Gornal win an excellent local derby.

West Midlands Regional League Premier Division

Gornal Athletic v Bilston Town Community

Surveying the available fixtures for the day,this one stuck out a mile as the obvious choice for this groundhopper. Local derbys at professional level can often be 100 miles an hour games where game-plans go out of the window.Non-league derbys are rarely like that and this game was a perfect example where both sides stuck to their normal passing game with the home-side having the lions' share of the first half and enjoying a half-time lead.The visitors controlled large swathes of the second half  with Habbershaw doing a superb job up front leading the line, and were rewarded with a goal of their own.Game on ! Alas their possession counted for nowt in the end as their hosts ran out the victors 3-1.

The standard of football at this level never fails to amaze me.Like most matches at this level,the game was played in an excellent spirit with no nastiness,trying to fool the ref or feigning injury.To those Baggies,Villa and Wolves supporters who don't go to away games,I'd say 'just make the effort once to attend one of these local games'.I guarantee you would come to another one.

 Click on a pic to enlarge

Gornal players celebrate their opening goal

MOTM Gornal Athletic ; No 5
MOTM Bilston T C ; No 2

Entrance ; £2.50(concession)
Programme ; Sold out
Drink ; £1
Crowd ; 50 est
Referee ; Good

Casuals earn the points.

West Midlands Regional League Premier Division

Wolverhampton Casuals v Wellington Amateurs

Me and my mate rate this game as the best we've seen this season.Two committed sides really going for it.Casuals have steadied the ship somewhat after a disastrous start claiming just four points from their first seven games whereas Amateurs find themselves at the foot of the table. Certainly on this showing the visitors are in a false position.For at least an hour, this was anyones' game, Cassies dominating the final third of the game to run out eventual winners with goals from Harvey, Holdcroft(2) and Oldnall. Casuals took an early lead, Meakin equalised and the hosts  regained the lead before half-time. Once Casuals got to 3-1 they must have thought the points were in the bag but back came the visitors with Pavlulik reducing the arrears. Holdcroft got his second and Casuals fourth to claim the points.

Casuals are now on an upward curve and if there's any justice Amateurs will soon be following them.
Mention must be made here of the excellent match programme. Well done The Editor !

Click on a pic to enlarge

Casuals take an early lead from the spot

MOTM Casuals ; Number 6
MOTM Amateurs ; Number 5

Entrance ; £2(concession)
Programme ; £1
Drink ; £1
Crowd ; 35-40
Referee ; Good

Darlaston take their chances.

West Midlands (Regional) League. Div.2

Darlaston Town(1874) v Newport Town

We are constantly being reminded of the parlous state of non-league football with Councils raising the cost of ground - rentals and clubs going under because of lack of funds. With that in mind,what a pleasure to report the rude health of a team that has been to the depths and risen like the proverbial Pheonix, Darlaston Town(1874).This club was all but dead and buried but through the fighting spirit of those who cared deeply and refused to surrender to the inevitable,it has risen from the ashes.While there's people such as these involved in non-league,it can survive.There's a nice feeling about the place and they have solid support.They are currently playing home games at Bentley Road South,Walsall and I gathered from talking to people,the hope is to one day return to their original home in Darlaston.

Newport Town arrived with 5 wins from their 8 games and 1 point behind there hosts. The visitors will be left scratching their heads and wondering how they have gone home pointless after controlling large swathes of the match but as I have said many times previously, possession counts for nothing. Putting the ball in the net is what gets results ! It's ok moving the ball about in midfield but if you're not getting the shots in,you're never going to score. Credit to the hosts; they took their chances when they arose and the visitors left the field at half-time 3-0 down.

Half-time ; Darlaston Town(1874) 3 Newport Town 0

Newport continued as they had left off,moving the ball about and having lots of possession and eventually they got the goal their play merited but to be fair to the hosts,they too had many chances to increase their lead. So, Darlaston continue their rise up the table and now occupy second place. Should be an interesting game next week when they meet table-toppers Oakengates Athletic. As for Newport, they have little to worry about. They play a nice game,keeping on the deck.They need a target-man.

This was a decent game played in a fantastic spirit. Well done to all concerned. 

Result ; DarlastonTown(1874) 3  Newport Town 1

Entrance ; £1(concession)
Programme ; £1(Excellent)
Drink ; 50p
Crowd ; 45(est)
Referee ; Ok