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

 

ROMULUS 3 - 0 HALESOWEN TOWN

 

                   F.A.  CUP,  PRELIMINARY ROUND

     Castle Vale Stadium, Farnborough Road, Castle Vale, Birmingham

                                                         B35  7LQ

                         20th August, 2022         3:00pm Kick-Off

It's FA Cup time again and for the 3rd week running I am going to a new ground. As the rail strikes are restricting my travels, I have to keep it relatively local and the tie that stands out this time around is Romulus v Halesowen Town, especially as the home side had disposed of Sutton Coldfield Town who play at a level above them, in the previous round.

The weather is sunny again but thankfully at least 10 degrees cooler than last Saturday. Like last week I don't experience any delays in my bus journeys, first to Erdington where I manage to get an all-day breakfast and then on the No.28 bus down to Castle Vale. When I get off the bus there, I have a walk of 15-20 minutes and I take a photo along the way at 'Spitfire Island' where there is a statue dedicated to the memory of that historic aircraft. I think this must be because there was a factory producing these aircraft at nearby Castle Bromwich.

It's certainly a striking landmark! I get to the ground 15 minutes before kick-off and have time to buy a club badge, obtain a printed team sheet (programmes downloaded on-line) and buy a cup of tea.

This is the first time that I will be watching a game at the Castle Vale Stadium, after failing to do so 10-11 years ago, when I came here to see a team called 'Phoenix United' (now defunct) who were playing in the old Midland Combination, 2nd Division. The gates were closed that day and I think the game was cancelled due to a waterlogged pitch, as there had been a lot of rainfall in the previous few days.

This stadium was built for the Paget Rangers club, who at that time were briefly playing in the Southern League. They went bust after falling in to financial difficulties (now happily reformed) and now Castle Vale Town of the Midlands Football League, Div 3 play there and it's ground-shared with MFL Premier team, Romulus.

They have an artificial pitch now, with the main stand on the entrance side of the ground, this houses the changing rooms with the bar at the top above the seating. The rest of the ground is open to the elements, which is certainly no hardship today.

Halesowen Town who have a sizeable travelling support today will be looking to continue their current good form of 2 league wins so far. They come out on to the pitch in their away strip of yellow shirts, blue shorts and yellow socks while Romulus are decked out in their usual red & white shirts, red shorts & socks.

In the 10th minute the home side are awarded a penalty when their No.10, Owen Watkins is adjudged to have been fouled while battling for possession with 2 Halesowen defenders. It looks to be a harsh decision but Watkins is happy to score and put his side into a morale boosting lead.

 This has clearly shaken the visitors and they fall further behind when from a throw-in from the right, their skipper, Cameron Lee, is able to score with a looping header, over the despairing keeper, Daniel Platt, despite being surrounded by Halesowen defenders.

So Romulus are 2 goals to the good and definitely on top in this contest and they follow up with a 3rd goal in the 25th minute, when they counter-attack down the right and the ball falls to their No.9, Trea Bertie, who sets himself up to smash the ball home in to the left-hand corner of the net to send the home supporters in to raptures of delight.

I noticed on the team sheet, that Halesowen's No.11 today is a player called Bailey Fuller who had an excellent season at Worcester City last season but along with most of the visiting team, is not making an impact on this game (and substituted at half-time) As Worcester is the city of my birth, it's been disappointing but it's early days at his new club.

Halesowen do mount some attacks before the interval and their best effort sees a shot cannon off the underside of the bar and out.

Half-time arrives and it's looking as if Romulus will carry out another giant killing today unless the visitors manage to regain some confidence with an early second half goal.  

During the interval, Halesowen Town photographer comes along to take his position for the next period and gives me a wry smile. I admit to him that I feel a little bit guilty, as I had earlier told him that I had seen his side lose in the Cup, at home last season to lower league opponents and feel like a jinx for them.  

The away supporters gather at the end where their team will be attacking and arrange their banners and flags and banners accordingly.

When play resumes, Halesowen certainly do have more possession of the ball but are struggling to create any clear cut chances.

Romulus are able to soak up the pressure and sometimes look dangerous on the break.

So Romulus are able to contain their opponents and gain another notable cup scalp that their dominant display merited. Today I have learned that they will have a tough away trip in the next round at Nottinghamshire's Basford United. Tough certainly but not impossible on today's showing.

Halesowen Town meanwhile will be looking to dust themselves down and continue their good early season league form.

Match Attendance:                   241

Match Entrance:                       £7 (£4 concession)

Match Programme:                  Online download

Entertainment Value:              7.5/10 

 

  

EDGBASTON SPARTANS 2 - 2 FC PREMIER

             West Midlands Regional League, Division 2

              Hollyfields Sports & Conference Centre, Woodacre Road, 

                                    Erdington, Birmingham, B24 0JT

                              13th August, 2022       3:00pm Kick-Off

Due to the current problems with the train strikes, I have decided to keep my travelling fairly local today but with another new ground to watch Edgbaston Spartans play in their first league match at Hollyfields in Erdington.

I watched them  once last season in their first full season in the West Midlands League and after struggling initially they had an improved 2nd half of the season and finished in eighth place and I think reached the semi-final of their League Cup competition.

I was wondering this morning, if going to this match is a good idea as it will likely be very hot this afternoon, probably 33 degrees + ? Not my kind of weather at all but I decide to go while taking suitable precautions, like taking plenty of liquids and electrolytes as well as putting on sun lotion. 

I surprisingly have no problems travelling by bus to Erdington and have time to have a look around the shopping centre and have a good value meal at a local cafe. I even have a problem free bus ride which takes me close to the ground on the number 25 bus. I usually would have walked to the ground but it's just too hot today.

Soon I am in Woodacre Road and at the gates to this sports ground.

This ground is principally used by Hollyfields FC who run several junior football teams who play in the Central Warwickshire Youth and also the Midland Junior Leagues. I believe that until recently this ground was used for cricket but I don't know which team/teams played here.

I walk through the car park and the club house/conference centre is to my right with the main football pitch directly in front and the other pitch to the left, on which side is also where the changing rooms are located.

I have time to have a refreshing half-pint of cider before venturing back in to the heat outside. I notice that lying in front of the club house is a decking area with tables and chairs, for leisurely viewing of the sporting action.

When the 2 teams come out, Edgbaston Spartans are in a new looking kit, mainly white except for grey shirt sleeves and red socks. I think FC Premier (who have come up from the Birmingham & District League) are in their change strip, which consists of red & white striped shirts with black shorts and socks.

At the start it's the visitors who are generally on top, being awarded 3 corners but not creating any clear cut chances.

Edgbaston though go close after 20 minutes when awarded a free kick on the right and the subsequent shot goes skidding across the goal and just past the right hand post.

Then FC Premier have a header go over the bar from a free kick and then within the space of a minute, Spartans have 2 shots, one going wide of the post and the other in to the side netting. 

The home side are looking the more dangerous team and it's no surprise when their unmarked No.9, Ermand Kaloti, strokes the ball in to the net.

They have 2 more chances and should have scored at least one more goal too.

So it's looking more promising today for Edgbaston after their unfortunate defeat last Saturday when conceding a goal in the 7th minute of stoppage time away to the Stourport Swifts Development team.

At one point during the first half I talked briefly to a young guy who was stood close by and he told me that he is joining the Edgbaston team and hopes to play up front for them. He has played Sunday league football up until now.

During the interval I venture up to the far end of the pitch where there is some shade under the tall hedge at the back.

When play resumes, FC Premier score an equaliser early on following a mistake in the Spartans defence and the visitor's No.14 shoots home for an easy goal.

FC Premier are definitely upping their game in this half and after 75 minutes they take the lead through their N0.8 and captain when he neatly side-steps a challenge and drills the ball home.

 6 minutes later and Edgbaston should have equalised but instead this time, Kaloti, blazes the ball over the bar from close in.

The home side are rewarded with their late pressure in the 44th minute when that man Kaloti makes amends and shoots home for the equaliser.

So this contest ends in a 2-2 draw and maybe that's the right result in the end as FC Premier improved in the second half.

The set up at this ground is pretty neat, with a good clubhouse and decent pitch, although not so good for spectators in the bad weather, as there is no shelter, although there is a small covered area in between the dug-outs. I'm not sure if spectators are allowed in though as it may be just for the coaching and playing staff?

I realised when looking at a map of this area before I got on the bus, that this ground lies just around the corner from Paget Road Junior School, where many moons ago my late father had gone to in his young school days. I think he always had a bit of a soft spot for Paget Rangers FC too.

On today's showing I think Edgbaston Spartans have improved from last season and will be looking to finish in the top half of the table. Also I'm sure FC Premier will initially be looking for a season of consolidation.

Both teams did really well in very trying conditions today, no doubt helped with drink breaks provided in both halves and hopefully we have seen the last of this extreme heat this year.

Entrance Fee:                   £5

Match attendance:          Approx 10-15

Match Programme:        none available

Match entertainment:    7/10

 

 

West Midlands Regional League
 

BELPER UNITED 0 - 3 LICHFIELD CITY

                 FA CUP, EXTRA PRELIMINARY ROUND

Raygar Stadium, Christchurch Meadows, Bridge St, Belper, DE56 1BA

                          Sunday 7th August,  3:00pm Kick-Off

I have decided to go to the wilds of Derbyshire for my first game of this new season. It's an FA Cup clash between Belper United of the United Counties League, Premier Div North (who ground share with their hosts, Belper Town) and Lichfield City who play in the Midland Football League, Premier Div.

I like to go to cup games that feature clubs from different league competitions if I can and I am thinking this could be a good one to watch with the home side gaining promotion to Step 5 of the Pyramid for the 1st time and Lichfield being a fine footballing side that finished 3rd in their division last season.

The train I catch from Birmingham (Edinburgh bound) this morning is crammed with passengers and it's a miracle that I eventually find a spare seat. When I change trains at Derby for Belper, again there are a lot of passengers and again I am lucky to find a seat. Must be the holiday season!

It's certainly a fine sunny day with the temperature set to reach 23 centigrade. Belper is a cute small town that lies on the banks of the River Derwent just seven miles north of Derby (population 22,000). It dates back to Norman times and really came to prominence in the early days of the Industrial Revolution with the help of cotton manufacture (particularly cotton stockings) when cotton mills were built in this area powered by the river.  

The town centre has plenty of good independent shops and I find a good fish & chip restaurant called 'Nik's' to have a meal.   

Afterwards I have a look around the town and go to the Belper River Gardens overlooking the weir.

 It's certainly a scenic area and one I'd like to come to again. I decide to take the short walk to the ground and soon I am walking through the gates, on the eastern side of the ground.

I pay my entrance fee and get a programme too but I'm disappointed that there are no club badges available today. I'm assured that the club had ordered some but they still hadn't arrived yet.

The pitch looks to be in great condition and at first I thought it was an artificial surface. 

The main stand is located on the southern side of the ground and that's where all the seating is available. Another smaller covered stand is on the entrance side of this stadium while there is another stand on the northern side along with the team dug-outs. The western end of the ground features no shelter and is in front of a small artificial practice pitch.

A club house is directly behind the main stand, where I manage to get a cup of tea and then make my way to the end of this stand just past the seating area but still with some shelter from the sun.

The teams come out in their usual 1st team colours, Belper in green & black striped shirts, green shorts & socks while the visitors are all in blue.

 From the off it's Lichfield with their possession game that are dominating proceedings while United favour a more direct approach.

They are creating chances on a regular basis and the stand-in keeper for Belper, Charlie Woods, is performing heroics to keep the visitors at bay. His great save from Lichfield captain, Kyle Patterson, in the 24th minute is a particularly worthy effort. On this showing he should be Belper's regular custodian.

      (Charlie Woods makes sure that this Lichfield attack is stopped)

After 36 minutes, a Lichfield shot hits Belper's left-hand post and is gratefully scooped up by Woods on the rebound.

Luke Childs has been tormenting his marker, Belper United's No.3 Jake Dodds, with his skill and elusive running and he sees a shot of his saved by that man Woods in the 40th minute.

So half-time arrives with still no score and the home side somehow are still in with a chance in this tie. It's hard to see at the moment though how they can win this game but Lichfield will definitely have to score soon to make their superiority count, otherwise they might lose confidence, the longer this game goes on.

This ground certainly has a dramatic backdrop with the now disused East Mill towering above on one side.

Also, at the entrance end of the ground you have the presence of the much closer Catholic church called, Christ Church, looming too.

I'm informed by a Belper United supporter that the club will have to look for an alternative ground after the close of this current season. I wonder if they have any plans for getting their own ground in the not too distant future? 

One of the club's officials comes round with copies of the team sheets for anyone who's interested. Very useful and much appreciated!

When play resumes, Belper are taking the game to their opponents but without creating any clear cut chances. Then normal service is resumed with Lichfield having one shot go above the bar followed soon after with them taking the lead.

It's scored by their new No.9, Ethan Muckley, after the ball is passed to him on the right, with the keeper drawn out of position and he makes no mistake with this opportunity. 

     (A very happy Ethan Muckley is congratulated by his team mates)

Belper respond a few minutes later when their No.9, Richard (Itchy) Hanslow races through to hit a shot over the visitor's bar. Their No.8, Martyn Smyth also shoots another effort over the bar but Lichfield are still dominating the game.

They do score the all important second goal after 82 minutes with Luke Childs fooling both his marker and then the keeper to stroke the ball in to the unguarded net.

At this point I decide to leave the ground as I am worried about catching the next train back to Birmingham, as there is a long wait before the next one.

Of course later on I find out that Lichfield score another late goal, courtesy of substitute, Chandler Pegg, in the 86th minute. I think I probably could have seen that goal but it's better to be safe than sorry.

So Lichfield City go through to the next round, which will played in 2 weeks time and maybe Belper United will have better luck in the FA Vase competiton? 

I have certainly enjoyed my visit to this scenic town and ground and it's certainly one I'd like to come to again.

Match Attendance:         178

Entrance Fee:                  £8 (£5 concession)

Match Programme:        £1

Entertaintment Value:  7/10

  

  

 

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