Showing posts with label
WEST MIDLANDS LEAGUE PREMIER DIV.
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Showing posts with label
WEST MIDLANDS LEAGUE PREMIER DIV.
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With a good weather forecast and a Cup Final to watch today, I am also looking to travel to a new ground too. It's Long Lane Park, which lies in between Cannock and Walsall, in South Staffordshire but with a Wolverhampton postcode? Also the ground is listed as being located in the village of Essington but in reality it lies 2-3 miles to the east of it and is in fact between the settlements of Newtown and Springfield.
The 2 teams taking part are Smethwick Rangers who defeated AFC Bridgnorth 3-0 in their semi-final while Wolverhampton Sporting had an epic 4-3 extra-time win over Cup holders Cradley Town.
I set off in sunshine, albeit with a cool breeze in attendance when I walk down to the rail station. I arrive in Walsall without incident and have a quick look round the town centre and the canal before having a cheap but unremarkable sausage & egg baguette at a local takeaway. Then it's off to the bus station and hopping aboard the No.2 bus where I ask the driver to let me know when we reach Long Lane. On the bus a local old guy engages me in conversation and he points out that the area where the football ground lies, used to be an old coal mining area where there are old mine shafts. This gets me wondering if we are going to see any players disappearing from view during today's match? Hope they are all insured!
20 minutes later I am told by the driver that we have arrived at Long Lane. After a 10 minute walk, I find myself outside the ground where officials are opening the gates to let a car inside. I then walk at the back of the club house to the far side, where the spectators are shelling out for the entry fee of £5. As I had let the League Secretary, Wendy Juggins, know that I was coming to take photos and she happened to be collecting the money, I get in for a reduced fee, with also a free programme and League badge! Thanks Wendy! I think this is due to the fact that I have supplied several lots of photos to the new WMRL website this season.
I find out from a League official that the current users of this ground are FC Stafford, as their own pitch in Stafford is not deemed suitable as because of the encroaching athletics track there, it is too small.
There is a decent sized crowd today even though this venue is in a fairly remote location.
The 2 teams come on to the pitch in their usual first team colours of dark blue & yellow for the Rangers and gold & black for the Sporting. When the game kicks off it's the favourites Wolves Sporting who are mainly on the offensive for the first 10 minutes.
During this period, the best chance is created by their No.10 who goes on a good run down the right, squares the ball across the goal area only for the ball to just evade 2 of his team mates.
After 12 minutes though, Smethwick take the lead when their No.8, Babucak Sauane, pushes through a great ball to the oncoming No.7,Nehemia Zazi, who slots the ball past the advancing Sporting keeper.
I take note that the Smethwick No.3 has a passing resemblance to the Real Madrid Brazilian left back, Marcelo, as they have similar afro hairstyles. His colleague at No.2,Abou Ceesay is also noted to have been putting in some great tackles.
For the next 20 minutes it's Smethwick Rangers who are mainly on top without creating many clear cut chances.
They are nearly made to pay for this in the 43rd minute when the Wolves Sporting's livewire No.7 crosses from the left and this is headed down in to the path of a Sporting attacker who fires over the bar.
The first half is completed with the favourites a goal in arrears.Maybe their exertions against Cradley Town a few nights ago are taking their toll? Smethwick with their young team look to be full of running and I think it will take a big effort from Wolves Sporting to take the trophy today.
Straight from the start of the second period, Wolves Sporting are on the attack and their No.7 sees his shot hit in to the side netting.
Smethwick are still dangerous and in the 61st minute a free kick is headed back to their No.6 and captain to shoot just past the post.
5 minutes later and Sporting's No.8 hits a rising shot over the bar from the left and in the 75th minute another Wolves Sporting attack sees a hooked shot by their No.11 from the right go the wrong side of the far post.
Smethwick's hopes are dealt a blow when 'Marcelo' is sent off in the 81st minute for a second booking after tripping the Wolves No 7 (as shown below)
Smethwick Rangers are forced back more and more by their increasingly desperate opponents and in the last minute of normal time, their ever dangerous No.7 goes down the right to dink over to their No.11 who wastes the chance by seeming to lose his footing in front of goal.
Also the Smethwick keeper has had problems in making decent goal kicks and has struggled to get them over the half way line most of the time, which has at times put more pressure on their defence.
( A late Smethwick Rangers free kick is watched by the Wolves keeper)
There is still time in stoppage time to see a Wolves Sporting substitute back head the ball over the bar and then their No.4 is sent off after receiving a second yellow.
The ref blows for time soon after and the Smethwick Rangers team receive the trophy after they, the match officials and the losing team have received their respective medals.
I later find out that the Smethwick Rangers team is largely composed of players under 21 years of age and they have put in a very encouragingly mature performance today which bodes well for their future. They have a club policy of giving equal opportunities to young players of all ethnic minority groups in their local community. Wolverhampton Sporting CFC have been disappointed today but have had a good season, finishing in a very creditable 4th place in the League. They will be playing Lichfield City this coming Wednesday evening in the JW Hunt Cup Semi-Final at the Castlecroft Stadium and the winners will be playing either Alvechurch or Sporting Khalsa in the Final at Molyneux the following Wednesday.
Match attendance: Approx 80
Match entrance fee: £5
Match programme: £1
Match entertainment: 7/10
The West Midlands League beckons me today and I am off to a new ground, that of Dudley Sports who play in the Brierley Hill area of Dudley. When I set off from Worcester, it's still a bit misty but by the time I get off the train at Stourbridge it's a nice and sunny day!
After having some stir fry beef and noodles at a local eaterie called 'Taste' I head for the bus station and catch the Number 246 bus bound for Dudley. I get off at Brierley Hill High Street and after thinking about visiting the nearby Merry Hill shopping centre, I see a sign post that says 'Waterfront'. Intrigued I go down the hill and soon see that the sign was indicating the location of the Dudley Canal, which I had noticed earlier on my street map. I'm pleasantly surprised to see that there is a neat footpath along side the canal and walking along, soon I can see some moored boats and down below to my left is Merry Hill. As the walk along this canal is headed in the general direction of the football ground, I decide it's worth an explore. A bit later I come across an area called 'Delph Locks', where there are no less than 9 canal locks in total, taking boats up the hill to Dudley from Stourbridge. It's a great example of old British engineering and it's all in good working order. It's certainly making for an interesting stroll in nice weather.
At the bottom of the hill I arrive just in time to see a canal barge coming through the first lock.
Now I am heading for the ground and after some quick consultation with my map book, see that I need to finish my canal walk and soon I am heading up to and across the next bridge. The Dudley Sports FC ground is in Hillcrest Avenue and soon I see the entrance at the end of this road.
After walking through the club car park, I go through the gate and pay my entrance fee and obtain the match programme at the hut on my left. In front is a football pitch with the main pitch beyond this, which is at a 90 degree angle to me.
When I walk across the first pitch I can see that there are 2 buildings on the right hand side of the ground. The first is the one housing the changing rooms and toilets while the smaller one houses the snack bar, from which I purchase my usual pre-match cup of tea (£1). Also on this side of the main pitch are the team dug-outs and 2 small stands with a single row of seats in each.
The main stand (the Joe Forrest Stand) is on the opposite side and has seating and shelter for about 25 spectators. All in all the ground has a basic feel to it and after a quick look at my programme I see the teams coming out. Dudley Sports are in an all green strip while Shawbury United are in dark blue and white striped shirts with blue shorts and socks. I think this must be the visitors away kit as they usually play in black and white striped shirts.
Shawbury, basically a village team who hail from Shropshire (and play at the town of Wem) have played 6 league games,won 5 and drawn one with a very healthy 20 goal difference lie in 5th place, while the hosts have played 9 games so far, have won 4 and lie 2 places below them.
For the first 20 minutes it's Shawbury who look the more dangerous side and Dudley are having difficulty in launching attacks of their own. It's a surprise when the home team in one of their rare sorties in their opponents half are awarded a free kick and it's taken by their No.10 and top goal scorer, Stuart Hillman. He hammers in a low shot which comes off the near post and rebounds in to the net off the Shawbury keeper.
The visitors come roaring back and after 23 minutes their No.9, Rob Millington delivers a great cross from the right for their No.8, Dan Beddows, to head in at the far post. Game on!
Just 6 minutes later, Dudley's Aaron Gordon has his ankles clipped while trying to turn his marker in the penalty area. Hillman takes the spot kick but shoots too close to the keeper,Ashley Spittlehouse, who correctly guesses and dives to his right to save it (shown below).
While Shawbury still have the greater share of possession, Dudley are able break away at pace which causes the visitors defence some problems.
So it's 1-1 at the break and I must admit that Dudley Sports look a better team than I thought they probably were. They have a combative midfield,whose spirit is embodied by their No.8 Curtis Cocking who battles for everything, the goal threat of Hillman and the pace of their No.9, the exotically named Shepherd Machingauta. Their goal keeper, Sam Pearson, looks pretty useful too and is not afraid to take a few knocks for the team while diving at opponents feet.
So the 2nd half starts and it's the home team who are posing the greater threat to start with and it's probably their best spell of the match. After 12 minutes they take the lead when from a free kick on the right, the ball is flicked on for Aaron Gordon racing in down the left to fire in to the net off the far post (as shown below).
It's a great goal and Shawbury have got a fight on their hands to preserve their unbeaten league record. They immediately try to hit back and Pearson makes 2 saves in quick succession.
A few minutes later and Machingauta slides the ball across from the right for the dangerous Hillman to smack a first time shot on the volley which hits the bar and out.
Just a minute later and Shawbury's No.9 is put through by a great flick on and his volley is brilliantly tipped over the bar by the inspired Pearson. Shawbury's best opportunity for an equaliser is presented to them with a penalty award. Their No.3 steps up to take it but like the home side's 1st half effort, it's hit too close to the keeper and is easily saved.
On 39 minutes, a Shawbury substitute, their No.12 sees his shot tipped over the bar and a few minutes later their No.6 shoots in to the net off the post but it's disallowed.
Dudley Sports are still dangerous on the break and when Hillman pushes the ball to Machingauta, his shot is well saved by the onrushing keeper.
With the match moving in to injury time and the outcome still in the balance I decide to head off to catch my bus hoping I don't miss any goals. I'm lucky, when I find out later that there aren't but it's been a good match to watch today, especially the 2nd half and Shawbury may feel that they were a bit unlucky to lose. I think they should be one of the front runners for the Premier League title, as they have done over the last few seasons and Dudley Sports can certainly give most teams a run for their money on today's evidence.
Match entrance fee: £5
Match programme: £1
Match attendance: 25-30 (estimate)
Match entertainment: 8/10
Today I am visiting the Queen Street ground of Bilston Town Community FC in the Black Country. This has been on my radar for some time and will be my second visit to this town. I had gone there last July in order to see a friendly match before the start of the new season but due to bad weather it was cancelled.
It's a cold but sunny day and I take the train from Worcester as far as The Hawthorns station and from there I travel on the adjacent Midland Metro tramway. About 20 minutes later I alight at the Bilston Central station and take the short walk in to the town centre.
I have a quick look around the Market area and then double back for a meal at the Cafe Metro which is situated opposite the Town Hall. After a some lasagne and salad at this eaterie which has a nice relaxed atmosphere I walk up the road to the Bilston Craft Gallery. It's situated within the same building as the local library. I visited it the last time I came here, when it had a good exhibition of glass ware. This time round it's not so interesting to me personally. It's about felt, the textile manufactured from wool, featuring sculptures as well as clothing.
On my way to the Gallery, I noticed the locally and probably nationally famous music venue called the 'Robin 2' which holds concerts most nights of the week. It's certainly a venue I would visit if I lived in this area.
I then make the 10 minute walk to Queen Street and soon I am walking through the gate to pay my entrance fee and buy a programme. The ground has a fine stand painted in orange, which backs on to Queen Street. By the side of it lies the club house. Opposite to the stand there is space for cars to park and behind them above the wall are cube like structures on top of the wall, which have netting that look as if they are there to stop any footballs leaving the ground.
I take position at the far end of the ground to the entrance. Today's opponents are Sporting Khalsa, who lie in 3rd place in the league table but who have plenty of games in hand on the leaders, Gornal Athletic and second placed AFC Bridgnorth and look likely champions.
The sun is still shining when the teams take the field, with Bilston in orange and Khalsa in their blue and yellow strip. It certainly makes for a colourful spectacle.
(The Bilston defence clear with Craig Bannister closing in)
Unfortunately today I was not able to make my usual notes during the game as my pen inexplicably decided to cease working even though I had just been using it for a week. Also, my camera's battery packed up after just 20 minutes. I'd noticed when I took it out of my bag that the it was already switched on so it must have been active for some time. So I have had to take notes from the Sporting Khalsa website match report for this Blog post.
The lively Khalsa forwards, Craig Bannister and Marvin Nisbett both go close to scoring in the first 10 minutes, especially Nisbett who shoots wide with just the Bilston keeper to beat and I was certain he would score. Although Khalsa have a few more chances they are unable to break the deadlock.
Although Bilston match the effort of their opponents they are not able to test the Sporting Khalsa as much as they'd like.
During the first half I realised that Khalsa have at least 5 ex-Gornal Athletic players from their West Midland Premier championship winning team of 3 seasons ago. This makes sense as the Khalsa manager is Ian Rowe who had managed that team.
I buy myself a cup of tea from the tea bar/club shop and also a club badge, with the help of the 2 friendly ladies working there. I am also impressed when just after play has resumed, one of the club officials, makes his way around the ground to make sure that everyone knows the winning draw ticket number.
The second half sees Sporting Khalsa stepping up their efforts and are soon seriously testing Bilston's defence. The home side finally concede the first goal when Craig Bannister fires home after 55 minutes. In the next 15 minutes they score 2 more to effectively make sure of the 3 points. First Nisbett scores with a lob and then Bannister strikes a great free kick in to the corner of the net.
Although Khalsa's keeper, James Pemberton, denies Bilston Town a consolation goal right at the end of the match, Khalsa have sealed a comfortable victory today. They have set themselves nicely up for their vital clash at Bridgnorth on Tuesday night.
(The Bilston No.5 clears from the watching Bannister and Nisbett)
I have been impressed by Bilston today. They are a friendly club who are striving to make a good connection with their local community. They run a local youth competition and also have started a soccer school for youngsters on Saturday mornings.
They have played at Southern League level in the past and it would be great to see them acheive that in the future.
Match entrance fee: £4
Match programme: £1
Match attendance: approx 50-60
Match entertainment: 6.5/10
A few days ago I realised that I had ignored the West Midlands League so far this season, so decided to rectify this, this Saturday. I also thought it would be a good opportunity to visit a new ground too and 2 grounds came to mind while scanning over the fixture list, namely those of Cradley Town and Dudley Sports. Both are reachable by bus from Stourbridge too.
So today I am travelling by train to the Stourbridge Town station and the forecast is not too bad, cloudy but not much rain. After getting to Stourbridge Junction station I see the connecting shuttle train to the 'Town' station just disappearing round the corner. Rats! So instead of waiting another 10 mins for it to come back, I decide to stretch my legs and take the 15-20 minute walk to the town centre.
I get in to town and have a look round the shops, noting along the way that they have completed the new shopping area by the new Tesco and the new entrance for the Library. Also I find a Record/CD fair at a local church, which I find out is to be found there on the first Saturday of the month. There are some good potential buys there but decide not to be extravagant today.
After a good meal at a French style cafe/restaurant I phone up the number for Cradley's ground and am told the good news that the game is going ahead despite the recent rain. I take the No.142 'Diamond' bus for Halesowen which passes near the Cradley ground. After a 20 minutes bus journey I take the five minute walk to Beeches View Avenue where the driveway to 'The Beeches' ground can be found.
I get to the entrance and part with £4 entrance fee + £1 for a programme, which proves to be a good read. It has recent match reports with photos too!
Cradley's ground is a bit of a ramshackle affair. By the ground entrance is the Club House and the eastern end of the pitch. This is covered but with no seats. The ground is situated on the side of a hill overlooking the nearby countryside. The pitch slopes a bit from one side to the other. There is a small stand with 2 rows of seats on the higher side of the pitch and at the western end of the ground is another stand with more seats in the middle. I go to this end as I will be sheltered from the stiff wind and won't be taking my photos in to the sun.
When the teams take to the pitch I see that Black Country Rangers are in their 2nd strip of all pale blue as Cradley play in all red. Rangers are doing very well with 12 wins from 13 matches and lie 3rd in the table. Cradley meanwhile are in 9th position.
(Full-back, Alex Hammond (left) lunges in to tackle this Cradley player)
I see that there is another photographer nearby and find out it is another 'ground hopper' I met at an FA Vase match at Walsall Wood last season, who has travelled from Market Drayton in Shropshire. He tells me that he came here before...20 years ago!
The match is being played in autumn sunshine and for the early part of the 1st half, the visitors are looking the more dangerous. However Cradley get in to the game more and go close a couple of times before they take the lead, when Scott Devlin fires in a great free kick in to the net from the right.
(Scott Devlin, seen here being congratulated by his team mates)
There is another photographer who joins us at this end of the ground. It's the Club Secretary's wife, Jean Attwood, who takes the photos for the Cradley programme. She is very pleased that she has captured a snap of the goal.
Rangers are awarded a penalty when one of their players is pushed over in the box. With five minutes to go to the interval this will put them back on track. However their penalty taker shoots too close to Matt Jones the Cradley keeper and he blocks the shot with his legs.
So 1-0 to Cradley at half-time and an upset is on the cards as the home team are playing well.
The weather is taking a change for the worse though and we have a shower for 5-10 minutes. Although the rain goes, the cloud doesn't and when the teams come back, it's decidedly murky. For the first 10 minutes of this half, it's pretty dark and then the nearest set of floodlights come to life. It takes another 10 minutes for the other floodlights to come on, one after the other down the pitch.
Back to the football and Cradley start the brighter, fashion out 2 good chances and the fancied Rangers are looking decidedly rattled. Gradually Black Country do get back back in to the match and after 57 minutes, equalise through their No.9, Jozsef Jakab. I wonder if he comes from Poland?
(Jakab is congratulated on his equaliser)
Black Country Rangers finish the game, well on top and score a third before the end, although I don't think it's a fair reflection of the whole match. I think Cradley have played well today and were certainly in the running for the first 60 minutes.
(Jozsef Jakab goes close again with a header)
The attendance today looks about 50-60 to me and Black Country move in to 2nd place in the table behind the leaders, Cradley's Black Country rivals, Lye Town.
The Beeches is a 'homely' quirky little ground, that's certainly worth a visit, with plenty of shelter from the elements at this time of year.
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.
