Rangers fail to cash in

West Midlands Regional League Premier Division  19/04/14

               Wednesfield v Black Country Rangers

A sparse crowd had gathered on a cold Easter afternoon to maybe see a battling Wednesfield lower the colours of one of the leagues leading lights(the hosts have a reputation for often doing so). But what a strange game ! BCR had an estimated 95 % possession but struggled to a) break down the home defence and b) put the ball in the net when they did get through. From the start the visitors controlled the game, had the chances but no way could they score. It then took a freak goal on 25 minutes to break the ice, the ball ending up in the back of the net direct from a corner. You wondered would this be the beginning of a huge score but it never materialised. Dominated as they were,Wednesfield refused to be overwhelmed, yielding numerous corners and throw-ins instead. The home side had a chance but the shot cleared the bar.

Half-time Wednesfield 0 Black Country Rangers 1

The first half domination enjoyed by the visitors was as nothing compared to the second half. The hosts were swamped as the visitors poured forward time after time. No sooner had the defenders cleared the ball, than back it came. Pressure paid off on the hour mark when a short clearance was quickly returned into the roof of the net. Wednesfield then had the odd breakaway and did enjoy short spells of possession but the visitors would quickly regain control.

And that was it really. A tale of one team totally dominating another but failing to cash in. Our view was of giving great credit to the battling qualities of the Wednesfield defenders, refusing to wilt under enormous pressure. Indeed the MOTM was a home defender( turned attacker in the second half)Wednesfields' number 5. This guy never stopped running,chased everything,even lost causes.

BCR look out of it now, the four teams at the top fighting for the title.

Result ; Wednesfield 0 Black Country Rangers 2 

Entrance ; £2(concession)

Programme ; £1

Drink ; None available !

Crowd ; 25-30(est)

Referee ; Good     

Wolves Casuals keep up the pressure.

                         West Midlands Regional League
                       Premier division  12/4/2014
                      Wolves Casuals v Dudley Sports

As the season nears completion, Casuals continue to pile the pressure on Lye, Pegasus and Shawbury. Having won 10 of the last 11 games(the other being a draw) they are without doubt,the form team and the one to be feared, seemingly thriving on three games a week. Dudley S had a go of sorts but truthfully were never really in it with a serious chance, even against a changed Casuals side.

Ten minutes into the game Casuals took the lead and the impression was an avalanche was on the cards but Sports stuck to their game and resisted all efforts from their hosts, their big number 9 ploughing a somewhat lone furrow up front. Casuals were having some freedom on the right where their number 2 was giving the defender a torrid time.

Half-time ; Casuals 1 Dudley Sports 0

Casuals continued in the same vein, controlling the game, with the visitors limited to the odd sporadic attack and as in the first half,they increased their lead after about ten minutes. The introduction of Melligan for Casuals injected some pace into the game and it wasn't long before a third goal was added,quickly followed by a fourth. With the game won or in Sports' case,lost,the visitors had a little purple patch,putting their hosts under some pressure but lacking a cutting edge to inflict any damage.

  The impression was the hosts could have moved up a gear had they needed. Casuals are a very good side and Sports had a go,did their best and did well to contain them to four goals.

 Click on a pic to enlarge.

                                                                                                                                     

Result ; Wolves Casuals 4 Dudley Sports 0

Entrance ; £2(concession)

Programme ; £1

Drink ; £1.10

Crowd ; 40(est)

Ref ; Good

Tividale leave it late.

               Midland Football Alliance  5/4/2014

                      Tividale v Coventry Sphinx

You certainly get the impression nerves are beginning to fray at the edges as the season draws to a conclusion and Tividale home in on the title. They have enjoyed an unbelievable season and look destined to move up a level,having looked to all but blinkered observers,the best team in this league by some way. But this is April, the time when realisation kicks in ; the time when tired limbs are asked to go the extra mile, play three games a week ; the time when crunching tackles that were brushed off with a grin earlier in the season, now leave players grimacing in pain. This is pressure time.

Coventry Sphinx came to town with their own record of six wins and a draw in the last eight games. Obviously a side to be reckoned with ; and it showed. Highly organised with a terrific defence and a midfield with the uncanny ability to win nearly every second ball. They had absorbed all that Tividale could throw at them and with virtually their first serious attack they took the lead on 24 minutes. The keeper got his hands to it but it had been hit with some power. The hosts certainly looked a little off colour but that would be taking away from the visitors who really do look a competent side. Tividale drew level on the stroke of half-time with a goal of some quality,the ball being fired from way out on the right wing into the far top corner leaving the keeper grasping at thin air.

Half-time ; Tividale1 Coventry Sphinx 1

If anything,the visitors improved in the second half forcing errors from the home side and from a free kick,they again took the lead following a goal-mouth scramble. Tividale are top for a reason. They're a very good team and don't know when they are beaten. With the clock winding down and the visitors seemingly home and dry with three points in their pockets and weathering persistent Tividale pressure, a low cross was fired in from the right and headed into the net.

This was probably a fair result. It wasn't a vintage display from the hosts but as already stated, you can't be brilliant all the time ! I think this may be the first time I've seen CS and I was impressed.

As for MOTM, there were a couple of contenders from each side but my vote goes to the visitors' number 5. 

Click on a pic to enlarge

 Result ; Tividale 2 Coventry Sphinx 2

Entrance ; £3(concession)

Programme ; sold out

Drink ; £1

Crowd ; 117

Referee ; Good