Today sees the 1st Round proper of the F.A. Vase taking place. I have decided to visit the leafy Wolverhampton suburb of Castlecroft to see AFC Wulfrunians of the Midland Alliance take on Atherstone Town of the Midland Combination.
I arrive in Wolverhampton at about 12:15 pm have lunch soon after and then make my way to the Art Gallery for a spot of culture. It's a place Iv'e been to before and I can thoroughly recommend it as they display a good mix of sculptures, contemporary and older paintings. Today I see that the Wolverhampton Society of Artists have their exhibition opening and I manage to have a quick look round amongst the crowd of people. Good quality work on show too!
After this artistic interlude I go outside and catch the No.3 bus and 20 minutes later have arrived in Castlecroft which lies just over the Staffordshire border.
The Castlecroft Stadium of AFC Wulfrunians is an impressive facility. On the one side of the pitch is a big stand with changing rooms at the bottom with seating on top and the clubhouse above that. The pitch is of good quality too and a steward there told me that it is being used by the FA to stage schoolboy internationals. Wolverhampton Ladies team use the pitch too on Sundays.
So Wulfrunians are playing Atherstone who this season have already had an impressive FA Cup run after defeating Redditch United and Coalville Town.
The teams take to the pitch with Wulfrunians in their red strip and their opponents in their second strip of yellow and black.
Wulfrunians take the lead early on when their No.7, Jake Webb, evades a tackle, goes inside and drills the ball in to the corner of the net after 7 minutes. Atherstone go close to scoring soon after but it's the hosts who are looking much more dangerous.
Wulfrunians deservedly score a second goal when Nathan Rose-Laing heads home a goal, as shown below.
Atherstone manage to reach the interval without any further damage. I see that there are plenty of rain clouds coming from the south-west and sure enough it starts raining before the start of the second half and I have to take shelter in the stand for the rest of the match.
Soon Wulfrunians go 3-0 up when Dave Asbury shoots in from close range when the ball falls at his feet.
The same player makes it 4, with 20 minutes to go when when he volleys home from a corner.
Atherstone are looking demoralised and Wulfrunians are totally in control of the game, slicing through the visitor's defence with almost every attack.
They score a fifth goal with their player taking the ball round Smith in the Atherstone goal with 15 minutes to go. They could and should have scored 2 more goals before the referee brings a halt to proceedings.
AFC Wulfrunians have put in a very impressive display of attacking football and it just hasn't been Atherstone's day this time round.
Maybe Wulfrunians can have a good run in this year's Vase?
Due to a dire weather forecast for the West Midlands region on Friday evening I decided to scupper my plans for seeing the Hednesford v West Auckland FA Cup tie and instead headed south to the West Country.
So today I am going by train to Gloucester and although as I am heading south from Worcester, the sky is going a dark grey I'm almost certain that it will brighten up later on.
When I arrive at Gloucester, I make the short journey to the bus station and check the times of buses to Cirencester whos'e team have a cup tie against Weymouth. I decide against it as the last bus back is at 5pm which does not give me much leeway. Instead I go for Plan B and go on the bus to Cinderford on the other side of the River Severn in the Forest of Dean for their Southern League game v Godalming Town. By the time I get on the bus, the sun has come out and it's a scenic journey to my destination. Cinderford is a small town, with a population of aproximately 9,000. There is only a small shopping area but I manage to find a decent Cafe for my lunch.
Trouble is I'm not sure where the ground is and unusually for me I have no map. There are none for sale in the local newsagents and am also informed that the nearest Tourist Information Centre is in Coleford. In the end I ask a guy in the street for directions and he tells me he will personally show me the way as it's on his way home. We turn left up a footpath by the local Co-op store, a 10 minute walk through a housing estate and the ground is there on the right. I thank him gratefully and he turns off down the road in front of the ground for his house.
I walk through the car park and to the turnstile and pay my £8 admission + £1.50 for a programme. This is a new ground for me today and also 2 teams I haven't watched before. Cinderford's ground has 3 covered stands on the west side of the ground, the main one with seating being in the centre. Soon the teams come on to the pitch with the hosts in white and black and Godalming in yellow and green.
Cinderford start off in lively fashion and go close a few times to scoring in the first 20 minutes.
Godalming are quick on the break although they are not creating many chances.
The Cinderford No.9, Lewis Sommers is a bit of a handful for the visitors defence as he looks to be be about 6' 5'' tall and of course quite useful in the air.
There is no score by the time the interval arrives. At half-time the draw is made for of bottles of whisky and red wine and I miss out by 3 numbers for a prize.
The start of the 2nd half sees Cinderford in a more determined mood and Dualah, the Godalming keeper is covering himself in glory with some fine stops, especially when Somers nods down for a colleague who fires in a volley which he spectacularly tips over the bar.
Also Cinderford have a strong penalty appeal turned down when one of their players goes flying from a mistimed tackle after flying in to the Godalming penalty area.
On 67 minutes though their impressive midfielder Dale Evans, bursts through the centre of the visitors defence, has a shot blocked by Dualah but fires home the rebound.
(Evans wheels away after scoring and is congratulated by his team mates)
Godalming immediately mount an attack from the kick-off and have the ball in the net only to be ruled offside!
Both sides go close before the end of the game but Cinderford have hung on for a deserved win, which breaks their recent winless streak.
I'm glad I came today as it was an entertaining game in this rural outpost and I later find out that the official attendance figure for the match was 122.
Wow, I can't believe it, I am actually going to a game today! September just didn't happen for me this year, all those Cup games I had lined up but in the end I just couldn't see for one reason or another.
I have decided to see 2 teams I have never seen before who are taking part in an early season basement battle in the Midland Combination Premier, namely Blackwood v Castle Vale JKS. Indeed Castle Vale JKS did actually finish bottom last season but earned a reprieve presumably because Bloxwich United went out of existence.
It's a game that's easy to get to for a rail traveller like me, as Blackwood play at The Coppice ground of Highgate United of which they are tenants and it's located a few minutes walk away from Whitlock's End station which is right on the south-east outskirts of Birmingham on the line to Stratford-on-Avon.
I get to Whitlock's End at 2:30pm and as I walk out of the station I can see the ground of Shirley Town, another Midland Combination team and as I cross over to Tythe Barn Lane, I pass the ground of a womens team called Leafield Athletic on my left. It's a nice rural location but I admit I am not that impressed by The Coppice ground. It has a covered area along the entire nearest side as you approach the pitch, with seating available for one half of it. The club house and changing rooms are near the entrance and there are several full size and mini-soccer pitches there too.
As Highgate are going very well in the Midland Alliance at present I don't think they have much chance of achieving promotion if they win their championship, if they wish to do so.
I see from the programme that prior to last season, Blackwood had gained 3 successive promiotions, quite a feat!
So 3:00pm arrives and Blackwood take to the field in their Inter Milan style
kit and Castle Vale in blue and yellow. The crowd looks to be in the region of 25-30.
Blackwood dominate most of the early play but it's Vale who take the lead in the 11th minute when their centre-forward is left with an easy close range header.
For the rest of this half Blackwood are just the better team and look more likely to score.
(The Castle Vale keeper clings on to this Blackwood cross)
Blackwood do score a deserved equaliser in the 41st minute, I think it's their No.6 sweetly turning on the edge of the penalty area and slotting the ball in to the top right hand corner of the net.
Even-stevens at half time and everything to play for!
During the interval I notice that there is a rugby match taking place on the pitch at the back of us behind the hedge. Yes,there are plenty of different clubs in this area.
The second-half is quite even but Blackwood seeming to be the more dangerous side. One of the features of the game for me is the contest between the Vale centre-half and captain versus the dangerous looking Blackwood No.9. It's the No.9 who has Blackwood's best effort in this half when he shoots from about 20 yards out and the Vale keeper makes a great save to turn it around the post. Another player who catches my eye is the No11 for Castle Vale, very lively and good dribbling skills.
Disaster strikes for Blackwood with 10 minutes to go when one of their defenders in trying to clear the ball from his penalty area just skies the ball straight in to the air and Vale's, Jem Mills is waiting to head in to the net.
After this Castle Vale comfortably keep Blackwood at bay for a win that sees them leapfrog their opponents, who must feel they don't deserve to lose this contest.
So it's hard luck Blackwood and on this showing it looks as if both teams will struggle again this season.
Many apologies again for any readers of this Blog, as I have had ongoing problems with my mobile broadband provider on receiving a reliable signal over the last 3 weeks. Anyhow here is my 'latest' entry.
I am making my way by bus today to Evesham to see United in action against Bolehall Swifts from the Midland Combination in the FA Cup Prelim Rd. On paper it should be straight forward for Evesham but they have had an unspectacular start to their season while Bolehall have been banging in the goals so far.
It's a great day weather-wise and I have a look round the town before setting off on the 25 minute walk to the Jubilee Stadium on the Cheltenham Road, right on the southern edge of the town.
Evesham is a pleasant town with nice architecture in the centre and fine walks along the nearby River Avon. There is still work being done on the river bridge but a footbridge has been constructed for pedestrians until the work has been completed in November, so I'm told.
So I arrive at the ground with 25 minutes before kick-off. This stadium was opened, just at the start of last season. On the northern side is the entrance and a covered end for spectators while on the left (eastern side of the ground) are the club house and a covered seated stand, while the other 2 sides are open to the elements with a good view of Bredon Hill to the south west.
Evesham have come out in their usual red & white stripes and Bolehall in an all yellow strip.
Evesham have started brightly and have had the first shot on goal but from then on Bolehall start to control the game.
They are more composed on the ball while Evesham are struggling to create any constructive moves.
It's not much of a surprise when 'The Swifts' take the lead after 21 minutes when their No 9, Chris Sturridge-Packer, tucks the ball awat from close range, (shown celebrating, below).
Near half-time another Bolehall shot goes just the wrong side of the post!
So to the 2nd-half and Evesham Utd make an immediate substition, with Carl Brown coming on and his pace makes an immediate impact. He scores after outpacing the Bolehall defence and buries a shot past Mc.Nulty.
Bolehall are still dangerous on the break and go very close with a oneon-one with the keeper.
Evesham take the lead on 63 minutes with Marcus Palmer converting a cross from close range. Evesham are well on top at this stage and Bolehall are desperately pumping the ball forward at every opportunity to get an equaliser.
(The Evesham keeper takes the ball easily from Bolehall's Dave Yonwin)
So Evesham win this tie but have been given a scare by a well organised Bolehall team. There reward is a tough home tie against old rivals Stourbridge in the next round.
It's a sunny Bank Holiday Monday (is that a contradiction of terms?) and I have decided to take the train to Chester Road, to take in the local derby between Boldmere St Michaels and Coleshill Town.
Apologies to any followers of this Blog that I have been inactive for a while but I have had big problems with my mobile broadband. It's still not resolved but I have found time to use my computer on the wi-fi network at Worcester Library to write this post.
So it's quite cloudy when I leave Worcester but the sun is out by the time I get to Birmingham. This will be my 5th visit to the Trevor Brown Memorial Ground, having seen Bolmere twice and the Villa ladies team twice too.
There is a good crowd of about 100 people today and I see in the programme that Coleshill feature a few ex Boldmere players.
Boldmere hit the ground running and take the lead from a well placed shot from their No 11, Lee Osbourne. I remember seeing him play for Redditch Utd and Evesham Utd over the last 2 years, so Boldmere have acquired a quality player there.
Coleshill quickly counter but their forwards lobbed effort goes wide (as seen below)
Both teams are putting plenty of effort in to the game but the game needs someone to put their foot on the ball and bring a bit of quality in the final third of the pitch at both ends.
There are no more goal mouth incidents of note in the first-half and the stage is set for an interesting second period.
During the first-half I meet the Boldmere, Commercial Manager, Rob Clarke, who says the club would like some of my photos for their website and I agree to send some later on.
The second-half sees Coleshill pressing hard for an equaliser and Boldmere dangerous on the break.
Coleshill do hit the bar with one effort but otherwise the Boldmere defence are holding out well. In one breakaway, Craig Bannister, the Boldmere No 9 should score but instead shoots straight at the keeper.
There is an exciting finish and in injury time the dangerous Allen of Colehill leaps well to put in a good header on goal but it's well saved by the Boldmere keeper, (seen below).
Then a bit later, the Boldmere No 2, Gorle, scrambles another Coleshill effort off the line.
(Lee Osborne is blocked out by the Coleshill defence)
So it's been a good match to watch in the end and Coleshill can feel a bit unlucky to not take any points from it. Both teams should feature in the top half of the table this season and I can recommend a visit to this lovely ground.
Today I am making my way to the birthplace of 'The Bard', Stratford-upon-Avon. I am taking in the game in the Women's Super League between the home team, Birmingham City and Arsenal.
The weather is mainly sunny interspersed with clouds and not oppressively hot and humid. I have arrived at Stratford's rail station at 1:10 pm and it takes me about 35 minutes walking at a brisk pace to get to the DCS Stadium which Birmingham lease off Stratford Town. It's situated in the village of Tiddington, about 1 mile away from the town. Although it's a Sunday, there are still plenty of tourists around.
So I've made it to the ground with just enough time for a cuppa before the game starts at 2pm.
Arsenal soon take the lead. In the 7th minute, they have a corner and their English international centre-back, Steph Houghton rises up well to head home at the far post.
The Blues are struggling to stem the attacks from this powerful Arsenal team who fail to convert several chances. They aren't to be denied for long though and score their second in the 20th minute.
A powerful free kick from Houghton comes back off a post, the rebound is struck against the bar and eventually the ball is crossed for White to head in off the post.
20 minutes later it looks all over for Birmingham as Arsenal's Davison is left unmarked to stroke the ball home for goal number 3. When half-time arrives I can't see The Blues making a comeback.
Of course I'm wrong as a rejuvenated Birmingham team come out fighting and press strongly. After just 2 minutes Coral Haines strikes the bar with a great shot. About 8 minutes later they score through a deflected shot.
The Blues are having much of the attacking play now and go close to scoring on several occasions but some good, sometimes desperate defending from Arsenal keep them at bay.
It's an absorbing contest now and Arsenal are still dangerous on the counter-attack.
2 experienced International players come on as substitutes. Rachel Williams for Birmingham and later Rachel Yankey for Arsenal. Both have chances too but fail to convert them.
In injury time, Arsenal's young forward Davies, has a shot blocked by Blues keeper Penney.
(Penney, the Birmingham keeper hangs on to the ball under pressure)
So Arsenal are worthy winners thanks to their great 1st-half performance and look to have a good chance to be crowned champions again in a few weeks time. Birmingham can take heart from a worthy 2nd-half fight back and from a good sized crowd of 561 today.
I finally got my football season under way today when I took in the pre-season friendly between Pilkington XXX of the Midland Combination Premier League and Solihull Moors Under-21's side.
Originally I had earmarked the Midland Alliance game at Heath Hayes v Loughborough University as my first game, as it would have been a new ground for me. However I received an email from the Pilkington President, Saul Gray, asking me to come along to their game as there was going to be a special presentation for one of their committee members, a certain, Dennis Ellis, in recognition of his 50 years of service to Non-League football in the Birmingham area and he wanted me to take photos of the occasion. I agreed to go as I like to hear about these kind of stories of dedicated service to the game.
When I set out on the train from Worcester Foregate Street, the weather forecast was of sunshine and showers and the closer we got to Birmingham, the cloudier it got. On the way to my destination at King's Norton it did rain but miraculously stopped just before we reached there.
I arrived at the Triplex Sports Ground in time for the presentation at 1pm. Dennis Ellis was invited to join Pilkington's committee last year and his presentation was set up at the ground for Dennis surrounded by his good wife,family and friends.Dennis was a keen player in the South Birmingham Saturday and Sunday Leagues but unfortunately sustained a severe leg injury which curtailed his playing career at an early age. In his 50 years of service to the game, Dennis has taken on the roles of, Club Secretary, Press Officer, Referee, member of the Birmingham County FA Council, Secretary & Manager of a successful Sunday football team for 13 years AND a kit man. He was instrumental in the rise of the Castle Vale football team too until they folded last year. A successful man of many roles and a gentleman too by all who know him.
Steve Poole, the Vice-Chairman of the Birmingham County FA led the presentation with a speech praising Dennis for his big contribution to Non-League football in the local area and presented him with a special service medal.
(Here is Dennis in the centre with a signed Pilkington XXX shirt, with the club's Committee in attendance and Steve Poole, next to last on the right.Well done Dennis!)
Everyone who attended were well looked after with plenty of refreshments.
(Here, Dennis blows out candles on his 50th Anniversary cake)
So now to Pilkington's final pre-season friendly. There was a final downpour of 10 minutes duration which thankfully ended 10 minutes before the game and then both teams came on to the pitch in their new kits. Pilkington in their red shirts with dark blue shorts and socks and Solihull in a blue and yellow striped kit. I could see that Pilkington had a lot of new faces in their side and mainly younger ones at that. Prior to this game they had won 5 of their 6 previous friendlies too!
The match starts off at a brisk pace with both sides eager to impress and sharpen themselves up for the new season with Pilkington having the lion's share of possession but can't make the most of their early dominance.
Solihull take the lead after 20 minutes and a bit later should have scored a second but one of their forwards makes the mistake of making sure the ball goes over the line and is flagged up for off-side.
In first-half injury time, the Pilkington keeper comes racing out to help clear the ball but only succeeds in clattering in to one of his own defenders.
After a delay of five minutes he manages to get up on his feet. Although walking with a limp he carries on in goal for the rest of the game on one good leg.
So it's 0-1 to Solihull at half-time and still everything to play for.
The attendance today looks to be about 50 and I chat to 2 Solihull supporters. One says that there is not much between the teams but Solihull have the greater threat up-front, which is about right from what I have seen so far. Pilkington's defence thankfully do seem to have improved from last season when they had the worst goal difference in the division.
Again the second-half is played at a good pace and although there are not many chances on goal it's a good competitive game. The No.7 for Pilkington shows a lot of pace and troubles the Solihull defence on several occasions. (Seen below with 2 markers in attendance)
Of course both sides make several substitutions during this half and Solihull score another goal, which I miss while checking over some shots on my camera screen.
( One of the Pilkington substitutes runs at the Solhull defence)
So the game ends with a 2-0 win for the visitors and it's been a worthwhile workout for both sides. On the evidence of this match I think Pilkington should have a better season this time and look forward to seeing them again soon.
