Today I am off to another Cup Final. It's the Birmingham County FA's Saturday Vase Final that beckons to me. The teams taking part are Whitnash Town( who hail from Leamington and play in the Coventry Alliance league and Wrens Nest come from the Dudley area and play in the West Midlands Regional League, Div 1.
The weather forecast is not bad at all. Cloudy with sunny intervals but with the chance of a shower from about 5pm. That's OK by me as the Final starts at 2pm.
I have no problems with my train journey to Birmingham and soon I take the Rugeley train which takes me to the Tame Bridge Parkway station from where I walk to the County FA's, Ray Hall Lane ground. I'm a bit surprised when I pay my entrance fee to the ground, when I find out it's £5 today, rather than the £3 I had paid for the Junior Cup final I'd seen in March. This fee includes the match programme, which I study before a few minutes prior to the kick off. I note that Whitnash have beaten 4 Midland Football League teams on their way to today's final, namely Hampton, Barnt Green, Alcester Town and the mighty Coventry United in their semi-final who have been the runaway winners of the 2nd Division. Indeed they were last season's beaten finalists when they lost narrowly to Cadbury Athletic.
Wrens Nest had a close 1-0 win over the long term leaders of the Birmingham AFA Premier Division, Old Wulfrunians, in their semi-final and have made a good showing in the 1st Division of the West Midlands League after being promoted and currently lie in a creditable 6th place.
The teams come out in their usual first team colours, Wrens Nest in amber shirts and black shorts while Whitnash are in white shirts and black shorts.
When play starts, after 4 minutes the Whitnash keeper, Neil Stacey, spills a shot and a Wrens Nest player hits the rebound just wide.
It's very apparent even in the early stages of this match that play is very even between both of these teams.
Whitnash are the next team to go close when a cross of theirs is headed over his own bar by the Wrens Nest No.6 and from the resultant corner Whitnash have a header that goes just wide.
Wrens Nest fashion a good chance when their player, Todd Warner curls in a shot to the top corner but keeper Stacey tips it over the bar.
The last 10 minutes see Whitnash take the upper hand and just before half time their No.5 sees his header cleared off the line.
It's half time and even now I am thinking that extra time is a likely outcome in this match due to the evenness of the play and not that many clear cut chances being created.
I have been chatting to a guy who is a groundhopper who has come from Leicester today. It's his first visit to this ground and is certainly impressed by it. He tells me a bit about some of the clubs in the Leicester and East Midlands area and then the official match photographer, Gary Griffiths (of 353 Photography) walks over and tells us that he and his family have been moving house the day before and feels a bit in turmoil over the whole process and is glad to be at the match today.
So the second half starts and again play is pretty even. After 56 minutes a Wrens Nest attack sees the ball hoisted down the middle and their No.11 latches on to the ball but sees his shot saved by Stacey.
( Photographer Gary Griffiths in action by the side of the pitch )
Whitnash's No.8 goes close when he sees his shot just go the wrong side of the left hand post.
Wrens Nest though are presented with a great chance to take the lead when in the 65th minute they are awarded a penalty. They had played a free kick in to the Whitnash penalty area and one of their players had been pushed.
Joe Lawley takes the kick but Neil Stacey dives to his right to make a great save. He look a bit dodgy on crosses sometimes but he's a good shot stopper!
(Joe Lawley takes the Wrens Nest penalty watched by an eager audience)
3 minutes later and Whitnash make a good attack down the right and their No.10, Ross Briscoe sees the Nest keeper Aaron Morris make a brave save at his feet.
Extra time beckons but with just 4 minutes remaining, Ross Briscoe is played through on goal and lobs the advancing Morris to break the deadlock. Just 2 minutes later and it's all over! The ball is punted down the left after the break up of a late Wrens Nest attack and it's Briscoe again to make a great first time volley that sends the ball racing in to the far corner of the net. A worthy match winning effort!
So Whitnash Town have done it and have atoned for their defeat in their last visit here.
Match winner Ross Briscoe is unsurprisingly awarded with the Man of the Match award and then the Whitnash skipper (holding his young son) is given the trophy and holds it aloft in celebration (as shown below).
A good evenly contested match and Wrens Nest will be kicking themselves for not taking their chances (especially the penalty).
Match entrance fee: £5
Match programme: free with entrance fee
Match attendance: approximately 80
Match entertainment: 7/10
More match photos at http://facebook.com/wmtraveller
I have decided to go to a new ground today, that of Earlswood Town who operate in the 2nd Division of the Midland Football League. They will be playing in the 3rd Round of the Birmingham County FA's Saturday Vase competition against the village team of Enville Athletic, who are playing in the 3rd Division of the same league.
I'd spotted a write up of this ground by a ground hopper who'd visited it a few weeks ago. It sounded like a neat ground with nice surroundings, friendly club officials and it's relatively easy to reach by public transport.
I emailed the club's Chairman, Mike Davies, and he got back to me saying that the club would love to see me there and I was very welcome to take photos of the game.
So I have gone by train from Worcester to Birmingham's Moor Street station and after buying my ticket to take me to the 'The Lakes' station on the Stratford-upon-Avon line, when the train comes in, I have to go to the back of this train and tell the guard my destination, as it is only a request stop. The guard, after making a note of my request, informs me that I will have to get a seat in the front coach.
25 minutes later and I can see that as I expected, it's a very short platform at The Lakes. It's situated in the countryside, just inside the Solihull Borough border, halfway between Solihull and Redditch. The station is named after the 'Earlswood Lakes' (popular with local fishermen) and is confusingly closer to Earlswood village than 'Earlswood' station, the previous stop on the line. As I walk up to the road above the station, I can see Earlswood's ground in the near distance.
Within a few minutes I am at the gate leading in to the ground. There is a small car park and by a small gate there is a young lad, along with 2 club officials who takes my £3 entrance fee and an extra £1 for the programme. I have made it to my destination half an hour before the 1:30 pm kick-off, a big improvement on my late arrivals for my previous 2 recent trips. Along the right side of the ground is located the club house and changing rooms, opposite the dug-outs. The only shelter to be had in bad weather is a covered terrace in front of the club house.
I am curious to see this club too because of the fact that Worcester City forward, Michael Taylor, was signed from here following a great season here several years ago, when he scored over 40 goals in total.
I go inside to see if there is any hot food available but the guy behind the bar apologetically informs that none is available today.Usually I eat before the game but today had only time to have a couple of small sandwiches. I have a good chat with him about the club and he tells me that their ground is rented on a one year rolling lease from the adjacent farm. The club had taken a voluntary relegation from the Premier Division of the Midland Combination at the end of last season, as the financial strain of ground sharing over the previous few years with the likes of Pilkington XXX and Bromsgrove Sporting etc was proving to be too much. They had been ground sharing with these clubs who have floodlights, a requirement needed for Premier Division participation.
I sign a visitor's book and buy a club badge that are available at the bar and then traipse outside to see the teams going out on to the pitch. Earlswood are in red and white striped shirts while Enville Athletic are in light blue shirts and dark blue shorts.
Seeing that Enville are occupying a mid-table position in the 3rd division and Earlswood are 4th in the table in the second division, I have predicted a home win of 2 to 3 clear goals but you can never tell with cup games?
Enville are the first to threaten with their No.10 shooting high over the bar from a good position.
Then in the 11th minute, Earlswood's No.11 goes down after a robust but fair challenge. He receives some treatment but is unable to continue.
Earlswood are now beginning to impose themselves on the game and win a free kick on the right near the opposition's goal. The kick is quickly whipped over but without anyone being able to get the decisive touch (as shown below).
In the 26th minute, Earlswood's lively No.9, Jouan Blake-Walker, skips past his marker but overruns the ball and it's collected by the keeper, when it looked he could have a shot on goal and probably score.
When Earlswood next have a good chance, the Enville keeper, Matt Redgrave, turns the shot away for a corner, (as shown below).
3 minutes later, Earlswood's No.4, Chris Morrison, has a shot saved from close in when he probably should have scored.
In injury time, just to remind everyone that Enville are still in with a chance, their dangerous No.10 has a shot saved after he has come in from the right.
A disappointed Earlswood team have still not scored in this tie after a dominant display so far and I think if and when they do score they should win fairly comfortably today.
I go in to the club house for a nice hot cuppa and have a quick chat with 2 of the locals and agree with them that diving in our professional game needs to be stamped out.
I get back just in time for the start of the next 45minutes and what an unexpected turn this match takes!
Enville Athletic have been greatly encouraged to have survived the Earlswood onslaught earlier on and have much the better of the play in this half.
They have several good chances and look more comfortable on the ball than their opponents.
Earlswood's attacking efforts look frantic in comparison and they are not displaying much confidence. One of their substitutes late on goes down on the edge of the penalty area and the ref is having none of it as he ignores the appeals for a penalty.
Just when I am starting to think the game will end with no score, the Enville No.7 scores in injury time after he had been played in from a pass on the left. Enville nearly score again when their No.9, Michael Davis shoots just over the bar.
The Earlswood Town Press Officer, John Snape, says he thinks that Enville Athletic thoroughly deserve their victory today and I agree based on their second half display, although I still think Earlswood would have won if they had taken their earlier chances.
So in conclusion, a game of the proverbial 'two halves', well done to Enville and any 'Hoppers' out there looking for a new ground to go to, in a nice rural setting, Earlswood certainly will make you feel welcome.
Match attendance: 38
Entrance fee: £3
Match programme: £1
Entertainment value: 6/10
I am travelling to yet another new ground today to cover the Birmingham County FA (Saturday) Vase 3rd Round tie between Knowle (Midland Combination, Div 1) and Highway Coundon Court (Coventry Football Alliance). The venue is Knowle FC's, Robin's Nest ground, in Hampton Road, B93 0NX.
I catch the Stratford-upon-Avon train from Worcester, which takes me to my stop at Dorridge without having to change in Birmingham. I have a quick look round the small shopping area before buying a chicken burger & chips for lunch at the local chippy.
I then make my way by foot to Knowle. I could have gone by bus but as it was a last minute decision to go to this match, didn't leave myself enough time to check the local routes before leaving home. It takes me about 40 minutes to walk to the ground but it gives me a chance to work off a few calories from all the chips Iv'e just eaten!
I must say that judging by the houses that I walk past, that it is an affluent area. On my way I also see the cricket ground for the Knowle & Dorridge club who are one of the best in the Birmingham area. I make it in to Knowle village's centre and there is an impressive array of shops. From here it's just 10 minutes walk to Knowle FC's ground.
The ground has a car park in front of the pitch and on the other side there is a small stand with seats and the club house is along side of this. I have just made it with a few minutes to spare as it's a 1:30 pm kick-off.
When the teams come on to the pitch, I am uncertain as to who is who. I had thought Knowle would be in red & black but find out a bit later that for some reason they are wearing their away strip of yellow & black. Highway are in an Inter-Milan looking blue & black striped kit.
For the first 10 minutes the visitors have most of the play and Knowle are struggling to get going. Also one of the Highway mid-fielders has a passing resemblance to Fellaini of Man Utd due to his luxuriant afro hairstyle.
Knowle get more in to the game as the game progresses and their forwards are looking increasingly dangerous but it's the visitors from Coventry who score the first goal after about 30 minutes.
This setback spurs on the home side and they renew their efforts in search of an equaliser.
They achieve this just in to stoppage time and it's a very good goal.
A Knowle forward cuts in from the right and hits a fierce first time shot in to the far corner of the goal despite the best efforts of the Highway keeper.
I retire to the club house for my half-time cuppa and a Yorkie bar. I notice that their is another man with a camera. I think he must have been in the stand as I hadn't noticed him around during the first-half. There looks to a crowd of 15-20 spectators at this game today.
So the 2nd half starts and Knowle carry on looking to have the greater goal scoring threat. I talk to one guy who it turns out used to be the groundsman at the club. He says that Knowle seem to have a few reserve team players in their line-up today. He also tells me that Knowle used to play in the Premier Division of their league a few years ago and even have permission to erect floodlights at their ground but the team has gone downhill since then and have been struggling a bit this season. They do have a strong youth set up at the club which might ensure a better future for them and they also have a women's team too.
( 2 Knowle players celebrate their 2nd goal )
Knowle score a second goal with a header from a corner and they look the more likely winners but to their credit Highway go looking for an equaliser and get one with minutes to spare. Their No.9 shoots in despite the close attentions of a Knowle defender, as shown below.
So full-time arrives and it's all square. The 2 sides re-assemble for extra-time but I decide that I am going on my journey home in order to beat the football crowds in Birmingham on way back to Worcester.
Later on I see on the web that Knowle have got through to the next round after scoring another goal. Highway did give them a tough game today and maybe they will be looking to move in to the Midland Combination in the future?
I am travelling to the pleasant leafy 'village' of Bournville, in Birmingham today to see some Cup action. It's the 2nd Round of the Birmingham FA Saturday Vase, that sees Cadbury Athletic, of the Midland Combination Div 1, at home to the visiting team of Team Dudley, from the West Midlands League, Div 2.
This is a new ground and a new competition for me. I have had my eye on a visit here for a while now and with a 1:30 pm kick-off, it means I will be able to take photos in natural light for 90 minutes.
I arrive at the ground in Bournville Lane after leaving the nearby rail station.It's a cool,cloudy day and I arrive 15 minutes before the game starts, enough time for a cuppa in the refreshment area on the ground level of the magnificent Pavilion building that is also home to the cricket club. The changing rooms are just to the back of this area.
The teams come out with the Cadbury team in their usual colours of purple and white (the same as the company's) and Dudley are in all-red.
Cadbury Athletic are currently at the top of their League table while Team Dudley are also doing well in 2nd place in their's. Dudley ground share at Dudley Town's Dell Stadium and are the senior team of Dudley College.
Their are 2 main football fields at Bournville Lane along with 2 smaller pitches. There is also a Bowls Green in the corner and in the summer months cricket is played here too.
As the game kicks off there seems to be about 30 spectators around the pitch. Cadbury Athletic have started off brightly and the visiting keeper has to be on his toes.
( Cadbury's Cordell Jones, fends off the Team Dudley No.5)
Dudley though do get some attacks going and it's quite an even game. Cadbury though take the lead on 20 minutes when Cordell Jones, acrobatically volleys in from the edge of the penalty area, taking everybody by surprise.
(A kneeling Cordell Jones, watches the ball cross the line)
Within the next 11 minutes, Cadbury score another 3 goals and the tie as a contest is over. The Dudley coach is not a happy man and it looks as if the score is going to be 8 or 9-0 at this rate.
The students however manage to make it to the interval with no more goals conceded. Cadbury are a very good attacking team and should be in the Premier Division of their League on this showing.
Team Dudley seem to having more of the possession in the 2nd half although they are not troubling the Cadbury keeper in to action much.
( A rare Team Dudley free-kick )
Although Cadbury's score another goal, Dudley manage to score a consolation goal a few minutes before the end and they have certainly kept battling to the end, which does them credit.
(Cadbury striker, Stuart Butcher attacks the Dudley defence)
So Cadbury have booked their place to 3rd Round and it will be interesting to see who they play next in this competition.
Cadbury's Recreation Ground is well worth a visit even though there is not much in the way of cover, unless you can shelter under The Pavilion.
