With one eye on the weather, my choice of match on Tuesday evening was left until as late as possible. Whilst I had a few possibilities on my list, my first choice was always Wolverhampton Casuals v Worcester City, a crucial clash between two sides battling against relegation from the Midland Premier League. Once it became clear that the impending snow was not going to hit until at least the next morning, I set off up the M40 for the Midlands. As I approached the ground, the signposts for Pendeford, Featherstone, Bushbury and Fordhouses put me in mind of the 5 very happy years I spent working for the local newspaper The Express & Star back in the 1980s. Many of the people I worked with lived in these areas to the North of the City. However, depsite knowing this area quite well, this was a first visit to the home of Cassies. I have seen them play on their travels in the past. This was an April 2017 visit to The Dell Stadium to see them record a late season victory over Dudley Town (Back Home).
The Ground
Cassies are based at Brinsford Lane just to the North of Wolverhampton and only a stones throw from HMP Featherstone, where former West Brom striker Lee Hughes spent some time a few years back. Access to the ground is just off the A449, North of junction 2 of the M54. There is a service road that leads past the main stadium, behind one of the goals, past a second pitch and finally, to a car park. Parking is also available all along the service road. Entrance payment is made as you enter the service road. All of the facilities, clubhouse, toilets and snack bar, are situated between the main stadium and the second pitch. There is a patio area behind the bar that overlooks the second pitch. Also on this side of the ground is the main stand, a covered seating stand. There is also covered standing behind and just to the right of the service road goal. The dugouts are on the Brinsford Lane side of the ground, opposite the main stand. The pitch slopes a little from the service road end towards the A449 end.
The club produces a very professional programme with plenty of stats and articles and, at just a pound, it's definitely worthwhile picking one up.
The Ground
Cassies are based at Brinsford Lane just to the North of Wolverhampton and only a stones throw from HMP Featherstone, where former West Brom striker Lee Hughes spent some time a few years back. Access to the ground is just off the A449, North of junction 2 of the M54. There is a service road that leads past the main stadium, behind one of the goals, past a second pitch and finally, to a car park. Parking is also available all along the service road. Entrance payment is made as you enter the service road. All of the facilities, clubhouse, toilets and snack bar, are situated between the main stadium and the second pitch. There is a patio area behind the bar that overlooks the second pitch. Also on this side of the ground is the main stand, a covered seating stand. There is also covered standing behind and just to the right of the service road goal. The dugouts are on the Brinsford Lane side of the ground, opposite the main stand. The pitch slopes a little from the service road end towards the A449 end.
The club produces a very professional programme with plenty of stats and articles and, at just a pound, it's definitely worthwhile picking one up.
Main Stand The Background
Two sides with a lot of history behind them. Wolverhampton Casuals were formed in 1899, three years before today's visitors. They've spent much of their non-league pyramid history in the West Midlands (Regional) structure, playing mainly at Step 6. They were Premier League runners-up in 2017 and have been consistently in the top third of the table until last season's disappointing 17th place finish. Worcester maybe be three years younger than Cassies but they can boast a much better CV, certainly until financial problems saw them drop from Step 2 down into Step 5. Back in the 1958-59 season, City even managed an FA Cup Fourth Round appearance, dumping Liverpool out in Round 3, before losing 2-0 to Sheffield United.
However, back to the current day, and it's fair to say that neither of these sides are where they would ideally like to be in the table at this point of the season. Before kick-off Cassies sat in 18th spot, one place and two points above Uttoxeter Town in the relegation zone. Worcester, who have picked up a little in recent weeks compared to the way they started the season, sat in 16th spot, a further five points ahead of tonight's hosts. In the current form table over the past 6 games, there was little to choose between them. Both had won two but Cassies had also manged two draws to Worcester's one. The reverse fixture was just a month ago. Reiss Taylor Randle gave City a 1-0 half-time lead but Callum Head and Musa Ceesay both scored within five minutes of the restart to give Cassies a lead they held for the remainder of the game. Last season was a different matter though. City did the double over Cassies, following up a 1-0 win at Brinsford Lane with a 4-0 home win.
Two sides with a lot of history behind them. Wolverhampton Casuals were formed in 1899, three years before today's visitors. They've spent much of their non-league pyramid history in the West Midlands (Regional) structure, playing mainly at Step 6. They were Premier League runners-up in 2017 and have been consistently in the top third of the table until last season's disappointing 17th place finish. Worcester maybe be three years younger than Cassies but they can boast a much better CV, certainly until financial problems saw them drop from Step 2 down into Step 5. Back in the 1958-59 season, City even managed an FA Cup Fourth Round appearance, dumping Liverpool out in Round 3, before losing 2-0 to Sheffield United.
However, back to the current day, and it's fair to say that neither of these sides are where they would ideally like to be in the table at this point of the season. Before kick-off Cassies sat in 18th spot, one place and two points above Uttoxeter Town in the relegation zone. Worcester, who have picked up a little in recent weeks compared to the way they started the season, sat in 16th spot, a further five points ahead of tonight's hosts. In the current form table over the past 6 games, there was little to choose between them. Both had won two but Cassies had also manged two draws to Worcester's one. The reverse fixture was just a month ago. Reiss Taylor Randle gave City a 1-0 half-time lead but Callum Head and Musa Ceesay both scored within five minutes of the restart to give Cassies a lead they held for the remainder of the game. Last season was a different matter though. City did the double over Cassies, following up a 1-0 win at Brinsford Lane with a 4-0 home win.
Early Worcester chance The Game
Cassies began the game kicking down the slope towards the A449 end of the ground. They signalled some intent early on when Musa Ceesay fired over after just a minute. Worcester responded with a couple of raids of their own, as the game began at a quick pace with both sides looking eager to take an early lead.
A quarter of an hour in Cassies broke down their left flank before the ball was pulled square across the edge of the box where Ceesay was again on hand, but again his shot was too high.
The pace of the game was showing no sign of slowing. Neither side was taking any time on the ball. It was end to end stuff, great to watch as a neutral but probably very frustrating for the coaches.
Just before the half hour City managed to put together the slickest passing move of the game so far, stringing a number of quick passes together down the right before the final shot was deflected out for a corner. Nothing came of it but it did show that a little more composure on the ball from either side could well open up the defences.
So far it had been a fairly even half but, as we began to head towards the break, Cassies began to step up the pressure on the Worcester defence, culminating in a flurry of activity in the final few minutes before half-time. It all started on 41 minutes when Joe Morley burst through on the right before unleashing a low drive bound for the bottom corner until Hayden Whitcombe produced a good save to keep it out. Three minutes later the Worcester stopper, back after a one game suspension, had to be at his best again when Louis Lake found himself on the end of a deep free-kick. His volley was also goal-bound but Whitcombe had other ideas. Then, with the referee looking at his watch, Whitcombe produced a superb acrobatic save to keep out a great effort from Isai Marselia.
HT Wolverhampton Casuals 0 Worcester City 0. Cassies were marginally been the better side. They exerted some great late pressure on City who must be grateful to their keeper for keeping them level at the break. Would the home side rue their missed chances, especially as Worcester would have the slight slope in their favour for the second period?
Cassies began the game kicking down the slope towards the A449 end of the ground. They signalled some intent early on when Musa Ceesay fired over after just a minute. Worcester responded with a couple of raids of their own, as the game began at a quick pace with both sides looking eager to take an early lead.
A quarter of an hour in Cassies broke down their left flank before the ball was pulled square across the edge of the box where Ceesay was again on hand, but again his shot was too high.
The pace of the game was showing no sign of slowing. Neither side was taking any time on the ball. It was end to end stuff, great to watch as a neutral but probably very frustrating for the coaches.
Just before the half hour City managed to put together the slickest passing move of the game so far, stringing a number of quick passes together down the right before the final shot was deflected out for a corner. Nothing came of it but it did show that a little more composure on the ball from either side could well open up the defences.
So far it had been a fairly even half but, as we began to head towards the break, Cassies began to step up the pressure on the Worcester defence, culminating in a flurry of activity in the final few minutes before half-time. It all started on 41 minutes when Joe Morley burst through on the right before unleashing a low drive bound for the bottom corner until Hayden Whitcombe produced a good save to keep it out. Three minutes later the Worcester stopper, back after a one game suspension, had to be at his best again when Louis Lake found himself on the end of a deep free-kick. His volley was also goal-bound but Whitcombe had other ideas. Then, with the referee looking at his watch, Whitcombe produced a superb acrobatic save to keep out a great effort from Isai Marselia.
HT Wolverhampton Casuals 0 Worcester City 0. Cassies were marginally been the better side. They exerted some great late pressure on City who must be grateful to their keeper for keeping them level at the break. Would the home side rue their missed chances, especially as Worcester would have the slight slope in their favour for the second period?
Hart slots home the penalty Worcester certainly started the second half in a much more positive manner. An early opportunity presented itself when a delightful threaded pass allowed Elliot Hartley to get in behind the home defence. However, a tremendous covering tackle from Joe Clarke prevented the winger from getting the ball across the box. Hartley was again at the forefront of the action just on the hour mark when he swung in a corner from the right which beat everyone before clipping the top of the bar and going to safety. Worcester were now on top and keeping Cassies inside their own half for prolonged periods.
Their pressure paid off in the 68th minute. Home keeper Jake Granaham did every well to push away a goalbound effort but in doing so the ball was diverted directly onto the hand of a covering defender. The referee did not hesitate. Penalty given much to the disdain of the home players and bench. To be fair, it did look a harsh decision. The letter of the law says penalty but there was no way the player could have reacted qucickly enough to prevent it hitting his hand. Dylan Hart wasn't complaing though. he stepped up and slotted the spot-kick home to put City in front. 0-1.
The response from Cassies was straight out of the playbook from the reverse fixture. A couple of minutes after going behind they were level. A long ball through the middle caught the City defence napping, allowing Eshan Greer to get a toe to the ball and lob it over Whitcombe and into the net. 1-1. Then four minutes later the home side were in front when a low, diagonal ball into the Worcester box was met at the near post by Isai Marselia who diverted it past Whitcombe. 2-1. What a turnaround.
Worcester gave it all they had to find an equaliser but the closest they got was an 88th minute George Baker strike that flew just wide.
FT Wolverhampton Casuals 2 Worcester City 1. For the second consecutive game against Worcester, Cassies came from a goal down, scored twice in quick succession, and held on for the points. A tough one for Worcester to take after going in front. hew result sees Cassies put five points between themselves and the bottom tow as well as moving them to within two points of Worcester.
City face a visit from mid-table AFC Wulfrunians on Saturday. The reverse fixture finished 4-1 to Wulfrunians. They then then travel to second placed Racing Club Warwick, who they beat 2-1 in the reverse fixture. Cassies have a week off before they welcome league leaders Walsall Wood to Brinsford Lane on the 18th. Cassies recorded a superb 1-0 win at Oak Park back in the January reverse fixture.
Wolverhampton Casuals: Granahan, Hurley, Beckford, Ceesay, Clarke, Lake, Hearsey, Bosio(c), Marselia, Greer, Morley. Subs: Newbold, Male, Njong, Brown, Wheaver
Worcester City: Whitcombe, Hunt, Okojie, Sheehan, Jakeways, Stoddart(c), Hartley, Randle, Onabirekhanlen, Hart, Shaw. Subs: Evans, Hill, Baker, Batchelor
Ground Number: 353
Att: 100
Entrance: £8.00
Programme: £1.00
Their pressure paid off in the 68th minute. Home keeper Jake Granaham did every well to push away a goalbound effort but in doing so the ball was diverted directly onto the hand of a covering defender. The referee did not hesitate. Penalty given much to the disdain of the home players and bench. To be fair, it did look a harsh decision. The letter of the law says penalty but there was no way the player could have reacted qucickly enough to prevent it hitting his hand. Dylan Hart wasn't complaing though. he stepped up and slotted the spot-kick home to put City in front. 0-1.
The response from Cassies was straight out of the playbook from the reverse fixture. A couple of minutes after going behind they were level. A long ball through the middle caught the City defence napping, allowing Eshan Greer to get a toe to the ball and lob it over Whitcombe and into the net. 1-1. Then four minutes later the home side were in front when a low, diagonal ball into the Worcester box was met at the near post by Isai Marselia who diverted it past Whitcombe. 2-1. What a turnaround.
Worcester gave it all they had to find an equaliser but the closest they got was an 88th minute George Baker strike that flew just wide.
FT Wolverhampton Casuals 2 Worcester City 1. For the second consecutive game against Worcester, Cassies came from a goal down, scored twice in quick succession, and held on for the points. A tough one for Worcester to take after going in front. hew result sees Cassies put five points between themselves and the bottom tow as well as moving them to within two points of Worcester.
City face a visit from mid-table AFC Wulfrunians on Saturday. The reverse fixture finished 4-1 to Wulfrunians. They then then travel to second placed Racing Club Warwick, who they beat 2-1 in the reverse fixture. Cassies have a week off before they welcome league leaders Walsall Wood to Brinsford Lane on the 18th. Cassies recorded a superb 1-0 win at Oak Park back in the January reverse fixture.
Wolverhampton Casuals: Granahan, Hurley, Beckford, Ceesay, Clarke, Lake, Hearsey, Bosio(c), Marselia, Greer, Morley. Subs: Newbold, Male, Njong, Brown, Wheaver
Worcester City: Whitcombe, Hunt, Okojie, Sheehan, Jakeways, Stoddart(c), Hartley, Randle, Onabirekhanlen, Hart, Shaw. Subs: Evans, Hill, Baker, Batchelor
Ground Number: 353
Att: 100
Entrance: £8.00
Programme: £1.00
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