A new season beckons on the horizon and today I have decided to visit my closest local team in the shape of Worcester Raiders, who ply their trade in Division 1 of the West Midlands Regional League.
When I arrive at Claines Lane, right on the northern edge of Worcester I am immediately worried when I can't hear any activity from the direction of the ground. It's 1:45 pm and the kick-off was advertised for 2:00 pm. I walk through the small car park and see that there are 2 teams going through their warm up exercises. Today's opponents were advertised a few days ago as being Hereford Lads Club.
I see one of the match officials nearby and ask him about the kick-off time as nobody appears to be in a hurry and there are only a few minutes to go. He tells me that it will be a 2:30 pm start instead and because Lads Club cancelled, this fixture was hastily rearranged and now the Raiders will be playing Sutton United from Div 2 of the Midland Football League. It will be tough on the players today as the temperature is hitting the 25 degree mark.
I had seen the Raiders play in February this year soon after I had lost my previous camera. They had lost that day and had been hovering near the bottom of the league table. Shortly after that they improved greatly in the last third of the season and finished in a respectable mid table position.
At 2:30 pm the teams are ready on the field with the Raiders in their blue strip and the visitors decked out in green and black.
After an even first 10 minutes it's the home team who score first through their top striker, Richard Smith who slots the ball home from the left.
Sutton go close soon after when the Raiders keeper has to make a good block and Richard Smith then shoots just wide in the very next attack.
Sutton look menacing in attack at times and after 30 minutes are awarded a penalty when their No.16 is barged over in the area. The kick is duly dispatched with the Raiders keeper sent the wrong way (as shown below).
In this half during a drinks break allowed by the ref, the linesman on my side of the pitch comes over to me and asks if I'm taking photos for Sutton United. I tell him I'm from Worcester and then he realises that we met before in February. It's a guy called George MacPherson whose son Neil plays for the Raiders. George has been roped in today to run the line and he tells me that he is now the Club Secretary. He says the club are planning on getting promotion this season.
In the 33rd minute the Raiders No.8 has a shot cleared off the line after goal mouth melee and in the next attack they have a shot that hits the bar.
Not to be outdone Sutton then hit a post from a free kick but 2 minutes before the break, it's that man Richard Smith to score his and the Raiders second goal after being put through by a great pass on the left (as shown below).
Soon after Richard Smith cuts the ball back after a good move down the right only for the ball to be shot over the bar.
It's been quite an even end to end encounter so far with Worcester Raiders probably just deserving their half time lead.
The hosts lose their lead straight after the restart though when Sutton's No.9 shoots home after a cute pass lets him in on the left.
After 65 minutes Sutton take the lead when one of their players chases after the ball with Raiders defender with the keeper coming out. I can't see what happens next except the ball ends up in the back of the net and the goal stands.
After 32 minutes the Raiders No.12 is put through on the right but his shot is saved.
With several substitutions in this half, the game fizzles out and Sutton United end up winning in what has been a good work out for both sides.
Worcester Raiders certainly look good in attack, especially when Richard Smith is playing but their defence does look shaky at times.
Match attendance: approx 25
Match entrance fee: free
Match programme: none available
Match entertainment: 7/10
I am visiting a new ground today, that of Sutton United of the 2nd Division of the Midland Combination. I have thought about going there for the last 2 or 3 months. They are a new team to this League after many years of success, competing in the Birmingham AFA.
I set out from Worcester on the train, with blue skies but still a bit chilly. It feels almost like Spring. After having something to eat in Sutton Coldfield, I walk from the town centre and soon I am walking along Rectory Road, past the Good Hope Hospital and see that Rectory Park, where the ground is situated is on my right. At the next crossroads I turn right in to Hollyfield Road and a few minutes later see St Chads Church on the right. I remember seeing in the Mid Comb website that the ground is to be found at the back of this church. It is certainly looks a nice area to live in and must be a pretty affluent area judging by the quality of the housing. Through a small car park and I have found a path that takes me to the club house/changing room complex. After the exertions of my walk I go in to the club house and pay for a cup of tea and soon I am sat at a table watching the last few minutes of the Reading-Southampton relegation dog-fight. It ends up 2-0 to the Saints and should mean relegation for Nigel Adkins's new team. Poor bloke, I thought he had been doing OK at Southampton.
So ten minutes before kick-off I wander outside. There is already another game taking place on an adjacent pitch which I find out later is where the Sutton 3rd team are playing in a top of the table clash in the Birmingham AFA League.
Soon the teams are walking on to the pitch, Sutton in their green & black kit and their opponents, Rugeley Rangers, in an all navy blue ensemble. Rugeley are next to bottom of this division and face a very stiff task against Sutton who have the best goal difference. There is a good crowd too, officially 78 and in some previous matches this season they have had 100+ crowds! The pitch is basically a park pitch with a metal railing surrounding it.
After the game starts Sutton are soon on the attack. The pitch is hard and dry and it takes a few minutes for the players to get used to the high bounce of the ball. However, a Sutton player breaks down the left and soon the ball is bundled in to the net from close range after 7 minutes.
This sets the pattern for the rest of the first period as Sutton United show off their attacking prowess, their speedy forwards causing the overworked Rugeley defence many problems.
As well as the action on the pitch I am entertained by a scenario off it when a wayward shot from a Sutton player ends up stuck high in the branches of a tree a few feet behind the Rugeley goal. A Sutton fan, a man who looks to be in his fifties bravely climbs up the tree and after shaking the branches for a few minutes manages to get the ball down.
Unfortunately, about 15 minutes later, the same thing happens again and the ball is almost in exactly the same place. The same man who is reluctant to go climbing again is told by one of the Sutton coaching staff that he has seen a long metal pole a few yards away. Soon they are to be seen carrying the pole and within a few minutes have dislodged the ball. What tasks club officials have to do!
Back to the match and Sutton score 2 more goals before half-time. The second goal is a particularly good one with the Sutton player smashing in a volley before the goalkeeper can move.
At half-time I see on my phone that Villa are 1-0 up at Stoke. I know this area is Villa fan territory so know that there will be many happy spectators coming out for the second half.
For a good 30 minutes, Rugeley manage not to concede any more goals. Their midfield seem to manage to make more of a game of it but they don't threaten the Sutton goal greatly.
I speak to another photographer who I had seen earlier taking pictures at the the other game and find out that he is from the local Sutton Coldfield paper.
In the final 15 minutes Rugeley crack and concede another 2 goals.
(Here the Sutton players congratulate each other after the last goal)
So the game ends with the expected easy win for Sutton United which strengthens their position in 4th place with games in hand on the teams above them, while Rugeley sink to bottom place due to previous bottom team, Coventry Spires (sounds like their players are probably all over 6 feet tall! ) winning 4-0 away.
Also later I find out that title favourites, Alcester Town have lost 4-1 at home to current leaders, Perrywood.
One of the linesmen is told by a spectator with a radio that Villa have won 3-1 and he has a big smile on his face as he troops off the pitch at the final whistle.
I can recommend a visit to Rectory Park but it's best to pick a dry day as there is only cover under some trees on the one side of the ground.
