Bustleholme 0 Goodrich 4

Wednesday 31th August 2011
Bustleholme 0 Goodrich 4
West Midlands (Regional) League Premier Division
At: Tipton Sports Academy
Kick-off: 7-45 pm
Admission: £3-50; Programme: £1 (16 pages)
Attendance: 60 (headcount)
Weather: dry, mild, no wind
Duration: first-half: 46:57; second-half: 45:23


On the last day of a busy month of football, it was more West Midlands (Regional) League action as Goodrich recorded a comfortable 4-0 victory away to Bustleholme at the Tipton Sports Academy stadium.

The stadium is also an athletics venue and home of the Tipton Harriers. It boasts an eight-lane running track and a modern seated stand containing around 200 seats running for 50 yards down the home straight. Banking behind the back straight and behind one goal (Asda end) provided a sense of enclosure. An adjacent sports centre occupies the site of an old athletics stadium where I saw Tipton play over 20 years ago.

I’d visited the present-day ground twice before, first several years ago for a postponement and then in January 2009 when Tipton Town defeated Rocester 3-1. Tonight marked my first Bustleholme home game.

Goodrich (10 points from 6 games) retained seventh position in the table after six games were played yesterday but Bustleholme (3 points from 5 games) dropped one position to 21st spot.

After the teams changed ends, Goodrich (wearing all red) got the game underway attacking the Sports Centre end in the first half. The visitors soon took a 3rd minute lead with a strange goal. Keeper Neil Page produced a fine leaping save to keep out Scott Stevenson’s 20-yrad free-kick but the ball stayed in play and Michael Allen forced the ball over the line.

Home side Bustleholme (yellow shirts, green shorts and socks), yet to score at home in the league so far this season, enjoyed possession and Max Whitehouse headed Danny Bell’s deep free-kick wide at the far left post.

Goodrich doubled their lead in the 35th minute. Liam Evans squared a pass for Ashley James to drive home from the end of the area.

James scored his second goal and Goodrich’s third in first-half stoppage time. Fed by Stevenson, the striker confidently fired a low drive from the edge of the area past Page into the bottom left corner of the net.

Bustleholme created chances after the break and Bell volleyed straight at Ben Astley in the Goodrich goal. The visitors almost added a fourth goal in the 55th minute but Mathew Curley’s headed was cleared off the line by Dain Hill.

Curley did indeed add a fourth Goodrich goal in the 88th minute. James Loach sent a free-kick forward into the Bustleholme area where Curley fired home from the right into the opposite side of the net.

The win lifted Goodrich up three places over Bewdley, Stafford Town and Dudley into fourth position, five points behind leaders Wednesfield on the same number of game. Dudley could only draw 2-2 at home to Lye in this evening’s other Premier Division game.

Goals:
0-1 Michael Allen (3)
0-2 Ashley James (35)
0-3 Ashley James (45+1)
0-4 Mathew Curley (88)








Stafford Town 3 Shifnal Town 3

Tuesday 30th August 2011
Stafford Town 3 Shifnal Town 3
West Midlands (Regional) League Premier Division
At: Evans Park
Kick-off: 7-45 pm
Admission: £4; Programme: £1 (28 pages)
Attendance: 45 (headcount)
Weather: rain first half, chilly
Duration: first-half: 51:10; second-half: 47:37


After the marathon Welsh session of eight games in three days, it was back to more familiar territory this evening with a trip to Stafford Town. With victories over Sporting Khalsa (7-2) and Dudley Town (4-1) since my visit to Evans Park, it was a journey made with the expectancy of seeing another win. And while Steve Dockerty’s side didn’t take all three points, they produced an excellent battling performance to earn a draw with an injury-time equaliser after playing the whole of the second half with ten men.

Stafford Town (9 points from 6 games) went into the game in ninth position in the Premier Division table, three places and two points better off than visitors Shifnal Town (7 points from 5 games).

With lights on from the start, Stafford Town (wearing all red) got the game underway attacking the cricket end in the first half but quickly fell behind to an opening goal scored on 44 seconds. Gareth Horler got into the area on the right and sent a right foot shot into the far side of the net past Karl Smith.

Smith produced a decent save to keep out Mark Adamczyk’s close range shot, a save that proved to be vital as Stafford soon equalised in the 7th minute. Craig Hulme netted with a lovely curling right-foot shot from 15 yards out.

Watching the game in the company of Andy Dakin, making his first visit to Evans Park, neither keeper was seriously troubled until Smith turned round Adamczyk’s angled shot as the interval approached.

Deep into first-half stoppage time, the game turned dramatically in favour of Shifnal. Smith was adjudged to have brought down Chris Henry on the edge of the area, though the keeper looked to have played the ball. The nearest assistant put his flag across his chest to indicate penalty and Smith was sent off for a professional foul. Dom Ward went in goal and almost kept out Stuart Corns’ penalty sent low into the bottom left corner.

With no substitute keeper on the bench, Town midfielder Carl Morris played the whole of the second-half in goal and was rarely put under pressure.

The referee, who made several inexplicable decisions during the evening, again became the centre of attention twice in the space of four minutes immediately before the hour mark. The visiting bench were furious that Wayne Bailey’s challenge on Liam Bood was only punished with a yellow card. In the 59th minute, Corns caught Dave Woodvine in the face with the Shifnal midfielder also escaping with a booking.

Stafford got back on level terms in the 67th minute. The flag stayed down as Sam Agar latched onto a pass down the right and coolly slotted home.

However, a long range shot from Corns eight minutes later that flew over Morris into the net put Shifnal back in front and it looked like the Shropshire side would take all three points. Morris did well to keep out George Williams’ shot as the visitors almost scored again.

But full credit should be given to the Reds for not giving up and battling right until the end. Agar got into the area on the left and beat Anthony O’Connor with a low shot only to see the ball agonisingly miss the far corner of the net.

Stafford’s chances of a point appeared to be over until they were awarded a corner. With seven players inside the Shifnal area, Josh Anderson delivered a perfect corner and Agar powered home a first-time header. 3-3!

The deserved point lifted Stafford up to fifth position in the table, eight points behind leaders Wednesfield who maintained their 100% record with a 2-0 home win over Wolverhampton Sporting Community.

Goals:
0-1 Gareth Horler (1)
1-1 Craig Hulme (7)
1-2 Stuart Corns (45+6 pen)
2-2 Sam Agar (67)
2-3 Stuart Corns (76)
3-3 Sam Agar (90+1)

Results: Black Country Rangers 6 A F C Wulfrunians 1; Dudley Sports 1 Shawbury United 0; Malvern Town 3 Cradley Town 1; Pegasus Juniors 0 Bewdley Town 1; Sporting Khalsa 1 Wolverhampton Casuals 3; Stafford Town 3 Shifnal Town 3; Wednesfield 2 Wolverhampton Sporting Community 0

2011 Spar Mid-Wales League Groundhop

The ten-match 2011 Spar Mid-Wales League Groundhop got underway on Friday 26th AUgust when a crowd of 291 saw visitors Llanidloes Town go top of the Division 1 table with a 3-1 at Berriew.

Saturday 27th August 2011
11-30 am Tregaron Turfs 4 Machynlleth 2 (att 231)
2-30 pm Bont 2 Llanfair United 2 (att 244)
6-15 pm Bow Street 1 Tywyn Bryncrug 2 (att 285)


I didn’t go to the opening game and instead decided to join the hop at the first of three matches on Saturday 27th August, the Spar Mid-Wales League Division 2 between Tregaron Turfs and league newboys Machynlleth. Turfs won 4-2 in front of a crowd of 231.

After a little detour to quickly visit the village of Llanddewi Brefi, a few miles south of Tregaron, it was back through the centre of the town and 6 miles up the B4343 to Pontrhydfendigaid, home village of Bont FC. In another Division 2 game, Bont entertained Llanfair United who won 3-2, attendance 244.

The third and final Saturday game was in Division 1, a few miles from Aberystwyth at Bow Street. Tywyn Bryncrug were the visitors to the Cae Piod ground and they won 2-1 in front of the biggest attendance of the three matches, 285.

Sunday 28th August 2011
11-30 am Rhayader Town 2 Carno 3 (att 287)
3-00 pm Builth Wells 1 Dyffryn Banw 0 (att 271)
6-30 pm Talgarth Town 2 Rhosgoch Rangers 2 (att 314)


After staying overnight at the excellent Miners Arms at Pontrhyd-y-groes, first stop on Sunday 28th August was the Division 1 game between former league leaders Rhayader Town and Carno. Once again it was the away team who came out on top, this time by the odd goal in five, attendance 287. Y Weirglodd was certainly an impressive venue with a nice stand on halfway with more seats behind one goal.

From Rhayader, it was south to Builth Wells for another Division 1 game at a ground I previously visited in 1992. On another day, Builth could have recorded a substantial victory but overcame plucky visitors Dyffryn Banw with a single second-half goal. The attendance at Lant Fields was 271.

It was back to Division 2 for the third and final Sunday game at Talgarth Town who entertained Rhosgoch Rangers. On last season’s hop, Rangers defeated Town 10-0 but this time round, the game was a close affair that finished all square at 2-2. The biggest attendance of the seven hops games played so far of 314 saw the game.

Monday 29th August 2011
2-15 pm Meifod 3 Four Crosses 8 (att 212)
5-30 pm Waterloo Rovers 2 Montgomery Town 4 (att 333)


After a quick trip back home, I decided to miss the first game on Monday 29th August, a 1-1 draw between Llansantffraid Village and Welshpool, attendance 245.

The second Monday game was a reverse fixture from last year. Twelve months ago, it finished 0-0 between Four Crosses and Meifod. Goals flowed this afternoon with Four Crosses winning 8-3 at Kings Head Field, attendance 212.

My own personal eighth game of the weekend (and for some their tenth) was a 5-30 pm kick-off at Waterloo Rovers, previously visited in 1993. Visitors Montgomery Town gave up a two-goal lead only to recover and maintain their 100% start to the season with a 4-2 victory. The attendance at Maes Y Dre of 333 set the highest crowd of the weekend.

Waterloo Rovers 2 Montgomery Town 4

Monday 29th August 2011 (5-30 pm)
Waterloo Rovers 2 Montgomery Town 4
Spar Mid-Wales League Division 1
At: Maes-y-dre Recreation Ground
Kick-off: 5-30 pm
Admission: £4; Programme: £1 (36 pages)
Attendance: 333
Weather: sunny
Duration: first-half: 45:16; second-half: 45:50


My own personal eighth game of the weekend (and for some their tenth) was a 5-30 pm kick-off at Waterloo Rovers, previously visited in 1993. Visitors Montgomery Town gave up a two-goal lead only to recover and maintain their 100% start to the season with a 4-2 victory. The attendance at Maes-y-dre of 333 set the highest crowd of the weekend.

Waterloo Rovers (blue with white sleeves / black / black): 1. Gareth Ashley, 2. Pete Brooks, 3. Chris Proctor, 4. Dave Williams, 5. Declan Foster, 6. Gareth Turner, 7. Steve Jones, 8. Sam Andrew, 9. Will Pritchard, 10. Ricky Litchfield, 11. Scott Holley. Subs: 12. Ian Macleod (for Holley, 85), 14. Rob Jones (for Andrew, 73), 15. Matt Knight (for Pritchard, 79), 16. Matt McWhinnie (not used).

Montgomery Town (white / black / white): 1. Steve Goodwin, 2. Jake Parr, 3. Jamie Bocking, 4. Lee Jones, 5. Ryan Davies, 6. Dan Bowen, 7. Tom Evans, 8. Luke Tanner, 9. Gaz Bromley, 10. Elliott Jones, 11. Ross Harris. Subs: 12. Mike Cockram (for Harris, 73), 14. Dan Lewis (for Davies, 73), 15. George McNamee (not used), 16. Geraint Windsor (not used).

Referee: Mike Hughes.
Assistants: Neil Carpenter and Josh Pearce.

Goals:
0-1 Tom Evans (32)
0-2 Ross Harris (38)
1-2 Steve Jones (53)
2-2 Scott Holley (59)
2-3 Gaz Bromley (67)
2-4 Tom Evans (89)

Cards:
Waterloo: none
Montgomery: Jake Parr (YC, 41)

Meifod 3 Four Crosses 8

Monday 29th August 2011 (2-30 pm)
Meifod 3 Four Crosses 8
Spar Mid-Wales League Division 2
At: King George V Grounds
Kick-off: 2-30 pm
Admission: £3; Programme: £1 (12 pages)
Attendance: 314
Weather: warm and sunny
Duration: first-half: 45:25; second-half: 46:16


After a quick trip back home, I decided to miss the first game today, a 1-1 draw between Llansantffraid Village and Welshpool, attendance 245.

The second Monday game was a reverse fixture from last year. Twelve months ago, it finished 0-0 between Four Crosses and Meifod. Goals flowed this afternoon with Four Crosses winning 8-3 at Kings Head Field. Meifod actually took the lead before the visitors hit back in emphatic style to lead 8-1 with over 40 minutes remaining. The impressive Sam Jones pulled two goals back before Paul Hughes missed a late penalty for Four Crosses. Good day off the field for Meifod with a 200+ crowd, though not so good on it.

Meifod (red/black/black): 1. Richard Corbett, 2. Alun Hughes, 3. Simon Hughes, 4. Arwyn Richards, 5. Adam Tomkevyc, 6. Philip Hughes, 7. Llewellyn Williams, 8. Mark Holman, 9. Andrew Weaver, 10. Sam Jones, 11. Haydn Langford (capt). Subs: 12. Ashley Davies (for Holman, 65), 14. James Roberts (for Tomkevyc, ht), 15. Kevin Williams (for Simon Hughes, 71).

Four Crosses (green shirts with white sleeves / green / green): 1. Richard Downes, 2. Gareth Jones, 3. Elliot Townsend, 4. John Butler, 5. Darren Jones, 6. Ian Kynaston (capt), 7. Paul Hughes, 8. Owen Wilcox, 9. Jack Harris, 10. Chris Bishop, 11. Andrew Webb. Subs: 14. Jack Brayne (for Kynaston, 80), 15. Mick Bebb (not used), 16. Darren Gill (for Townsend, ht), 17. Adam Griffin (for Harris, 56).

Referee: Ian Rutter.
Assistants: Sam Richard and Alan Williams.

Goals:
1-0 Haydn Langford (13)
1-1 Chris Bishop (15)
1-2 Chris Bishop (20)
1-3 Chris Bishop (33)
1-4 Andrew Webb (38)
1-5 Chris Bishop (39)
1-6 Paul Hughes (44)
1-7 Paul Hughes (48)
1-8 Gareth Jones (49)
2-8 Sam Jones (76)
3-8 Sam Jones (86)

Cards:
Meifod: none
Four Crosses: none

Talgarth Town 2 Rhosgoch Rangers 2

Sunday 28th August 2011
Talgarth Town 2 Rhosgoch Rangers 2
Spar Mid-Wales League Division 2
At: King George V Grounds
Kick-off: 6-30 pm
Admission: £3; Programme: £1 (8 pages)
Attendance: 314
Weather: warm and sunny
Duration: first-half: 45:25; second-half: 46:16


It was back to Division 2 for the third and final Sunday game at Talgarth Town who entertained Rhosgoch Rangers. On last season’s hop, Rangers defeated Town 10-0 but this time round, the game was a close affair that finished all square at 2-2. The biggest attendance of the seven hops games played so far of 314 saw the game.

Talgarth Town (blue and black stripes / black / black): 1. Steven Potter, 2. Ben Rees, 3. Austin Mellor, 4. Spencer Cleaves, 5. Jamie Smith (capt), 6. Joel Weale, 7. Scott Pavey, 8. Tom Pavey, 9. Robbie McNamara, 10. Gavin Perry, 11. Sabin Thapa. Subs: 12. Dan Bowen (not used), 14. Adi Lawford (not used), 15. Scott Powell (for Tom Pavey, 66).

Rhosgoch Rangers (red with black chest band / black/ black): 1. Adam Jones, 2. Bobby Bird, 3. Chris Price, 4. Sam Lloyd (capt), 5. Paul Morgan, 6. Jonny Bird, 7. Liam Jones, 8. Trefor Lloyd, 9. Geraint Lloyd, 10. Lee Davies, 11. Josh Watson. Subs: 12. Adam Jones (not used), 14. Peter Horne (for Jonny Bird, 39), 15. Andrew Kettle (not used), 16. Matthew Lloyd (not used).

Referee: Rob Evans (Bargoed).
Assistants: Dave Bywater (Presteigne) and Jack Watkins (Presteigne).

Goals:
0-1 Geraint Lloyd (19)
1-1 Jamie Smith (37)
1-2 Lee Davies (62)
2-2 Robbie McNamara (73)

Cards:
Talgarth: Ben Rees (YC, 31)
Rhosgoch: none

Builth Wells 1 Dyffryn Banw 2

Sunday 28th August 2011 (3-00 pm)
Builth Wells 1 Dyffryn Banw 2
Spar Mid-Wales League Division 1
At: Lant Field
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Admission: £4; Programme: £1 (8 pages)
Attendance: 271
Weather: warm and sunny
Duration: first-half: 45:25; second-half: 46:16


From Rhayader, it was south to Builth Wells for another Division 1 game at a ground I previously visited in 1992. On another day, Builth could have recorded a substantial victory but overcame plucky visitors Dyffryn Banw with a single second-half goal scored in the 73rd minute by Tom Rowlands.

Builth Wells (orange/black/black): 1. Stuart Turpin, 2. Jason Samuel 3. Will Green, 4. Neil Davies (capt), 5. Lee James, 6. Shane Claridge, 7. Daniel Walker, 8. Johnny Samuel, 9. Sam Williams, 10. Tom Rowlands, 11. Kevin Lewis. Subs: 12. Chris Roff (for Walker, 62), 14. Tom Brown, 15. Steve Morgan (for Williams, ht).

Dyffryn Banw (red and black stripes / black / black): 1. Gareth Smith, 2. Alun Jones, 3. Rhys Roberts, 4. Gareth Jones, 5. James Turner, 6. Gerallt Evans, 7. Guto Lweis, 8. Dyfrig Jones (capt), 9. Carwyn Davies, 10. Rodri Davies, 11. Bryn Jones. Subs: 12. Alyyn Jones (for Alun Jones, 84), 14. Hywel Bennett (for Gerallt Evans, 84), 15. Dylan Jones (not used), 16. Andrew Blainey (not used).

Referee: Chris Bodenham.
Assistants: Nick Probert and Steve Bradford.

Goals:
1-0 Tom Rowlands (73)

Cards:
Builth Wells: Neil Davies (YC, 45)
Dyffryn Banw: none

Rhayader Town 2 Carno 3

Sunday 28th August 2011 (11-30 am)
Rhayader Town 2 Carno 3
Spar Mid-Wales League Division 1
At: Y Weirglodd
Kick-off: 11-30 am
Admission: £4; Programme: £1 (12 pages)
Attendance: 287
Weather: sunshine and showers
Duration: first-half: 46:50; second-half: 47:27


After staying overnight at the excellent Miners Arms at Pontrhyd-y-groes, first stop on Sunday 28th August was the Division 1 game between former league leaders Rhayader Town and Carno. Once again it was the away team who came out on top, this time by the odd goal in five, attendance 287. Y Weirglodd was certainly an impressive venue with a nice stand on halfway with more seats behind one goal.

Rhayader Town (red and white stripes / black / red): 1. Simon Hamer, 2. Robbie Steele, 3. Dave Sivell, 4. Neil Walmsley, 5. Adriano Girolami (capt), 6. Lane Jones, 7. Mark Davies, 8. Nick Evans, 9. Rhys Thomas, 10. Mike Collister, 11. Jordan Cooper. Subs: 12. Tom Jones (for Girolami, 86), 14. Tom Evans (for Nick Evans ht), 15. Tim Broome (not used), 16. Eifion Price (not used).

Carno (green and black stripes / black / black): 1. Greg Harries, 2. Stephen Jones, 3. Lee Powell, 4. Ben Richards, 5. Andrew Thomas, 6. James Davies, 7. Danny Kenyon, 8. Danny Pierce, 9. Chris Geithin, 10. Gregg Brown, 11. Tom Richards. Subs: 12. Nick Jones (not used), 14. Davy Jones (not used), 15. Peter Rees (not used), 16. Andrew Davies (not used), 17. Dan Williams (for Stephen Jones, ht).

Referee: Andrew Mills.
Assistants: Dai Evans and Steve Fisher.

Goals:
0-1 James Davies (23)
1-1 Mike Collister (45+1)
1-2 Gregg Brown (76)
1-3 Gregg Brown (84)
2-3 Mike Collister (89)

Cards:
Rhayader Town: none
Carno: Ben Richards (YC, 19), James Davies (YC, 33), Lee Powell (YC, 45)

Bow Street 1 Tywyn Bryncrug 2

Saturday 27th August 2011 (6-15 pm)
Bow Street 1 Tywyn Bryncrug 2
Spar Mid-Wales League Division 1
At: Cae Piod, Rhydypennau Playing Fields
Kick-off: 6-15 pm
Admission: £4; Programme: £1
Attendance: 285
Weather: sunshine and showers
Duration: first-half: 46:38; second-half: 46:54


From Bont it was up to Aberystwyth and an a few miles north of the town for a Division 1 game between Bow Street and Tywyn Bryncrug, both groundhop rookies as neither featured last season.

Looking at the Division 1 table at the start of the weekend, Bow Street (14th position with no points from 1 game) were second from bottom while Tywyn Bryncrug (8th position with 3 points from 2 games) sat in mid-table.

Bow Street got the game underway attacking the south end of the ground and almost fell behind midway through the first half. On a decent playing surface, the visitors created the bulk of the changes and midway through the half, Bow Street keeper Jon Hartnell produced a fine save to turn over Stephen Washbrook’s well-struck shot.

Tywyn Bryncrug suffered a blow when keeper Andrew McMullen went off with what looked like a back injury and outfield player Arwyn Davies took over in goal. The chance didn’t stop the visitors taking a 41swt-minute lead. Washbrook sent a right foot shot from 25 yards into the bottom left corner past the diving Hartnell.

I didn’t win the raffle (no surprise there) drawn at half-time, and early in the second half Dean Evans latched onto a diagonal ball from the left but fired wide of the Tywyn goal past the onrushing Arwyn Davies.

Stand-in keeper Davies certainly impressed and the uninformed wouldn’t have suspected he began the game as a defender. However, he was finally beaten in the 81st minute. In fading light, substitute Clive Morgan hit a long-range swerving shot past the diving keeper to put Bow Stree back on level terms. “Scorer for Bow Street Clive Morgan, number 12!”

Joy was short-lived as Tywyn quickly responded by scoring the winner within two minutes. Toby Williams nipped between keeper and defender Stefano Antoniazzi to tap into an empty net.

Bow Street (black and white stripes with white sleeves / black / black): 1. Jon Hartnell, 2. Neil Evans, 3. Mike Gornall, 4. Peter James, 5. Stefano Antoniazzi, 6. Garmon Hafal, 7. Dean Evans (capt), 8. Hywel Evans, 9. Rhys Llwyd, 10. Lee Jones, 11. Nicky Smith. Subs: 12. Clive Morgan (for James, 76), 14. Darren Davies (for Gornall, 90), 15. Toby Bates (for Hywel Evans, 61), 16. Toby Spain (not used), 17. Neil Davies (not used).

Tywyn Bryncrug (orange/black/black): 1. Andrew McMullen, 2. Gerwyn Pugh, 3. Arwyn Davies, 4. Kevin Evans, 5. Paul Grant, 6. Matthew Jones (capt), 7. Stephen Washbrook, 8. Aston Heath, 9. Tom Allen Davies, 10. Mark Edmondson, 11. Nick Williams. Subs: 12. Ryan Goddard (for McMullen, 36 [Arwyn Davies in goal]), 14. Simon Furneaux (for Tom Allen Davies, 78), 15. Toby Williams (for Washbrook, 65).

Referee: Mike Davies (Pontrhydfendigaid).
Assistants: Gary Davies and Peter Wilson.

Goals:
0-1 Stephen Washbrook (41)
1-1 Clive Morgan (81)
1-2 Toby Williams (82)

Cards:
Bow Street: none
Tywyn Bryncrug: Stephen Washbrook (YC, 58), Paul Grant (YC, 72)

Bont 2 Llanfair United 3

Saturday 27th August 2011 (2-30 pm)
Bont 2 Llanfair United 3
Spar Mid-Wales League Division 2
At: Pantyfedwen Park
Kick-off: 2-30 pm
Admission: £3; Programme: £1
Attendance: 244
Weather: sunshine and showers
Duration: first-half: 45:00; second-half: 46:02


After a little detour to quickly visit the famous village of Llanddewi Brefi (remember Little Britain?), a few miles south of Tregaron, it was back through the centre of the town and 6 miles up the B4343 to Pontrhydfendigaid, home village of Bont FC.

I knew where the ground was after earlier spotting part of the perimeter rail on my way down through Pontrhydfendigaid to Tregaron – what I didn’t spot until entering the ground was the little stand little stand straddling the half-way line along the touchline down the right-hand side in relation to the changing rooms.

The three match officials from Tregaron also made their way to Bont as well with John Davies taking over in the middle from Paul Morgan with Kris Jones again running the line.

Bont (orange/white/white): 1. Scott Lowe, 2. Jamie Hughes-Pickering, 3. Trystan Jones, 4. Gwynfryn Hughes (capt), 5. Ian Lee, 6. Dewi Sion Evans, 7. Mike Lowe, 8. Owain Schiavone, 9. Sion Meredith, 10. André Marsh, 11. Andrew Gilbert. Subs: 15. Owen Evans (for Hughes-Pickering, 78), 14. Llewellyn Hughes (for Gilbert, 60).

Llanfair United (navy blue / navy blue / navy blue): 1. Lee Andrew (capt), 2. Matthew Jones, 3. Matt Spencer, 4. Paul Griffiths, 5. Llion Davies, 6. Steve Andrew, 7. Luke Gethin, 8. Richard Astley, 9. Ross Frame, 10. Geraint Jones, 11. Andrew Hughes. Subs: 12. Ashley Davies (not used), 14. Chris Davies (not used), 15. Daryl Griffiths (not used), 16. Jamie Waldron (not used).

Referee: John Davies.
Assistants: Paul Morgan and Kris Jones.

Goals:
0-1 Andrew Hughes (5)
0-2 Ross Frame (11)
1-2 Mike Lowe (25)
1-3 Geraint Jones (57)
2-3 Sion Meredith (72)

Cards:
Bont: none
Llanfair: none

Tregaron Turfs 4 Machynlleth 2

Saturday 27th August 2011 (11-30 am)
Tregaron Turfs 4 Machynlleth 2
Spar Mid-Wales League Division 2
At: Secondary School
Kick-off: 11-30 am
Admission: £3; Programme: £1
Attendance: 231
Weather: sunshine and showers
Duration: first-half: 45:00; second-half: 46:41


The ten-match 2011 Spar Mid-Wales League Groundhop got underway last night when a crowd of 291 saw visitors Llanidloes Town go top of the Division 1 table with a 3-1 at Berriew. I didn’t go to the opening game and instead decided to join the hop at the first of three matches today, the Spar Mid-Wales League Division 2 between Tregaron Turfs and league newboys Machynlleth.

Tregaron Turfs (green with white sleeves / black / black): 1. Jordan Jones, 2. Josh Davies, 3. Ifan Jones, 23. Melfin Davies, 5. Cez Davies (capt), 6. Richard Pinkin, 7. Caradog Daniel, 8. Ish Abberton, 9. Gareth Davies, 10. Carwyn Earey, 17. Clint Middleton. Subs: 4. Sam Middleton (for Earey, 59), 11, Geth Jones (not used), 12. Glen Stewart (for Abberton, 72), 14. Dafydd Davies (for Joshn Davies, 59).

Machynlleth (blue/blue/blue): 1. Tom Jenkins, 2. Max Jones, 3. Gareth Richards, 4. John Wilde, 5. Rob Davies, 6. Shane Williams, 7. Joseph Bell, 8. Jimmy Johnston (capt), 9. Dale Thomas, 10. Simon Davies, 11. Glen Howard. Subs: 12. Stuart Roberts (for Rob Davies, 68), 14. Tom Evans (for Simon Davies, 68), 15. Sean Jones (not used).

Referee: Paul Morgan.
Assistants: John Davies and Kris Jones.

Goals:
1-0 Clint Middleton (9)
1-1 Max Jones (18)
2-1 Sam Middleton (62)
3-1 Ish Abberton (66)
4-1 Dafydd Davies (76)
4-2 Jimmy Johnston (90+2)

Cards:
Tregaron: none
Machynlleth: Shane Williams (YC, 13), Stuart Roberts (YC, 76)





Bloxwich United AFC 2 AFC Wulfrunians 2

Saturday 20th August 2011
Bloxwich United AFC 2 AFC Wulfrunians 2
FA Cup with Budweiser Extra Preliminary Round
At: Red Lion Ground, Walsall Road
Kick-off: 7-45 pm
Admission: £4; Programme: £1 (16 pages)
Attendance: 95 (headcount)
Weather: mild, dry, sunny spells
Duration: first-half: 46:53; second-half: 48:38


A touch of nostalgia this afternoon with more FA Cup action and a game closer to home between two teams who were league rivals last season and are no longer.

First the nostalgia bit and my first visit to a favourite ground since 2000. The Red Lion Ground has been used for football for over 100 years, first as the home of Bloxwich Strollers, then more synonymously with Blakenall, and now Bloxwich United AFC since the start of the 2007/08 season. A couple of my memories of the place are seeing Blakenall lift the West Midlands (Regional) League Premier Division shield in 1989 and Stafford Rangers winning 4-1 eleven years later on the way to becoming Dr Martens League Western Division Champions.

Today, I found the Red Lion Ground as it was, with a sloping pitch and seated stand behind the goal at the top of the slope. Clubhouse and changing rooms were down the touchline closest to the main road with dugouts opposite. A large tall net dominated behind the goal at the bottom of the slope.

Bloxwich United were formed in 2006 and quickly progressed via the Wolverhampton Combination and West Midland (Regional) League Division One to earn a place in the Premier Division. During the summer after finishing 7th last season, Bloxwich United transferred from the West Midlands League to the Athium Midland Combination Premier Division.

Today’s tie was only Bloxwich’s second competitive game of the season and they won their opening league game last Saturday 4-2 away to Pilkington XXX.

More games had been played in the West Midlands (Regional) League Premier Division, AFC Wulfrunians (6th position with 7 points from 4 games) made a good start to the season. They were unbeaten at home with wins over Pegasus Juniors and Cradley Town as well as a draw against Wolverhampton Casuals but lost at Gornal Athletic.

Teams were read out over the tannoy after the lady announcer bid every a “welcome to the Red Lion Ground, for our first FC Cup game”. Bloxwich do indeed appear in bold type on the list of entrants indicating they did not participate last season (and as far as I know not in previous seasons either).

I presume the AFC Wulfrunians captain opted to attack up the slope in the first half, as Bloxwich United (in all red) got the game underway and they almost took an early lead. Wayne Howard found Alan Wilkes on the left and he saw a shot blocked at the near post by defender Tony Collins.

The home side were soon awarded a free-kick right on the edge of the area – the referee pointed to the ground shouting “outside” after Collins fouled Wilkes. Wilkes went for goal only to see Danny Tipton produce a fine diving save to push the ball to safety.

The lively AFC Wulfrunians midfielder Ian Boswell tried his luck from the halfway and caught United keeper Tony Simkiss off his line. Unluckily for Boswell the ball bounced his and hit the bar. Simkiss excelled in the 39th minute with a superb save to keep out Nathan Rose-Laing’s close-range follow-up shot after Ricky Anslow’s initial effort had rebounded off the left-hand post (see right).

Bloxwich quickly got forward after surviving that scare to take the lead a minute later. Wayne Price crossed low from the left for Ashley Bellingham to fire home at close range. “Goalscorer for Bloxwich United, number 6 Ashley Bellingham,” proudly announced by the lady over the tannoy.

However, AFC Wulfrunians (wearing a change kit of yellow and black halves, black shorts and yellow socks) got back on level terms in the 45th minute. Anslow pulled the ball back for Rose-Laing to fire home from a couple of yards out.

An impressive run by Wilkes led to Bloxwich’s second goal scored five minutes after the restart. The striker surged into the area down the right and drilled a low angled shot into the opposite bottom corner of the net. They could have added a third goal had a goalbound shot from Ashley Southall not hit a teammate.

The visitors drew level again in the 67th minute as Anslow latched onto a diagonal ball hit forward by Boswell to the right. The flag stayed down, Anslow got clear, beat the advancing Simkiss and slotted into an empty net (see right).

Both sides could have won the tie during the last ten minutes. Danny Tipton did well to keep out a shot from Wilkes while Boswell sent a 20-yard free-kick over the Bloxwich bar.

Replay at Castlecroft Stadium on Tuesday for the right to visit Castle Vale in the Preliminary Round.

Goals:
1-0 Ashley Bellingham (40)
1-1 Nathan Rose-Laing (45)
2-1 Alan Wilkes (50)
2-2 Ricky Anslow (67)

Ascot United 1 Wembley 2

Friday 19th August 2011
Ascot United 1 Wembley 2
FA Cup with Budweiser Extra Preliminary Round
At: Racecourse Ground
Kick-off: 7-45 pm
Admission: £6; Programme: £1
Attendance: 1174
Weather: mild, dry, sunny at kick-off
Duration: first-half: 46:53; second-half: 48:38


Even though a 285 mile round trip down and back up the M40 may seen a long way to travel, particularly on a busy Friday, I think the journey to the Racecourse Ground was worth it to be part of an FA Cup first.

As the ‘First Kick’ Match to start this season’s FA Cup with Budweiser, the game was chosen to be broadcast via social networking with a live stream shown via cup sponsors’ Facebook page. So a first visit to the ground turned out to be something a bit more historic than is the norm for me. And I got to have my photo next to the actual FA Cup!

The headline of Ascot’s website read ‘PLEASE ARRIVE EARLY TO AVOID THE QUEUES’ as the club were ‘expecting a record crowd’. I did, despite a longer than expected a four-hour drive which involved getting tangled up in V-Festival traffic and a lengthy queue on the M42 because a load of chicken legs had been deposited on the northbound carriageway.

I knew where the ground was, having lived at near-by Martin’s Heron during the 1990s. Close to the 6f start on the straight mile and often spotted when watching Royal Ascot coverage, the ground was accessed via car parks 7 and 8 off the A330 a couple of hundred yards north of the bridge under the aforementioned straight mile.

At the ground, I couldn’t help being impressed with the organisation to handle a record crowd for the ground that was around 13 times higher than the crowd of 88 for Ascot’s last home game. The large car park usually used by horse racing punters, pay tables located away from the usual entrance where queues could form, programmes easily obtained, complementary vouchers distributed, teams announced over the tannoy, etc.

Going into the tie, Ascot United (5th position with 4 points) had played two games in the Hellenic League Premier Division so far with a 2-0 away win at Abingdon Town last Saturday followed-up on Tuesday by a 1-1 home draw against Ardley United. Visitors Wembley (13th with 4 points) from the Combined Counties Premier Division had also played two games with a 2-2 draw at Ash United two weeks ago and a 4-1 home win last Saturday over Colliers Wood United with Daryl Atkins bagging a hat-trick. Wembley’s much lower league position than Ascot is explained by the fact all of the teams above them in their division have already played either three or four games.

Everyone over 18 who wanted one was given a voucher which included entry to a draw to be one of five people to take part in a half-time penalty competition to win FA Cup Final tickets. On this occasion I was pleased that my number, 144, wasn’t one of those lucky five numbers read out over the tannoy! My penalty-taking skills are nonexistent, even with Dave Beasant as the goalkeeper!

With the lights on from the start, Ascot (wearing yellow shirts with blue sleeves, blue shorts and yellow socks) got the game underway attacking the racecourse end in the first half. To get myself noticed, I positioned myself next to the goal Ascot were attacking and soon got spotted by the family watching at home!

Ascot should have taken the lead just before the half-hour mark. Shane Cooper-Clarke found Phil Cousins unmarked six yards out who couldn’t keep his first-time volley down and the ball flew over the bar.

After surviving that scare, Wembley (wearing all red) quickly got forward and Jumo Mitchell dribbled into the area before finding Hector Gutierrez on the left who fired against the bar.

With the game opening up, Ascot’s Cousins hammered a low shot past the right-hand post from the edge of the area. The visitors went even closer in the 41st minute. Roy Bryon unleashed a low drive which rebounded off the left-hand post and Hector Gutierrez’s follow-up shot was saved by keeper Tim Kilpatrick.

Goalless at the interval and time for the penalty shoot-out, Each of the four lucky winners had one attempt each to beat Dave Beasant and the first three did just that including Alicia Frampton from Toronto! The fourth penalty-taker, a man named Lee, had his penalty saved so missed out on tickets for the Final unlike the other three.

The deadlock was broken in the 53rd minute. Captain and Wembley player-manager Ian Bates delivered a deep left-wing corner which was headed home at the far post by defender Chris Korten. Jubilation for the small group of Wembley fans I got chatting to behind the goal.

Lively Wembley forward Daryl Atkins impressed me and he almost doubled the lead, forced a diving save out of the equally impressive Kilpatrick. The keeper again denied Atkins midway through the second half with a near-post save.

I wondered during the game how many of the potential 700 million audience watched the full match as well and how accurate my estimated crowd of 800 was. The answers came during the second half over the tannoy – match attendance of 1174 and around 20,000 people watching on Facebook.

With Wembley seemingly heading into the next round and a home tie against Ardley or Flackwell Heath, Ascot were awarded an 83rd-minute penalty. There were no complaints after Wembley keeper Ini Amaegbe brought down John Bennett inside the area and the striker got up to blast home from the spot off the legs of the diving Amaegbe.

Game on, and suddenly Ascot had their tails up and Wembley’s legs started to look tired. Substitute Matt Humphreys fired wide of the visitors goal.

However, there was one final twist in the 89th minute for the packed crowd and the viewers on Facebook. Substitute Peter Elvin pulled the ball back for Byron to send Wembley into the next round with a 10-yard shot.

Cruel luck on Ascot to lose their first-ever game in the FA Cup but Wembley moved one step closer to a remotely possible date in May at their neighbouring namesake national stadium!

I wondered during the game how many of the potential 700 million audience watched the full match as well and how accurate my estimated crowd of 800 was. The answers came during the second half over the tannoy – match attendance of 1174 and around 20,000 people watching on Facebook.

Finally, in a recent press release, Budweiser marketing director Ian Newell said: ‘Budweiser is committed to bringing the world’s most prestigious knockout competition closer to the fans’. If this game is anything to go by I think the new sponsors may well succeed in that aim.

Goals:
0-1 Chris Korten (53)
1-1 John Bennett (83 pen)
1-2 Roy Bryon (89)