Due to temporary financial constraints I have decided to go to another local game today and it will mean a new ground to visit.
The game in question is a local derby between Powick Rangers and Malvern Under-21's at the Malvern Vale Community Centre that was built 2/3 years ago in a brand new housing estate, located in the area of Upper Howsell in Malvern.
It's a bit of a shot in the dark for me as I don't know what kind of ground it is and because it's so new, it's not that clearly defined on Google Maps and it's certainly not marked on my hard copy map of the Malvern area.
There is a steady light rainfall when I leave for the train at Shrub Hill station but with the promise of dry weather later on. I arrive at Malvern Link station and the rain has soon gone. I have decided to visit Malvern Library after reading in my local newspaper that there is an exhibition by a local photographer specialising in infra-red photography. It's very interesting, giving well known local views an ethereal look.
After having a bite to eat in Great Malvern, it takes me about 25 minutes to get to the Community Centre, which wasn't that difficult to find in the end. When I reach the entrance I can see there are 2 football pitches, with the one on my right being the one to be used for the match. 3 sides of it are bordered by a high wire fence while the other has a rope to separate the spectators from the pitch. Not great for photography but at least I will have my back to the sun that has been appearing from time to time.
Powick Rangers are a new club, being a merger of the old AFC Powick village side who have been a major force in recent years in the Worcester & District Football League and Malvern Rangers. However as the Saturday division of this League has been disbanded due to the withdrawal of 5 teams, Powick threw in their lot with Malvern Rangers who were already playing at this ground in the West Mid Div 2.
Malvern Town Under-21's are a revamp of their old reserve team who also were plying their trade in the Worcester League.
When the teams come on to the pitch, Powick (pronounced Poik) are in white shirts and blue shorts and Malvern in their usual strip of blue,claret and white.
The opening exchanges are even with Powick's No.9 hitting the post with a shot on the right and Malvern's No.8 having his shot well saved. Just a minute later Powick's keeper deflects a shot with his legs.
For the rest of this half though, Powick look the more dangerous side and have several chances that go begging. They even have the ball in the net in the 27th minute but it's ruled out by an offside flag.
In the 30th minute Powick's No.10 who has been one of their best players, has a great shot on the turn but is turned over the bar by the Malvern keeper.
Half-time arrives and it's surprisingly still 0-0 despite the best efforts of both the teams. It's been a keenly contested match so far and it's difficult to predict the likely outcome.
I don't bother looking to see if there are any refreshments on sale as I have brought some of my own and after checking some half-time scores, I see that the teams are coming out 5 minutes early.
Malvern look to be in better form and have a great chance when their No.9 is put through by a lovely pass and finds himself in a one on one situation with the keeper. His shot though bounces off the home keepers legs and out (as shown below).
It looks to be a costly miss as after 70 minutes, Malvern carelessly give away possession in their own half and it ends up with Powick's No.9 having an easy chance to shoot past their keeper.
Malvern Town though immediately fight back with a very soft goal. Their No.9, has a tame looking shot on goal that makes it's way through the covering Powick defenders legs and with the keeper seemingly rooted to the spot, the ball slowly goes in to the corner of the goal. It looks as if the Powick goalie was expecting the ball to go wide. He's very upset with his error and is loudly berating himself!
A woman Malvern Town supporter who has been watching with her husband, close to where I'm standing is very pleased about this and seeing me with my notebook open asks me 'Do you want to know the scorer's name?' I reply that I do and she laughs and says it's their son called Jack Cullity.
( Goal scorer Jack Cullity is congratulated by his happy team mates )
With 10 minutes to go, Malvern's No.12 out on the left, bends in a shot towards the far post but is pushed round the post by the home keeper.
Close to full time, Powick are awarded a free kick on the right. The ball is crossed over and is flicked on by a Powick player to the far post for their tall No.6 who nods it in to the net.
A great time to score a goal but the best goal of the game comes in injury time a few minutes later when Powick's No.11 finds himself with the ball at his feet on the right side of the goal and then blasts it straight in to the top corner.
So 3-1 for the home side and the whistle blows soon after. Powick have deserved to win today but it's been close.
I think they could do well in this division this season and Malvern Town should avoid trouble but will have to be more clinical in front of goal.
Match attendance: 30-40.
Entrance fee: free
Match programme: none
Entertainment value: 7/10
I have decided to visit a local team today, namely Worcester Raiders who play at Claines Lane on the northern outskirts of my home city. Last season they were promoted from the 2nd Division of the West Midlands League and are doing well this season too. Their opponents today are Team Dudley, who are the senior team of Dudley College and I saw them play last season at Cadbury Athletic in the Birmingham Vase.
Also I didn't see many games in this league last season and want to rectify this this season as it is this League's 125th anniversary season.
I have transport problems at the bus station as the No 144 bus does not leave until 2:40pm rather than the advertised 2:30pm. The slowness of the driver making his way from the staff room to the bus is a sight to behold and is a good reminder of why I try to avoid using their services as much as possible. It amazes me that this does not seem to faze my fellow passengers.....they must be resigned to having such a crap service!
I make it to the ground just before kick-off and I'm quite surprised to see 2 young lads sitting at a table which acts as a turnstile for the ground. When I came here 2 years ago to see the now defunct Archdales FC, there was no charge. I pay the £3 entrance, £1 for raffle tickets and receive a free four page programme. I certainly don't mind paying the money as I'm sure the club have plenty of expenses.
As I walk the short distance to the pitch I realise the teams are just about to kick off. The Raiders are in a red and black strip while the Dudley side are in all blue.
Just as I am getting my camera out of my rucksack, I quickly look up to see the ball nestling in the corner of the net after Worcester Raiders have scored direct from a corner (courtesy of Anthony Smith I find out later). This leaves me inwardly cursing the bus company for helping me miss the goal.
Fortunately I don't have to wait long for the next one! After 5 minutes, the Raiders striker, Jamie Insall, steals possession off a Dudley defender (as shown below) and slots the ball past the advancing keeper.
Just 3 minutes later, the Raiders win a free kick which is quickly taken and No.17, Joey Haines lifts the ball over the keeper for goal number 3, (as shown below).
The Raiders front line is certainly causing the students a lot of problems with their movement and tenacity in hunting down the ball. This is typified by Jamie Insall, who has a proven track record of goal scoring at this level. Team Dudley also make life difficult for themselves at times by not clearing the ball quickly enough.
After 28 minutes, Insall has scored his second after lobbing the keeper.
It's certainly not all one way traffic though and Team Dudley pull a goal back when after a mistake by a Worcester defender, their impressive No.7 lobs the ball over the advancing home keeper.
Also the visitors nearly get a second when after good work by their No.9 a shot is well saved by the young Jackson Huxley.
So it's 4-1 to the Raiders at half-time and now looks to be just a matter of how big the winning margin will be.
It's a very pleasant day to watch this game and the ground has a rural feel to it with trees on 2 sides, more trees behind the higher ground at the back, with another pitch on the left hand side. There are a set of steps leading up to the club house and changing rooms between the 2 pitches. Some of the spectators have been watching the contest sat outside the club house where they must have a good elevated view of the ground. On the right hand side of the pitch is a small covered area flanked by both dug-outs. There are no floodlights and I wonder if Worcester Raiders will be looking to erect some if they qualify for promotion?
After Iv'e checked the Premiership's half time scores, the teams are trooping back on to the pitch and the Raiders have soon scored again after some slack defending and their No.6 has again lobbed the keeper.
Team Dudley soon go on the attack and twice go close to scoring themselves.
Then it's that man Insall again with him blasting the ball home after having his first shot blocked and the defence failing to clear it. 2 minutes later he's scored his 4th goal after shooting in the ball off the outside of his boot.
3 minutes later in the 66th minute, it's goal number 8 when the Raiders No.6, Ben Harbourne has headed in from a corner and before he is substituted, Insall sees a shot crash off the underside of the bar and out!
The Raiders last 2 goals are scored by their No.10, Richard Smith, who has scored 7 goals already before today.
Team Dudley have most of the play in the last 15 minutes and their No.7 has a good run and shoots just past the post.
(Team Dudley's No.7 is stopped in unorthodox fashion by his marker)
So 10-1 is the final scoreline and as a result of this big score, Worcester Raiders jump up to second place behind Bromyard Town in the league table.
The Raiders certainly have a dangerous forward line with Insall and Richard Smith always likely to score goals in most games and Richard's brother Anthony, providing the unexpected and unusual with his dribbling skills. It will be interesting to see how they fare against stronger, more experienced opposition this season.
Team Dudley were promoted to this division from last season and they could struggle in this one although they do have some skilful players, especially up front.
Match attendance: 25-35?
Match entrance fee: £3
Match programme: free
Entertainment value: 8/10
Today is 'Non-League Day', a good day to stay local. So as Worcester City are playing in Barrow-in-Furness I have decided to go to travel the short distance to see Malvern Town in their FA Vase tie v Walsall Wood.
I have been watching with interest, the upturn in fortunes of Malvern over the last few months, both on and off the field. On the field Malvern Town find themselves on top of the West Midlands League and off the field the club house has been spruced up and the pitch re-laid. So it will be good to see them in action and take note of the improvements.
I have enough time to have a quick look around the town in Great Malvern after leaving the train and then have a bite to eat at a local cafe. It's very pleasant walking down the hill towards the ground on a beautiful day. After 20 minutes I'm walking through the car park in to the club house. I pay my entrance and obtain a programme and step out on to a nice new decking area where there is a large gathering of supporters. Looking over to to the pitch I can see that is looking in good nick too.
Over the last 6 years since I came back to the Midlands, Malvern Town have been in a slow decline. After watching a couple of local Sunday League games at this ground at the end of last season, I could see the pitch looked a bit threadbare in places and the club buildings looking a bit neglected.
Last September, the club was in danger of folding after it came to light that the club had debts over £200,000 and it looked like they would have to sell the ground as a result. To the rescue in stepped 2 enthusiastic young businessmen, Chris Pinder and Ted Grizzell. Pinder is the co-founder of local company, HD Connectivity and Grizzell is the manager of Zig-Zag coaching and is also an academy coach at West Bromwich Albion.
They are organising a new youth set up at the club to nurture local talent and have set up the club as a Community Interest Company (CIC). They are a not for profit organisation and can look for extra funding from organisations like The Lottery, Sport England as well as local businesses.
So to the match and there is some bad luck for the home side before the kick-off, with main striker, Bryan Craven having to withdraw from proceedings because of a foot injury sustained during the warm-up. As he is currently his League's top scorer with 9 so far, then this is quite a blow for Malvern.
The match kicks off with the home side in a strip of mainly white but with sky blue and claret too. Looks like their old away kit. The Wood are in their usual all red strip.
The opening exchanges are quite even with plenty of attacking intent from both teams and I can't see this contest ending in a stalemate. Then Walsall Wood start to dominate the play.
After 14 minutes Walsall Wood's No.11 goes past 3 Malvern tackles before sending a shot past the post and then 'The Wood' take the lead with a goal from Dean Holgate.
This proves to be very short lived though as in the very next minute, Malvern go on the attack, win a corner and then score with a tap in by their No.6 I think.
After 37 minutes I'm impressed by a great double save by the Malvern keeper to keep his side in the game. This reprieve only lasts until the last minute of this half as the Wood's No.11 is left with a tap in at the far post after a pass comes in from the left.
So Walsall Wood have their noses back in front in this tie. They have been the classier team so far and just about deserve their advantage.
Walsall Wood only 2 seasons ago had a great run in this competition, losing only after a replay in the quarter-finals, when maybe they should have won in the first match after having the best chances.
The first 15 minutes of the second half sees Malvern Town using all three of their substitutes, which shows they mean business in getting back in to this game.
The balance of the match shifts in the home sides favour when in the 68th minute, Walsall's No.11 is sent off. I miss the incident but Wood's Match Day secretary who I have been chatting to, says he had kicked out at another player.
Then in the very next minute, Walsall Wood probably should have had a penalty when one of their players is pushed down in the area but his sides pleas are waived aside as it looks like the linesman thought the ball had already gone out of play.
(Malvern Town defender Chris Allen, looks to close down this Walsall Wood attack)
Malvern then go close after 79 minutes when their No.15 has a dipping shot sail just over the bar. Five minutes later another home attack produces a diving header, again going over the bar after a good cross from the right.
Their pressure finally pays off when their No.11 manages to push the ball past Walsall's keeper.
Just after this goal's scored I'm thinking that Walsall Wood won't fancy playing extra-time with only 10 men. Then they go and score!
A good run by their No.3, Craig Deakin, in the area is impeded by a Malvern defender and he goes to ground, with the ref blowing for a penalty. This is duly despatched by their No.6, Danny Forrest, as shown below.
There is still time for the Malvern captain Joe Endacott to have an eyeball to eyeball confrontation with Walsall's No.16, who carries on their spat just a bit too long, which is a bit silly seeing that his side look they are about to win the game and go through to the next round.
It's been a great cup tie and although they lost today, Malvern Town showed great grit and determination against their higher league opponents. With their new regime, newly revamped ground and future plans, they seem like a club with a future now.
Walsall Wood's reward for their efforts today is a home tie in the next round against old rivals, Pershore Town, when they were both in the Midland Combination.
Match entrance: £5
Match programme: £1
Match attendance: 137
Entertainment value: 8/10
I am sending myself to Coventry today, yes...I won't talk to myself all day, which will be a relief to all the locals there. It's Preliminary Round day in the FA Cup and the local derby between Midland League's, Coventry Sphinx and Bedworth United from the Calor Southern League. It will be my first visit to this ground.
I haven't been to Coventry for 3 years now and then it was on my way to see Bedworth in action.
When I leave Worcester on the train, it's cloudy and likely to remain so for most of today. By 1pm I am walking out of Coventry rail station and to my dismay the pedestrian walkway is still surrounded by hoardings, giving things a decidedly unfinished air. To be honest, Coventry is not one of my favourite places. There are some great things to see, like the Cathedral, Art Gallery etc but the city centre is a bit of an eyesore in places.
I am visiting the Transport Museum today before going to the game and it's certainly worth a visit. Of course the displays provide a great insight in to the history of Coventry as a major centre for the bicycle, motorcycle and auto-mobile industries in the UK. Looking at a list on the wall, I can see there have been hundreds of companies based in the city over the years. Not so many now of course!
I have a bite to eat in the museum cafe and then find the relevant bus stop for my 10 minute journey which takes me close to the Coventry Sphinx sports ground.
Sphinx Drive is situated off Bull's Head Lane in the Lower Stoke district and ground has a bowling green and a rugby ground as well as the football pitch. The football ground itself has a rugby pitch on one side, separated by a rope. On the other side is situated the only stand. Everywhere else you are open to the elements, apart from the club house of course, which is by the entrance. At the back of the club is where you can find the bowls club.
Coventry Sphinx come out in their sky blue and white striped shirts, dark blue shorts and socks while Bedworth United (the Greenbacks) appear in their all-green strip.
There looks to be a good crowd to see this local contest and as often happens in such matches, play is scrappy and the pace frenetic and the windy weather does not help either.
Sphinx have the better of the early exchanges and after 5 minutes go close to scoring. A free kick awarded on the right is met well by a Sphinx captain, Ashley Jackson's head but the ball flashes past the far post.
After 15 minutes another Sphinx attack, down the left this time, sees the Bedworth keeper race out of his goal, he's lobbed but the ball goes just wide of the goal.
(Alex Naughton, the Bedworth No.9 attacks the Coventry Sphinx goal)
Bedworth though do get more in to the game and the later stages of the first half sees them gain the upper hand without creating any clear cut chances.
So it's all square at half-time and I'm hoping there will be some goals in the next 45 minutes. The weather has taken a turn for the worse with darker clouds coming over and it rains for the next 20 minutes or so. The half-time draw sees a guy near me winning a bottle of whisky and makes me wonder if I would have won that if I'd bought a ticket as I don't think anyone else near me had bought any.
Bedworth United leave their hosts waiting on the pitch for a few minutes before play starts again. Maybe they are trying to psych them out?
It's still a physical battle in this half too although Bedworth do test the Sphinx keeper a few times but he and his fellow defenders hold firm. Although you can't fault the commitment of both sides the match is desperately calling out for a bit of quality.
(This Coventry attacker is held at bay with some strong arm tactics)
The final whistle blows with both teams unable to break the deadlock. Although it hasn't been a brilliant match there has been some entertaining banter at times in the crowd near me.
The teams will resume their battle on Tuesday evening with the winners visiting Boldmere St.Michael's in the next round.
I noticed that Coventry Sphinx looked to have a young team out today and I saw on their website the other day that last season, their Under 10,11,13 AND 14 teams won their respective League Cup competitions. That's quite an achievement and shows they have some quality players coming up for the future.
Match attendance: 334
Match entrance: £7
Match programme: £1.50
Club badge: £2
Entertainment value: 3/10
Due to a distinctly unfavourable forecast for the Birmingham/Black Country area for this afternoon, I change my plans to watch a West Midlands League match and decide instead to head west for the city of Hereford. I am now going to see Westfields take on last years Midland Combination Premier champions, the village side from Brocton, situated close to Stafford.
On arriving at Worcester's Shrub Hill rail station, I find to my dismay that there are engineering works on the Hereford line today. Of course this means I have to take the option of the replacement bus service. This will mean that I will not have much time to explore the city on my arrival as I'm sure the journey will take twice the usual time.
Unfortunately this is the way it pans out but on the plus side, I can take in the glorious country views on the way. As we are nearing Hereford, I think I see where the Bartestree football ground is situated, who play in the West Midlands League and who I'd like to visit in the future.
We are taken to the forecourt of the rail station and I make my way on the 10 minute walk to the city centre. I decide to go to the bus station and there I go in to a nearby cafe and have a breakfast butty.
When I get to the pedestrianised High Street, I find that there are more food stalls than usual and am told by a stall holder that there is a food festival taking place.
I walk to the allpay Park ground of Westfields, which is just past the ground of Lads Club, who have a game that's already started, probably their reserve team who play in the Herefordshire League.
I pay the £6 entrance fee and £1 for the glossy programme. It's sunny at the moment but there are clouds coming our way. Rain wasn't forecast for around here today but you never know?
The Westfields team troop out in their usual claret and blue and visitors Brocton in their green and white. Brocton find themselves at the bottom of the table after 3 games played, so are finding life a bit harder after promotion last season.
When they kick-off with Westfields attacking the end where I'm stood, I'm surprised to see that Dene Whittal-Williams is playing at No.9 rather than his usual central defensive position.
(Dene Whittal-Williams sees an intended cross snapped up by the Brocton keeper)
The dead lock is broken after 14 minutes when the ball is played to Zac Sirrell who cleverly finds space on the right and beating the off-side trap and pulls the ball back for Jamie Cuss to push in to the net.
Just 12 minutes later though, Brocton draw level, when a great cross from the left is met by No.9 Gary Fife, who guides the ball in at the near post.
(Jamie Cuss gains possession near the Brocton goal)
Westfields go close near the end of the half when a left wing cross is met full on the valley by Jamie Cuss and his shot crashes against the cross bar and over. Could have been a spectacular goal!
The weather has deteriorated during the first 45 minutes and we had a brief few minutes of rain near the end. Although it stops during the interval, the oncoming clouds don't bode well.
The second half sees Westfields largely on top but without threatening the Brocton goal. In fact Gary Fife very nearly scores a second but fires over with a fierce shot from a few yards out.
Westfields however gradually get back on top and with their full backs pushing down the flanks are getting more urgent in their efforts to score the winning goal.
The rain has come back too, the conditions adding to the drama of the last stages of the match.
With just 3 minutes to go, the hosts win a free kick on the right. The ball is driven in low, skidding of the wet turf and looks to deflect off a defender before going past the flailing arms of the keeper.
(Here Westfields players celebrate their late second goal)
So Westfields have won the game at the death. They seemed to want it more than their opponents who maybe had settled on holding on for a draw.
It's been a disappointing match, with Westfields looking out of sorts and not the same team that was playing with a free flowing style 2 years ago. The attendance though was an impressive 148.
Brocton I'm sure will improve after their stuttering start but definitely need to improve in attack because from what I saw today, only the experienced Gary Fife looks to be a threat up front.
When I am travelling back to Worcester, the rain soon stops and when the coach is climbing up the side of the Malvern Hills, I can see across Herefordshire over to the Welsh mountains, with the setting sun gleaming out from the rain clouds. We cut through the Hills at Wyche and start on our way down on to Great Malvern. Below us a rainbow is shining and makes me wish I could take a photo of this spectacle from the confines of the coach.
PS. I sent some of my match photos to Brocton, which have been put on their website by their Publicity Officer, Adam Checkley. He also told me that any visiting 'groundhoppers' are always most welcome at the club. Very sociable!
This weekend marks the start of this seasons road to Wembley. Yes, it's FA Cup time again! I have chosen to cover the tie at Coleshill Town who are playing Nuneaton Griff. So I will visit a new ground and see Nuneaton Griff for the first time too. Coleshill are currently 2nd in the Midland Football League, Premier Division while Nuneaton are competing in the division below them.
I am taking the train to Birmingham and then make the small rail journey to Marston Green. I can see the end of a runway at the adjacent Birmingham airport while getting out of the train. I then walk out to the front of the station to the bus stop to wait for the No.70 bus. This takes me over to Coleshill via Chelmsley Wood. I notice on the way that Chelmsley Town's ground is situated on this route.
When I get out on to the High Street in Coleshill, it's 1:40 pm and there are not many people about, in fact the major activity today seems to be 2 weddings taking place. There are some nice old buildings here in the centre of this small market town of approximately 6,300 souls, just inside Warwickshire. There has been a settlement here since Roman times apparently and the town was famous for it's coach houses at one time about 300 years ago, so must have been situated on a major route at one time (probably to Coventry).
After having a quick look round the town and stopping off at the local chippy for a good value chicken burger, I walk down the road to the ground at Packmeadow Lane. The ground itself is situated on the left of the road and soon I am walking through the stylish metal gates, with the clubs name on them. It's a neat looking ground with the car park immediately in front of me and the pitch just on my right. The club house and changing rooms are on the far side of the car park, with a burger/refreshment van in front. Along the both sides of the pitch are 2 small stands and to the east of the ground is another pitch, probably for training.
I take my place at the far, southern end of the ground and when the teams come out, Coleshill are in their white shirts and blue shorts, while Nuneaton Griff are in their change strip of all red.
Coleshill are starting this new season in great form. The other week they won 8-2 at newly promoted Brocton and have scored 14 league goals in 4 games so far. I have predicted a 6-2 win for the home team today if they hit top form.
For the first 10-15 minutes, it's an even contest. However Coleshill take the lead when their powerful midfielder, Jonathon Jones heads home from a corner. Just 6 minutes later it's 2-0 when Daniel Douglas heads in from a long throw. After this, Coleshill look dangerous whenever they attack and duly score again when Douglas scores with another header.
(Tom Weale on the ball in another Coleshill Town attack)
Nuneaton nearly hit back when their No.9 goes close with a free-kick but Coleshill score number 4 when new signing, Tom Weale puts away a well placed shot in the corner with Griff's keeper, Dave Watson well and truly stranded. Straight from the kick-off Coleshill sweep down field and their No.9 sweeps home the ball from a left wing cross.
So as a contest this match is well and truly over and can only be a damage limitation excercise for the visitors.
I see from the programme that Coleshill Town have revived a lot of their youth teams and will have 2 women's teams too for this season. It's announced at the break that the attendance today is 92.
It's soon evident that Coleshill are in mood to rest on their laurels and on 53 minutes, number 6 is scored following a defensive mix-up after the No.9, Benjamin's header rebounds out from the corner of the bar and post, as shown below.
For a while Nuneaton Griff get back in to the game but without really threatening the Coleshill goal.
This is short lived though and one of the Coleshill substitutes, the pacy Simeon Cobourne, picks up the ball in midfield and races through to score (as shown below).
This same player scores again a few minutes later. The Nuneaton goalkeeper looks round and asks me how much time is left till full time. After telling him it's just 5 minutes he then asks me what the score is, as he has obviously lost count now. Unfortunately for him, Coleshill have enough time to score 2 more.
Before that, Aden Moore of Nuneaton has a goal disallowed for offside. Then after 88 minutes, Cobourne scores the last goal of his quick fire hat-trick and then another substitute, Withers scores the final goal in injury time when in a one on one situation with the Nuneaton stopper.
Later, I read that Nuneaton had fielded a weakened team today but it was still a very impressive performance by a fast and powerful Coleshill team. Their manager has certainly put together a strong squad and are certain to challenge strongly for silverware this season. The 2 players that impressed me the most were hat-trick hero, Simeon Cobourne who is only 18 years old and the No.8, Jonathon Jones who was very effective in a midfield holding role.
As for Nuneaton Griff, they did themselves a lot of credit by keeping to playing in an attractive manner, right till the end. In fact it was a very clean game.
So, the start of a new season and a new football league, namely the 'Midland Football League'. This comprises the joining together of the old Midland Alliance and Midland Combination leagues. The 'Alliance' is now the Premier Division (Step 5) of the new league and Division's, 1,2 &3 are made up of teams from the Combination. There are also 2 Reserve team divisions and 2 Under-21 team divisions transferred from the Midland Combination too.
I have decided to visit the historic town of Warwick today to witness the Racing Club Warwick v Lichfield City clash, in the Division 1 (Step 6) of this new league.
I have been to this club twice before and have seen Lichfield over 20 years ago. I fancied seeing the town of Warwick again, as it is a pleasant place to visit with nice architecture, although it's football team are usually struggling and fighting off relegation in recent years.
As I set out from Worcester on the Birmingham train, it's cloudy and has been raining most of the morning, so I'm a bit worried if the game is going to be on. After looking at the forecast, it looks as if the further east I go, the better it should be.
I phone the Racing Club's secretary when I get to Snow Hill station in Birmingham but his wife instead answers the phone as he is on his way to the ground. She assures me though that the game should go ahead as it has not been raining in Warwick this morning. So I buy my ticket and about 35 minutes later have disembarked and am making my way down to Warwick town centre.
I see that the centre is decked out in bunting to commemorate the 1,100th anniversary of the town, giving it a slightly continental look (as shown in the photo below).
After having a quick look around the town centre, I make my way down towards the football ground. Near the ground is Warwick Racecourse and I pass along the back of it's Grandstand. Also on the other side of the A 4198 (Hampton Road) is situated the ground of Warwick Cricket Club, with it's cute looking white wooden pavilion.
Soon I am entering through the turnstile of the Townend Meadow ground which is situated close to the corner of the racecourse, hence the use of the 'Racing Club' name. It's £4 entry + 50p for a 12 page paper programme. I go in to the club house bar and get my ritual pre-match cup of tea and when I go back outside I notice that next door is situated the local boxing club which is housed in a long portacabin looking building. It does not look in good repair and some of the windows have broken glass, which looks as if vandalism has taken place. I presume that this same club is where the famous World Champion, English boxer of the 1950's, Randolph Turpin had learnt his trade, as his statue is to be seen in the town centre.
Before the game starts I see on the team sheets posted on the wall, that the diminutive but speedy striker, Ahmet Bilgimer (formerly of Walsall Wood) is playing for Lichfield today. I'm sure he will play an important part in the proceedings. His brother too is playing at No 2.
Although the sun has been shining all the time I have been in Warwick, I can see dark clouds looming to the west end of the ground, which is where I take my place by the side of one of the goals, sheltering under some trees. As I look down the pitch, on my right is a small stand, with seating and a corrugated tin roof, with the team dug-outs either side of it.
On my left is another small stand longer in length, again with a corrugated tin roof.
The teams come on to the pitch with Racing Club in their colours of amber & black while the visitors are in their away colours of all red. There looks to be a crowd of about 40 today.
When play commences, the 1st half sees an evenly contested game. After 10 mins , Lichfield spurn a good chance when the ball breaks to their No.7 on the edge of the penalty area but he shoots wide of the far post.
Ahmet Bilgimer later turns sharply just outside the box but his shot is quickly blocked.
In one Racing Club attack, one of their forwards, Jake Brown, shoots over the bar from an acute angle (as shown below).
The best chance for Racing Club sees one of their forwards head just wide from a good left wing cross.
The weather has quickly deteriorated after just 10 minutes of play and rains, heavily at times for most of the first 45 minutes (as seen in the photo below)and I'm grateful for the shelter of these large trees in the corner of the ground.
Just as it seems like the game will remain goalless at half time, Bilgimer is brought down in the 42nd minute, after he bursts in to Racing's penalty area and a spot kick is awarded. Lichfield's No.8 duly steps up and scores to put his side in the driving seat.
The rain had stopped after 40 minutes and the sun has come out again but more rain clouds are not far away.
When play resumes with Lichfield attacking towards me, they seem to be more confident now and Bilgimer and their No.9, Kyle Minto looking dangerous.
Their No.14 is finding space on the left too and after 70 minutes his pass finds Bilgimer who slides the ball home.
Bilgimer (far right) is greeted by his happy team mates after scoring the 2nd and decisive goal.
Although Racing Club try to get back in to the game they don't really look like scoring. The rain had come back and lasts for most of the second period except the last 10 minutes, when the pitch is bathed in sunshine.
So Lichfield City run out 2-0 winners and look as if they could have a useful season while the hosts look set for another struggle down the lower part of table on this showing.
I did not come back to the West Midlands until 6 years ago and did not realise that Racing Club had been members of the Southern League just 10 years ago. So it's a shame to see them struggling now and judging by the lack of advertising hoardings around the pitch they don't seem to be pulling in much needed money to help their cause.
I'd recommend a visit to Warwick, as it is an historic place with good shops and you can always visit the Castle too as well as taking in a game at Racing Club.
