Due to temporary financial constraints I have decided to go to another local game today and it will mean a new ground to visit.
The game in question is a local derby between Powick Rangers and Malvern Under-21's at the Malvern Vale Community Centre that was built 2/3 years ago in a brand new housing estate, located in the area of Upper Howsell in Malvern.
It's a bit of a shot in the dark for me as I don't know what kind of ground it is and because it's so new, it's not that clearly defined on Google Maps and it's certainly not marked on my hard copy map of the Malvern area.
There is a steady light rainfall when I leave for the train at Shrub Hill station but with the promise of dry weather later on. I arrive at Malvern Link station and the rain has soon gone. I have decided to visit Malvern Library after reading in my local newspaper that there is an exhibition by a local photographer specialising in infra-red photography. It's very interesting, giving well known local views an ethereal look.
After having a bite to eat in Great Malvern, it takes me about 25 minutes to get to the Community Centre, which wasn't that difficult to find in the end. When I reach the entrance I can see there are 2 football pitches, with the one on my right being the one to be used for the match. 3 sides of it are bordered by a high wire fence while the other has a rope to separate the spectators from the pitch. Not great for photography but at least I will have my back to the sun that has been appearing from time to time.
Powick Rangers are a new club, being a merger of the old AFC Powick village side who have been a major force in recent years in the Worcester & District Football League and Malvern Rangers. However as the Saturday division of this League has been disbanded due to the withdrawal of 5 teams, Powick threw in their lot with Malvern Rangers who were already playing at this ground in the West Mid Div 2.
Malvern Town Under-21's are a revamp of their old reserve team who also were plying their trade in the Worcester League.
When the teams come on to the pitch, Powick (pronounced Poik) are in white shirts and blue shorts and Malvern in their usual strip of blue,claret and white.
The opening exchanges are even with Powick's No.9 hitting the post with a shot on the right and Malvern's No.8 having his shot well saved. Just a minute later Powick's keeper deflects a shot with his legs.
For the rest of this half though, Powick look the more dangerous side and have several chances that go begging. They even have the ball in the net in the 27th minute but it's ruled out by an offside flag.
Half-time arrives and it's surprisingly still 0-0 despite the best efforts of both the teams. It's been a keenly contested match so far and it's difficult to predict the likely outcome.
I don't bother looking to see if there are any refreshments on sale as I have brought some of my own and after checking some half-time scores, I see that the teams are coming out 5 minutes early.
Malvern look to be in better form and have a great chance when their No.9 is put through by a lovely pass and finds himself in a one on one situation with the keeper. His shot though bounces off the home keepers legs and out (as shown below).
It looks to be a costly miss as after 70 minutes, Malvern carelessly give away possession in their own half and it ends up with Powick's No.9 having an easy chance to shoot past their keeper.
Malvern Town though immediately fight back with a very soft goal. Their No.9, has a tame looking shot on goal that makes it's way through the covering Powick defenders legs and with the keeper seemingly rooted to the spot, the ball slowly goes in to the corner of the goal. It looks as if the Powick goalie was expecting the ball to go wide. He's very upset with his error and is loudly berating himself!
A woman Malvern Town supporter who has been watching with her husband, close to where I'm standing is very pleased about this and seeing me with my notebook open asks me 'Do you want to know the scorer's name?' I reply that I do and she laughs and says it's their son called Jack Cullity.
With 10 minutes to go, Malvern's No.12 out on the left, bends in a shot towards the far post but is pushed round the post by the home keeper.
Close to full time, Powick are awarded a free kick on the right. The ball is crossed over and is flicked on by a Powick player to the far post for their tall No.6 who nods it in to the net.
A great time to score a goal but the best goal of the game comes in injury time a few minutes later when Powick's No.11 finds himself with the ball at his feet on the right side of the goal and then blasts it straight in to the top corner.
So 3-1 for the home side and the whistle blows soon after. Powick have deserved to win today but it's been close.
I think they could do well in this division this season and Malvern Town should avoid trouble but will have to be more clinical in front of goal.
Match attendance: 30-40.
Entrance fee: free
Match programme: none
Entertainment value: 7/10
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