I am making a belated visit to a Vanarama National League game today. I did watch Worcester City game a few months ago but did not take my camera that day.
I have been looking at seeing Solihull Moors for a few weeks as they have been at the top of their division for a while now. They are playing the 'Trawler Boys' of Lowestoft Town, a team who I have never watched before and as they are in danger of relegation, will have everything to play for.
The forecast is good today with sunny spells predicted, although still cold.
My train journey was problem free and when I get to Solihull, it's sunny and the town centre is busy as usual. I have time to get a meal and a quick mooch around the shops, then hop on the bus which takes me to within half a mile of the ground. It lies behind the Jaguar-Daimler motor works and not far from Birmingham Airport, with planes taking off near by on a regular basis.
After entering the ground and buying a programme, I make for the far end of the ground to take my photos. I notice a big guy decked out in Lowestoft hat and scarf and who had been talking to a female photographer. I guess she must be the Lowestoft photographer, Shirley Whitlow, whose work I'd seen this morning on the club website. I talk to him and it's her husband Paul. He is full of information about the club and tells me that Solihull is one of the nearest clubs to them in this division.
Soon it's kick-off time and Solihull are in their usual strip of blue and yellow while Lowestoft are in their change strip of all white. I'm surprised to read that Solihull have yet to win against Lowestoft in the few games they have played against each other so far.
(Solihull's Akwabi Assante, closely marked by 2 Lowestoft defenders)
The early exchanges see the home side on top although Henderson of Lowestoft hits a great shot which is turned around for a corner by the Solihull custodian, Lewis.
Solihull do take the lead they had been threatening to do in the 17th minute. Their right back Nottingham crosses for Liam Daly to power home a header (as shown below).
They have other chances to further their advantage, with Nottingham firing over the bar and Byrne's volley well saved by the Town keeper, Killip.
So 'The Moors' are on top and Lowestoft will have to up their game after the interval to get anything from this match.
During half-time, a number of Lowestoft fans come down to this end as their team will be attacking this goal in the next 45 minutes. Some are resplendent in colourful curly wigs and they have certainly been partaking of alcoholic refreshments today, judging by their cheery banter.
After the break, Solihull soon increase their lead, when Nottingham goes on a great run down the right and his cross from the right is met by the oncoming Assante who beats the keeper with his shot.
It's looking like an easy stroll for the league leaders but Lowestoft are thrown a lifeline when an attempted header back to their keeper by a defender is intercepted by Crowe who makes no mistake in despatching the ball in to the Solihull net.
The goal greatly encourages the Trawler Boys and the rest of the half sees them largely on top.
Despite their pressure though, they cannot produce an equaliser. They have their appeals for a penalty, close to full time, waived aside by the referee when a Lowestoft shot hits a defender's arm. Lowestoft's captain, Rossi Jarvis, complains loudly to the ref but is only rewarded with a yellow card for his efforts.
This win sees The Moors extend their lead at the top to 9 points over AFC Fylde in second place. They will have to hit better form though if they want to become league champions. Lowestoft on the other hand see Brackley and Telford draw away from them down the other end of the table after they have gained a draw and an away win respectively.
Match admission: £10
Match programme: £2.50
Match attendance: 522
Match entertainment value: 6.5/10
I am heading up to the Cannock area in Staffordshire today to see Hednesford Town play their last home League game in their match against visitors Stalybridge Celtic, who hail from the foot of the Pennines in eastern Greater Manchester. This will be my second visit to the Keys Park stadium after watching a game v Bradford Park Avenue, 3 years ago.
The forecast is for a sunny day but with a cool breeze and as I make my way down the road to the rail station it certainly is very pleasant in the sunshine.
Hednesford, like my home team of Worcester City have fallen away in the last few weeks after they had looked to have been in the running for a play-off place. Stalybridge on the other hand have been struggling somewhat this season and are fighting off possible relegation.
After no transport problems in getting to Cannock station I walk up the hill to the town centre. After a rather underwhelming lunch at the local Subway store I have a quick wander around the town centre. There seems to be a few more empty shops than when I came here last year.
I them go to the bus station and take the X60 Arriva bus that eventually goes to Tamworth via Lichfield. It only takes 10 minutes to get near the ground and soon I am walking to Keys Park through the car park.
I pay my admission fee and head for the nearest tea bar and have my usual pre-match cuppa.
The ground has the Main Stand (seen in above photo) on the western side of the pitch, which officially holds 710 seats. There's more seating at the northern (Hednesford End), holding 301 (covered) seats. The eastern side features the Wimblebury Terrace and where I go for the duration of the match is the southern, Heath Hayes End. All in all, a crowd capacity of 6,039 and the Keys Park stadium is celebrating it's 20th anniversary this year.
Before kick-off I find the club shop, at the northern side of the Main Stand and buy a club badge for £3.50.
When the teams come out, they are both in their first choice colours of white shirts and black shorts for the home team and Stalybridge in blue shirts and white shorts.
It turns out to be a nightmare start for the visitors as Hednesford's Glenn Walker takes a long throw from the right and defender Ben Bailey pops up to guide in a header at the near post. The Stalybridge defence seemed to have gone to sleep.
(The Hednesford players congratulate scorer, Ben Bailey, who is third from right)
Stalybridge are stung in to action and come back strongly. One of their best efforts sees their No.9, Chris Simms, have a close range shot that is brilliantly tipped on to the cross bar and out by Dan Crane in the Hednesford goal.
Hednesford create some chances too but they are reminded of Celtic's threat when their No.5 and captain, Matty Hughes, sees his header hit a post from a corner.
I am surprised to see the ex-Worcester City play maker, Hednesford No.6 Tom Thorley, playing at right back. Might be because of injuries?
( Dan Crane collects the ball in front of a crowd of players )
So it's 1-0 for Hednesford at the interval but with Stalybridge certainly looking to be no pushovers.
Worryingly, Hednesford have been on a bad run of form in the league recently. Since their win against promotion hopefuls AFC Fylde on March 3rd, they have not won in their last 6 matches. Stalybridge on the other hand have had a handy little unbeaten run of 4 matches.
In the second half, it's Hednesford who go close early on with No.9, Nick Rushton, shooting straight at the visitor's keeper, Ross Etheridge.
Celtic have been coming back strongly and several times, Dan Crane the home keeper, has to be on his toes to keep them at bay.
Then Hednesford go close to scoring a second goal when Etheridge makes saves from first Batchelor and then the shot from the rebound from substitute, Steve Diggin.
( Andy Todd of Hednesford crosses the ball )
Stalybridge score the equaliser they have been threatening to get in the 84th minute. A shot is blocked but breaks to Aidan Chippendale who duly dispatches it in to the right hand corner of the net with a great volley.
( Stalybridge Celtic's, Peter Wylie, helps set up a second half attack )
Heartened by this turn of events, the visitors go in search of a second goal and they score it in injury time through a Chris Simm header from a free kick.
A valuable away victory for Stalybridge, which gives them a 2 point advantage over their fellow strugglers Colwyn Bay who lie 2 places below them in the relegation zone and have played a game more. 2 points from their last 2 games will ensure the Celtic's league status. Hednesford must be disappointed to lose in their last home game of the season and surely will be looking to make new signings this summer if they are to make a renewed promotion push next time round. They now lie in 8th place.
Match entrance fee: £12
Match programme: £2.50
Match entertainment: 6.5/10
Match attendance: 482
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