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The Thaming of the Shriv

24/9/2014

After some fairly long midweek journeys recently, it was nice to get back to a local fixture. Thame is less than half an hour away from home but I had never visited the ASM Stadium before, so this was a great opportunity to see a new ground and to have an earlier night. The stadium is part of a large sports complex on the outskirts of the town, very easy to find and has plenty of parking space. The stadium was built in 2010 and Thame United, after 5 years ground-sharing outside of the town, moved in during December of that year. Obviously, first impression as you approach the stadium from the car park, is one of newness. You get a sense that the shrink-wrap has only recently been peeled off the whole ground. The turnstile block is to the right of the clubhouse complex which houses the changing rooms, bar and all other facilities. On the ground side this building complex is also the main stand featuring covered seating along three-quarters of the side of the pitch. The rest of the pitch is surrounded by hard-standing none of which, currently, is covered. The dugouts, once again, are as far from the main stand as they can be. The feature that stands out when you enter the stadium is the pitch, which is in superb condition. It reminded so much of the playing surface at Bedworth, which is artificial, that I took a closer look just to prove to myself that it was grass. I know it is early in the season but credit has to go to the grounds-men for producing such a perfect pitch. I was hoping that the bowling-green like surface would promote some slick passing football.
Thame have made a reasonable start to the season, winning four of their nine league games, drawing two and losing three. However, they had been humbled 4-0 by Ascot United on the last home league outing. Shrivenham's start has been less impressive with just two wins and seven defeats from their opening nine games. I was expecting a home win but, having read some comments from the visiting manager, I also expected Shrivenham to play some football and up a fight. I was not to be disappointed.
Thame were either slow out of the blocks or Shrivvy started quickly, because for the first 5 minutes there was only one team in it. Taking full advantage of the surface, Shrivenham were fizzing the ball around nicely, playing some incisive football. However, there was no end product and Thame, getting over their initial shellshock, started to play themselves into the game, having a header cleared off the line on the 5 minute mark. This seemed to be a turning point and the home side began to assert themselves more and more on the game. A lung-busting run from inside his own half by Thame midfielder Ricketts saw the away keeper parry his shot straight back to him. This time his shot hit the inside of the post and flew to safety. Shrivenham, however, continued to try to play football, something that came back to haunt them on 25 minutes. Playing the ball around at the back a stray pass went straight to a Thame player who slid it forward for Mealing to calmly slot it under the keeper for 1-0.
Undaunted, Shrivenham pressed forward and, two minutes later, got their reward when a slick passing move was drilled home by Edmondson. Two minutes later, following a sloppily defended corner, it was 2-1 to the away side when Robertson poked home at the far post.
Shrivenham looked to have done enough to hold on to their lead at half-time until a 45th minute short corner routine was finally played to the far post for San West to score his first of the night. So, at half-time it was 2-2. A thoroughly entertaining first 45 minutes.
The second half was less than five minutes old when a long punt by a Thame defender was mis-judged by a Shrivvy defender allowing West to skip through and calmly finish past the goalkeeper. 3-2 to Thame.
After 55 minutes, Thame took what proved to be an unassailable lead. Ricketts' pace down the left flank was too much for the away defence and his cut back was met by West to complete his hat-trick. At 4-2, Thame looked to have the game sewn up. Shrivenham, however, never gave up the fight and when the home keeper came for a cross and missed, Fowler had the relatively easy task of firing into the net. With just over twenty minutes still to play and the score at 4-3, it was game on again. The away side stepped it up a gear but, despite having the lion's share of possession, could not muster a further response and the home side held on to take the three points.
Overall, this was a very enjoyable game to watch with both sides playing some good football at times. The main difference between the teams was probably in the final third of the pitch. Thame had a slight edge when it came to the killer pass and finishing. Shrivenham, however, play an good brand of football and, on this showing, don't deserve to be where they are in the league.

Thame United - @thameunitedfc
Shrivenham - @shrivenhamfc

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Midland Counties Diary

18/9/2014

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Having spent the day playing golf in Worcestershire and Shropshire, I made a quick dash across the Black Country, around Birmingham and into Leicestershire for Stourbridge's visit to Barwell in the Evo-Stik Premier. Although Barwell were also in the Southern League at the same time as the Glassboys, this was a new ground for me. I know the area a little and have friends close by, but I had never noticed where the ground actually was. In fact I still managed to miss the entrance the first time past. Kirkby Road is a multi-sports facility housing a football club, a cricket club and an indoor bowls club. There is ample parking available either next to the cricket pitch or further round behind the bowls centre.
The ground itself has one main stand, featuring covered seating, just to the right of the turnstile block as you enter. Past the stand is the clubhouse, toilet block and snack bar. There is hard standing, obviously, around the entire perimeter, with the bowls club providing the back-drop behind the left hand goal. The dugouts are, again, on the opposite side to the main stand well away from the main spectator area. This is definitely a trend at a lot of clubs at this level.
As I entered the ground I got some early and, not very promising, team news when I bumped into Glassboys striker Luke Benbow. Still suffering with a hamstring injury, he was being rested so as not to aggravate the injury further. After scoring 8 in the previous 3 league games it must be frustrating to sit on the sidelines.
Barwell had started the season quite badly but had, in recent weeks, showed signs of picking up including a 2-0 away win at early leaders Stamford. The general feeling that this was going to be a tough and close encounter.
Stourbridge started the game kicking up the slope towards a good sized and vociferous away following. The opening 20 minutes was a fairly even encounter, with both sides having chances but not being able to take them. If anything, Barwell were looking slightly more dangerous going forward.
On 29 minutes, however, it was Stourbridge who made the breakthrough. Following a bit of goalmouth pinball the ball dropped at the feet of Kayelden Brown who, despite some fervent claims for offside, stabbed the ball home. I can say that, from my position at the side of the pitch, I had a good view of the offside and Brown was, indeed, beyond the last Barwell defender. However, the supporters behind the goal seemed convinced that the last touch before it got to him was off a defender. Either way, the assistant did not flag, giving the away side the lead and condemning himself to 60 minutes of abuse from the home fans.
So, at half-time, it was the away side who went in 1-0 to the good.
The second half began with Barwell putting the Glassboys defence under increasing pressure and, 17 minutes into the half, it paid off. Stourbridge failed to clear a corner and, when the ball popped up in the air, centre-half Jamie Hood rose highest to head home for the equaliser. To be fair, after the way they started the half, it was no more than Barwell deserved.
Until this point of the half the only Stourbridge policy seemed to be to hoof the ball down the middle. A tactic that was bearing no fruit whatsoever. The two Barwell centre-halves were gobbling up every ball but, frustratingly, Stourbridge didn't seem to have a plan B. This has been a particular annoyance to me every time I watch them play. Stourbridge have some very good ball players in the team, even after the departure of Sean Geddes. The likes of Billingham, Canavan and Fitzpatrick can all cause problems. However, when the goalkeeper gets the ball the first thought seems to be to play it long, completely bypassing the midfield. Why, when the ball is in hand, the two full-backs don't spread wide to give a short ball option, I just do not know. I guess that is why I am not the manager of a football team.
Back to the game. A combination of the Barwell equaliser and two substitutions (Smikle and Canavan coming on) saw Stourbridge suddenly start to play the ball around. This was, by far, the best period of the game that either team had managed. It paid off too. A further 17 minutes after the Barwell equaliser Stourbridge earned a corner. Canavan's cross was flicked on by Brown and Smikle running in at the far post poked the ball home.
Stourbridge continued to hold the upper hand and had a couple of chances to make the game safe. Chances that they would come to regret.
With five minutes remaining a through ball caught the away defence totally flat-footed leaving Sam Brooks with a free run on goal. He calmly placed the ball past Coleman and it was all square again.
The second equaliser fired up Barwell and, but for the fingertips of Coleman, they could have won the game in the last minute. However, it stayed 2-2. A fair result on the balance of play.
So, it was back in the car and another hour drive back to Oxfordshire to end a 16 hour and 6 county round trip.

Barwell FC - @barwellfc
Stourbridge FC - @sfcofficial

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Into the Valley

10/9/2014

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Main stand at Butlin Road with turnstile block to the left

This Tuesday I had a dilemma. Should I take a trip to Rugby Town, over an hour away, or just pop over to Buckingham Athletic, a mere 15 minutes drive. In the end, as it was a pleasant evening, I chose Rugby. Buckingham will have to wait for winter when I don't feel like driving so far.
When I was a kid I used to love going past Stourbridge's War Memorial ground and looking at fluorescent pink and yellow posters on the noticeboard that showed which team was coming to town next. For some reason, in my head, it is always a misty November evening. The bus windows are steamed up and I have to wipe them to catch a glimpse of the exotic names. Nuneaton Borough, Wimbledon, Alvechurch, AP Leamington and, of course, VS Rugby.
Rugby Town will always be VS Rugby to me, the same as Leamington will always be AP Leamington. These names are just so much more evocative of the romance of football to me. Like AC Milan or AS Roma, they have a sense of mystery to them. Yes, I know VS stood for nothing more exotic than Valley Sports, and Automotive Products is nowhere near as mysterious as AP Leamington. However, I still yearn for those days. Maybe everything was more magical as a 8 year old, unaffected by modern life? Anyway, thanks RC Warwick. Keep up the good work.
First impressions of Butlin Road are very good. As you enter the ground through one of the three turnstiles you are faced by a smallish seating area with Rugby Town Football Club emblazoned in blue on the roof. Behind each goal there is covered terracing and just to the left of the turnstiles is a large, 500-seater cantilever stand with the letters VS picked out in white amongst the blue seats. The capacity is said to be around 6,000, although this is unconfirmed according to the website. I would certainly love to visit on a day when then stadium is full.
The two sides were coming into this match on the back of very different weekend results. Rugby had travelled to former leaders Hanwell Town and handed them a 6-1 thrashing whereas Daventry had gone down 4-0 at home to Royston Town. So, on recent form, the odds seemed to be stacked very heavily in favour of the home team. However, it was Daventry who started the stronger of the two, taking a very firm grip on midfield virtually from the off.
The game was being played at a fairly fast pace, as you would expect for a local derby. Just to add to the occasion there is the strange story of James Jepson. Not being that close to either of these clubs, I don't have the full story but I thought it might be worth looking into when I noticed the sizeable and vociferous Daventry crowd roundly booing 'JJ' every time he got the ball. My first thought was that he must be an ex-Daventry player who had defected to their rivals. That is sort of the case. However, it is slightly more intriguing than that. Last season Jepson played for another local rival of both teams, Kettering Town. In early July, Daventry reported that they had signed the 32 year-old beating off a bid from rivals Rugby Town. However, at the bottom of this article there is a footnote stating that Jepson had left the club and had, indeed, signed for Rugby. Maybe if someone from either club reads this, they could fill in the blanks?
Back to the game. Rugby threatened once of twice, mainly from long range efforts, but it was the Purple Army who looked the most likely to break the deadlock, especially when attacking down their right flank. The away side were getting crosses in far too easily for Rugby's liking and only a lack off accuracy in the finish or last ditch blocks from home defenders kept the score to 0-0 at half-time. On the evidence of the first half it was very difficult to see where the previous weekend's results had come from. Rugby looked like they would struggle to score one, let alone six, and the Daventry defence looked way too tight to have conceded four at any point. It's a funny old game.

Daventry on the attack

The decisive moment in the game came on the hour mark. Rugby full-back Marcel Simpson was adjudged to have pulled down Daventry striker Tommy Berwick in the box. From my standpoint it was very difficult to tell if it was the correct decision or not. Obviously, Daventry supporters behind the goal thought it was a
clear foul, Rugby fans claimed it was harsh. All I know is that referee Lisa Rashid, who had a very good game in my opinion, gave the spot kick.
After some treatment to the home keeper, former Glassboy Berwick, picked himself up and fired home to put Daventry in front.
To be fair to Rugby the goal seemed to spark them into life. Certainly, in the last 30 minutes of the game, they looked far livelier than they had in the first hour. In fact, you could say that their endeavour warranted an equaliser. However, Daventry looked very secure at the back and, despite a lot of huffing and puffing from Rugby, the away keeper was never really troubled too much.
So it ended Rugby Town 0 Daventry Town 1. The Purple Army's first win in Rugby for five attempts (I am told). Daventry move up to 7th, while Rugby drop to 11th in the table. Although, both teams will have noted that Kettering scored five goals again to stay two points clear at the top.

Rugby Town - @fcrugbytown
Daventry Town - @daventrytownfc

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Non-League Daddy Day Care

6/9/2014

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The second half view of the game was restricted

I don't do many Saturday games. Work prevents me from seeing my daughter much in the week, so weekends are family times now. However, Non-League Day is a special occasion so I decided to combine family and football. After a morning of shopping I proposed an afternoon of football to my four and a half year old daughter. I wasn't too surprised when she jumped at the chance. My wife, however, said 'Are you sure?'. I had a plan though. Initially, I had thought about popping over to Headington Amateurs, a ground that I have never visited but one that a brief scan of Google maps revealed had a children's playground next door. On second consideration I decided to head to Ardley United because of it's proximity to home. Should the little one get too bored, it wasn't too far to get home again. I've been to Ardley before and I knew that there was also a very nice play area next to the ground. So, off we went. A short 4 mile trip to my daughter's first ever football match (unless you count a Bicester Town game which, as a 6 month old, she slept through), Ardley United v Binfield in the Hellenic Premier League. Before we set out she had insisted that she changed into her football kit and that I did too. So, we arrived at the Playing Fields resplendent in our club colours, my daughter in a West Brom top and me in my Stourbridge replica shirt.
After spending the last few seasons in the higher reaches of the division, Ardley have had a poor start to this campaign, losing their last 3 games. Binfield have started a little better with 10 points from their opening 5 games. To be honest, with an fidgety, easily bored little girl in tow, I wasn't really expecting to see much of the game. The friendly chap on the turnstile was more than happy for us to leave and come back in again should we need to visit the play area at any point during the game. I was actually quite intrigued to see how the afternoon would turn out.
We initially took up our position on the front row of the main seating area, took a few photos of each other and settled in to read the programme. When the teams entered the field of play we played a game of matching the names and numbers on the programme to the players on the pitch. I didn't have the heart to mention that programmes are rarely accurate at this level. It wasn't long before we decided to switch position. To be honest, this was mainly my decision. Just before kick-off the sun had come out and it was directly in our eyes making it quite difficult to watch the game.
We made our way to the refreshment window and ordered a cup of tea and a plastic cup of squash. Then we made a base next to the covered standing area behind the goal that Ardley were defending. This way, I could watch the match while my daughter was free to run around on the grass area. It hadn't taken too long for her interest in the game to wane. After being challenged to run to the other end of the field, and to play chase, I did manage to catch a little bit of the action on the pitch but, to be honest, there really wasn't too much to write home about anyway. We settled for a game of throwing grass at each other, which also allowed me to watch a bit of the match.
I did, however, get a very good view of the main incident in the first half and quite possibly the defining incident of the game. With just a few minutes left of the first half a Binfield attack produced a cross from their right. The Binfield number 4 went in for a header with an Ardley defender and the home keeper flying out to try to claim the ball. My first impression, as the players all landed in a heap, was that the combined challenges of defender and goalkeeper could possibly have warranted a penalty. Certainly the keepers challenge was robust to say the least. However, the referee did not signal a penalty, pointing to a goal kick. As the players untangled themselves and tried to get up, the Binfiled player appeared to stamp on the Ardley goalie leading to a lot of what pundits call handbags. After lots of whistle blowing, when the referee had finally regained control, the upshot was a red card for the Binfield number 4. I have to say, from my position just a few yards away, the card was justified. However, I do think the initial decision to give a goal kick was debateable.
Shortly afterwards the half time whistle went. We had made it through 45 minutes without too much complaining. Much better than I had first expected. I thought it was only fair that we headed over to the play area for a while, knowing full well that, once there, there was probably no coming back.
So it was to prove. The second half kicked off with us still in the play area which I have to say is excellent and worth a visit if you have kids under about 12 or 13. There are one or two vantage points where you can keep an eye on the little ones while still being able to make out a little bit of the game.
I did hear Ardley score quite early in the second half but I didn't see the goal.
Shortly after the goal celebrations died down there was the inevitable cry of 'Daddy' followed by that brief silence that all parents will recognise. You know what is coming. Tears. Lots of tears. A common occurrence when taking a little one to a play area with climbing frames, slides, rope swings and trampolines. It was only a matter of time.
To be fair, it was a genuine injury this time, not simulation.
She had caught her heel between the trampoline and the rubber edge. This combined with the onset of tiredness was enough for her to want to retire hurt. Despite being a massive Daddy's girl, all injuries can only be attended to by Mummy. Daddy just doesn't cut the mustard in these cases.
So, we jumped back into the car and headed off with the home side one up. I discovered, via Twitter, that Ardley had scored again to win 2-0.
All in all, it was a reasonably successful Non-League Day. I got my football fix (or, at least, some of it), my daughter got to have an afternoon out with Daddy, Ardley got a couple of quid to add to their coffers and my wife got a couple of hours husband and child free.

Ardley United - @ardleyunitedfc
Binfield - @binfieldfc

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A Warwickshire FA Cup Derby

4/9/2014

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Bedworth Utd - Main Stand

Only just over 6 miles separates Bedworth United and Coventry Sphinx. 6 miles and 1 tier on the Pyramid.
After a 0-0 draw in Coventry on Saturday the sides met again at the Oval on Tuesday night to decide who would play Boldmere St Michaels in the 1st Qualifying Round.
Bedworth's Oval ground has seen a lot of changes and improvements recently. In fact I heard numerous comments from visiting supporters saying that it had changed beyond recognition since they last visited. Having never been before myself, I can't comment. However, first impression of the ground is that of a proper non-league stadium, albeit one with a much larger than average main stand (see picture) for this level.
Having totally forgotten that Bedworth had recently installed a 3G playing surface (this was only the second game on it), my first impression was 'wow! that pitch looks in remarkable condition'. It was only then that I remembered the new surface. The Oval is looking good. The new surface, as I said, looks fantastic. From the car park, entering the stadium, the main stand (pictured) is to the right. The stand houses the changing rooms and also has the dugouts directly in front of it. It's worth noting that there is also a snack and tea hut on this side of the pitch, Debz Shed. I am told that the Beduff Broth, at 50p a cup, is well worth a try. Unfortunately, when I got there Deb had sold out. Maybe next time?.
On the left hand side of the pitch is the club house and snack bar and a smaller car park (presumably for officials). The club house has a roof terrace which appears to be used by club directors, the stadium announcer and local press. I would imagine that the view of the game is perfect from up there.
Both goals are backed by hard standing and a large metal fence. At the far end there is a grass bank behind the fence, and another turnstile entrance. At the near end is the car park.
When I arrived there was already a decent sized crowd inside the ground and more cars followed me in. Being a local derby and, of course the magic of the cup, I was expecting to see a higher than average attendance. The official attendance was 252 but I have to say, it felt like there were considerably more than that in the ground, including a fair few from Coventry.
When the game kicked off it was immediately noticeable that there may have been one or two differences of opinion left over from the first game in which, I believe, there were a number of bookings. I had noted from the pre-season meeting that Sphinx felt they were intimidated by the physical approach of their opponents. There was none of that on Tuesday. Both sides were putting in some fairly robust challenges, giving the referee plenty to think about early on.
Sphinx probably just about edged the first 20 minutes but Bedworth, arguably, made the clearer chances. Then, on 29 minutes, a right-wing cross was headed home by Danny Dubidat to give the home side the lead. The Greenbacks then went on to have the lion's share of the rest of the half, coming close on a couple of occasions. However, it stayed at 1-0 until the referee blew for the close of the half.
Into the second half and it was Sphinx who came out of the blocks flying, urgently looking for an equaliser. Rickie Cutting was starting to cause some real problems for the home defence with his pace on the right.
Having said that, it was Bedworth who should have scored again when the visiting keeper parried a shot straight onto Dubidat's head, only for him to put the ball over the bar.
Then on 74 minutes the dangerous Cutting hit a far post cross for Gumery to loop back over the keeper and into the net for a deserved equaliser.
Sphinx were looking the more likely after that but, again, it was Bedworth who could easily have won it at the death when Creaney saw a shot evade the keeper only to be scrambled off the line. So, after 90 minutes, nothing could separate the teams and we headed into extra-time.
Three minutes into the added period came what I thought was the decisive moment. Bedworth won a corner and when the cross came over, Creaney made up for his earlier miss by powering a header in off the underside of the bar. That was a real kick in the teeth for Coventry who had appeared to be the stronger team for the last 20 minutes of normal time.
Then, shortly before the halfway mark of the extra time, a right wing cross was mishandled and dropped into his own net by the Sphinx keeper. There didn't seem to be any way back fro the away side at this point, and so it was to prove. Despite Sphinx never giving the game up, they couldn't make any inroads and the game finished 3-1 to Bedworth.
Since starting to write this blog, I have had the 'pleasure' of watching the second half of the England friendly against Norway. Now, I have no idea how much tickets were for this game but I am fairly certain they were more expensive than the £8 I paid at Bedworth. What I am also certain of is that I witnessed a far more entertaining game of football than the 40,000 at Wembley last night. The game is not always about the best individuals, on the most wages. It is about two teams of 11 giving it everything they have to win the match. That is what we saw on Tuesday night. The game was a credit to both teams and I certainly wish Bedworth United and Coventry Sphinx all the best for the rest of the season. Keep up the entertainment.

Bedworrth United - @BedworthUnited
Coventry Sphinx - @CoventrySphinx

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