Today I am watching the match between Bartestree and St.Martins in the West Midlands League, Division 1. Bartestree is a village just 4 miles to the east of the city of Hereford, while St.Martins hail from the Shropshire border town of Oswestry and ground share at the Welsh League champions, The New Saints.
The weather has been windy with rain this morning but is going to be just cloudy with sunny spells this afternoon and it's mild again. I have made the train journey to Hereford without any problems and have checked the bus time to Bartestree to be 1:15pm, (the game starts at 2pm) which gives me enough time to get a fish & chips at the bus station cafe. I also check by phone with the club's secretary to confirm that the match is definitely going ahead.
When I catch the No.476 bus that goes to Ledbury it takes us over the bridge over the River Lugg then through the village of Lugwardine and I get off at the stop in Bartestree just past the club's ground.
It's set in the rolling hills of the Herefordshire countryside. The football club was only formed in 1992. When I go past the sign at the ground entrance I walk along the path which lies at northern end of the pitch. The club's Vice-Chairman is waiting as he is collecting the entrance fee and selling match programmes. He tells me that in a few weeks there is going to be a small stand constructed on the western side of the pitch to give some cover for spectators and the club have received permission to install floodlights at the end of the season.
He directs me to the club house where I can buy a cup of tea and also says there are club badges for sale. I can see that there is a slight slope down to the far end of the football pitch. There is hard standing on the western side with the modern looking dug outs on the other, with a hedge at the back of the far end. Behind the western side of the pitch is located the Village Hall. At the back of this is the cricket ground and another football pitch, overlooked by the club house and changing rooms.
After buying my pre-match cuppa, club badge and raffle tickets, I make my way to the pitch where the teams come out. Bartestree are in their black and white striped shirts, black shorts and white socks. St.Martins are in yellow shirts and black shorts.
Bartestree having been struggling so far this season and currently occupy 14th place while St.Martins are in a healthy fifth place.
The first ten minutes sees a pretty even game with both sides having shots that fly over the bar.
Then Bartestree are the dominant team and create several chances before taking the lead after 20 minutes when their No.8 backheads a cross which had eluded the visitors keeper.
This stings St.Martins in to action and they have equalised just 4 minutes later. They are awarded a penalty when a Bartestree defender is adjudged to have handled the ball while sliding in to tackle pacy centre-forward, James Melusi, (as shown below).
The penalty is put away for the equaliser and this is becoming one of the best games I have seen so far this season. It's an open flowing match with both sides willing to attack.
Bartestree retake the lead in the 37th minute when their No.5 slots home with a shot. Then in the 40th minute, Bartestree's top scorer, Shaun Prince shoots in to the side netting after running on to a ball that's played over the keeper.
So the first half ends with the home side winning 2-1 and it looks as if there should be more goals to come. I find it hard to believe that Bartestree are in the bottom half of the table after watching them today.
I find myself walking behind the players when I make my way to the club house.
While I'm there, the draw is done for the raffle and I win the second prize of a packet of biscuits!
I decide to take position by the goal at the end where Bartestree will be attacking for the next 45 minutes. I have seen 2 other photographers snapping away this afternoon. Dave Matthews the Vice-Chairman, who is also the Programme Editor is taking some. One of his photos adorns the cover of today's programme, which is a good standard publication. Also there is a guy who is taking photos with a good quality compact camera and I think he might be with the St.Martins club.
The home team go on the attack again in the early stages of this half and within 6 minutes they have increased their lead when Darren Andrews scores with a good shot from the right and he is enthusiastically congratulated by his team mates (as shown below).
This sets the tone for the rest of the half with the home team having the greater share of the play.
Shaun Prince goes close to scoring with a glancing header and a shot that is saved by the keeper. Then he has a free kick after 30 minutes that is tipped over the bar.
St.Martins occasionally threaten and have a free kick that just goes over the bar.
( Bartestree's Mark Cooper goes on a run late in the second half)
After 34 minutes the Bartestree No.11, Mark Cooper, receives the ball from a quickly taken free kick, cuts in from the left and his shot is well saved.
Then after 41 minutes, a great cross from the right is met by the home sides No.8 and his header skims just over the bar. That would have been a great goal!
So Bartestree have triumphed today 3-1 against a team that on paper I thought would have probably beaten them. I think Bartestree are probably in a false position and will start climbing up the table soon.
St.Martins have played their part in an entertaining match and although they fell away in the second half I think they will finish in the top half of the table.
I would recommend visiting Bartestree if you have never been before, as they are a friendly, well run club and they have a good quality playing surface that makes it easier to play good football.
I pay the price of not checking the times of return buses to Hereford before I set out this morning and rather than wait for the next one at 5:30pm ( a wait of 1.5 hours) I decide to walk all the way back to Hereford, which is not that bad as it's nice countryside with some good views, at one point I can see the Black Mountains on the Welsh border.
Match entrance fee: £3
Match programme: £1
Match attendance: 33
Match entertainment: 8.5/10
I am heading off to an FA Vase 1st Round cup tie at high flying Highgate United today. This will enable me to meet up with friends in nearby Birmingham later on. Another reason for my choice today is that Highgate's opponents are Radcliffe Olympic who hail from near Nottingham, play in the East Midland Counties League and will be the first team from that league that I will have seen.
It's an un-seasonly warm and sunny day for the end of October, great for playing and watching football. I get off the train at Whitlock's End station, with plenty of time to spare. I see that the football ground, directly opposite the rail station, which was the former home of the defunct Shirley Town, looks to be in good nick. I'm later informed by a fellow spectator at the match, that the ground might be used for Sunday football now.
This area is a veritable hot spot of football grounds. Just round the corner down Tythe Barn Lane on the left is the pitch where ladies team, Leafield Athletic play and to the right can be found where the Wychall Wanderers veterans team (including former Villa favourite, Stillian Petrov, ply their trade on a Sunday.
Just a few yards further down and I am at the entrance to Highgate's ground, called 'The Coppice'.
I have been here twice before, once to see Highgate in an FA Cup match and then 2 years ago I saw their then ground sharing tenants, Blackwood, who are now defunct. Their ground sharers these days are Midland Div 2 team, Barnt Green Spartak.
The club's club house has had a recent makeover, the changing rooms are now in the same process and the stand which which runs along the whole of the nearest side of the football ground has had some much needed repair work.
The club had been demoted 2 years ago due to ground grading problems, duly finished champions last season and are now occupying a healthy fifth place in the Premier Division. So the future is definitely looking more rosy for the hosts. Their opponents are currently lying in a mid table position in the East Midland Counties League.
Highgate take to the field in their usual all red strip and Radcliffe are in red and blue striped shirts, blue shorts and socks.
It's a scrappy first half with Radcliffe looking to play an offside trap at every opportunity.
(Highgate midfielder, Dale Taylor, finds his way blocked)
This ploy backfires in the 13th minute when the ball is slipped through to Highgate's No.11 and top scorer, Lei Smith who only has to take the ball round stranded keeper Hadlee Dunne and stroke the ball home in to the empty net.
(Lei Brown fires in another shot on the Radcliffe goal)
Radcliffe's best chance comes after 28 minutes when a free kick from the right finds their No.11, Ian Yeomans, unmarked but he heads wide. Seven minutes later and again the ball is passed through to Lei Brown who the Olympic defence think is offside and he takes full advantage to place the ball past Dunne to double the lead.
The Radcliffe No.5, Liam Motson just keeps complaining to the linesman and referee and results in his inevitable yellow card (as shown below).
There is no further score and the hosts are looking well set to progress to the 2nd Round. Radcliffe though have other ideas and start the 2nd half well.
They are rewarded for their attacking efforts after 58 minutes when after some sloppy play by the Highgate defence, Radcliffe are awarded a throw in on the right. The throw is received by their most dangerous player, Ryan Smith who passes to his left for their No.9 Jack Smith to run on to the ball and slot it in to the far corner of the net.
Ryan Smith then sees his shot saved well soon after by Highgate keeper Bradley Catlow.
(Highgate player, Connor Mooney is well marked in this attack)
The home side though take control of the game for the last 20 minutes and could have scored several more goals if it wasn't for the heroics of the Radcliffe keeper and some wasteful finishing.
(Lei Brown makes another attack on the Radcliffe goal)
They do make sure of their win though when the impressive Lei Brown runs down the left and delivers a great cross for his fellow striker, Shane Benjamin, to plant a powerful header in to the Olympic net in the 76th minute.
Highgate finish well on top although they don't add to their tally. So in the end Highgate United have deservedly gone through to the next round where they will travel to play Nuneaton Griff who are top of the table in the MFL 1st Division and have been scoring prolificly. Should be interesting!
Match attendance: 46
Match entrance fee: £6
Match programme: £1.50p
Match entertainment: 6.5/10
For my match today I am dropping down the divisions to the 2nd Division of the Midland Football League. The match I will be covering is the league clash between the basement boys of Earlswood Town against fifth placed Rostance Edwards (who play in Bloxwich).
The weather today will be mainly cloudy and cool, with the chance of sunny intervals and it's certainly cloudy when I set out from Worcester Shrub Hill rail station. I visited here last season and I have kept in touch from time to time with their Press Officer and Vice-Chairman, John Sharpe, as I have sent him a few photos from other games I have covered, for articles in their programme (which sadly is not published
now).
I get to Birmingham OK but then find out that there is only one train per hour that calls at Earlwood Town's local station, called 'The Lakes' and then it's a request stop. Oh well, it just means that I will miss the first few minutes of the match. The Lakes in question are the Earlswood Lakes (3 in total), that were man made in the 1820's in order to supply water to the nearby Stratford Canal, which it still does to this day. They are a local tourist attraction too, where there is a sailing club, it's a haven for anglers, there is a craft centre and there is a wildlife reserve there too!
When I do reach my stop on the line, which continues to Stratford-upon-Avon, it's 2:59pm and after walking down nearby Malthouse Lane, I reach the ground entrance at 3:05pm.
As I had walked down the lane, I'd heard the shouts of the players but guessed that no goals had been scored in the first few minutes and I am proved right by the guys at the gate telling me so when I pay my entrance fee.
Earlswood, 'the Earls' are playing in their usual home strip of red and white striped shirts, with black shorts and socks. Rostance Edwards are in their usual all blue kit.
For the first 10 minutes, it's the home team who are the dominant team and Rostance are unable to get over the half way line.
Although Earlswood have the majority of play they can't press home their advantage and then the visitors start putting pressure on The Earls defence.
In the 16th minute a left wing cross is headed by the Rostance No.7, whose effort hits the bar and is then put in to the net by their No 10, 0-1!
Rostance Edwards twice more go close to scoring in the next 8 minutes and then the home team are awarded a penalty when their No.9, Matt Green, looks to have been shoved in the back while looking to shoot in the penalty area.
Unfortunately the spot kick is saved by the keeper and The Earls goal scoring problems continue.
Both teams have chances to score but the first half ends with the visitors still a goal to the good. Earlswood have displayed some good approach play during the first 45 minutes but have shown a lack of composure in front of goal.
The Earls have had a disastrous start to the season and only last week managed to obtain their first point after a draw v Austrey Rangers. They have had to build virtually a new team this term after a mass exodus of their best players at the end of last season and as a result have suffered some heavy defeats.
So the second half starts and after 50 minutes are awarded a free kick but this is saved by the Rostance keeper when it's taken.
After 61 minutes the visitors show they are still hungry for goals when after a good break down the right and the ball is crossed to their No.9 who just fails to connect properly with an attempted scissor kick on the edge of the area.
5 minutes later and The Earls attack down the left which ends with a curled shot going just wide of the far post.
(Earlswood Town No.7, Daniel Wallace, squeezes past 2 Rostance defenders)
After 65 minutes, there is a double substitution, when their forwards, No's 9 & 10 are replaced. In the case of the No.9 it's probably a good idea because over the last few minutes he's been having a niggly running feud with the Rostance No 3.
Rostance Edwards think they have scored again when a cross from the right is swept in by their No.8 but it's ruled out for offside.
In the 86th minute, an Earlswood free kick from the right is headed just wide and then shortly after, when I look up after checking some photos on my camera, I see the Earlswood No.5, Bradley Morris, trooping off the field. I learn later that he was sent off for allegedly spitting at an opponent in front of the referee. Not a pleasant act and a deserved dismissal.
With just 2 minutes to go, the visitors are awarded a penalty kick after Earls keeper, David Hancock, has been ruled to have brought down the Rostance No 11 (as shown below), and the same player slots the ball home to confirm his sides victory.
I leave the ground soon after, hurrying to catch my train which leaves in 6 minutes time. I hear the final whistle blown, just after I turn to walk down the road and know the final score has remained at 0-2 to Rostance Edwards, who have proved to be more ruthless in front of goal today.
So although Earlswood are still routed firmly to the bottom of the table, I have seen signs today that provided they can score a few goals, potentially they have the fight to move themselves up the table in the coming months. Rostance Edwards on the hand look as if they might be pushing for promotion.
Match attendance: 36
Match entrance fee: £3
Match programme: None available
Match entertainment: 6/10
Footnote: Earlswood Vice-Chairman John Sharpe informed me that he thinks the club earned the title of 'Town', when Earlswood, (which is clearly a village), is that about 40 years ago there were plans to have a large number of houses built in the area to take a lot of the Birmingham overflow but there was local opposition to this and the development never took place. The club though probably jumped the gun and renamed the club as Earlswood Town and remains that way to this day.
It's Non-League Day today and I have decided to visit a ground that I haven't been to for a while and it's 'The Grove', home of Halesowen Town of the Northern Premier League. Also as it's NL Day the club have reduced ground entry to £5!
When I set out from Worcester on the train, it's a cool cloudy day with the promise of sunny intervals this afternoon. I get off at Cradley Heath station and catch the bus from the revamped Interchange bus station just outside. It's just 20 minutes on the bus to the Halesowen Bus Station in the centre of the town.
It's hard to believe that in the 19th century that Halesowen boasted at having 130 working coal mines in the local area (non existing now). They also had a nail making cottage industry that thrived for a few hundred years. Although the town centre has a lot of modern buildings I spot an older looking building opposite the main church (as shown below).
I have time to have a quick wander round the shops and have a meal of cheese omelette and chips in one of the local cafes. It amazes me that some eateries these days seem to serve up watered down tomato ketchup. It can't be that expensive?
The walk to the ground only takes 10-15 minutes and lies in the district of Hawne. When going through the main entrance to the ground (north side) you can see the pitch down below you with the other end of the pitch at the southern side of the ground. There is an uncovered bank of terracing on the eastern side while on the opposite side is located the main stand with covered seating, this is called the 'Harry Rudge Stand'. At the far, southern end of the ground is another area of banked uncovered terracing. At the northern end, is a covered standing area called 'The Shed'. With 3 sides of the ground at a higher level to the pitch, it gives it the feeling of a shallow amphitheatre.
(A view from the eastern terrace looking across the pitch to 'The Shed')
After buying a badge from the club shop and a cuppa at the tea bar, I go to the southern terrace to take my match photos. The teams come out, with the home team in their usual blue and white kit while 'The Gladiators' of Matlock Town from Derbyshire are in their away strip of yellow and blue. Both clubs currently occupy a mid-table league position, so it promises to be a closely fought contest.
Looking at the team line ups, I see that Halesowen Town feature 3 ex-Worcester City players today, in the form of defender Asa Charlton and midfielders, captain Jay Denny and Rob Elvins. Their reserve keeper, Matt Sargeant is also ex-City too.
Both teams take some time to get going in a sluggish start but after 30 minutes Jay Denny sees his shot turned away for a corner by Willis in the Matlock goal. Soon after Halesowen's Danny Bragoli is played in to the box but sees his close range effort blocked by the keeper (as shown below).
Just before the end of the half, Rob Elvins goes close to scoring too. So it's 0-0 after 45 minutes but Halesowen have been looking increasingly dangerous.
During the first half I have chatted to a young photographer taking photos for the home team. He tells me that their main photographer has today been asked to cover the Football League 1st Division, top of the table clash at Walsall who are playing Burton Albion.
Just 2 minutes after the interval, Halesowen take the lead when defender Joe Hull volleys home following a corner kick. Six minutes later and the home side are really in the driving seat when midfielder, Danny Bragoli, puts in the rebound after his first shot is saved by Willis.
In a desperate attempt to salvage something from the match, the Matlock manager makes a triple substitution and this seems to have an effect when in the 69th minute
captain Danny Holland, heads home from a left wing cross.
(Halesowen's Kyle Morrison heads clear after Matlock's Danny Holland slips)
Halesowen are still the dominant side though and after twice going close they look to have the game won, when substitute Greg Pearson heads in a free-kick with just 3 minutes to go.
Matlock go down fighting when Holland heads in his second goal at the far post, when a right wing cross eludes the home defence.
A deserved win for Halesowen in an entertaining match but both they and Matlock will not be able to make much progress this season unless they both iron out their respective defensive problems.
Match attendance: 450
Match entrance fee: £5 ( Non-League Day concession)
Match programme: £2
Match entertainment value: 7.5/10
It's FA Vase time again, with 2nd the Qualifying Round taking place today and the winners of today's matches will pocket £800. I have decided to go to the Walshes Meadow ground on the River Severn of Stourport Swifts (Midland Football League, Prem Div) who are hosting the West Midlands Premier team from Rowley Regis, Black Country Rangers.
It will be my first visit there for 3 years and this season the Swifts have started well in their league campaign, currently lying in 5th place. Unfortunately they recently saw their captain and defensive lynch-pin, Jamie Willets, transferred to rivals Hereford FC and their defence does not seem as dependable as before. Black Country Rangers hold a mid-table league position but they are always tough opponents.
After travelling by train to Kidderminster, having a fish & chips at 'Captain Cod's Fish Bar' opposite the Severn Valley rail station, I walk down the hill to the town centre and catch the bus by the Town Hall. It's only a 15 minute ride to Stourport.
After a misty start to the day, it's now cloudy but with the chance of later sunny spells. I have time to have a quick look at the canal, buy some vitamin C for my cough & cold and then cross the bridge to get to the football ground which lies just on the other side.
Walking in to the ground, which is just past the local sports centre, the ground is immediately in front of you after turning left, with the club house and changing rooms on your left. This has an over hanging roof which provides shelter at this end of the ground. In the near corner on the left is the tea bar and the only other cover in the ground is to be found in the main stand on the right hand side of the pitch.
After buying my pre-match cuppa the teams take to the pitch, then line up for kick-off and the ref blows his whistle for the start of the match at 2:55pm! Stourport in their yellow and black kit are on the attack for the first few minutes.
Black Country Rangers are dangerous on the break with their speedy forwards and they take the lead after 13 minutes when their No.11 weaves his way down the left and manages to pass across the goal mouth for their No.7, Mc.Kerdy, to apply an easy tap in.
Just 2 minutes later and another quick break by the visitors sees their No.9 go past keeper Dominic Richards but he can only shoot in to the side netting.
It's only until the last 15 minutes of the half that Stourport really threaten the Rangers goal. First their No.11, James Baldwin, heads over the bar after a cross from the right then after 39 minutes, some good build up play culminates with their No.3 trying his luck with a dipping shot which clears the top of the bar.
In the last minute, the Rangers keeper parries a 20 yard shot by the Swifts No.4 for a corner and from this the ball is eventually cleared out to the Swifts No.11 who sees his shot again turned round the post.
So it's 0-1 to the Rangers and Stourport will have to improve in front of goal to stay in this match as the visitor's defence has been coping well so far. The most dangerous attacker for Stourport has been their top scorer, Ben Maund but his chances have been limited.
5 minutes in to the second half and the comeback for the home team has become much harder as Black Country Rangers score a second goal. They do so courtesy of their tall No.4, who leaps the highest to head home from a corner.
Stourport fight back and are rewarded somewhat fortuitously in the 23 minute when a Rangers defender slices in to his own net following a free kick played in to their penalty area. 5 minutes later and a Swifts player side foots the ball just wide at a corner kick.
Then Ben Maund turns well to then bend in a curling shot that goes the wrong side of the far post. After 37 minutes the Swifts go close again when their No.6 powers a header at a corner just wide of the goal.
The outcome of the match is decided at the death, when in a last minute break away down the left, the impressive Rangers No.11,Ross Williams, slots the ball home which is followed by jubilant celebrations from the visiting team.
3 minutes later and the final whistle is blown and Black Country Rangers have deservedly gone through to the 1st Round proper as they have been resolute in defence and clinical in their finishing.
As I leave the ground, I realise that there could have only been one result today due to my presence. Whenever I have watched Stourport (4 times so far) they have always lost while on the other hand I have witnessed BCR win 3 times every time I have watched them. So apologies to Stourport and I promise not to visit your club too soon.
Match attendance: 99
Match entertainment: 7/10
Match entrance fee: £5
Match programme: £1
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
It's the start of the FA Vase today and I have decided to see a tie that features 2 West Midlands League teams, as I have neglected that league so far this season. Also I am going to a new ground, namely the Phoenix Park home of Shifnal Town who are hosting Malvern Town. It's my first football visit to Shropshire for some time too.
Shifnal were relegated from the Premier Division last season but have made a solid, unspectacular start in their league campaign, with 2 wins and two draws so far. The visitors from Malvern Town of the Premier Division, have made a dreadful start with just one win and 4 defeats. Last Season they finished in fifth place and also won the Worcestershire Senior Urn, so it's been a surprise that they have struggled so far this time round.
The weather in Worcester before I set out is not promising, with rain and a cool wind. There is a good forecast though and by the time I board the train, the rain has stopped and by the time I arrive in Shifnal, the sun is breaking out. It's a town I have noticed before when travelling by train on this line.
By the time I arrive in Shifnal today, I only have about 45 minutes to have a wander round. I had something to eat at Wolverhampton on the way here as I had some time to spare while waiting for a connecting train. The train line in Shifnal is on a viaduct over looking the town and the town centre itself is very pleasant with good looking old shops and houses, with a few black and white buildings too. Shifnal is a small town with only a population of six and a half thousand and it's very quiet today so I expect the locals travel to nearby Telford, Shrewsbury, Birmingham or Wolverhampton for their main shopping trips.
Phoenix Park is on the north east edge of the town in Coppice Green Lane and I can see that there is some house building in progress on the north and western sides of the ground. The entrance is to be found after walking through the car park and when I go in I can see the impressive main stand on the other side of the pitch. On the entrance side are the dug-outs with a refreshment hut that is up a slope. The changing rooms are alongside this with steps down to the pitch. The club house I found out later on is located elsewhere in town, which makes for an odd set up. The pitch itself though is one of the best I have seen at this level, a great looking playing surface so there is no excuse for not playing good football today.
The teams come out in their usual kits, Shifnal in red and white striped shirts and black shorts while Malvern are decked out in their claret and blue. It could be Southampton v West Ham with a big leap of imagination!
From the outset both teams are both looking to go on the attack and it looks as if it's going to a good cup tie, with the victors receiving £600 and an away tie away to Ellesmere Rangers in the next round their reward.
Although it's proving to be an open game with both defences being threatened on a continual basis, it's the home team that are the more dangerous. Malvern Town are finding it difficult to get many meaningful attacks going and are increasingly more and more on the back foot. The Shifnal attacks are especially dangerous on the left flank with their No.11 making several surging runs (as shown below).
After weathering the storm, Malvern launch some attacks of their own and after 30 minutes they should have taken the lead when their No.10 with only the keeper to beat sees his close range shot saved.
It's been a surprise that no goals have been scored but that changes in the last minute of the half when a loose ball goes to the Shifnal No.10, Seth Lewis and his shot crashes down from the cross bar and over the line.
So a very entertaining first half ends with the home team, well deserving their 1-0 lead. Can they provide a Cup upset today?
Malvern Town come out with all guns blazing and Dane Aldington fires in the equaliser after some shaky defensive play from Shifnal.
If Shifnal had been on top in the first period, it's Malvern who now seize the initiative with their players harrying the home players at every opportunity and the Shifnal defence look distinctly nervous at times.
The home keeper Tom Whittaker is keeping his teams cup hopes alive with some good stops but the pressure finally tells after 62 minutes when Hooper fires in a great shot when he receives the ball from a short corner (as shown below) with the keeper possibly unsighted.
Ten minutes later and it looks all over for the home team when Matt Turner receives the ball on the right and beats Whittaker for goal number 3 (as shown below).
Shifnal's woes are compounded when there is a defensive mix up and Malvern's No.9 Dave Reynolds is left with the simple task of scoring in to an unguarded net. Understandably the Shifnal Town keeper is seriously pissed off and is using some choice language to voice his displeasure at the way things are going.
Malvern create a few more chances with the live wire Reynolds going closest with a flying header that clips the bar.
A convincing win for Malvern in the end but Shifnal showed in the first half that they will probably be one of the front runners in the 1st Division title race, especially if they can tighten up their suspect defence.
After their triumph today, maybe Malvern Town can now take some confidence from it and start to rise up the league table over the coming weeks?
Just before the end of the game I meet and talk to 2 other ground hoppers from London, a man and an Irish lady who I accompany on the walk back to the train station.
Match entrance fee: £5
Match programme: free with programme
Match attendance: approx 50-60
Match entertainment: 8.5/10
