Riverway 2 Penkridge Town 3
West Midlands (Regional) League Division 2
At: Beaconside Sports Centre
Kick-off: 2-30 pm
Admission: none; Programme: none
Weather: sunny
Attendance: 10 (headcount)
Duration: first-half: 45:34; second-half: 45:38
On my first visit to the ground, Penkridge captain Steve Thompson scored in the 26th and 59th minute and his side looked to be heading for a comfortable victory in this local derby. Riverway, however, pulled a goal back in the 78th minute through a 25-yard shot from Thomas Duffy that flew into the top-left corner. Penkridge quickly restored their two-goal lead from a deflected Tom Williams free-kick, only for substitute Ben Smith to score again for Riverway and they almost equalised in stoppage time. The last 15 minutes made up for a largely disappointing opening 75 minutes and I enjoyed the company of Bob Powell who had travelled up from London to see the game. After dropping off Bob nearer to the station, I saw the last 23 minutes at Stafford Town. Gornal were leading 1-0 when I arrived and that was the final score.
After playing for several seasons outside Stafford Borough at Long Lane in Essington (also used by Wyrley Juniors), Riverway FC returned ‘home’ last summer to play homes games at Staffordshire University’s Beaconside Sports Centre. The move bought to an end an eight-year spell in the West Midlands League’s second tier because ground regulations meant the club had to drop down a division to Division 2.For those unfamiliar with Stafford, Beaconside Sports Centre is located on the eastern outskirts of the town on the A518 to Uttoxeter. Travelling away from the town centre the entrance is 100 yards on the right (before the pedestrian crossing) past the Beaconside roundabout.
Spare a thought for Riverway. Four weeks ago they produced a record-breaking performance to record a 16-0 home win over Warstone Wanderers Reserves, only to see the result expunged from the table after the beaten side resigned from the league.
Riverway (red/red/red): 1. Ashley Lunn, 2. Paul Hawkins, 3. Matt Rhodes, 4. Matt Bickley, 5. Chris Hall, 6. Dave Wilcock, 7. Ben Jones, 8. Paul Whatmough, 9. Thomas Duffy (capt), 10. Chris Owen, 11. Dave Ablewhite. Subs: 12. Ben Smith (for Whatmough, h/t), 14. Jake Robinson (for Hawkins, 71), 15. Dave Cleaver (not used), 16. Steve McCabe (for Rhodes, 77), 17. Andrew Kirkbride (not used). Mgr: Jake Robinson.
Penkridge Town (yellow and blue halves / yellow / yellow): 1. Josh Griffin, 2. Tom Ranford, 3. Tom Williams, 4. Richard Reeves, 5. Matt Forsyth, 6. Luke Andrews, 7. John Codnor, 8. Richard Trow, 9. Tom Kent, 10. Steve Thompson (capt), 11. Jack Lees. Subs: 12. Rob Haynes (not used), 14. Alex Dodds (for Lees, ht), 15. Andy Taylor (not used). Mgr: Nigel Lester.
Goals:
0-1 Steve Thompson (26)
0-2 Steve Thompson (59)
1-2 Thomas Duffy (78)
1-3 Tom Williams (84)
2-3 Ben Smith (85)
