty of time to get a cup of tea and then I wander over to the other side of the ground so as to have my back to the strong sunshine.

I start up a conversation with a fellow groundhopper who turns out to be an Arsenal fan from Welwyn Garden City and has come to watch this match before going Molyneux to watch Arsenal play in the evening Premiership game against Wolves.  

I spot a few Sandbach United supporters in the ground too.

The 2 teams come out on to the pitch with 'The Wood' in their usual all red strip while Sandbach are in their first team colours of blue & white striped shirts, blue shorts and socks.

There is an announcement about the recent passing of a great club servant called John Sylvester. He had helped the club many times over the years and was responsible for the printing of the teams match day programmes by his printing company and was a long standing club committee member. Then a minutes silence is duly observed to commemorate the fallen of the 2 World Wars and then play commences.

They home side are dictating the play and score the first goal after 9 minutes when Kevin Henagou scores from close in after receiving a pass from the right.

Some argy bargy takes place on the touch line after 18 minutes after a hefty challenge and several bookings are given out.

The home team are well on top and they go close again when Henaglou hits the post with another effort.

Right at the end of this half Walsall are awarded a penalty after their No.7 is brought down in the area by the Sandbach keeper, who then duly makes amends by saving the spot kick.

So it's 1-0 to Walsall Wood in what has been a tough, physical and sometimes feisty match so far. Although Sandbach play at a level below that of their hosts, they are certainly making them fight all the way.

Sandbach United who come from a small market town  of approximately 18,000 people in east Cheshire, were formed in 2004 after the merger of Sanbach Ramblers and Sandbach Albion. Last season saw their best effort in the FA Vase so far, when they reached the 3rd round proper and they currently hold 9th place in their division. 

When play resumes it's 'The Wood' who are pressing to double their lead and they go close when their No. 3 has a shot tipped over the bar.

They have a goal disallowed for offside on the hour before Sandbach have an effort saved by Wood keeper, Callum Smith.

Walsall Wood double their lead when that man Henaglou pounces again to head in a deep cross from the right at the far post. 

Smith makes another good save to deny the visitors getting back into this game before Hayden Purves surely puts this tie to bed with a break away goal, started with a cleared Sandbach corner that was rapidly moved down the pitch.

Sandbach have a header saved by Smith before Kaden May scores with a header just before the full time whistle is blown.

The visitors kept battling to the end but Walsall Wood have come out a worthy winners to get themselves in to the hat for the 3rd round draw for the 6th consecutive season!

This Monday evening I have found out that they have been drawn away to fellow MFL Premier side, Highgate United, who have been showing some good form recently.    

Match Attendance:                        102

Entrance Fee:                                 £6 (£4 concession)

Match Programme:                       £2                       

Match Entertainment:                  7.5/10  

CADBURY ATHLETIC 3 - 1 KNOWLE

 

    MIDLAND FOOTBALL LEAGUE, DIVISION TWO

Cadbury Recreation Ground, Bournville Lane, Birmingham, B30 2HP

                 5th November, 2022                 2:00 pm Kick-Off  

So the rail strike has been called off but not in time for most services today to be disrupted. This has helped to make me make a decision to go to a venue that will be easy to reach by local bus and I have plumped for the MFL Div 2, top of the table clash in the 'village' of Bournville, between 3rd placed Cadbury Athletic v 2nd placed and unbeaten Knowle F.C.

It's also a good excuse to visit this unusual ground set in beautiful surroundings.

I initially have trouble getting a No.1 bus from Acocks Green as the one I wanted doesn't show up, so I have to wait another 15 minutes for the next one. I then get off opposite the Edgbaston Cricket Ground, walk round the corner on to the Pershore Road and catch the No.5 to Stirchley, where I find my planned meal stop at the Bournville Cafe is not possible as this establishment is not open, or even closed for good?

As I'm pushed for time, I grab a coffee at another cafe, (which doesn't serve food) and then walk in to Bournville, buy some cheap chicken sandwiches at a local corner shop and eat them on the way to the ground.

I make it to the ground with 20 minutes before kick-off, pay my entrance fee and buy a programme, which is quite unusual and welcome for this level. I'm even able to buy a welcome cheese roll at the tea bar at the bottom of the magnificent Pavilion building, which is the headquarters of the football and cricket teams.

I take up a position at the opposite end to the pavilion, with the factory building and team dug-outs on my left and the rest of the playing fields to my right.

Unfortunately the kick-off is delayed to 2:15 pm due to the match officials for some reason arriving late to the ground.    

Cadbury troop out on to the turf, in their usual purple shirts, white shorts and purple socks while Knowle are also in their first team colours of red shirts, black shorts and socks.

I had made a mental pre-match prediction of a 1-1 draw, given that Knowle have the meanest defence in this division and they take an early lead, when they are awarded a free kick on the right, the shot hits the right hand post, comes out to the Knowle No.6 who hits a goal bound shot and is deflected off a Cadbury defender in to the right hand corner of the net.

After this set back, the 'Chocolate Men' begin to take control of the game. After mounting pressure, a cross comes in from the right and is headed in by their lively No.11 after 21 minutes.

It's no surprise when goal number number 2 arrives when the Knowle keeper, Craig Johnson, is beaten by a shot across the goal from the left.

Johnson then does well to make a save from an incoming header but it proves to be a short reprieve, when in the 32nd minute he comes out to block the Cadbury N0.9, Tom Craine, only to see the ball rebound off him to the oncoming Jeson Dinanga to slot the ball home.

So my pre-match prediction has been destroyed by a 'purple patch' of 12 minutes play by last seasons champions, Cadbury Athletic, who take this 2 goal lead into at the interval. 

I have a cup of Cadbury's hot chocolate and wonder if there will be any more goals in the second period?

I think this ground is a haven for ground hoppers as I have met 3 today. I get talking to one guy who has managed to travel by train from Coventry. He originally comes from Barnet in North London and we reminisce about grounds we have visited in the past and also music concerts. It turns out that he is going to watch the old 70's punk band 'The Damned' this evening.

Also there is a guy from Leicester, taking photos for a website (called 'Football Grounds In Focus') about football grounds around the country and abroad too, which is worth checking out.

The second half of this game sees Cadbury Athletic largely content to keep the visitors at bay. 

Knowle's stand out player today is undoubtedly their No.10, Reece Hewitt, who has shown great skill and energy in his efforts to rally his team (as shown below).

 Knowle do go close late on in the game to getting a second goal when a header hits the base of a post and out.

The match ends in a well deserved win for the home team, who by courtesy of a surprising slip-up at home by the league leaders, Sutton United (1-2 losers v Inkberrow), duly take over Knowle in second place and 2 points behind Sutton. 

Knowle drop to 4th place on goal difference from Alcester Town. The top 7 teams are only seperated by 7 points, so this bodes well for a possible tight title race this season.

It's been good to visit this ground (one of my favourites) again and I might make another visit, possibly for a cup match, in the next few months.

Match Attendance:                     75

Entrance Fee:                              £5 (£3 concession)

Match Programme:                    £ 1.50

Entertainment Value:                7.5/10  

  

 

   

WOLVERHAMPTON SPORTING 2 - 3 HINCKLEY AFC

 

     MIDLAND FOOTBALL LEAGUE, DIVISION ONE

                 Pride Park, Hazel Lane, Great Wyrley, WS6 6AA

                     29th October 2022         3:00 pm Kick-Off

Today is the last day of British Summer Time and to make the most of this I am going to a 3pm kick-off. I had toyed with the idea of going to see the FA Trophy match at Hednesford who are playing Stourbridge but instead I am saving a bit of money by going to watch Wolves Sporting who are at home against Hinckley AFC.

This will be my 2nd visit to Pride Park, after having watched a West Midlands League match last season when Norton Canes FC were ground sharing there. I'm not sure what's happened to that club now? Folded maybe?

After some early rain, the forecast is a good one. Cloudy with sunny intervals with the temperature possibly hitting 18 degrees C.

I make my way by train to Walsall, have a good value meal of fish & chips at the Tesco cafe and then take the train to Landywood, which is the station before Cannock.   

It takes me a leisurely 20 minutes walk to get to the ground and this gives me time to buy a cup of tea at 'Wolfies Bar' which lies at the top of a flight of steps in the building which houses the changing rooms below. 

Unfortunately there are no programmes for sale, just like when I saw Paget Rangers a few weeks ago. The trouble is for clubs with usually low attendances, it's probably not worth their while and expensive to print too. I later find the team line-ups on a print out and pinned up near the entrance.

When the teams venture out on to the pitch they are both in their first team colours, Wolves Sporting in orange shirts, black shorts and socks while Hinckley AFC are decked out in red shirts, blue shorts and red socks.

It's the home team that start the brighter, with their No.11, Luke Francis put through on the left and he has his close range shot blocked by keeper, Brandon Bache.

The warning signs are not heeded though by the AFC defence as the same player is put through again a few minutes later and this time he makes no mistake with a placed shot going just inside the right hand post.

Hinckley are trying to get in to the game but their attacking efforts are generally being snuffed out by the Sporting defence before they can get close to their goal. 

Disaster strikes for the visitors when a calamitous defensive error leaves the Wolves Sporting No.9, Arman Khoshkoo with the simple task of placing the ball into an empty net after Brandon Bache had raced out of his goal after 30 minutes.

Unfortunately the visitors suffered some more bad luck just before the end of this half when their No.3, Jeremie Agholor is clattered by Sporting's Callum Wood at the other end of the pitch to me and so I don't have a good view of the incident. I only know that the Hinckley fans are displeased by this.

He is escorted limping gingerly off the pitch at half-time, a sad sight indeed! 

So Wolves Sporting are very much in the driving seat and what will Hinckley do to shake things up?

I see that there is still work being done to this ground. When I came here last season I was told that drainage work had been done and I can see that the labour is being carried out by a few volunteers on an ongoing basis.

I had seen 2 photos on the club website yesterday of the ground in 2014, presumably when it was bought. It was a sorry sight and has been well renovated since then.

The second half gets under way and Hinckley are putting more effort in to their game. The pep talk by the manager seems to have lifted them and just 7 minutes in their No.9, Chandler Pegg, has scored. I think that he previously played for the MFL Premier outfit, Lichfield City. A good acquisition!

8 minutes later and the visitors have equalised, courtesy of a penalty scored by their No.8, Lewis Collins, after Pegg is brought down in the area by Sporting defender, Ellis Jones.

  We have a real game on our hands now and both teams are going for the 3 points although the momentum seems to be in Hinckley's favour, courtesy of their vocal loyal band of supporters.

Both teams fashion chances and it's the visitors who score the next goal, when following good work by that man Pegg on the left of the Sporting goal, the ball is played in to Jack Edwards who shoots past home keeper Ben Wood. You could almost feel the ball being sucked into the net by the Hinckley supporters standing behind that goal!

    This sparks a big celebration with the some of the players and jubilant supporters.

This proves to be the winning goal despite some late pressure by Wolverhampton Sporting. A fitting finale for a memorable fight back by the visitors and the match has been a great showcase for Non-League football, a testament to both the competing teams today.

I had a feeling that this match would be a good one to watch with both sides having similar league positions. Hinckley are now in the play-off places and later I find out that the top 3 teams all lost today.

Wolves Sporting are in 9th spot and no doubt will be looking to build up a good run of results to get further up the table.

Entrance Fee:                   £6 (£4 concession)

Match Attendance:          38 (0fficial figure)  Approx 50 (head count)

Match Programme:         none available

Entertainment Value:     8.5/10