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Saturday 27 December 2014

Darlaston march on.

West Midlands Regional League Division 2

Bilbrook v Darlaston Town(1874)

On a bitterly cold, wet afternoon these two sides served up an extra Christmas treat with no sign of a festive-induced hangover. The 'big boys' could do worse than come and watch a game like this - it was terrific.It was all about effort and commitment,something sadly lacking at the top end of the game.

After two minutes,Town were in the lead after a goalmouth scramble and it looked ominous for the hosts who were perhaps guilty of showing the table-toppers far too much respect.Gradually,Bilbrook got their passing game together and from then on gave as good as they got.Indeed,if just one forward in the home side had brought their shooting boots,this game would have had a vastly different outcome.As it was,Town added a second before half-time.

Half-time ; Bilbrook 0 Darlaston Town(1874) 2

If anything,Bilbrook saw more of the ball in the second half,carving out numerous chances but as in 
the first half ,these were wasted.Town,on the other hand do know how to score(goal difference of 33 prior to this game) and it was they who added a further two goals for a convincing-looking scoreline.

It was maybe a little harsh for Bilbrook to be on the receiving end of a 4-0 score but as I've oft repeated on this blog,it's goals that win games,not possession.Just who is going to stop the relentless march of the visitors ? They do look an accomplished side at this level.

This was a game definitely worth watching.Good entertainment played in an excellent spirit.Well done both teams.

MOTM Bilbrook ; No 10
MOTM Darlaston ; No 7















 Entrance ;£2
 Programme ; N/a
 Drink ; 50p!
 Crowd ; 50(est)
 Referee ; Good


Saturday 29 November 2014

Good game marred by injury

Midland Football League. Premier Division

AFC Wulfrunians v Westfields

I've come to the conclusion there are very few bad games in this league or its' forerunner,The Midland Alliance.I cannot remember coming away from a game thinking 'well,that was a load of crap,roll on next week'. The standard is superb with everyone fully committed and wanting the points.There are,however,games that can be spoiled by inefficient officials.Anyone reading this blog regularly,will know I am normally loathe to really criticize officials but the guy in the middle of this game was poor.Enough.

It was clear from the off the Herefordshire outfit were a more than handy team whose position as one of the leagues' frontrunners was fully justified but even they must have been surprised at the speed shown by Thompson,giving the central defender a couple of yards start and then skinning him, to run onto a through ball and beat the keeper to put Wulfrunians in the lead after seven minutes.He proved to be a constant thorn in the side of the two big central defenders who would be glad to see the back of him later in the game. The visitors were seeing plenty of the ball without unduly troubling Tipton in the home goal. Wulfrunians,no slouches themselves were quick to capitalize on any loose ball and Sedgemore was Mr Cool personified in central midfield with rarely a misplaced pass. Visiting defender Joel Edwards was stretchered off after picking up a potential nasty injury. Best wishes to him,hoping it is not serious.

Half-Time ; AFC Wulfrunians 1 Westfields 0

Following the break,both goalkeepers saw more action with Tipton in the home goal, perhaps the busier of the two. The home defence which had performed admirably up to this point,left an acre of space on the hour mark for Lewars to pick his spot and fire home. It was little more than the visitors deserved.The referee and,it has to be said,his officials,continued to make some baffling decisions as both sides went for the winner  but it wasn't to be and in the end a draw was probably a fair result.
As I write most weeks,this was a thoroughly entertaining game played in a competitive spirit; why more people are not coming to watch these games, I find baffling.

Full-time ; AFC Wulfunians 1 Westfields 1

MOTM Wulfrunians ; Sedgemore
MOTM Westfields ; Number 6
















Entrance ; £3(I think ! My mate paid )
Programme ; £1( ditto)
Drink ; £1
Crowd ; 80
Referee ; See above



Saturday 22 November 2014

Glassboys stun Utd.

Northern Premier League. Premier Division

Stourbridge FC v FC Utd of Manchester

Those concerned with the health of the Non-league game should have been here today.Stourbridges' regular home attendance of c500-600 was boosted to 1,444. FCUM fans gave their side tremendous backing and are a credit to the NL game. 

The visitors were 'on the front foot' from the off and it took the hosts a full 15-20 minutes to get a toe-hold in the game, such was the dominance of their opponents. Once Stourbridge had steadied the ship,they began to show the form that has seen them lose only once in their last 10 games and with their first real testing shot they took the lead. Brown cut in from the left and worked an opening to fire in a daisy-cutter.It looked an easy shot to stop but the 'keepers' line of sight  may have been blocked.Although the visitors were seeing plenty of the ball,the home 'keeper wasn't really being tested. Brown,on the other hand was finding plenty of joy on the left and it was through his efforts Ramsey-Dickson increased the hosts' lead with another daisy cutter. Stourbridge were then denied a third which was incorrectly adjudged off-side.

Half-time ; Stourbridge 2 FCUM 0

FCUM adapted their tactics somewhat in the second half with their number 7( the smallest player on the pitch)seeing a lot more of the ball and doing a lot with it.It really surprised no-one when the visitors got themselves a deserved goal on 80 minutes and threatened to equalize almost immediately but Stourbridge regrouped and saw out the game.

This was an entertaining game played in a good spirit before a large crowd. Stourbridge gained a precious 3 points which potentially keeps them in the hunt,while the visitors missed their chance to close the gap on the leaders.

MOTM Stourbridge ; McCone
MOTM ; FCUM ; No 7

Result ; Stourbridge 2 FCUM 1
















Entrance ; £5(concession)
Programme ; Sold out
Drink ; £1.20
Crowd ; 1,444
Ref ; Ok

Saturday 15 November 2014

Tipton improving.

Midland Football League

Tipton Town v Alvechurch

This was our first visit to Tipton Sports Academy for a while and we weren't disappointed. Following a poor start to the season(for reasons best left alone) Tipton are a club seemingly moving in the right direction.Gone are the severe bollockings they were regularly receiving and in place is a team of workers beginning to get their just rewards.Alvechurch, on the other hand are enjoying a fairly successful season so far with just 6 defeats.There was little to chose between these two,so close was the game. Tipton took the lead with a bullet-header from Henley which nearly took the net out.It was nip and tuck for the rest of the half with both sides having chances,Tipton via their number 11 whose pace and trickery was a joy to watch and Alvechurch through their number 10 who was repeatedly denied by the home 'keeper who also saved a penalty. The visitors were not to be denied though and leveled shortly before half-time from a superbly crafted move. The second half was basically a repeat of the first, with both sides having spells of domination without scoring. All in all,a draw was a fair result. It was an excellent game to watch for the neutral.For the home side the goalkeeper,No 5 and No 11 starred and for the visitors,No 6, No 9 and No10.It's possibly a little unfair to pick these six players out as all played their part in a rousing encounter.

MOTM Tipton ; No 11
MOTM Alvechurch ; No 10

Result ; Tipton Town 1 Alvechurch 1

Entrance ; £3(concession)
Programme ; N/a
Drink ; £1
Crowd ; 89
Ref ; Hmmm

Sunday 9 November 2014

Football but not as we know it.



I have been desperately trying to rid myself of Pro Football this year. I gave up my season ticket at Shrewsbury to concentrate of Proper Football but life isn't always that easy. A visit from an old RAF mate led me to The ‘Medder’ to see his team Portsmouth. Not a bad game and it was nice to meet up with some of the friends I have shared my football with over the last few years, but I wasn't tempted to return to the fold. Then a week later someone insisted that I went to his house to watch a team called Chelsea on TV. I didn't particularly enjoy this one, since I rarely do enjoy games when sat on an armchair in the warm, but Shrewsbury didn't disgrace themselves.
 And then the Bombshell. Mick suggested that in the absence of any local Proper sides remaining in the FA Cup we would ‘treat’ ourselves to watch Walsall Vs Shrewsbury.
 



 So off we went to Walsall where the promise of free car parking proved to be somewhere between misleading and a downright lie. It cost £4.
 It’s a good job we went because the local Walsall supporters decided to give it a miss. A mere 3,546 supporters for what is almost a local derby. Whereas it is a crowd number that Proper Football clubs can only dream of, it is a poor turnout for a Pro game.
 The Shrews were quickly into their stride and took an early lead and were playing much the better football but fine moves count for nowt and it was Bradshaw, the ex Shrewsbury player, and seemingly only attacking threat that Walsall had, that brought the sides level with his first real chance.
 The Referee, for reasons best known to himself then decided to collect as many Shrewsbury names as he could  and managed to give out four yellow cards, whereas any misdemeanors by their opposition were treated less harshly. But it hardly affected the game.
 Shrewsbury took the lead again but it was that man Bradshaw who leveled again with only his second chance of the game in the final minute after a free kick from the fifth yellow card.

 Apart from falling foul of Walsall’s strange  road directions or our failure to navigate properly [we got lost again] we wound our way home satisfied with our afternoon’s viewing.
 Classic it wasn't. Cup tie it was.

 Mick hasn't mentioned anything silly like going to the replay so I am off to study the fixture lists for a Proper Football game on Saturday.

Admittance               £10    [Concession]    
Crowd                       3,546 [of which 1,217 were away supporters]
Glossy Programme   £3
Coffee                       £2
Officials                   Strange    

Saturday 1 November 2014

Nice Team...shame about the fans.

FA Vase First Round

AFC Wulfrunians v Heanor Town

Ok,lets get the distasteful business done with first. Away fans are a boon at this level.They add to the atmosphere and the banter is great. Continually insulting the officials with foul and abusive language is way out of order and a large number of the Heanor fans were doing just that. Some of the language used was appalling.Sometimes the officials get decisions wrong;the majority of the time they are right.

Things were tasty from the off with two skirmishes and a Heanor official sent off within the first few minutes.Game on ! The anticipated clogging game never materialized and instead we were served up an excellent game between two fine sides. The first half was relatively even with the visitors possibly just shading it. Wulfrunians were sticking to their passing game while the visitors were tending to launch it somewhat. Clear-cut chances were at a premium with defences holding sway at both ends.

The second half saw the visitors having long periods of possession with a  passing game without any end result while the hosts still posed their own threat especially down the two wings.

In the end a draw was probably a fair result when neither goalkeper was especially busy.














MOTM Wulfrunians ; No 9 Gregg( ? )
MOTM Heanor ; No 11 Grantham( ? )

Entrance ; £2
Programme ; £1.50
Drink ; £1
Crowd ; 100+(est)
Referee ; Good