Over the years the focus of BotP has changed considerably. Originally, following Stourbridge, the majority of matches attended were Step 3. When the Glassboys transferred to the NPL, the net was cast further and Step 5 became a favourite. However since the lockdown years, the recent focus has been much more around grassroots levels, below the pyramid. This has never been more obvious that this Saturday. Despite already having tickets for the FA Vase and FA Trophy finals at Wembley, the draw of Step 7 was just too much, especially as there was a crunch title decide in the offing. So, instead of taking a train to the capital, I found myself heading back to my homeland, the West Midlands. A quick drop in to see my Mum was followed by a jaunt across the Black Country route to the University of Wolverhampton campus in Walsall, and a West Midlands (Regional) League game between Bustleholme and Pelsall Villa Colts.
Prior to kick off the situation at the top of the division was that Gornal Athletic led the way on 69 points. However, they had already completed their season. In second place sat Pelsall, a point adrift but with this final game in the bank. Bustleholme were in fifth spot, out of the running for the title, but able to play a big part in where the trophy went. Pelsall's goal difference was such that just a point would see them crowned champions. Recent history was also on their side. They had played Bustleholme twice before this season, scoring six on both occasions. The early league encounter, back in September, ended 6-3. More recently, in fact just four days previously, the sides met again in the League Cup with Pelsall again coming out on top, this time 6-2.
Pelsall, the league's top scorers, also only needed two more goals to hit the ton for the season.
Many thanks to referee Teigan Clamp who was kind enough to share both team sheets with me prior to kick-off. As always, hugely appreciated.
Prior to kick off the situation at the top of the division was that Gornal Athletic led the way on 69 points. However, they had already completed their season. In second place sat Pelsall, a point adrift but with this final game in the bank. Bustleholme were in fifth spot, out of the running for the title, but able to play a big part in where the trophy went. Pelsall's goal difference was such that just a point would see them crowned champions. Recent history was also on their side. They had played Bustleholme twice before this season, scoring six on both occasions. The early league encounter, back in September, ended 6-3. More recently, in fact just four days previously, the sides met again in the League Cup with Pelsall again coming out on top, this time 6-2.
Pelsall, the league's top scorers, also only needed two more goals to hit the ton for the season.
Many thanks to referee Teigan Clamp who was kind enough to share both team sheets with me prior to kick-off. As always, hugely appreciated.
Pelsall looking for an early goal After making a good start, the visitors conceded the first real opportunity on four minutes. Captain Jordan Spragg misjudged a header back to keeper Dominic Cooper, allowing Keatley Charles to nip in and lob the ball over the stopper. Fortunately for Colts, the ball also bounced just wide of the far post. That let-off shook up the visitors and within a few minutes they began to take a grip on the game. Booby Speed's 7th minute effort was deflected wide for a corner which cam to nothing and then Isiah Beaumont's strike from distance was spilled by home keeper Sam Westwood but Louie Mason was adjudged to have fouled the keeper as they tussled for the loose ball. It was pleasing to hear non-league stalwart Shay Purley making an appearance early on too.
Pelsall were now starting to ramp up the tempo, pushing Bustleholme back more and more. Just past the quarter-hour Jaden Henry-Dean saw his downward header hacked off the Bustleholme line following a left-wing corner, but the visitors still had to be on their guard. Almost immediately after that incident Callum Lawton fizzed an effort narrowly past Cooper's left-hand post, signalling a warning that Bustleholme were not just here to make up the numbers.
Joel Butler and Bobby Speed then produced a lovely piece of interplay down the Colts right but couldn't manage to engineer an opportunity. Lawton, who was looking like the hosts best chance of a goal, then shot wide from distance again as the game spent a few minutes swinging from end to end. Two minutes later Bobby Speed was able to poke a toe at a loose ball in the box, beating Woodward but seeing his effort come back off the foot of the upright. They were getting closer and, on 35 minutes, Pelsall finally broke the deadlock, with a classy move. Matthew Hearsey started the move in midfield. The ball was fed wide to Henry-Dean who delivered an inch-perfect cross into the path of Hersey, who had continued his run, to meet with a first-time volley that left Woodward clutching thin air. 0-1
With one hand on the league champion's trophy Pelsall could now afford to relax more and play their football. However, try as they might, they still couldn't find the second goal that would, effectively, seal the deal. In fact, just before the half-time whistle, Sam Lawton gave them another fright when he let fly from al of 30 yards. Cooper threw himself across his goal but was not going to get there and was relieved to see the ball just clear his crossbar. Than, as we entered time added on, Pelsall created two more chances that could have seen them putting the champagne on ice during the break. First of all Henry-Dean delivered from the left again, this time putting just a little too much on the cross so that Beaumont could only glance his header wide of the far post. Then, a minute later, pinball in the home six-yard box, but Pelsall couldn't find a way to get the ball over the line.
HT Bustleholme 0 Pelsall Villa Colts 1. So far, so good, for Pelsall, although they'll be wondering how they have not already made the game safe. Bustleholme showed that they can pose a threat and, at just 0-1, the game is far from over.
Pelsall were now starting to ramp up the tempo, pushing Bustleholme back more and more. Just past the quarter-hour Jaden Henry-Dean saw his downward header hacked off the Bustleholme line following a left-wing corner, but the visitors still had to be on their guard. Almost immediately after that incident Callum Lawton fizzed an effort narrowly past Cooper's left-hand post, signalling a warning that Bustleholme were not just here to make up the numbers.
Joel Butler and Bobby Speed then produced a lovely piece of interplay down the Colts right but couldn't manage to engineer an opportunity. Lawton, who was looking like the hosts best chance of a goal, then shot wide from distance again as the game spent a few minutes swinging from end to end. Two minutes later Bobby Speed was able to poke a toe at a loose ball in the box, beating Woodward but seeing his effort come back off the foot of the upright. They were getting closer and, on 35 minutes, Pelsall finally broke the deadlock, with a classy move. Matthew Hearsey started the move in midfield. The ball was fed wide to Henry-Dean who delivered an inch-perfect cross into the path of Hersey, who had continued his run, to meet with a first-time volley that left Woodward clutching thin air. 0-1
With one hand on the league champion's trophy Pelsall could now afford to relax more and play their football. However, try as they might, they still couldn't find the second goal that would, effectively, seal the deal. In fact, just before the half-time whistle, Sam Lawton gave them another fright when he let fly from al of 30 yards. Cooper threw himself across his goal but was not going to get there and was relieved to see the ball just clear his crossbar. Than, as we entered time added on, Pelsall created two more chances that could have seen them putting the champagne on ice during the break. First of all Henry-Dean delivered from the left again, this time putting just a little too much on the cross so that Beaumont could only glance his header wide of the far post. Then, a minute later, pinball in the home six-yard box, but Pelsall couldn't find a way to get the ball over the line.
HT Bustleholme 0 Pelsall Villa Colts 1. So far, so good, for Pelsall, although they'll be wondering how they have not already made the game safe. Bustleholme showed that they can pose a threat and, at just 0-1, the game is far from over.
Bustleholme continued to pose a threat Within the first 30 seconds of the restart, Pelsall could have relieved some of their tension when only a exceptional one-handed, diving save from Westwood prevented Louie Mason from doubling the visitor's advantage. Two minutes later a deep cross from the left found Speed arriving at the far post but the winger couldn't keep his header below the bar from 6 yards out.
Bustleholme top scorer Anton Nesbeth then showed some quick feet on the right flank, beating his man and driving to the line. His deflected cross was safely gathered by Cooper at the near post, but it was a glimpse of the threat that the home side still posed at times.
Ten minutes into the second period, Pelsall came close again when a deep corner from the left was headed back across goal by Spragg, finding fellow defender Liam Matthews who sent the ball goalward but just over Woodward's bar. A minute later Matthews thought he had given the visitors a two goal lead but was denied by the assistant's flag. That could have been costly two minutes later when Nesbeth, who had really come to life, bamboozled his marked again and was pulled down right on the edge of the box. Sadly for Bustleholme the freekick came to nothing.
Bustleholme were having their best period of the game at this point. Cooper was happy to see a rasping strike from Charles fly past his right-hand upright befire Charles again fired just wide from a half-chance after Pelasal failed to clear properly from a free-kick.
At the other end, a fortunate ricochet took the bal linto the path of Pelsal substitute Daniel Lawrence, but Westwood was quickly across his box to block well with his feet. That was closely followed by the visitors hitting the woodwork twice in just over a minute. First of all Henry-Dean's excellent volley crashed back off the bar before Louie Mason saw his header clip the outside of the post on its way out for a goal kick. Mason, who had led the line well for the visitors, then produced a deft little touch to put Butler in on goal, but the full-backs effort lacked conviction and Westwood was able to gather.
With five minutes of normal time remaining, Bustleholme won a free-kick some 25 yards out on the right-hand side of the box. Anton Nesbeth stepped up, sending a dipping effort over the wall which clipped the top of the bar with Cooper beaten. Two inches lower and that could have seen a very interesting last few minutes. As it was, the only real action of the closing minutes was goal scorer Hearsey getting sin-binned for an over-zealous challenge to a refereeing decision.
There was much joy on the Pelsall bench and amongst their travelling support as referee Clamp blew for full time. They'd done it.
FT Bustleholme 0 Pelsall Villa Colts 1. All over. Pelsall take the league title by two points from Gornal Athletic. To be fair, it could easily have been a far greater margin of victory. However, Bustleholme held a threat for the entire game and, if just one of their efforts had gone in, it could have been a very different story.
There's still one more game to come for Pelsall as they take on Tipton Town in the League Cup Final on Tuesday evening.
Bustleholme: Westwood, Hill, Lawton, Haydon, Rea, Bentley(c), Nesbeth, Mohammed, Charles, Masson, Clarke. Subs: Vincent, Robinson, Keane, Lowe
Pelsall Villa Colts: Cooper, Butler, Hayes, Spragg(c), Matthews, Vaughan, Henry-Dean, Hearsey, Mason, Beaumont, Speed. Subs: Osborne, Quarry, Porter, Stacehouse, Wood, Milward, Lawrence
Bustleholme top scorer Anton Nesbeth then showed some quick feet on the right flank, beating his man and driving to the line. His deflected cross was safely gathered by Cooper at the near post, but it was a glimpse of the threat that the home side still posed at times.
Ten minutes into the second period, Pelsall came close again when a deep corner from the left was headed back across goal by Spragg, finding fellow defender Liam Matthews who sent the ball goalward but just over Woodward's bar. A minute later Matthews thought he had given the visitors a two goal lead but was denied by the assistant's flag. That could have been costly two minutes later when Nesbeth, who had really come to life, bamboozled his marked again and was pulled down right on the edge of the box. Sadly for Bustleholme the freekick came to nothing.
Bustleholme were having their best period of the game at this point. Cooper was happy to see a rasping strike from Charles fly past his right-hand upright befire Charles again fired just wide from a half-chance after Pelasal failed to clear properly from a free-kick.
At the other end, a fortunate ricochet took the bal linto the path of Pelsal substitute Daniel Lawrence, but Westwood was quickly across his box to block well with his feet. That was closely followed by the visitors hitting the woodwork twice in just over a minute. First of all Henry-Dean's excellent volley crashed back off the bar before Louie Mason saw his header clip the outside of the post on its way out for a goal kick. Mason, who had led the line well for the visitors, then produced a deft little touch to put Butler in on goal, but the full-backs effort lacked conviction and Westwood was able to gather.
With five minutes of normal time remaining, Bustleholme won a free-kick some 25 yards out on the right-hand side of the box. Anton Nesbeth stepped up, sending a dipping effort over the wall which clipped the top of the bar with Cooper beaten. Two inches lower and that could have seen a very interesting last few minutes. As it was, the only real action of the closing minutes was goal scorer Hearsey getting sin-binned for an over-zealous challenge to a refereeing decision.
There was much joy on the Pelsall bench and amongst their travelling support as referee Clamp blew for full time. They'd done it.
FT Bustleholme 0 Pelsall Villa Colts 1. All over. Pelsall take the league title by two points from Gornal Athletic. To be fair, it could easily have been a far greater margin of victory. However, Bustleholme held a threat for the entire game and, if just one of their efforts had gone in, it could have been a very different story.
There's still one more game to come for Pelsall as they take on Tipton Town in the League Cup Final on Tuesday evening.
Bustleholme: Westwood, Hill, Lawton, Haydon, Rea, Bentley(c), Nesbeth, Mohammed, Charles, Masson, Clarke. Subs: Vincent, Robinson, Keane, Lowe
Pelsall Villa Colts: Cooper, Butler, Hayes, Spragg(c), Matthews, Vaughan, Henry-Dean, Hearsey, Mason, Beaumont, Speed. Subs: Osborne, Quarry, Porter, Stacehouse, Wood, Milward, Lawrence
The final whistle
The Ground
Bustleholme's current home is at the University of Wolverhampton Performance Hub just off The Broadway in Walsall. There is ample parking around the campus, all within very easy walking distance of the pitch. The pitch itself is a standard new 3g affair, fenced off by high green mesh. A running track runs around half of the perimeter, although this is outside the mesh fence, so does not distance spectators from the action. Access is through a gate where an official at a table was taking the entrance fee as well as selling cold drinks. Although you could walk around outside the mesh and still have a reasonable view, spectators inside the ground are restricted to a small section that runs along around two-thirds of one side of the pitch. The dugouts are directly opposite. There is no spectator cover and toilets are available in the main sports centre building opposite the pitch.
Ground Number: 407
Attendance:
Entrance: £4.00
Programme: N/A
Bustleholme's current home is at the University of Wolverhampton Performance Hub just off The Broadway in Walsall. There is ample parking around the campus, all within very easy walking distance of the pitch. The pitch itself is a standard new 3g affair, fenced off by high green mesh. A running track runs around half of the perimeter, although this is outside the mesh fence, so does not distance spectators from the action. Access is through a gate where an official at a table was taking the entrance fee as well as selling cold drinks. Although you could walk around outside the mesh and still have a reasonable view, spectators inside the ground are restricted to a small section that runs along around two-thirds of one side of the pitch. The dugouts are directly opposite. There is no spectator cover and toilets are available in the main sports centre building opposite the pitch.
Ground Number: 407
Attendance:
Entrance: £4.00
Programme: N/A
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