I am venturing to the land of the 'Purple People'. No I'm not on an LSD trip but am referring to the colours of the Cadbury Athletic football team. Their reserve side are playing Birmingham AFA, Premier Division team, BT, who play in the district of Sheldon. It's a Quarter-Final tie of the Birmingham Saturday Amateur Cup, which used to be called the Minor Cup.
It's a cool, cloudy and very blustery day but with thankfully no rain. Due to the large amount of Christmas shoppers, I have had to stand up for all of my journey on the train today. After alighting at the University station I backtrack to Bournville station on the next Redditch bound train.
I have enough time to walk in to the centre of Bournville for a meal at a local Cafe. Bournville is a nice area with good architecture and a 'village' feel to it and independent shops.
It's only a ten minute walk to Cadbury's ground in Bournville Lane. The first team now ground share at Pilkington XXX's ground in nearby Kings Norton as they have floodlights, a requirement for First Division teams in the Midland Football League.
I have described the Cadbury Recreation Ground in an earlier post in November 2013. It's situated at the back of the companies factory, the pitch allegedly has the same turf that is used at Wembley and 'The Pavilion' which houses the changing rooms at the bottom, is a fine looking building.
Although Cadbury Athletic are a relatively new club (founded in 1984), I have found out on the internet that one Daniel Sturridge had started his early football career on this very ground, by playing in of the club's junior teams on Sundays some years ago.
With very few people around I talk to a guy who is standing by the dug-outs. He turns out to be a referee assessor, who is running the rule over today's man in the middle. Of course the assessor turns out to be an ex-referee himself.
The game starts at the early time of 1:30 pm and the 'chocolate men' of Cadbury are in their usual purple and white strip while BT are in yellow and black. It's the visitors who are dominant in the early stages of this game.
They force two early corners and after 15 minutes, their No.17 shoots wide when put through on goal. I reflect that he really should have scored.
After this Cadbury Athletic begin to get in to the game more and start to dominate possession, without really threatening their opponents goal but it's BT who take the lead in the 39th minute when under presure the Cadbury No.5 turns to chip back to his keeper,Fraser Oliver but unfortunately he has advanced to the edge of his area and the ball sails over his head and in to the net.
Cadbury do have a shot on goal in the fortieth minute but it goes well over the bar.
So it's 0-1 to the BT team at half-time and it's been a pretty unexciting game so far.
I go over to the Pavilion and along with another spectator and his wife, to find that the tea bar area is closed today, maybe because of the small amount of spectators. Shame, as I was looking forward to a nice hot cuppa.
After their sluggish start to the match, Cadbury Athletic are making up for it right from kick-off in the second half. Their sustained pressure pays off after 53 minutes, when No.9 Adrian Parkes bundles the ball home from a great in-swinging corner (as shown below)
In their very next attack, Cadbury's captain, Eddy Fogg puts through their No.7 to round the BT keeper and put his side in to the lead.
BT are still dangerous on the break and they have a shot turned on the post and out by keeper Oliver.
Cadbury score a third when their marauding No.2, Craig Brooks, is brought down for a penalty. The penalty is saved at the foot of the right hand post by the visitor's keeper but Brooks races in to hit the rebound home in to the left corner.
A few minutes later another Cadbury attack sees the BT keeper bring down an attacker but the ball runs loose for their No.11 to score in the unguarded net.
BT do reduce the arrears when their impressive No.10 shoots in off a post which rounds off a great run past some bemused defenders.
So Cadbury Athletic have won handsomely in the end after a great 2nd-half display and are now through to the semi-final in the new year, while BT have pushed them all the way today and will be looking to improve their league position in the lower half of the table.
Match entrance fee: free
Match programme: none available
Match attendance: 10-15 (estimated)
Match rating: 7.5/10
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.
(The FC Premier keeper clears the ball towards the Birmingham County FA Headquarters building)
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.
(FC Premier's No.10, Nathan Wall's run is shadowed by 2 Dudley players)
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
Today I am heading to Birmingham to take in a game at the Birmingham County FA's headquarters at Ray Hall Lane. This will be the first time that I have seen a game there and am leaving Worcester in brilliant sunshine and the prospect of continued good weather throughout the day.
I make it ok to New Street station and then decide to take the Walsall train and get off at Hamstead. 20 minutes later I'm at Hamstead and walk up Hamstead Road as quickly as possible but arrive late at the ground at 11:10am. Fortunately for me though the teams are just kicking off when I get in to the ground after paying the £3 entrance fee which includes a programme. Don't know the reason for the late kick-off but I'm not complaining.
Continental Star are in an all yellow strip while the cup holders Monica Star are in red and black stripes. I have seen Continental Star before, not their veterans side but their 1st team, 2 years ago when they were winning the Midland Combination but I know nothing about Monica Star. Also this is the first Veterans (35 years old and over) match I have seen.
Monica Star take the lead with their very first attack of the game! They win a free kick on the right, the kick comes over and Monica's No.8 heads past the keeper and in to the net. Later on when I get home and see my photos, I realise that the goal scorer is the ex-Birmingham City player, Lee Carsley, no less.
Monica Star also have the ex-Villa star, Lee Hendrie playing today too. They are certainly bossing the game and after 8 minutes, find themselves 2-0 up. In trying to clear a cross coming in from the left, Continental's captain can only steer it in to his own net. Wow, I wasn't expecting so many goals so quickly!
I chat to one of the County FA officials and he tells me that Monica Star started off in the Small Heath area of Birmingham (now play in Yardley) and years ago had their first team doing well in the Midland Combination.
Continental Star are really struggling to get in to the game and the holders ,who are the more composed side are on the attack most of the time.
Continental Star however get a foothold in the game after 17 minutes though when they get a goal back through another own goal. Well I think it was an own goal because I had been talking to another spectator at the time and quickly looked round when the ball went in.
So now we have more of a game, although Monica Star are probably the better team still. I am particularly impressed by their 2 central defenders, who although looking the wrong side of 40 are showing great positional sense against Continental's speedy attackers.
Half time has arrived with no more score. I think back to yesterday's FA Cup final when Hull took an early 2 goal lead and eventually lost 2-3. Maybe this game will go the same way.
I must say that I'm impressed with the County FA ground. The playing surface is of good quality and it's quite picturesque with plenty of trees lining the pitch. At one end is the FA Head quarter building itself, at the other is another spectator entrance with the main car park behind it. At one side is where the main stand is while on the other are 2 smaller stands with seats. It's the ideal venue for a match of this stature. There is a good sized crowd too, at a guess about 80.
So back to the action and when play resumes, Continental Star have equalised within 2 minutes! Maybe it will be a replay of the Wembley final?
So now it's a level playing field again and Continental Star have done very well to come back against the favourites.
However the game takes another turn when after about 10 minutes near the Continental penalty area, a free kick is awarded against them. The only reason I can think of is that the Continental keeper had strayed out of the area when taking a goal kick. I had noticed that he may have done so in the first half but went unnoticed by the officials. Their is a big confrontation between some irate Continental players and a few of the Monica Star players. It takes about 10 minutes for things to calm down and for the referee to consider what action to take, which ends with Continental Star's No.5 being sent off. Some of Continental's coaching staff too are upset with the situation and one guy in particular is very vocal.
So with one player short, Continental Star also seem to lose composure too. They soon concede 2 goals and with it the match.
( These Monica Star players celebrate their sides 4th goal )
Monica Star score a fifth when the opposition keeper is left stranded by his defence.
So a game where Continental Star had promisingly fought back so well have been well beaten in the end, mainly due in my view to their indiscipline.
When the 2 teams assemble after the game for the presentation of the medals and trophy, the atmosphere is thankfully convivial again.
Continental Star's founder, Lincoln Moses, hands out the losers medals to his own side and after the Monica Star players have received their medals, the Veterans Cup is handed to a handicapped son of one of the Monica Star players or coaching staff, who is clearly thrilled and does not want to hand it anyone else, (as seen below).
It's a nice touch that is popular with both of the teams and their sets of supporters.
So Monica Star have deservedly won today while Continental Star will have to try again next season and will continue their good work in the community with young disadvantaged people for which they are famous for.
I thought the standard of football was pretty good today and I'm sure I will see some more veterans football in the future.
