I have inadvertently come to a new ground today. Originally I had agreed to take some photos for Droitwich Spa in their away match at Paget Rangers. I had travelled as far as New Street rail station in Birmingham, was waiting for my train to Chester Road station, when I noticed an email on my phone from Ben Lloyd, the Spa Media Officer, telling me the match had fallen foul of the overnight bad weather.
At first I thought of going to a match at the 4G surface at Sutton Coldfield's ground, in Coles Lane but to my dismay find that both Sutton Coldfield and their tenants Romulus are both playing away today. Maybe Lichfield Town? Then I suddenly remember seeing on a previous rail trip, the ground of Boldmere Sports & Social Falcons lying close to the rail line just after Chester Road station. A quick check on the MFL website shows me that indeed they are at home today (playing the splendidly named Shipston Excelsior) and the match looks to be still on!
I got off at Chester Road and with the help of my map soon fInd the entrance to the ground.
Then I walked down the drive to the Sports Club where there is a club house on the left. Just before getting there I saw a guy getting out of a car and asked him if the game was definitely on? He assured me it was and said that he and his friend were ground hoppers who had originally been going to a game in North Wales. He also let me take a photo of the team line-ups that he'd borrowed off a club official.
There are changing rooms with toilets along the side and then next two 4G 5-a-side pitches before the 3 football pitches the other side of some wire fencing. The main railed pitch is directly in front of me and the other 2 are located at the bottom of this. The railway line is on the other side of the ground. There is no shelter at the ground so it's good that the weather forecast is for a mainly sunny afternoon.
When the teams troop out, Boldmere are in their home strip of red & black striped shirts, black shorts and socks while today's visitors are in white shirts, orange shorts and white socks, their away strip I think.
Shipston are in the mid-table position of 8th but Boldmere are struggling near the bottom of the 3rd Division.
Their is a strong breeze going across the pitch and the pitch itself slopes a bit from top to bottom. It's Boldmere who are attacking down the pitch in this half and they do most of the pressing in the early stages.
Indeed after just 8 minutes, they should have taken the lead when their No.8, Jordan Lengthorne, is presented with a great headed knock-down from a free kick but shoots just wide of the left hand post (as shown below).
Shipston hit back after 14 minutes when they have a close range shot blocked by the Boldmere keeper, Ryan Lewis.
The visitors take the lead after 24 minutes when the ball is played down the left and a player scores from close range and a few minutes later they double the lead. They are awarded a free kick on the right, which is knocked over to the left of the goal where a Shipston player heads it back for a team mate to loop a header in to the far corner.
Boldmere have not played badly but have a mountain to climb to get back in to the match.
They go very close after 35 minutes when an attack is launched down the right and their live wire No.7, Lewis Gorle, sees his attempted cross deflect off a defender, on to the bar and out of play.
In their next attack a loose ball is struck firmly by Gorle but is saved well by Ireland the Excelsior keeper.
Gorle is scythed down near the end of the first half by Matt Partridge the Shipston No.3 who is then booked for his efforts.
It's Shipston Excelsior in the driving seat at half-time but Boldmere can count themselves unlucky not to be on the score sheet at least.
During the interval, a Boldmere supporter asks me who I am taking photos for and I tell him it's for my Blog. He then tells me that his 17 year old son is playing in goal for Boldmere.
In Boldmere's very first attack in the second period they score when Gorle crosses for striker, Rob Tydlacka to head home.
Their good fortune does not last though when a few minutes later their keeper makes a hash of clearing the ball and it falls to an oncoming Shipston player. In a panic Ryan Lewis grabs the guy in possession and wrestles him to the ground. Of course he is sent off and another Boldmere player takes his jersey to go in goal for the penalty, which he duly saves by diving to his right.
Shipston have one of their players sent off but for some reason I manage to miss this happening. I find out later that it's their No.3 Matt Partridge.
It's certainly at times been a committed feisty encounter today and Boldmere's No.4, Reiss Johnson can count himself lucky not to be shown a straight red card rather than a yellow for this foul.
He even has the cheek to wag a finger in the ref's face after his offence, to make the point that it wasn't a foul?
Mr.Johnson goes on a run in to the Shipston penalty area in injury time only to see his shot deflected.
Also their substitute keeper goes up for a corner and sees his header skim the bar (as shown below).That would have been a great way to end this exciting match if he had scored!
I'm glad I came to this match today which more than made up for my earlier disappointment as regards the Paget match. I also met Adam 'Adji the Groundhopper' at last, whose blog I have been reading for the last 4 years. I didn't recognise him at first as he was wearing specs and a beanie hat.
We have a good chat for the last 15 minutes of the match and he then gives me a lift back to the station. Thanks Adam!
Match attendance: 25
Match entrance fee: free
Match programme: none available
Match entertainment: 8/10
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
A top of the table clash beckons me today as I head east of Birmingham to watch Chelmsley Town host Droitwich Spa at their ground in the village of Marston Green. It's in the Midlands Football League, 2nd Division. It will be another new ground for me.
The weather is promising,cold but with no rain likely to fall for a change.
This match has been on my radar and I have been encouraged to go as 1/ it will be a new ground for me 2/ Droitwich are a local team to me and have been doing well this season and 3/ the Communications Manager of Droitwich Spa, Ben Lloyd, has been in touch with me, as he has come across this Blog and has said he has enjoyed reading about my travels. He also said that it would be good if I could take photos for the club at this match.
I journey to Birmingham on the train and after a spot of shopping and some lunch, take the London Euston bound train from New Street station to get to Marston Green. When we are approaching the platform I can see the tower blocks of Chelmsley Wood in the near distance gleaming in the sunshine.
Although Marston Green is classed as a village, it does boast a population of 5,000 and is basically part of the commuter belt for Birmingham, Solihull and probably London. While making the 20 minute walk to the ground, I can see several houses that have a cottage like look and gives an impression of a village atmosphere. There is countryside close by as well and with the sunshine and daffodils in bloom by the roadside there is definitely a hint of Spring in the air.
I soon find the ground just to the left on the Coleshill Road, make my way through the small car park and turn right towards the club house, which is behind one end of the pitch.
This end has an entrance door, through the netting, (see above) through which the players go on to the pitch from the changing rooms.
I find several Droitwich supporters in the club house and chat to Ben Lloyd before heading out to view the proceedings. It looks like that at least half of the spectators are from Droitwich today. The club have experienced an upturn in fortunes this season under the guidance of joint managers, Wayne Oliver and (ex-Worcester City player) Mark Owen.There has been talk of promotion in the Worcester News and the possibility of ground sharing with another local club, as Droitwich don't have the right facilities in place if they do finish in the top two.
Chelmsley Town club have been going since 1927 and are just behind Droitwich in the table, in 3rd place, while Rostance Edwards sit in top spot. Droitwich have also been unbeaten in their last 21 matches!
The players troop on to the pitch, with Chelmsley in light blue shirts and black shorts and shirts. Droitwich Spa are in their away strip today of white shirts, red shorts and socks.
(Chelmsley captain, Ross Casey, tries to get a grip on his opponent)
It's a game with not much quality football on show to be honest, competitive though with both sides not giving each other an inch, which you expect in a match of this nature.
Droitwich Spa go close after 23 minutes when a free-kick is dinked in and their No.9, James Lemon, is just wide with his effort.
Chelmsley go even closer on the half hour when they have a shot from the right that clips the cross bar.
It's still goalless at the interval and it's a difficult call to predict who the likely winners might be today.
At half time I go in to the club house for a much needed cup of tea. It's a pretty good facility for a club of this size and both the bar and tea bar are doing a good trade.
Also apart from the main pitch, there is another at the back of it and a smaller one on the right side of it. On the other side the ground is bordered by housing.
So the second-half gets under way and it's the home team who come to the fore.
After 56 minutes Chelmsley are awarded a penalty when they have a player brought down in the area. Their No.11 , Mitchell Thompson, duly dispatches a shot to the Droitwich's keepers left and they quickly proceed to press home their advantage in the very next minute.
Their No.9, the burly Kieron Fitzgerald, attacks down the left of the visitor's area, draws the tackle from the Droitwich captain , Mike Seeley (as shown below) and skips past on his right before bearing down on goal and squeezes in the ball through the narrow angle and in to the net, despite the keeper being in close proximity. Very good goal!
For a big guy, Fitzgerald is very nimble on his feet. So now the Saltmen have a mountain to climb to get back in this match.
Despite stepping up their efforts Chelmsley hold firm, well marshalled in defence by the silver haired Ross Casey.
Near the end of full time, Chelmsley nearly add to their tally when their top scorer, Chris Lloyd first blazes over the bar and then has another shot saved at the near post.
In injury time though, Droitwich's top scorer, James Lemon scores with a shot from the left but it's come too late to save their unbeaten record.
I think the best team has definitely won today but I am sure that Droitwich can play better than this. This win sees Chelmsley hop over Droitwich in to 2nd place. It's going to be an interesting last few weeks of the season, with Chelmsley, Droitwich, Rostance Edwards and Alvis Sporting all in the running to win the Division 2 title. Alvis have several games in hand and an unbeaten league record but have the pressure of playing at least twice every week before the finish.
(Scene near the Marston Green village centre)
Match entertainment: 5/10
Match attendance: 75
Match entrance fee: Free
Match programme: None available
After several weeks out of action I will be finally reporting on a game today. Mainly due to the poor weather I haven't been able to see a match so far this year apart from last week, when I travelled to the village of Fairfield near Bromsgrove with a view to seeing Fairfield Villa in action against local rivals Droitwich Spa, only to find a deserted ground. I did manage to get to see nearby Bromsgrove Sporting play but as I had got there 10 minutes late (and missing the first goal in the process) , I didn't feel in the mood to take any photos but I did see Sporting put on a good display of attacking football in beating Bolehall Swifts 4-1.
The fixture I have plumped for today is the FA Vase 5th Round tie between Midland Football League, Div 1 high fliers, Nuneaton Griff v Salisbury (league leaders of the Wessex League, Premier Division), who are managed by ex-football league footballer and TV pundit, Steve Claridge.
I have no problems on the journey by train, apart from having to sort out my tickets at Birmingham upon discovering that I had been sold a return journey to Nottingham rather than Nuneaton. Uhh?
Although I arrive at Nuneaton, 30 minutes later than planned I still have time for a wander round and get something to eat.
There is a street market in the town centre on a Saturday but I don't have time for that today. Instead I have gone to the Nuneaton Museum & Art Gallery where I have some lunch and looked at the small exhibitions. I find out in the museum that the area used to be famous for it's coal mining, as part of the North Warwickshire coalfield and one of the local pits was called Griff Colliery, situated in the village of Chilvers Coton (now part of the town). I find out later that Nuneaton Griff were formed in 1972. Called at first by the name of 'Nuneaton Amateurs' most of the players moved to play at the Nuneaton Griff & Coton Miners Welfare Ground, hence the present name!
The Museum is situated in Riversley Park and is just a short walk away from the Pingles Stadium where Nuneaton Griff play. You just follow the path along side the Wem Brook (which is nearly flooding) through the tunnel underneath the railway line and the sports complex where the ground is situated immediately comes in to view. The entrance is round the back past the car park, which judging by the number of parked cars and coaches bodes well for a good sized crowd today.
The stadium is a sports centre for the local community, which includes swimming pools, tennis courts, a gym and an athletics track which encloses the football pitch. It's my first visit to this stadium.
When I get in to the ground, I look for the club secretary, Peter Kemp, who I'd emailed yesterday to ask about taking photos. I soon find him inside the hospitality area and he tells me that I can take photos on the running track. When I get outside I can see there are another 4 photographers.
I decide to camp myself on the side opposite the main stand (seating for 450 spectators) but soon a steward tells me and the rest of the fans that we have to move to behind the barriers either side of us about 20 feet away both ways. I quickly tell him that I have been given permission to take photos and he tells me that I am welcome to go by the nearest goal. I do and also grab a chair that has been left on the track, as I don't want to spoil the fans view, who are behind me. Soon after I have settled down the teams come on to the pitch to big cheers from the crowd, which is comprised of a large contingent of Salisbury fans.
Nuneaton are in their usual blue and white striped shirts, blue shorts and socks while Salisbury are in their change kit of red shirts, white shorts and socks.
Salisbury kick-off in to a stiff wind attacking the goal at the end where I'm seated.
(Running track in view behind the players with ball boy ready to help)
Nuneaton are the first to go close to scoring with midfielder Brehon just shooting wide and then their No.9, Ashby, has a shot blocked by Searle the Salisbury keeper.
Salisbury are looking dangerous though, especially their speedy left-winger, Daniel Young, who is proving to be a handful for the home defenders.
They take the lead after 32 minutes when midfielder, Callum Brockway is brought down in the area. No.9, Sam Wilson scores from the spot to put the visitors in to the lead (as shown below).
Salisbury also have a shot cleared off the line by Griff full-back, Anton Astley.
When half-time comes it's still 0-1 to Salisbury and with the way things are going I can't see Nuneaton Griff getting back in to the game as the visitors defence have been playing very well so far.
I notice that a lot of fans have gone to stand in the area where we had been told to vacate before the start of the match. It's a shame that there is a running track around this pitch but with a big crowd, there is plenty of atmosphere.
Nuneaton Griff start the second half in determined mood in their best spell of the match and after seven minutes are awarded a penalty, when their forward John Ruff is brought down after a good run in to the penalty area.
Defender, Ashley Wilks takes the kick but Searle dives to his left to claw away the ball for a great save! Could this be a turning point in this tie?
Although Nuneaton are trying very hard to get back in to the game, Salisbury are looking to be more in control of the game, the longer it goes on.
Both sides bring on all their substitutes in a bid to win this match between the 52nd and 75th minutes and soon after Salisbury's No.10, Brian Munday, has to go off injured.
Nuneaton twice go close to equalising but the next goal is scored by that man Wilson again in the 85th minute and are now looking the likely winners.
I decide to stop taking any more photos now, as the light levels are far too low for my camera and the call of nature is proving to be too strong for me in these cold conditions.
While walking back along the pitch, Salisbury score again through Sam Wilson in injury time, courtesy of a deflected shot, to complete his team's win and his hat-trick.
So the Wessex League leaders are through to the 6th Round and must be one of the competition's favourites. Nuneaton Griff have put up a very good display today against higher ranked opposition and will be looking to improve their league position. Promotion looks to be a tall order, with them currently in 5th place and 11 points behind leaders Bromsgrove Sporting.
I make my way to the local shopping centre and have a warming cup of coffee before going back to the train station.
Match attendance: 870
Match entrance fee: £5
Match programme: £1.50p
Match entertainment: 6/10
I am heading down south to the Cotswolds today as I really don't like the weather forecast for the West Midlands area. Instead I am popping off on the train to Moreton-in-Marsh to see Moreton Rangers play in the Hellenic League, Div 2 West.
Although it has been raining in Worcester this morning, by the time I set out for the train station it has relented. 20 minutes before my train is due to leave, I find out from the club that their pitch has passed 2 inspections this morning! The forecast for Moreton this afternoon is no rain and maybe some sunny intervals. When I do get to Moreton though at 11:50am there is thick cloud and a stiff wind.
Moreton is a pleasant small town of approximately 3,500 inhabitants, with many of the buildings built with the golden cotswold stone. The main road running through the town follows the line of the old Roman road of the Fosse Way, which was originally built to connect Lincoln and Exeter.
(Redesdale Market Hall in the centre of Moreton-in-Marsh)
I have to time to have a light lunch in a local cafe and visit one of the local art galleries. I also note the location of a nice looking cheese shop (for later investigation) before I head off for the short walk to the football ground situated on the London Road.
I find there are no programmes to be had when I get there and also hear that only 4 opposition players have arrived so far, as they probably think it's a 3:00 pm kick-off rather than 2:00 pm. I have visions of the game being called off, which will be disappointing after my efforts to find a game to visit today.
Moreton Rangers were formed in 1997 after the previous club, Moreton Town, had disbanded in the middle of the 1994-95 season. Indeed, they were the reigning League champions at the time, so heaven knows what happened to derail the club. The club badge above shows a phoenix rising (the new club) out of a white lilly (the old club, who were called 'the lillywhites' due to their all-white strip). The ground has a short drive leading to the main pitch, with a training pitch on your left with a small skate park between that and the back of the main stand. When I walk in I find that the stand is just for standing room only as it is an unfinished structure. The toilets, kitchen and changing rooms are at the back, while there is a small wall under construction at the front of the stand. There is a rail enclosing the pitch, with the dug-outs on the far side and there are floodlights. I'm informed though that they are not operational and it will cost about £10,000 to get them working again.
When the home team saunter on to the pitch they are followed at first by 4 players from today's visitors, Kidlington Reserves, a town situated just north of the city of Oxford. Then in dribs and drabs, the rest of the Kidlington players come on, even the substitutes too and they kick-off just 5 minutes late.
Moreton are in a red and blue strip, while Kidlington are in all green. Moreton are playing with the strong wind in this half and in the 6th minute have an effort cleared off the line.
Although Moreton are having more of the play, Kidlington are posing a threat to the home team. In the 18th minute, a break down the right wing sees a cross headed just wide by their No 10. Then just 2 minutes later, Kidlington's No.11 finds himself in a one on one situation with the home keeper,who rushes out to knock the ball away at his opponents feet (as shown below).
Kidlington experience a major setback soon after when their No.2 is shown a straight red card for what looks like an over the top tackle on Moreton's No.10, who needs treatment for a few minutes.
In the 30th minute, a mistake by Kidlington's No.5 lets in Moreton's No.10, Lee Brooks but he shoots wide. It's a brief respite for the visitors as the same player is put through 4 minutes later to shoot in by the near post.
In their next attack, the same player is put through again but this time looses his footing when he's about to shoot and the ball is cleared but he makes amends straight after when he shoots to beat the keeper for his and Moreton's second goal.
(Lee Brooks on the right is congratulated by his captain, Sam Tyack)
The first half finishes with no further score and with Moreton Rangers well on top. Although Kidlington have only 10 players maybe they can use the wind to their advantage to put pressure on the home team?
The weather conditions are still the same and the low light levels are proving to be very difficult for my photography. There are cups of tea and coffee for sale though which is very welcome.
Kidlington do have an effort cleared off the line after just 4 minutes of the second period after one of their players had got past the Moreton keeper.
The visitors though are struggling to get back in to the match and when Moreton make a couple of substitutes, one of them their No.14 is soon making some great surging runs in to the Kidlington half. After 23 minutes the Kidlington keeper makes a great save with his legs from this player and then Brooks completes his hat trick just 3 minutes later.
(Moreton Town's No.14 making a great run on the Kidlington goal)
The home team are now playing with a great deal of confidence and in their next attack, their No.14 shoots just the wrong side of the right post.
The same player goes down the left after 34 minutes and rolls the ball across the penalty area for the No.4 to side foot in to the right hand corner of the net. Classy goal!
Just a few minutes later and a fifth goal is scored although I miss it, as I had been checking some of my photos. Oh well!
Although Kidlington do go close to scoring in the closing stages, the score stays at 5-0 and Moreton have put on a great display of attacking football to cheer the home crowd.
I later find out that the Kidlington first team have gone through to the next round of the FA Vase after a fine away victory against fellow Hellenic team, Thame United.
So it's been a good new ground to visit today despite the weather . I make my way back to the town centre which is welcoming me back with it's Christmas lights and I go for a cup of coffee followed by a visit to that nice cheese shop before heading back to the train station.
Match attendance: 51 (official figure, although it seemed like 25-30 to me)
Match entrance fee: Free
Match programme: None available
Match entertainment: 7.5/10
I am venturing to the land of the 'Purple People'. No I'm not on an LSD trip but am referring to the colours of the Cadbury Athletic football team. Their reserve side are playing Birmingham AFA, Premier Division team, BT, who play in the district of Sheldon. It's a Quarter-Final tie of the Birmingham Saturday Amateur Cup, which used to be called the Minor Cup.
It's a cool, cloudy and very blustery day but with thankfully no rain. Due to the large amount of Christmas shoppers, I have had to stand up for all of my journey on the train today. After alighting at the University station I backtrack to Bournville station on the next Redditch bound train.
I have enough time to walk in to the centre of Bournville for a meal at a local Cafe. Bournville is a nice area with good architecture and a 'village' feel to it and independent shops.
It's only a ten minute walk to Cadbury's ground in Bournville Lane. The first team now ground share at Pilkington XXX's ground in nearby Kings Norton as they have floodlights, a requirement for First Division teams in the Midland Football League.
I have described the Cadbury Recreation Ground in an earlier post in November 2013. It's situated at the back of the companies factory, the pitch allegedly has the same turf that is used at Wembley and 'The Pavilion' which houses the changing rooms at the bottom, is a fine looking building.
Although Cadbury Athletic are a relatively new club (founded in 1984), I have found out on the internet that one Daniel Sturridge had started his early football career on this very ground, by playing in of the club's junior teams on Sundays some years ago.
With very few people around I talk to a guy who is standing by the dug-outs. He turns out to be a referee assessor, who is running the rule over today's man in the middle. Of course the assessor turns out to be an ex-referee himself.
The game starts at the early time of 1:30 pm and the 'chocolate men' of Cadbury are in their usual purple and white strip while BT are in yellow and black. It's the visitors who are dominant in the early stages of this game.
They force two early corners and after 15 minutes, their No.17 shoots wide when put through on goal. I reflect that he really should have scored.
After this Cadbury Athletic begin to get in to the game more and start to dominate possession, without really threatening their opponents goal but it's BT who take the lead in the 39th minute when under presure the Cadbury No.5 turns to chip back to his keeper,Fraser Oliver but unfortunately he has advanced to the edge of his area and the ball sails over his head and in to the net.
Cadbury do have a shot on goal in the fortieth minute but it goes well over the bar.
So it's 0-1 to the BT team at half-time and it's been a pretty unexciting game so far.
I go over to the Pavilion and along with another spectator and his wife, to find that the tea bar area is closed today, maybe because of the small amount of spectators. Shame, as I was looking forward to a nice hot cuppa.
After their sluggish start to the match, Cadbury Athletic are making up for it right from kick-off in the second half. Their sustained pressure pays off after 53 minutes, when No.9 Adrian Parkes bundles the ball home from a great in-swinging corner (as shown below)
In their very next attack, Cadbury's captain, Eddy Fogg puts through their No.7 to round the BT keeper and put his side in to the lead.
BT are still dangerous on the break and they have a shot turned on the post and out by keeper Oliver.
Cadbury score a third when their marauding No.2, Craig Brooks, is brought down for a penalty. The penalty is saved at the foot of the right hand post by the visitor's keeper but Brooks races in to hit the rebound home in to the left corner.
A few minutes later another Cadbury attack sees the BT keeper bring down an attacker but the ball runs loose for their No.11 to score in the unguarded net.
BT do reduce the arrears when their impressive No.10 shoots in off a post which rounds off a great run past some bemused defenders.
So Cadbury Athletic have won handsomely in the end after a great 2nd-half display and are now through to the semi-final in the new year, while BT have pushed them all the way today and will be looking to improve their league position in the lower half of the table.
Match entrance fee: free
Match programme: none available
Match attendance: 10-15 (estimated)
Match rating: 7.5/10
I am visiting a new ground today. It's the home of Wolverhampton United who play in the 2nd Division of the West Midlands League and is situated in Prestwood Road West in the Wolverhampton district of Wednesfield.
When I leave Worcester just before 10am, there is still a stiff northerly wind blowing although the sun is shining after the early morning rain. After our recent mild autumn weather, it's a shock to the system, so I am wearing a scarf and gloves for the first time since March.
When I get to Wolverhampton, I have time to have a good look around the Wolverhampton Art Gallery, where there is the annual exhibition of the local Arts Society (good quality), a show of the prints of the Japanese artist, Hiroshige, plus their permanent collection. Wolverhampton has a tradition of good sculptors and I can't resist taking a photo of a small statue of the legendary ex-Wolves and England captain, Billy Wright.
I have lunch in the cafe there before leaving to catch the number 28 bus from the bus station going to Willenhall. On the way I get off at Prestwood Road and soon I am at the the entrance of the football ground.
There is a driveway of twenty yards before you turn left in to the car park. Beyond this there is the gate with the pitch in front of you and the small club house on your left. There is a stand on the left hand side of the pitch with standing room only for the spectators, with room for about 80-100 people at a guess and the changing rooms are situated at the back of this. There is another pitch along side on the right of the main one.
Wolverhampton United are currently lying in a mid table position and were founded in 1976 after the amalgamation of Whitmore Old Boys and Oxley FC. They immediately joined the West Midlands League and were champions of Division 1b in their first season. In 1982 they won promotion to the Premier Division and entered the FA Vase 4 times in the 1980's, reaching the 4th round in the 1982-83 season. They have never reached those heights since then, being a bit of a yo-yo team between the Premier and 1st Divisions before being relegated to the 2nd Division two seasons ago.
Their opponents today are the Walsall based side called Sikh Hunters.
When the teams take the field, United are clothed in an all orange strip while Sikh Hunters are in yellow shirts, green shorts and yellow socks. It makes for a warm sight on a cold day.
For the first 15 minutes, it's the visitors who are the dominant team. It's hard to believe that they are close to the bottom of the table in the league.
Their best spell of play after 30 minutes sees them twice go close to scoring from a corner and then soon after, their No.7 hits a long range shot that hits a post.
Very soon though it's United who make the most of their chances. After 32 minutes their No.3 goes on a run down the left then pulls the ball across for their No.7 to cleverly chip the ball over the Hunter's keeper and in to the top right hand corner.
With the Hunters defence looking vulnerable they concede another just 4 minutes later, when the United No.10 tucks away the ball after a break away.
On the stroke of half-time, after one of the United players goes on a good run down the left, the ball is crossed over. It should have been cleared but the ball eventually falls to their No.11 and he pokes the ball in to the net for a handsome lead.
There is still time in injury time for Sikh Hunters to see a shot hit the right hand post and out.
So it's 3-0 to Wolverhampton United. The Hunters defence has looked pretty shaky. I have noticed that they are not good at clearing the ball away out of their own penalty area. Sometimes they just need to clear the danger rather than trying to pass it around too much. They have some skilful players but I think they have to be more practical.
Also I was surprised to see for the first 20 minutes that there were no substitutes on the Sikh Hunters bench! 2 did arrive later on in the first-half though.
I go to the kitchen area where there are free cups of tea and coffee on offer and one of the staff has kindly made a big plate of tasty chips for people to tuck in to. Nice to have on a cold day. It's good too that the wind has died down this afternoon.
I get talking to the United Match Secretary, the amiable Phil Gibbons. It turns out that he used to be involved with Darlaston Town when they played at their old City Ground in their previous incarnation, sadly a ground I never got to see. He's clearly a dedicated football man.
Maybe because of the inclement weather, my pen decides to stop working so I don't have many details of the second half to refer to.
When play resumes, Sikh Hunters immediately reduce the deficit when they go up the field and one of their forwards rifles in a shot in to the top right hand corner.
Sadly for them it's the hosts who continue to pose the greater goal threat.
They score 3 more goals in this half and probably could have scored one or two more.
Their last goal near the end of the match kind of sums up Sikh Hunters woeful defensive display today. With the ball on the left, the Hunters No.7, instead of kicking the ball up field, manages to slice the ball over to the right to a waiting United player and they eventually score from close in even though it looks like the Hunters defence could stop them. They just look totally demoralised by now.
Thankfully the final whistle is blown soon after and today's win propels Wolverhampton United up to 4th place. Hopefully Sikh Hunters can get a morale boosting win soon, as they looked short on confidence.
So a new ground and plenty of goals, so it's turned out to be a better day today than I thought it would, after the earlier wind and rain.
Match attendance: 15
Match entrance fee: free
Match programme: none available
Match entertainment: 7/10
