Coton Green 1 Mile Oak Rovers & Youth 0
Midland Combination Division 1
At: New Mill Lane
Kick-off: 2-00 pm
Admission: £1; Programme: £1 (20 pages)
Attendance: 15 (headcount)
Weather: wet and windy
Duration: first half: 45:00; second half: 48:17
It had to be a local game this afternoon, preferably with a 2-00 pm kick-off, as I’d got relatives visiting from Yorkshire to see. This fixture stood out as one with a round trip of just 50 miles and also a local derby between two teams based just 1.5 miles apart. I also thought that if last Saturday’s game was on despite the rain then one would be as well.The scenario seemed appropriate for a wet and windy November afternoon, and this trip to Coton Green turned out to be just what I was looking for, with a programme, lapel badge and a roof over my head during the game. And the match wasn’t a bad one either.
This season, following relegation from Midland Combination Premier Division to Division 1 after one season in the top flight, Coton Green’s first team are back playing at New Mill Lane. Last season they shared at Brereton Social and I saw them defeat Loughborough University 4-3 in a midweek game 14 months ago.
I approached via the A5 from Lichfield and took the A453 exit at the bottom of the hill towards Sutton Coldfield (also signed Mile Oak, Hospital and Fazeley). At the lights by the Mercedes Benz, I turned left, again following ‘H’ along a straight road to the roundabout in Fazeley. I turned right and New Mill Lane was 300 yards on the left after the ‘Drayton Bassett’ sign and just before the 40 mph zone. The ground was at the end of the lane which, for most of the way, ran parallel with a stream. But… I must confess difficulties in initially spotting the turn into New Mill Lane.
There were two pitches, both running lengthways (and orientated west–west) and fully railed off with dugouts. In between the two pitches on the left was the impressive clubhouse and changing room building, officially opened on 7th August 2005 by then Tamworth FC manager Mark Cooper. The nearest pitch next to the car park was the main one and used for today’s game. On halfway down the right-hand side was an area of cover opposite the two dugouts. Also down the left-hand side was a bench dedicated ‘in loving memory of Richard Davis 21st May 1968 to 26th November 2008’. Hard standing ran from the dugouts round the far goal and back to the stand.
Both sides went into the game in the lower half of the table with just four wins between then from a combined total of 28 league games. Coton Green stood in 13th position in the 17-team division with 10 points from 13 games. Mile Oak were one off the bottom with four points and their solitary league win came three weeks ago when they won 5-4 at Newhall United. Confidently Coton Green registered their last league win on the same day, defeating West Midlands Police 4-0 at home.
Before the game, I enquired about programmes in the clubroom and an official in there suggested they would be brought round, which they were, and this official certainly made sure everyone had the opportunity to purchase a copy. I also noted down the team line-ups over a cup of tea in a proper mug. Refreshments were available inside the clubroom and served by two very efficient and polite teenagers.
I made my way round to the stand, like the majority of the crowd. Teams stayed as they were after the toss and Mile Oak (wearing gold shirts, blue shorts and socks) got the game underway attacking the clubhouse end, or left to right in relation to my vantage point.
News came through of a goal at Anfield, “Liverpool 1-0 up, Skrtel”, just before Mile Oak won an early corner. Swung in by Sean Keith, it caused problems for Coton keeper Steve Tonks and was the ball was partially cleared to Dale Lynch who drilled a low shot just wide. “Bad luck, Dale,” comments one Mile Oak fan.
It has been dark and windy since my arrival and the rain which began shortly before kick-off started to get a bit heavier, fortunately slanting across the pitch from behind the stand. The wind grew stronger and ever more autumn leaves landed on the playing surface.
Mile Oak striker Darren Alder picked up a knock early on and was replaced in the 11th minute by Mark Draycott who played up front alongside Kieran Pitkan.
A rather bizarre incident occurred midway through the first half. A spectator drove into the ground, parked up and walked to the stand where he was asked to pay his £1 admission charge. The man refused, walked back to his car and promptly drove off!
Chances were scare until Coton Green (wearing all white) went close to a goal in the 34th minute. Ross Schuck crossed deep for the far post from the right and the ball went out of a corner when both Andy Ross and defender Sean Keith went for it at the far post. Swung in from the left, Steve Hopgood headed Schuck’s corner off the line by and a follow-up shot by Chris Francis was cleared in front of goal by Dan Hales. Defenders got in the way of two further shots, much to the relief of the Mile Oak fans stood in the stand.
The home side had another opportunity to take the lead in the 42nd minute. Scott Lipton played an accurate diagonal ball forward from the left to the far post. It fell to “man at the back” Schuck who hit a first-time volley just wide.
The referee brought the first half to a close right on the 45-minute mark with the score still goalless and we all headed for the clubroom where another cup of tea awaited. I spotted a club shop price list pinned up on the wall and so picked up a pin badge.
I was back to the stand for the start of the second half and both sides created a chance within a couple of minutes of the resumption. Steve Wagstaffe fired straight at Guttery from 20 yards while Keith delivered a threatening free-kick across the face of the Coton goal from the left but no-one from Mile Oak could apply the finishing touch.
I got chatting to a man wearing a bright blue fleece and he turned out to be a Tamworth fan. He didn’t normally travel away so chose this short trip to New Mill Lane rather than a much longer one to Ebbsfleet where the Lambs were playing today. Of course, Tamworth have the impressive Danny Alcock in goal who used to play for my old team Stafford Rangers.
Back to the action and Coton were denied a goal by an excellent save from Guttery. The diving keeper stretched out a right hand to parry a well struck shot from the lively Schuck that looked destined for the net.
With the home side in the ascendency, Mile Oak skipper Lee Salt called for more positive defending. He was again concerned when Schuck played the ball into the area towards Francis who couldn’t take advantage.
Mile Oak made their second change in the 66th minute with Daniel McGoing replacing Lynch.
Coton Green broke the deadlock in the 69th minute with what proved to be the winner. Scott Lipton crossed from the left for Barton to volley into the roof of the net from 10 yards out. “Get your heads up,” urged the Mile Oak captain as plenty of time remained for his side to equalise.
The visitors did get that chance within a couple of minutes. Chris Pemberton crossed a cleared corner deep to the far post where Dexter Walker sent a free header over the bar.
In the 76th minute, Coton Green made a double change with Simon Latchford and Steve Pike replacing Jamie Cartwright and Barton.
My friend the Tamworth fan received a text message with good news. His side had taken the lead at Ebbsfleet with Prichard the scorer.
Wagstaffe required lengthy treatment for what looked like a shin injury before hobbling off supported by the trainer. He was replaced in the 84th minute by Lee Barnes.
With time running out, Mile Oak won a corner and sent the big men up from the back. Pemberton swung the corner dangerously into the six-yard box and the ball was scrambled clear. This was just about Pemberton’s last contribution as Shaw Casey came on for the wide midfielder in the 89th minute.
“How long?” enquired one player of the referee. “Four minutes,” came the reply and the match official duly blew for full-time four minutes and a few seconds later.
There were handshakes all round at the end of a good natured game. Unusually it had been a local derby without any bookings and there was little possibility of any either.
Coton Green (white/white/white): 1. Steve Tonks, 2. Steve Roberts, 3. Scott Lipton, 4. Jamie Cartwright (capt), 5. Evan Ross, 6. Jamie Barnes, 7. Ross Schuck, 8. Steve Wagstaffe, 9. Dale Barton, 10. Chris Francis, 11. Andy Ross. Subs: 12. Simon Latchford (for Cartwright, 76), 14. Lee Barnes (for Wagstaffe, 84), 15. Steve Pike (for Barton, 76), 16. Darren Coles.
Mile Oak Rovers & Youth (gold/blue/blue): 1. Dave Guttery, 2. Steve Hopgood, 3. Sam Jones, 4. Dan Hales, 5. Dexter Walker, 6. Lee Salt (capt), 7. Sean Keith, 8. Dale Lynch, 9. Kieran Pitkan, 10. Darren Alder, 11. Chris Pemberton. Subs: 12. Mark Draycott (for Alder, 11), 14. Shaw Casey (for Pemberton, 89), 15. Joe Bannister, 16. Daniel McGoing (for Lynch, 66), 17. Ainsley Henderson.
Referee: Kev Wright.
Assistants: Ian Murphy and Kurt Bartlett.
Goals:
1-0 Dale Barton (69)
