Wulfrunians undone.

                                 Midland Football Alliance
                          AFC Wulfrunians v Causeway Utd

Wulfrunians lost their unbeaten home record to a thoroughly organised Causeway side who, it has to be said, from this viewers eyes, were not seriously troubled. The visitors were all the home side were not, ie, precise, efficient and controlled. Make no mistake, this was a notably under-par Wulfs performance based on their own very high standards. They were never allowed to gather any momentum by an impressive Causeway defence and were themselves guilty of far too many misplaced passes. Regular readers of this blog will note I rarely criticize referees but it has to be said the home side were not helped by this over-zealous official.

Wulfs' best hopes seemed to come from their wingmen who were getting the crosses in but not seeing them converted. Again, credit must be given to the visitors' defence – especially the goalkeeper who missed very little, in being in the right place at the right time.

Half-time ; AFC Wulfrunians 0 Causeway Utd 0

Wulfs started the second half determined to right all the wrongs from the first half and to be fair, went close on a few occasions with some decent crosses but as before, these were not converted.

The feeling was the first goal would settle it and this did not arrive until the 90^th minute and unfortunately for Wulfrunians it was scored by the visitors with a sublime overhead kick. The home side threw everything bar the kitchen sink at the visiting defence but they stood firm and as is the way when chasing a game, Causeway broke quickly from defence into a two on one attacking situation and a neat side-foot into an empty net won it for them in the 93^rd minute.

This pic added as my mate hero-worships JS from his STFC days !

Result ; AFC Wulfrunians 0 Causeway Utd 2

Entrance ; £3 (concession)

Programme ; £1

Drink ; £1

Crowd ; 123

Referee ; ?

Wolves Casuals win in a storm

 

                                    West Midlands Regional League

                       Sporting Khalsa v Wolves Casuals

On a storm-lashed evening at the Aspray Arena, Noose Lane, these two sides served up a cracking game, in spite of the weather. Khalsa were coming off the back of a 4-0 win at Shifnal while Casuals were beaten 4-1 at home by Pegasus Juniors just three days ago. The home side tore into their opponents from the off but Casuals defence stood firm in the face of the onslaught and slowly turned the game, taking the lead after 20 minutes with a chip over the advancing goalkeeper. This after being denied what looked a cast-iron penalty minutes before. Khalsa were not short on ideas and were unlucky on several occasions.

Half-time ; Sporting Khalsa 0 Wolves Casuals 1

As in the first half, Khalsa went at Casuals but try as they might, were unable to break down the impressive defensive wall of their visitors. The game was ended as a contest midway through the half when Casuals scored twice in the space of five minutes. The hosts brought on their subs and threw everything they had at the visitors, but it has to be said, the visitors had their measure by now. Khalsas' number ten(?) is a handful for any defence and the referee intervened on more than one occasion when the opposition responded to his antics. My view ? If you've got it...use it !

The hosts have been busy since I was last here and are gradually turning this venue into one of (if not the) best grounds in this league. Well done to all involved.

This result takes Casuals, having played a game more, to within three points of the leaders Lye Town.

Casuals celebrate their third.

Result ; Sporting Khalsa 0 Wolves Casuals 3

Entrance ; £2 (concession)

Programme ; n/a

Drink ; £1

Crowd ; 40-50 (est)

Referee ; Ok

Shifnal find it tough.

                           Shifnal Town v Sporting Khalsa

                           West Midlands Regional League

 

These two lovelies wanted their photo taken...so I obliged.

Shifnal started brightly, as though they believed they could get something from the game. That belief seemed to evaporate when Khalsa applied any sort of pressure and on 12 minutes the visitors took the lead and were looking as though they could score at will. This turned out to be not the case as the hosts industrious efforts in midfield contained the visitors until just before the break, when a quick breakaway paid dividends and Khalsa were two goals to the good.

Half-time ; Shifnal Town 0 Sporting Khalsa 2

From the restart, the visitors took control and it was no surprise when they added a third, quickly followed by a fourth. A cricket score seemed likely, but......somehow this seemed to galvanise Shifnal and it was now them turning the screw. If only they'd had a goalscorer, their efforts may have paid off . Nothing seemed to go their way. Mis-kicks, saving tackles and the visiting goalkeeper contrived to spoil their efforts. Of course with this attacking play came the risk of leaving themselves open at the back and several times Khalsa could have increased their lead.

 The visitors look to have plenty of experience in their forward line, an unforgiving defence and should be up with the front-runners at the death. Shifnal worked extremely hard and certainly deserved a goal from the game but they were undone by a stronger, faster and possibly fitter side on the day.

He looks like he's gonna thump that player!

Result ; Shifnal Town 0 Sporting Khalsa 4

Entrance ; £3(including programme and raffle ticket)

Drink ; 60p-£1

Crowd ; 45-50

Referee ; Good

Wolves Casuals not so casual.

                       Wolves Casuals v Wellington Amateurs
              West Midlands(Regional) League Premier Division

A little snippet in the programme informs that Amateurs were established in 1950 as Old Wellingtonians by former pupils of Wellington Grammar School. The current name originated when the Headmaster of the school discovered there were members of the club who were not former pupils and objected. I think that says more about him than the club. And here endeth the short history lesson.

Three points separated these teams at start of play and thus it transpired throughout a closely fought contest. Amateurs drew first blood on ten minutes and to be fair, they had threatened to do so, although when it did arrive it was through a bizarre own goal from Melligan who could nothing about it. From then on the game swung to and fro' with Casuals possibly posing more threat than the visitors whose possession was not matched  with shots on goal. With ten minutes remaining the hosts equalised.

Half-time ; Casuals 1 Amateurs 1

Within five minutes of the restart Casuals took the lead with Melligan, who was having an increasing influence on the game, atoning for his earlier unintended faux-pas. The visitors were unable to immure their hosts as Casuals went in search of the killer-blow. Amateurs did their best towards the end of the match, but try as they might, they couldn't put the ball in the net.They do look a more than competent team but were lacking a finisher, which is credit to the home defence in which Williams was outstanding.
 It dawned on me this afternoon I'm wearing a lot more clothes on a Saturday afternoon at these games.Winter is creeping up on us.


Result ; Wolves Casuals 2 Wellington Amateurs 1

   

Result ; Wolves Casuals 2 Wellington Amateurs 1

Entrance ; £2 (concession)
Programme ; £1.50
Drink ; £1.10
Crowd ; 50-60(est)
Referee ; Ok