I am making my way today to the Birmingham County FA HQ in Ray Hall Lane, for the final of their Saturday Junior Cup competition. This is my second visit to this venue as I saw the Veterans Cup Final there last May.
I have taken the train from Worcester to Birmingham and have taken the train again to Tame Bridge Parkway station. I have a walk through a housing estate, then it's across the river bridge, a railway pedestrian crossing and under the flyovers of the M5 motorway too. Not scenic but certainly interesting.
I have arrived in good time with 20 minutes to go before the 2pm kick-off.
I pay my £3 entrance fee at the gate and included in the price there is a copy of today's programme. There is a van just round the corner selling refreshments, so I can have my usual pre-match cup of tea after all.
Today's protagonists are FC Premier 2008, who play in the top division of the Birmingham AFA League and they are playing the Under 21 side of Dudley Town who play in the Under 21 division of the Midland Football League. FC Premier should feel more at home as they play on the pitch, between this one and the nearby railway line.
I notice in the programme that FC Premier had beaten the reserve team of fellow Birmingham AFA team Silhill in the semis. Dudley had beaten several Birmingham AFA teams on route to the final, including Wake Green Amateurs in their semi-final.
There is quite a good crowd in attendance today, about 60 at a guess. When the 2 teams come out on to the pitch I see in my programme that Dudley are in black and red while FC Premier are in an all white kit, a la Real Madrid.
The weather is cold with an overcast sky but with the chance of sunny intervals, according to my phone's BBC weather app.
It's certainly a cracking start, with Premier taking the lead through a header by their powerful No.9, Chris Johnson after only 2 minutes.
Not to be outdone and in their first attack, sees the Dudley No.10 Andy Hudson receive a good pass on the left and he slots the ball home past the advancing keeper after 4 minutes. 5 minutes later and the same player scores again from a similar position.
Then FC Premier's Johnson goes close with another header. After 13 minutes, a poor FC Premier corner is cleared to the Dudley No.11 who passes to a colleague who rounds the Premier keeper but sees his effort cleared off the line.
The next piece of action sees the FC Premier No.17 shoot on the turn and pushed past the post by the Dudley keeper. From the resultant corner, a header is cleared off the line.
The next goal is scored in the 29th minute when FC Premier have a corner and the ball is headed down and Chris Johnson scores his 2nd goal, shooting through 3 Dudley defenders and their keeper, (as shown below).
Phew, only 30 minutes gone and it's already 2-2. Alan Hansen would probably be having a field day criticising the defensive play if he was watching! It's great for the spectators though.
A few minutes later a Dudley player tries to lob the keeper from about 20 yards out but sees his effort just go over the bar.
I also have time to chat with a photographer who works for the company called 353 Photography, who are the official photographers for the County Cup Finals played here. His name is Gary Griffiths who comes from Wolverhampton and his company are also the official photographers of Black Country football clubs, Bilston Town and Wolverhampton Casuals. Check out their website for some good action photos.
Two minutes before half time in this crazy game, Dudley Town score again through their No.7, Joe Phillips (shown below on the left being congratulated by Andy Hudson).
Half-time has arrived and both players and spectators can get their breath back for the final 45 minutes.
The sky is getting lighter and we do see some sun in the second half for about 15 minutes.
When play recommences it's FC Premier on the attack after 49 minutes. It's that No.9, Chris Johnson again who powers on a run down the left but his progress is brought to a shuddering halt by a tackle on the edge of the box by the Dudley Town No 3. It results in both players needing treatment from their respective physios.
After 65 minutes sees a good through ball to Chris Johnson whose shot is well saved. Johnson is certainly a dangerous player, with his power, speed, heading ability and he's got a good long throw at throw-ins too.
With 15 minutes to go, the ball is cleared out to the Dudley No.8 who makes a great shot that cannons off the bar.
In the last few minutes, FC Premier have 2 efforts on goal. First their No.7 shoots wildly over the bar from the left and then they have another shot from the left that just goes past the far post.
There is still time for Dudley's Andy Hudson to shoot across the Premier goal before the ref blows for full time. The outcome of this game had been in doubt right till the end. It's been a true showcase final and has been a credit to both teams who have given a great display of attacking football.
I make my way to the other end of the ground to witness the awards being given out. Firstly the officials are given some medals, then the Man of the Match award is given to the Dudley No.10, Andy Hudson, who scored 2 goals and produced a skilfull display of forward play and looks a great prospect.
The gallant losers trudge along to collect their medals and finally the Dudley captain, Elliot Haydon, is presented with the trophy and he joyfully holds it aloft surrounded by his happy team mates.
Match entrance fee: £3
Match programme: free with entry
Match attendance: approx 60
Match entertainment: 8.5/10
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