With a dismal looking forecast for today I am not that hopeful of seeing a game at my choice of venue today, the Palmers Meadow ground of Tenbury United who play in the Herefordshire Football League.
I receive an email from their Fixture Secretary that their game is off today, so my Plan B is to go and see Barnt Green Spartak's game in Kings Norton. I receive a text from their Secretary just before reaching the University rail station in Birmingham that that game is off too. I would have had to change trains here to get to that ground.
So it's Plan C, to visit the 3G all weather pitch at Coles Lane to watch Sutton Coldfield Town's local derby against Stafford Rangers. As they are both riding high in the league table I reckon it could be a good game to watch. Not so good for photography though due to the 3pm kick-off with falling light levels in the second half.
After getting safely to New Street station in Birmingham, I get the next train to Sutton Coldfield. The weather is cloudy with occasional drizzle now. When I arrive at my destination, I have time to have a look round the shops and a bite to eat. It's a good place for shopping with most major stores located here.
Then I make the 15 minute walk to the ground. It's a place I have been to several times over the last 4 years, to watch the home side, plus also Romulus FC and Aston Villa Ladies, Sutton Coldfield and Romulus Under-21 teams and Walsall Wood when they had a re-arranged FA Vase tie played here.
Sutton have an average gate of approximately 150 so it will be interesting to see if it's a bigger crowd with the visit of nearby Stafford who usually have good support.
Both teams are riding high in the league this season, with Sutton top of the table and Stafford lying in 5th place. The teams come out with Sutton in their all royal blue strip and Stafford in black and white striped shirts.
I go to the far end of the ground and am joined by a contingent of the Stafford supporters just before kick-off. Stafford who are attacking the goal at this end, seem to be inspired by their fans in the early stages as they have the best of the play.
Sutton do go close though when their No.8, Jamie Sheldon, has a shot that hits the post after the Stafford keeper, Adam Whitehouse, fails to hold on to an effort by Scott Lycett.
I am impressed by the Stafford Rangers No.9, Ryan Wynter, who is proving to be a lively opponent for the Sutton defence. He also has a distinctive shaving brush like hair style (shown below).
Wynter has a good effort saved by Lee Evans in the Sutton goal but the latter stages of this half, see Sutton Coldfield imposing themselves more on the game. So it's 0-0 and all to play for both teams in the next half.
I hear from a Sutton Coldfield fan, wearing a Villa scarf, that Birmingham City are 0-2 down at half-time, in their away 3rd Rd FA Cup tie at Blyth Spartans, so no wonder he looks to be in good spirits!
There seems to be a decent crowd at today's match and it's good to see 2 local teams doing well. Stafford were relegated last season and will be looking to book a play-off place. Sutton Coldfield have been there or close to it in the last few seasons and look to be a more consistent side this time.
I have a chat with a guy who is wearing a WBA scarf. He tells me that he doesn't watch the Albion very much these days but instead watches non-league matches, mainly at Tividale who now play in this division.
There are a number of Sutton Coldfield fans who come down to the end of the ground where their team will be attacking in the next period. They have some musical accompaniment with 2 guys playing a trumpet and drum respectively. They are both decent players and should have no trouble in getting a regular gig at home games.
It's Sutton Coldfield Town who are fast out of the blocks at the start of this 45 minutes. In the 48th minute, they take the lead courtesy of Justin Richards from a well struck shot.
(scorer, Justin Richards in the centre of the photo is congratulated by team mates)
Stafford Rangers come back at Sutton and Nathan Smith and Dan Cope have chances but it's Sutton who are the more threatening.
It's only some good goalkeeping from Adam Whitehouse that keeps the score line down to one goal as he makes saves from Sheldon and Turton near the end.
So Sutton Coldfield have won against a useful Stafford Rangers team. They have done well to bounce back after their recent home defeat to Tividale, while this game marks the end of Stafford's unbeaten run.
Both Mickleover Sports and Spalding Town have games in hand over Sutton and are the current favourites for the league title and automatic promotion. Sutton Coldfield and Stafford Rangers both look strong for a play-off place at the end of the season.
Match attendance: 362
Entertainment value: 7/10
Match entrance fee: £8
Match programme: £2
No comments:
Post a Comment