It's FA Cup time again and today I am travelling west to Hereford to see Westfields take on fellow Midland Football League, Premier Division side Highgate United from Birmingham, in the 2nd Qualifying Round. Both teams performed giant killing heroics in the previous round with Westfields trouncing St.Ives Town 4-0 and Highgate beating Leamington 3-1.
This is my 100th blog post after starting it in February 2013. The time has certainly gone quickly!
Also I have had one of my photos selected as the cover for this seasons edition of the 'Non-League Club Directory, featuring one of today's team, Westfields, when they played Kidlington Athletic in the FA Cup last year.
Westfields have started this season in storming fashion, winning all their games so far and sitting in top spot in the league. It's their 50th Anniversary and their current President & Secretary, Andrew Morris, is one of the founders of the club. They have made steady progress over the years after their Sunday League beginnings.
When I get to the ground I can see that there should be a good sized crowd for the game and it's going to be played in sunny conditions. Allpay Park is one of my favourite grounds and the playing surface looks to be a good one today.
The teams come out, with Westfields in their usual claret & blue kit while Highgate are in a change strip of flourescent yellow/green looking shirts and socks with black shorts. Although Highgate are currently in a lowly league position, I think it will be a close game.
( Westfields' Ghanaian winger, Sirdic Grant looks to make a run in to the Highgate half)
Indeed,the visitors look to be the more dangerous team in the opening exhanges and it's no surprise when their No.7 Connor Mooney goes on o good run in to the Westfields box on the left and shoots home past the Westfields keeper, Kieron Blackburn.
After 10 minutes Highgate survive a scare when their keeper, Brendon Bunn, races out to challenge for the ball, fails to collect and from the resultant cross the ball is headed clear by a defender.
Westfields find an equaliser after 31 minutes, when their No.3, Sam Plane, goes down the left to cross for the incoming No.9 Richard Greaves, to score.
Highgate go close to re-taking the lead when one of their players hits the bar with a header but one minute later Westfields No.10, Jamie Molyneux puts his side in to the lead after he is put through by Aidan Thomas.
Half time comes and this tie could go either way. Highgate are belying their low placed league position by matching their high flying hosts.
Highgate then equalise in the 57th minute, when their captain, Josh Hawker is brought down in the penalty area and then puts away the spot kick himself (as shown below).
A few minutes later and the Highgate No.16 hits a shot over the bar when the ball is headed down to him by McCauley Manning from a free kick.
Connor Mooney then sees his chipped shot bounce off the bar and with just 2 minutes left, another free kick is flicked on for the Highgate No.14 to hit first time and just past the far post. That would have been a great goal!
Those misses prove to be costly as Westfields take the lead again with a Craig Jones free kick headed in by Kane Kahaki.
There is still time for Highgate go close with a Hawker free kick only for Westfields to break away and Ben Miller to increase their lead deep in to injury time which is very hard on the visitors.
(Highgate's Connor Mooney runs in to the visitor's penalty area)
The final whistle is blown soon after and it's Westfields going in to the next round and keeping their 100% record intact. They have several new players from when I saw them last season, which is understandable after their disappointing showing in the league and have recruited well.
I am sure that Highgate will finish in the top 6 this season and they have a chance to get immediate revenge when they revisit Allpay Park in the league on Wednesday.
Match attendance: 239
Match entertainment value: 9/10
Match entrance fee: £7
Match programme: £1
Today I am looking to see some FA Cup action. The weather is not at all promising though and my first choice of the game at Westfields in Hereford looks likely to have rain all afternoon. I plump for the tie at Rushall Olympic as I know that they have shelter on all sides of their ground plus it's likelier to have less rainfall.
I have no travel problems getting to Walsall by train and then take the bus which drops me off just outside the ground.
After entering the ground I make straight for the club shop to buy a club badge to add to my burgeoning collection. Also I donate them a pile of my old programmes as I know they take them.
The rain had stopped by the time I had got to Walsall and it looks as if it will keep away for some time although the sun looks unlikely to make an appearance today.
Rushall is a former mining village and the team have have been established in the Northern Premier League for a number of years now. They have made a good start to their league campaign and lie in a useful fifth place after 6 games.
While waiting for the game to start I talk to a guy who is making his first visit to the ground for the first time in 7 years! He's a Walsall supporter who fancied going to a local game as his team are without a game today. He tells me he is a retired teacher who still does tuition and he used to be the programme editor at Tividale and the now defunct Halesowen Harriers. He is shocked at the small crowd today although I didn't think 'The Pics' have a particularly big following.
Soon the teams come on to the field with Rushall in their black and yellow kit and the visitors from Cambridgeshire in green and white striped shirts. As Rushall play at a level above Soham, I make them to be the favourites today but as it's the Cup those considerations go out of the window as it's the 'underdogs' who are pressing back their opponents.
After only 9 minutes Soham's lively No.9 debutant, Victor Adeboyejo, has rounded keeper Jose Veiga but has his shot cleared off the line by No.5 Henry Eze.
Soham have 2 more chances before their No.7, Darren Foxley, puts them in front.
Although Rushall are trying to get back in to the game, it is Soham who are causing all the problems. They are rewarded for their continued dominance when Adeboyejo flicks in a header from a free kick over the arms of Rushall keeper Jose Veiga.
Seven minutes later though, the home side reduce the deficit when after a run down the left by the dangerous Alex Reid he crosses the ball for the incoming Jordan Fitzpatrick to fire in from close range.
(Olympic's Alex Reid on his way to creating his side's 1st goal)
The hosts are back in the game but Adeboyejo reminds them of his presence when before the interval he rattles the bar with a powerful cross shot.
I'd had my doubts about venturing out today but I am being rewarded for my efforts with a blood and thunder style cup tie!
The dangerous Adeboyejo has gone off injured and Ryan Sharman replaces him for the second period and he goes close to scoring but is foiled by Veiga diving at his feet to take the ball.
Alex Reid attacks dangerously down the left after 60 minutes runs past Bogard the Soham keeper but loses control of the ball and it runs overs the line.
'The Greens' miss a good chance of a 3rd goal when their No.11, Relizani fires over at the far post from a cross played in from the left.
(Rushall's Henry Eze rises to clear a Soham attack)
After 73 minutes, Bogard saves at the feet of Fitzpatrick as the pressure from Rushall grows.
The Soham keeper is forced to hurriedly punch out the ball from another attack to the waiting substitute McKenzie but his first time shot sails over the bar.
It's another substitute, Stan Mugisha who finally scores the equaliser in the 88th minute, when following a long throw from the left he crashes in a shot which bounces over the line via the under side of the bar.
The ref says that we have 4 minutes of injury time but neither side is able to get the winning goal.
The winners will face Kettering Town at home in the next round and after collecting £3,000.
I have been impressed by Soham today especially in the first half with a display belying their lowly league place in the Isthmian League, Div 1 South. Rushall although decidedly out of sorts for the first 30 minutes have come back strongly and will not be easily beaten the second time round.
Match attendance: 161
Match entrance fee: £9
Match programme: £2
Match entertainment: 8/10
I have travelled to the Coles Lane home of Sutton Coldfield Town, where their tenants, Romulus FC are in league action against the visitors Newcastle Town on this Bank Holiday monday. The weather is fine and pleasant without being too hot at 20 degrees C.
Both teams are unbeaten so far in the new season, with Newcastle in 3rd place and Romulus in 4th.
Romulus started off as a boys team in 1979, when the current club President, Roger Evans, along with other parents established an Under 12 and an Under 13's team, met with instant success and then later evolved in to a Sunday League team again finding instant success. After several seasons of continued progress, the club joined the Pyramid system of Saturday football and have steadily climbed up to their present level whilst maintaining a successful youth policy. Some of their products have been Darius Vassell (Aston Villa & England), Stefan & Luke Moore (Aston Villa) and recently Marvin Johnson (Kidderminster & Motherwell). Pretty impressive!
Newcastle Town are also a recently formed club (1986) after a merger with the Parkway Clayton side and have also steadily progressed up the Pyramid system.
Romulus troop out on to the pitch in their usual red & white stripes and Newcastle in all blue.
I have noticed in the programme that Charisma Agbonlahor, a relation of the Villa's Gabi is playing for Romulus, having been signed from nearby Boldmere St.Michaels and in the 8th minute he almost sets up a goal for their No.10 but the ball is played in just too far in front of him.
( Romulus fire in a shot on the Newcastle Town goal)
After 12 minutes, Romulus are awarded a penalty after a Newcastle player handles in the penalty area. Unfortunately, the Romulus captain and No.3 steps up and places the kick against the bar and out. I wonder if the home team are going to rue that miss?
Eight minutes later though, Romulus play in a long ball and the resultant back pass is intercepted by Agbonlahor who bundles the ball home after robbing the Newcastle keeper.
(No.6 Charisma Agbonlahor is congratulated after his goal)
Their lead is short lived as a Newcastle attack down the left sees Jake Lovatt played in from a neat pass by Jordan Cole and he slots the ball in at the near post.
Newcastle have 2 more chances before the break but are unable to make them count.
During the first half, I buy some raffle tickets from a friendly Romulus official called Richard (Tricky Dicky) Clarke. I find out he is also the club's photographer and is one of the Academy coaches too. He tells me that Hereford will be playing here next week in the FA Cup and thinks that they could have a crowd of 2,000. That will be a good cash bonus for the club!
The second half starts with the visitors on the attack and after 8 minutes their No.10 shoots from the left and just the wrong side of the far post.
A bit later and Agbonlahor has a chance but shoots straight at the the keeper.
In the 73rd minute when Romulus mount a quick counter attack following a break down of a Newcastle attack, Agbonlahor plays in a great ball over to the left and the receiving Romulus player sends in a pass over to the far post and their diminutive No.7, Chad Degville-Cross races in to fire in a shot over the advancing keeper (as shown below).
This proves to be the winner and I think they have just about deserved it, especially after their 2nd-half showing. This win has moved them up to second place in the table while Newcastle slide down to 4th.
When I leave I say goodbye to Richard Clarke and wish his team luck in their Cup tie next week.
Match attendance: 101
Match entrance fee: £8
Match programme: £2
Match entertainment: 7/10
I am heading to another local game today to see Evesham United. It's only a 45 minute bus ride for me and after having had a good lunch in a newly discovered cafe, I walk down to the Jubilee Stadium and arrive there after 25 minutes on a pleasant sunny day.
Evesham have drawn one and lost one game so far, which is par for the course for them as they are known for their slow starts to the season. Their visitors Wimborne Town from Dorset on the other hand have opened their campaign with 2 victories. United though are welcoming back skipper Matt Sysum and Linden Dovey to their defence and experienced striker Adam Mann.
When the teams come on to the pitch Evesham are in their red and white striped shirts but Wimborne are in their change strip of orange and white.
It's the battle of the birds, 'The Robins' of Evesham and 'The Magpies' of Wimborne, whose use usual colours are black & white striped shirts.
The first half is a pretty uneventful affair with not many clear cut chances being created. One of Wimborne's best efforts falls to Jamie Davidson after 19 minutes who has a lobbed shot turned over by the Evesham keeper following a corner (as shown below).
Evesham's best chance falls to Lance Smith whose close range header is kept out by the Magpies keeper, Pat Flaherty, (as shown below).
So it's been a pretty disappointing first 45 minutes and hopefully we will see more action after the interval. I don't win the £20 prize draw either (which isn't a surprise).
It's the home team who score the first goal when after 52 minutes, their industrious No.10 Paul Fahy cuts back the ball from the right of the goal for Lance Smith to hit home.
From then on it's Evesham in the ascendancy and it's no surprise when after several missed chances, substitute Adam Mann prods home from close range with just 9 minutes to go (shown below on the left celebrating with his team mates).
The Robins are triumphant today and both teams contributed to a much better second half. The players coming back in to the team for Evesham I think was a major factor for their win.
I'm glad I visited the Jubilee Stadium as I think Evesham are a friendly and well run club.
Match attendance: 233
Match entrance fee: £9
Match programme: £2
Match entertainment: 7/10
A new season beckons on the horizon and today I have decided to visit my closest local team in the shape of Worcester Raiders, who ply their trade in Division 1 of the West Midlands Regional League.
When I arrive at Claines Lane, right on the northern edge of Worcester I am immediately worried when I can't hear any activity from the direction of the ground. It's 1:45 pm and the kick-off was advertised for 2:00 pm. I walk through the small car park and see that there are 2 teams going through their warm up exercises. Today's opponents were advertised a few days ago as being Hereford Lads Club.
I see one of the match officials nearby and ask him about the kick-off time as nobody appears to be in a hurry and there are only a few minutes to go. He tells me that it will be a 2:30 pm start instead and because Lads Club cancelled, this fixture was hastily rearranged and now the Raiders will be playing Sutton United from Div 2 of the Midland Football League. It will be tough on the players today as the temperature is hitting the 25 degree mark.
I had seen the Raiders play in February this year soon after I had lost my previous camera. They had lost that day and had been hovering near the bottom of the league table. Shortly after that they improved greatly in the last third of the season and finished in a respectable mid table position.
At 2:30 pm the teams are ready on the field with the Raiders in their blue strip and the visitors decked out in green and black.
After an even first 10 minutes it's the home team who score first through their top striker, Richard Smith who slots the ball home from the left.
Sutton go close soon after when the Raiders keeper has to make a good block and Richard Smith then shoots just wide in the very next attack.
Sutton look menacing in attack at times and after 30 minutes are awarded a penalty when their No.16 is barged over in the area. The kick is duly dispatched with the Raiders keeper sent the wrong way (as shown below).
In this half during a drinks break allowed by the ref, the linesman on my side of the pitch comes over to me and asks if I'm taking photos for Sutton United. I tell him I'm from Worcester and then he realises that we met before in February. It's a guy called George MacPherson whose son Neil plays for the Raiders. George has been roped in today to run the line and he tells me that he is now the Club Secretary. He says the club are planning on getting promotion this season.
In the 33rd minute the Raiders No.8 has a shot cleared off the line after goal mouth melee and in the next attack they have a shot that hits the bar.
Not to be outdone Sutton then hit a post from a free kick but 2 minutes before the break, it's that man Richard Smith to score his and the Raiders second goal after being put through by a great pass on the left (as shown below).
Soon after Richard Smith cuts the ball back after a good move down the right only for the ball to be shot over the bar.
It's been quite an even end to end encounter so far with Worcester Raiders probably just deserving their half time lead.
The hosts lose their lead straight after the restart though when Sutton's No.9 shoots home after a cute pass lets him in on the left.
After 65 minutes Sutton take the lead when one of their players chases after the ball with Raiders defender with the keeper coming out. I can't see what happens next except the ball ends up in the back of the net and the goal stands.
After 32 minutes the Raiders No.12 is put through on the right but his shot is saved.
With several substitutions in this half, the game fizzles out and Sutton United end up winning in what has been a good work out for both sides.
Worcester Raiders certainly look good in attack, especially when Richard Smith is playing but their defence does look shaky at times.
Match attendance: approx 25
Match entrance fee: free
Match programme: none available
Match entertainment: 7/10
After looking at the weather forecast for Saturday, the previous evening, I have been wondering whether it's going to be worthwhile to just go out of the house? I look out of the window at about 8 am on Saturday though and can see the expected overnight rain did not materialise and make the decision to go to my chosen match, whatever happens.
I have decided to go to another Cup Final from the West Midlands Regional League, this time involving the Division 2 teams, Bilbrook and Newport Town. This means a second trip for this season to the Garden Walk Stadium of Gornal Athletic. This is a good venue as I know there will be plenty of shelter there.
I go to Stourbridge by train and am greeted on my arrival in the town centre by drizzly conditions and a display of Morris dancing near the High Street! Then it's a sausage and egg sandwich, egg custard tart, washed down by an ample cup of coffee at a local eatery. Cheap and cheerful, just the job!
I have a mooch around a few shops before embarking on the Dudley bound 257 bus for Lower Gornal. It's a 1:00 pm kick-off today, which suits me fine as the weather has cleared up again and rain is more likely to come later this afternoon.
The bus takes about 25 minutes to get us to the small bus station at Gornal Wood and I make the 5 minute walk to the ground and arrive at 12:50 pm. There seems to be a sizeable crowd today and I make my way down the steep terrace on this side of the ground to make my way to the end that has a steep bank of grass behind it.
Bilbrook FC represent the village of that name which is situated in South Staffordshire, close to Wolverhampton. This club was founded in 1978. Newport Town represent the town from Shropshire and have had a very successful league campaign, winning the title with just 2 defeats and by a margin of 20 points between them and the 2nd placed team, Old Wulfrunians. So on paper, Newport are strong favourites today.
Soon the 2 teams come on to the pitch. Newport in an all blue strip while Bilbrook are in white shirts (with diagonal black & red stripes), black shorts and red socks.
From the start it's the underdogs of Bilbrook who are the livelier team.
Indeed it takes 15 minutes before Newport seem to get much of a foothold in this game. Although they are attacking more it's still Bilbrook who look the more dangerous side.
After 29 minutes, Bilbrook's No.7 goes on good run down the right, crosses the ball across the goal for their No.11 to bundle the ball home at the far post, despite the close attentions of a defender.
Just before half time, Newport's No.11 goes down the right to slide the ball in but the Bilbrook keeper does well to block the ball from close range from an oncoming Newport attacker.
The whistle is blown soon after and so it's Bilbrook who lead 1-0 and Newport Town look to have a real fight on their hands today.
During the interval I meet Mark McIntyre,an official from Darlaston Town and he says he is a regular viewer of this Blog. Fame at last! Also a ground hopper who has made the journey all the way from Bedford and who I had talked to earlier likes the look of my Blog when he finds it on his mobile phone.
( The teams make their way down the steps for the second half )
When play resumes, it's more of the same as Bilbrook go close again in the 48th minute when their No.9 turns his marker on the left side of the goal and slots the ball just wide of the far post.
Bilbrook go close twice more before increasing their lead after 66 minutes. A substitute of their's their No.16 goes down the right before managing to put in a good cross from the by line to the far post and their No.10 is on hand to head in from close range.
( Bilbrook's second goal hits the back of the net! )
Three minutes and it could be game over when the underdogs score their third goal. Their No.10 is on the left of the goal, with his back to it and manages to go on a run, first going out and then cutting back before managing to get in a shot that manages to elude the Newport keeper, who it looks to me as if if he should have done better. Easy for me to say though.
Soon after this, most of the crowd are diving for cover as the rain starts to bucket down. Thankfully though it only lasts for 5-10 minutes.
In the 75th minute a Newport player is adjudged to have been pushed in the back in the Bilbrook penalty area and the resulting penalty is duly despatched. Soon after this in another Newport attack, their No.8 goes down like a sack of spuds in the area. Quite pathetic! He could have had a second booking for that piece of play acting.
Close to full time a Newport free kick from the right comes over for their No.7 to bury a header in to the net. They go close again in injury time but Bilbrook hold on for a deserved win.
A few minutes later and the Bilbrook team collect the trophy and display it for their fans on the terraces behind. Well done Bilbrook!
Newport Town have been second best today but have the satisfaction of a very successful League campaign, ending as Champions and promotion to the 1st Division. Bilbrook can use this cup win as a launch pad for a better League campaign next season, after finishing in 7th place this time round.
Match entrance fee: £3
Match programme: free
Match attendance: Approx 100
PS. I was informed later on by the League Secretary, Wendy Juggins, that Bilbrook FC were found to have played the final with an ineligible player and the result was declared null and void.
Match entertainment 7.5/10
With a good weather forecast and a Cup Final to watch today, I am also looking to travel to a new ground too. It's Long Lane Park, which lies in between Cannock and Walsall, in South Staffordshire but with a Wolverhampton postcode? Also the ground is listed as being located in the village of Essington but in reality it lies 2-3 miles to the east of it and is in fact between the settlements of Newtown and Springfield.
The 2 teams taking part are Smethwick Rangers who defeated AFC Bridgnorth 3-0 in their semi-final while Wolverhampton Sporting had an epic 4-3 extra-time win over Cup holders Cradley Town.
I set off in sunshine, albeit with a cool breeze in attendance when I walk down to the rail station. I arrive in Walsall without incident and have a quick look round the town centre and the canal before having a cheap but unremarkable sausage & egg baguette at a local takeaway. Then it's off to the bus station and hopping aboard the No.2 bus where I ask the driver to let me know when we reach Long Lane. On the bus a local old guy engages me in conversation and he points out that the area where the football ground lies, used to be an old coal mining area where there are old mine shafts. This gets me wondering if we are going to see any players disappearing from view during today's match? Hope they are all insured!
20 minutes later I am told by the driver that we have arrived at Long Lane. After a 10 minute walk, I find myself outside the ground where officials are opening the gates to let a car inside. I then walk at the back of the club house to the far side, where the spectators are shelling out for the entry fee of £5. As I had let the League Secretary, Wendy Juggins, know that I was coming to take photos and she happened to be collecting the money, I get in for a reduced fee, with also a free programme and League badge! Thanks Wendy! I think this is due to the fact that I have supplied several lots of photos to the new WMRL website this season.
I find out from a League official that the current users of this ground are FC Stafford, as their own pitch in Stafford is not deemed suitable as because of the encroaching athletics track there, it is too small.
There is a decent sized crowd today even though this venue is in a fairly remote location.
The 2 teams come on to the pitch in their usual first team colours of dark blue & yellow for the Rangers and gold & black for the Sporting. When the game kicks off it's the favourites Wolves Sporting who are mainly on the offensive for the first 10 minutes.
During this period, the best chance is created by their No.10 who goes on a good run down the right, squares the ball across the goal area only for the ball to just evade 2 of his team mates.
After 12 minutes though, Smethwick take the lead when their No.8, Babucak Sauane, pushes through a great ball to the oncoming No.7,Nehemia Zazi, who slots the ball past the advancing Sporting keeper.
I take note that the Smethwick No.3 has a passing resemblance to the Real Madrid Brazilian left back, Marcelo, as they have similar afro hairstyles. His colleague at No.2,Abou Ceesay is also noted to have been putting in some great tackles.
For the next 20 minutes it's Smethwick Rangers who are mainly on top without creating many clear cut chances.
They are nearly made to pay for this in the 43rd minute when the Wolves Sporting's livewire No.7 crosses from the left and this is headed down in to the path of a Sporting attacker who fires over the bar.
The first half is completed with the favourites a goal in arrears.Maybe their exertions against Cradley Town a few nights ago are taking their toll? Smethwick with their young team look to be full of running and I think it will take a big effort from Wolves Sporting to take the trophy today.
Straight from the start of the second period, Wolves Sporting are on the attack and their No.7 sees his shot hit in to the side netting.
Smethwick are still dangerous and in the 61st minute a free kick is headed back to their No.6 and captain to shoot just past the post.
5 minutes later and Sporting's No.8 hits a rising shot over the bar from the left and in the 75th minute another Wolves Sporting attack sees a hooked shot by their No.11 from the right go the wrong side of the far post.
Smethwick's hopes are dealt a blow when 'Marcelo' is sent off in the 81st minute for a second booking after tripping the Wolves No 7 (as shown below)
Smethwick Rangers are forced back more and more by their increasingly desperate opponents and in the last minute of normal time, their ever dangerous No.7 goes down the right to dink over to their No.11 who wastes the chance by seeming to lose his footing in front of goal.
Also the Smethwick keeper has had problems in making decent goal kicks and has struggled to get them over the half way line most of the time, which has at times put more pressure on their defence.
( A late Smethwick Rangers free kick is watched by the Wolves keeper)
There is still time in stoppage time to see a Wolves Sporting substitute back head the ball over the bar and then their No.4 is sent off after receiving a second yellow.
The ref blows for time soon after and the Smethwick Rangers team receive the trophy after they, the match officials and the losing team have received their respective medals.
I later find out that the Smethwick Rangers team is largely composed of players under 21 years of age and they have put in a very encouragingly mature performance today which bodes well for their future. They have a club policy of giving equal opportunities to young players of all ethnic minority groups in their local community. Wolverhampton Sporting CFC have been disappointed today but have had a good season, finishing in a very creditable 4th place in the League. They will be playing Lichfield City this coming Wednesday evening in the JW Hunt Cup Semi-Final at the Castlecroft Stadium and the winners will be playing either Alvechurch or Sporting Khalsa in the Final at Molyneux the following Wednesday.
Match attendance: Approx 80
Match entrance fee: £5
Match programme: £1
Match entertainment: 7/10
