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Sunday 31 March 2013

                          West Midlands(Regional)League.Premier Division March 30th

                           AFC Wulfrunians v Black Country Rangers

At last,a game and one to anticipate.Wulfs trying for top spot;BCR off the pace but still nobodies' mugs.Add in the mix of Sandwell(BCR play their home games at Tividales' ground) v Wolverhampton and the prospects looked good.
                                          A little potted history

Prior to the game,we had a very informative discussion with a member of Wulfs Committee.We learned of Wulfs' denial of promotion when they last won this league;the reason given - 'ground not up to standard'.This would be amusing if it was not so diabolically untrue.The ground-Castlecroft-was originally Wolverhampton Wanderers training ground.When Wolves moved their training to Compton they sold Castlecroft to the Council from whom The Rugby Football Union secured a 100 year lease.The RFU then moved their headquarters to Twickenham.AFC now rent the premises from the RFU.It is a fantastic facility.Not only is it the best ground in the WML,it's equal to or better than most in the Midland Football Alliance to which Wulfs aspire.

The first thing that struck me was how many 'big lads' Rangers have in their side. They started the game on the front foot,penning Wulfs back for the first 10 minutes or so.Gradually the home side came into the game but it was still 50-50.No quarter was asked and none given,with some crunching tackles going in.
It was from one of these Rangers number 7 was yellow-carded.As the half wore on it was still very even but Wulfs were stringing together some very promising moves and it was from one of these they gained opened the scoring.

Two precision diagonal passes cut Rangers defence wide open and Brady scored from a tight angle.An excellent move.Following this,Rangers number 8 was red-carded for a 'studs-up' sliding tackle.


Half-time :AFC Wulfs 1 BCR 0

No sooner had the game restarted than Wulfs had doubled their lead following some heroic work by Piggott.The game suddenly sprang into life when Price scored for the visitors.However,their joy was short-lived as no sooner had they scored when Hammond was dismissed for a second bookable offence.

Sedgemore(AFC) and Hammond receive a bollocking(and a card each) from the ref.



Wulfs then used their superior numbers to potentionally put the game out of reach.The second of these scored by Brady who caused Rangers problems all the game with his speed and trickery.



Game over,or so it seemed.Rangers scored a consolation goal 3 minutes from time.Two minutes from time that goal seemed more than a consolation as they scored a third goal and Wulfs looked decidedly rattled but managed to see the game out.Credit to BCR for persistence when all seemed lost.

A thoroughly entertaining game which could have been spoilt by the two red cards but actually added spice to the mix.

Entrance; £2(concession)
Programme; Free(with an extra one fronm a postponed game thrown in)
Hot drink; £1
Crowd;70-80(guess,but not far off)
Ref; Good
Weather; Bloody cold.

Monday 25 March 2013

                                   No Proper football this week.

I can't be the only one being driven mental by this bloody awful weather.The problem is we're just not used to it.Our climate is,admittedly crap but the current spell is on another level of awfulness.Virtually the whole local non-league programme was postponed.Gripe over and I feel loads better for it!
The current edition of The Blackcountryman(the magazine for Black Country Society members) has a very informative list of links for anyone interested in things Black Country.

Amblecote History Society;www.amblecotehistorysociety.org.uk
The society promotes awareness of Amblecote history and welcomes members and guests to its meetings and outings.

Black Country Living Museum;www.bclm.co.uk
A unique and fascinating glimpse into the Black Country way of life.

Black Country Podcasting;www.blackcountrypodcasting.com
Internet radio for the Black Country;only features Black Country talent.

Broadfield House Glass Museum;www.glassmuseum.org.uk
Has some of the best examples of Black Country glass in the world.

Friends of Dudley Castle;www.dudleycastle.org.uk
Loads of information on one of the most important pieces of our heritage.

History of Oldbury;www.historyofoldbury.co.uk
An expanding new site,covers Oldbury,Langley and Warley.

History of Wollaston Group;www.historyofwollaston.info
Website of a respected local group.Over 300 photographs and documents available to view.

Jerome K Jerome Society;http://www.jeromekjerome.com
Features one of Walsalls most famous sons.2009 marked 150 since his birth.

Sandwell Family History Society;www.sandwellfamilyhistory.co.uk
A new site for this family history society;covers West Bromwich,Cradley Heath and all other Sandwell towns.

St Johns's Church Preservation Group;www.savestjohnschurch.zoomshare.com
Saving historic St John'sChurch in Kates Hill,damaged in the 'Dudley Earthquake' since 2002.

The Black Country Geological Society;www.bcgs.info
Formed in 1975,the bcgs organise regular talks and field trips.

Wall Heath village website;www.wallheath.org.uk
Is Wall Heath the forgotten Black Country village? Terry Churches' website will help you.

Willenhall History Society;www.willenhallhistory.co.uk/society/
This society has published several titles on various aspects of Willenhall history.

Wolverhampton Art Gallery;www.wolverhamptonart.org.uk
Collections of Georgian,Victorian & modern Fine Art,varied activities for all ages and groups.

Wolverhampton Civic & Historical Society;www.cityofwolverhampton.com
Promotes the city by providing talks and promoting local history research.

Wolverhampton History and Heritage Website;www.historywebsite.co.uk
Over 1800 pages devoted to Wolverhamptons' past.

102.5 The Bridge FM radio station;www.thebridgeradio.net
Created in 2001 to serve communities in the Stourbridge  area and beyond.

Many thanks to Mick Pearson-Editor of The Blackcountryman.







Saturday 16 March 2013

West Midlands(Regional)League. Premier Division

Wolves Casuals v Malvern Town

My intention this weekend was to see AFC Wulfrunians v Dudley Town.The ground is only about ten minutes drive.This would then enable me to get home quickly and tart meself up ready for our evening at the Massala Club Curry Restaurant.WRONG ! Knowing through experience matches can be cancelled at short notice,I did a quick check on t'internet and,yes,AFC's game is on.I get up there and the F....F....F....FFlippin match is off.
Off to Wolves Casuals game then,arriving ten minutes late.

Malvern are in a comfortable position in mid table;Casuals are going for the title.I soon realise Malvern have not come to simply make the numbers up.They are  here to win and for the bulk of the first half they are the team in control. 






 Casuals are near the top of the table for a good reason and nearing half-time they take the lead after coping with Malverns' midfield pressure and delivering some of their own.Following their goal Casuals are unlucky with a couple of efforts but Malvern cope well and are not far away with their own shots. Casuals goalie pulls out a couple of outstanding saves.











It's a really good contest for the neutral and I'm impressed with Malvern.

Half-time.
Casuals 1 Malvern 0

 Casuals have,I believe had a bit of a bollocking at half-time because they start the second half in top gear and go close on three or four occasions.Malvern,as previously stated are not going to lie down and regain control of midfield.Again,Casuals goalie pulls off at least three top-class saves to deny Malvern.

Then comes the move of the game in the 68th minute.Following solid work down the left,Casuals number 9 worked his way across the penalty area(a la Messi),had a shot blocked  and thundered in the rebound from an extremely tight angle.A goal as good as any seen in the Premier League. Casuals now started to show their mettle and were unlucky not to increase their lead. As the game went on Town seemed to throw caution to the wind and threw everything at Casuals.
 
Casuals goalie continued to shine as the last line of defence making two or three stunning saves. 





This win keeps Casuals in third position,one point behind Lye and AFC but having played two games more.
Full-time
Wolves Casuals 2 Malvern Town 0

Entrance(concession): £1.50
No programmes left
Coffee:£1
Crowd:40(ish)
Cold and very wet.

PS :I didn't get to have my night at the curry house either !




Saturday 9 March 2013

West Midlands(Regional)League;Premier Division. 9/3/13

Shifnal Town FC v Lye Town FC







It's the kind of weather that sorts the men from the boys(or you could say 'the morons from the sensible ones,me being one of the former').After some deliberation I plumped for this game for no other reason than it's been quite a while since I visited Pheonix Park.£3 admission(concession) which includes a programme and a free raffle ticket seems as if the club is under-selling itself.Clubs at this level of the football pyramid need every penny and I doubt anyone would crib at paying a quid for the programme which,incidentally,is one of the better versions.On the topic of programmes,inside this one was an appeal.


I would hope this isn't a sign of things to come.Clubs at this level are the life-blood of the game.

League leaders Lye are there for a reason;they're good,very good.Shifnal are not having a happy time of it at present but do not seem to be in any danger,league-wise.

For the first 20 or so minutes it was hard to tell which team were the league-leaders. Shifnal had obviously planned to snap into the tackle and build from midfield and it certainly seemed to unsettle Lye.The home team were threatening but finding it difficult to breach the visitors' last line of defence.As the half wore on Lye began to take hold in midfield and Shifnal were forced into some last-ditch defending.Something had to give and after 35 minutes Lye took the lead after a goal-mouth melee.Shifnal were now under the cosh and it was really no surprise when Lye increased their lead just before half time following some clever close passing moves.

Half-time :Shifnal Town 0 Lye Town 2



The efforts of the first half looked to have taken their toll on Shifnal as Lye commanded the midfield and the home team was in danger of being overrun.Lye are a team of 'seasoned' players and it showed;whereas Shifnal look to have quite a few promising youngsters and experience will almost always defeat youthful vigour.





As Shifnal poured forward in search of some consolation they were caught out at the back and Lye quickly added another two goals.
This result leaves Lye still at the forefront but AFC Wulfrunians are snapping at their heels having won at Bustlehome 11-0.Promotion is also not a foregone conclusion with Lye having already been denied by not meeting ground regulations.

It could be a very interesting final couple of months in the Premier division.


Entrance:£3(concession,but also including a programme and free raffle ticket)
Coffee:60p
Attendance:65
Weather:Bloody cold






Friday 8 March 2013

Good luck to Walsall Wood in their FA Vase Quarter-Final replay against Guernsey FC.Saturday 9th March.By all accounts it was a cracking first game.Heres hoping The Wood can go one better at the second time of asking.       
             

WEMBERLEY,WEMBERLEY        


                                                           UP THE WOOD !

Saturday 2 March 2013

Saturday! The temperature's up(a bit),the sun is shining and it looks like Spring might be on the way. I will take wifey to my most unfavourite place-Telford Shopping Centre and return to see off them few little jobs that have been hanging about all week.

Todays' Game.... West Midlands(Regional)League. Premier Division         

                                   Wolverhampton Casuals v Shawbury United

This game appealed to me as the game of the day.Casuals are nobodys' pushovers whilst Shawbury have been one of this seasons' leading lights.Down Bushbury Lane,Northycote Lane and onto the best named road in Wolverhampton, Cat and Kittens' Lane (? )to the home of Casuals,Brinsford Stadium.Big problem.There's only twenty minutes to kick-off and not a soul in sight.Quick check to see I've got it right and am not going round the bloody twist and yes,there it is in black and white,Wolves Casuals v Shawbury United,Brinsford  Stadium.K.O.3 pm. I need to investigate and I spy a chap by the main stand.He tells me Shawbury have 'cried-off' earlier' having reeled off a couple of lame excuses as reasons.He has done some finding-out of his own and it appears Shawbury would have been without three or four of their leading players.As he is explaining this,the prospective spectators start to arrive and it's explanations all round and sounds of "cheating buggars", "they should dock points off 'em","what the bloody 'ell ?..." and a lot worse.

It is now 2.50 and the question is 'where is the nearest match ?' Wednesfield are playing Dudley Town.


(Is that a stunning programme front or what ?)

I arrive at The Cottage Ground,Amos Lane ten minutes after kick-off and Dudley are already in the lead.(Apologies now for the lack of photos;the batteries failed in the camera) Wednesfield can,ahem,put it about a bit,if you get my drift and there was more than one occasion when I expected the ref to show a red but he was content to flash the odd yellow.It was an engrossing match with the contrast in styles.Dudley were able to pass the ball around with comparative ease while Wednesfield were,to coin a phrase, 'putting a shift in' .

Half-Time.Wednesfield 0 Dudley Town 1

The second half began in much the same vein as the first ended;Dudley content to pass and move and Wednesfield working hard.On the hour,Dudley worked the ball into the penalty area with their number 10 one-on one with the goalkeeper but he skewed his shot wide.This was followed by four or five decent efforts before they increased their lead with a simple lob over three defenders and a shot on the half-volley into the back of the net.
Credit to Wednesfield,their heads didn't drop but Dudley had the points in the bag.
A more than decent game with a fair result.

Entrance :£2(concession)
Programme:£1
Coffee :80p