It's FA Cup time again and today I am heading west to the city of Hereford, where Westfields (Midland Football League, Prem Div) are the hosts to Kidsgrove Athletic (Northern Premier League, Div 1 South).
As Kidsgrove Athletic just escaped relegation last season, I think today's contest can be a close one. Westfield's ground at Allpay Park is one of my favourite grounds too.
When I set out from Worcester on the train, it's a day of sunshine and scattered clouds, with a forecast of similar conditions for the rest of the day. After an hour I disembark and walk for 10 minutes to the city centre. After a quick look round some shops, I go to the Butter Cross indoor market and have a meal in the cafe there. I even have time to have a quick look at an exhibition of paintings done on different types of leather, which lends itself well to detailed work, such as pictures of elephants, tigers, dogs etc. The artist also does commissioned work on leather jackets. Check out his work on artonleather.co.uk
I then walk to the match, going past Hereford FC's ground in Edgar Street, then turning left down Prior Street and this leads to a footpath which goes past the bottom of the Herefordshire County FA ground where another Hereford based club, Lads Club, play their matches. Then on my left at the end of the patch is the small road that leads to Allpay Park.
I just have time to drink a cup of tea after entering the ground, before the teams come out on to the field, with Westfields in their usual claret and blue strip while Kidsgrove are in their alternate colours of all-red as their all-blue kit would probably clash somewhat with their hosts colours.
Allpay park has the entrance in the one corner of the ground with the club house and changing rooms close by. On the same side about about half way along is situated the main stand. More cover is to be found on the opposite side with a small stand (standing room only) with the dug-outs in the middle. Either end is open to the elements. There are plenty of trees round the ground which makes for a very pleasant atmosphere.
The first 10 minutes of the match is evenly contested but then Westfields start to take control and in the 11th minute should have taken the lead. Their No.8 and captain, Jamie Cuss goes down the left and crosses for No11, Ben Evans at the near post but he can't keep his shot down and manages to scoop the ball over the bar.
Their pressure does pay off 12 minutes later though, when in a similar move Evans crosses for Cuss who though has his initial effort blocked, manages to follow up and guide the rebound home (as shown below).
Just 3 minutes later and the dangerous goal scorer, has a shot on the run coming down the left, which goes just wide.
Kidsgrove then start to get back in to the game, helped by some sloppy midfield play by Westfields.
After 33 minutes they blaze over a good chance and then just 4 minutes later are awarded a penalty when their No.10 is brought down. The penalty is neatly placed in the corner with the keeper sent the wrong way. Then in the 40th minute they have another shot which hits the post. Westfields manage to hang on though till half time.
It's been quite an even game so far, as I predicted and still everything to play for.
In attendance today, is the Hereford FC manager, Peter Beadle, who is taking the opportunity to view the opposition as his side are playing the home side on Monday.
I am also informed that sitting in the stand today is a former Jamie Insall, who has been on trial at Hibernian FC in Edinburgh recently and has reportedly signed a contract there. That's great news for him and for any aspiring footballers in the Non-League game. I look forward to seeing his progress north of the border. The source of my information today is an elderly Westfields fan called Eric who I have met several times before whenever I visit Allpay Park. He originally comes from Birmingham and used to play himself for local teams up there back in the day. He is quite chatty and has kept me and another younger Westfields fan entertained today with his stories.
In the second half, it's Kidsgrove Athletic who threaten to score first when after a deep cross from the left is met full on the volley by their No.7, Anthony Malbon, which fizzes just past the far post.
Westfields come back strongly though and Aiden Thomas goes close after 71 minutes and then 4 minutes later, Ben Evans comes in from the right and places his shot past the far post. It looks as if he should have scored and he is immediately substituted by the manager.
Kidsgrove do get the ball in the net in the first minute of injury time,when one of their forwards rounds the keeper to shoot in. It's blown up for offside though.
There is still time for Westfields to see another effort go wide when looking likely to score. So it's 1-1 and Westfields will be travelling to Kidsgrove (north of Stoke-on-Trent) on Wednesday night for the replay, after playing Hereford on Monday! They should have won this game today as they did create the better chances but I'm sure Kidsgrove will fancy their chances on their home turf.
So I say goodbye to Eric and his friend and make my back to the rail station. It was certainly a better game today after last Saturday's visit to Rugby Town!
Match entrance fee: £7
Match programme: £1
Match attendance: 118
Match entertainment value: 7/10
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