LYE TOWN'S VASE RUN BLOCKED BY PEGASUS

The changeable Autumn weather today has helped change my plans. I had been eyeing up the FA Vase clash between Sporting Khalsa v Hanley Town (of the North West Counties League) but after checking the BBC Weather on-line site, I came to the decision that there will be better weather conditions at another Vase tie between Lye Town v Pegasus Juniors, who last season came 1st & 2nd respectively in the Premier Division of the West Midlands Regional League. So it's off to my first visit to the Black Country this season.

Now Lye Town are promoted to the Premier Division of the newly formed Midland Football League and are currently in a creditable sixth place. Pegasus, who are having an indifferent start to their league campaign currently lie in 12th place in the West Midlands Premier Division but with games in hand over the teams above them. I think it will be a close contest this afternoon between these 2 old rivals.

I take the train to Stourbridge from Worcester and get off at Stourbridge Junction about 30 minutes later. I decide to walk in to the town centre and have lunch there as well as visiting the monthly CD and Record Fair at a local church hall. Iv'e been to this Fair before and they usually have a good selection on offer. I make a purchase, a CD by Ian McNabb which I used to own some years ago but lost after moving house, so I'm very pleased to find another copy today.

I make my way back to the Stourbridge Junction station and make the short 4 minute train journey to Lye. The ground is just a 5-10 minute walk away from the station and I last visited 2 seasons ago when Lye played another Herefordshire team, Wellington, and only got a 1-1 draw, when they should have won comfortably after having a large share of possession that day. 

Lye's ground is full of character. Firstly they share it with the town's cricket club (a la Stourbridge) and their main stand looks as if it's being shored up by scaffolding, although this is actually part of the structure.

Iv'e arrived in plenty of time and so am able to buy my customary cup of tea + a cheese burger as I realise I'm still hungry (after smelling the fried onions). Also quickly perusing my programme, I see that the striker Mark Danks is now playing for Lye. I remember seeing him play for Worcester City a few seasons ago, so I know he's a useful player to have in your team.

The players come out in to the autumn sunshine, Lye in their blue and white strip and Pegasus in red and white.

                                    (The action taking place in front of the Main Stand)

I must admit that the first-half is a tedious affair with Lye having the majority of play but largely inept as an an attacking force. Pegasus are soaking up the pressure with 5 men at the back and looking to hit their opponents on the break.

Lye Town winger Overfield cuts in from the right but only hits a tame shot, when I was expecting the opening goal. 

                     ( Lye's striker Mark Danks, manages to find space for a run on goal)

The hosts best effort comes near the end of the half, with a good header from skipper Ben Jevons but it's well saved by the Pegasus keeper.

So a very forgettable 45 minutes but I'm sure that Lye will come out strongly in the second half. With this in mind I walk up to the other end of the pitch which is overlooked by a small steep slope.

Lye Town do look more purposeful when play resumes but it's the visitors who score the first goal after 57 minutes. The young Pegasus forward, Sam Pearson breaks away and shrugs off a challenge from Ben Jevons and shoot past Lye keeper Stevens.

Lye bring on substitute, the experienced forward Chris (Billy) Russell in place of Overfield, who has been largely ineffective although he has tried hard.

Despite Russell's presence giving an immediate boost to Lye's attacking efforts with his trademark surging runs, it's the dangerous Pearson who scores again for Pegasus from another breakaway after 69 minutes.

(Pegasus Juniors, clear another Lye attack from a corner. Note the cricket pavilion in the background.)

Lye though continue to press forward, albeit ever more desperately and it pays off with just 6 minutes to play when right-back Bissell delivers a great cross for substitute Shivlock to nod in at the far post.

It feels as if it's too little too late and so it proves to be with Pegasus rewarded with a place in the next round (a home tie with Aston) after their pragmatic performance today.  

I later find out that Sporting Khalsa and Hanley Town have played out a 3 all draw but I have enjoyed my second visit to Lye and I'm sure that they will have a good first season in the Premier Division.

As I am leaving the ground I have a quick conversation with a guy called Peter Ray, who has been videoing the game from the high ground at the back of the one end. He tells me he hails from Solihull and I later find his Blog called 'The Mowdog on the Road.' He certainly covers a lot of games and is worth a visit.

Entrance fee: £5
Match programme: £1
Entertainment value: 5/10
Match attendance: 74   



   

LYE TOWN WIN AT THE LANGLAND STADIUM

Today I travelled to the scenic town of Malvern, which is just about 6 miles from where I live in Worcester. Mid-table Malvern Town's opponents are the table topping Lye Town, no less.

Apologies to anyone who visits this site that this latest entry is so late. It would have been published on Monday but I decided that day to go to another game and I was out most of Tuesday as well.

Anyhow, after alighting at the delightful Great Malvern railway station, replete with Victorian era ironwork and tea rooms, I walk up to the town centre for a wander round as it has been awhile since my last visit. I notice a new record shop just off the main road called 'Carnival Records' where they actually sell vinyl as well as CD's. Good selection of old artists like Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison etc as well as more contemporary ones. There is even a guy in the courtyard outside playing old soul records on a turntable creating a funky ambience for all us visitors. After having a quick look round while making a mental note for a return visit next month, I go up to the top of Church Street and come across an Arts & Food market. I give in to temptation and indulge myself with a piece of chocolate fudge cake!

Soon after I am walking back down hill and 20 minutes later enter the Langland Stadium. I see in the programme that Malvern Town are hoping to persuade the council by petition that the club need to find a better site for their team.

Kick-off time arrives and Lye Town are playing in their alternative strip of all-white and after just six minutes their No.11, Ben Jevons, has planted a firm header in to the Malvern net.

Although Malvern try to hit back they make little head way against the Lye defence. Its certainly a well contested match and although the referee looks to keep the contest moving along as much as possible, it backfires as he is far too lenient, letting too many late tackles go unpunished. This culminates with the Malvern Town No.5 and Lye forward, Chris 'Billy' Russell clashing near the touchline. From what I see it looks as if Russell left his leg up while going in to the challenge and unfortunately for him he gets injured and has to hobble off with no further action for him today. This encounter sees both sets of players getting involved with eye ball to eye ball confrontations with the attendant pushing and shoving. Result...no bookings, just a Lye Town throw-in!

    

However, Lye are the first team to recover their composure and soon after a great quickly delivered left wing cross is dispatched with great aplomb via another Ben Jevons header. Half time arrives soon after and Lye Town find themselves in a great position but I am fearful that the match will turn really ugly.

I take a shot of the ground at the start of the 2nd-half  to try and do justice of the lovely back-drop of the nearby snow clad Malvern Hills. It looks more like a game taking place in Switzerland or Austria!

Thankfully the 2nd-half has none of the drama of the first as both sets of players are acting more sensibly even though it's still a tough physical game. The ref even books a few players! 

Malvern Town try desperately to get back in to the game but Lye have the greater goal threat and should score at least one more goal. A fairly comfortable win in the end for Lye Town but Malvern certainly gave them a fight.

 So I have enjoyed my little trip to Malvern and the West Midland Premiership contest is hotting up nicely between Lye, AFC Wulfrunians and Shawbury. It looks as if it will go all the way to the end of the season.