I am visiting a new ground today, that of Sutton United of the 2nd Division of the Midland Combination. I have thought about going there for the last 2 or 3 months. They are a new team to this League after many years of success, competing in the Birmingham AFA.
I set out from Worcester on the train, with blue skies but still a bit chilly. It feels almost like Spring. After having something to eat in Sutton Coldfield, I walk from the town centre and soon I am walking along Rectory Road, past the Good Hope Hospital and see that Rectory Park, where the ground is situated is on my right. At the next crossroads I turn right in to Hollyfield Road and a few minutes later see St Chads Church on the right. I remember seeing in the Mid Comb website that the ground is to be found at the back of this church. It is certainly looks a nice area to live in and must be a pretty affluent area judging by the quality of the housing. Through a small car park and I have found a path that takes me to the club house/changing room complex. After the exertions of my walk I go in to the club house and pay for a cup of tea and soon I am sat at a table watching the last few minutes of the Reading-Southampton relegation dog-fight. It ends up 2-0 to the Saints and should mean relegation for Nigel Adkins's new team. Poor bloke, I thought he had been doing OK at Southampton.
So ten minutes before kick-off I wander outside. There is already another game taking place on an adjacent pitch which I find out later is where the Sutton 3rd team are playing in a top of the table clash in the Birmingham AFA League.
Soon the teams are walking on to the pitch, Sutton in their green & black kit and their opponents, Rugeley Rangers, in an all navy blue ensemble. Rugeley are next to bottom of this division and face a very stiff task against Sutton who have the best goal difference. There is a good crowd too, officially 78 and in some previous matches this season they have had 100+ crowds! The pitch is basically a park pitch with a metal railing surrounding it.
After the game starts Sutton are soon on the attack. The pitch is hard and dry and it takes a few minutes for the players to get used to the high bounce of the ball. However, a Sutton player breaks down the left and soon the ball is bundled in to the net from close range after 7 minutes.
This sets the pattern for the rest of the first period as Sutton United show off their attacking prowess, their speedy forwards causing the overworked Rugeley defence many problems.
As well as the action on the pitch I am entertained by a scenario off it when a wayward shot from a Sutton player ends up stuck high in the branches of a tree a few feet behind the Rugeley goal. A Sutton fan, a man who looks to be in his fifties bravely climbs up the tree and after shaking the branches for a few minutes manages to get the ball down.
Unfortunately, about 15 minutes later, the same thing happens again and the ball is almost in exactly the same place. The same man who is reluctant to go climbing again is told by one of the Sutton coaching staff that he has seen a long metal pole a few yards away. Soon they are to be seen carrying the pole and within a few minutes have dislodged the ball. What tasks club officials have to do!
Back to the match and Sutton score 2 more goals before half-time. The second goal is a particularly good one with the Sutton player smashing in a volley before the goalkeeper can move.
At half-time I see on my phone that Villa are 1-0 up at Stoke. I know this area is Villa fan territory so know that there will be many happy spectators coming out for the second half.
For a good 30 minutes, Rugeley manage not to concede any more goals. Their midfield seem to manage to make more of a game of it but they don't threaten the Sutton goal greatly.
I speak to another photographer who I had seen earlier taking pictures at the the other game and find out that he is from the local Sutton Coldfield paper.
In the final 15 minutes Rugeley crack and concede another 2 goals.
So the game ends with the expected easy win for Sutton United which strengthens their position in 4th place with games in hand on the teams above them, while Rugeley sink to bottom place due to previous bottom team, Coventry Spires (sounds like their players are probably all over 6 feet tall! ) winning 4-0 away.
Also later I find out that title favourites, Alcester Town have lost 4-1 at home to current leaders, Perrywood.
One of the linesmen is told by a spectator with a radio that Villa have won 3-1 and he has a big smile on his face as he troops off the pitch at the final whistle.
I can recommend a visit to Rectory Park but it's best to pick a dry day as there is only cover under some trees on the one side of the ground.
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