​A late season opportunity to keep the live football action going before the Summer. Not only that but this wa to be my 200th different stadium visited to watch non-league football. I'm not sure how I feel about this landmark figure being reached at the home of a professional club, although it looks unlikely to be the home of Coventry City next season. In fact, at the time of writing, the entire future of The Sky Blues seems to be in doubt. A sorry state of affairs

The Background
I didn't really know a lot about the Coventry Telegraph Cup before this evening but was very pleased to find a nice piece on the history of the competiton in the match day programme. The first Coventry Challenge Cup Final was won by Leamington Town in 1893. Both of the sides in this evening's final, current holders Coventry Copsewood and Triumph Athletic, have won the cup twice under their current guises. However, once again thanks to the match day programme, it appears that Copsewood can claim 8 trophies over the years, under various names, whilst Triumph can lay claim to nine cup wins again under different names.
In this season's competition both sides began with a bye in the First Round. Coventry Copsewood then travelled to Stratford in Round Two, coming back with a resounding 5-1 victory. Triump took on another Coventry side, Alvis, beating them 1-0 at home. In Round Three Coventry Copsewood were at home to Chelmsley Town, beating them 2-1 whislt Triumph gave Whitnash a 5-1 lesson in Leamington.
In the Semi-Finals Coventry Copsewood went through with a 3-0 scoreline against Christ The King. Triumph were up against, somewhat confusingly, Copsewood (Coventry) a fellow Coventry Alliance League side. After a 1-1 draw Athletic progressed to the final with a 5-4 penalty shoot-out victory.

​The Ground
Entrance to the West Stand at the Ricoh Stadium is certainly one of the more unusual approaches to a ground. Entering the main entrance to the complex from the car park, you find yourself in an atrium not dissimilar to a US style office block. A hotel and casino are off to the right hand side but, on this evening, an attendant pointed the football crowd off to the left where a table was set up to take the entrance fee and sell the programmes. From there, you walked through a door into the concessions area behind the west Stand.

The Game
The game kicked off in old-fashioned football style with both sides getting in some crunching 'let them know you're here' tackles, much to the satisfaction of the assembled crowd in the West Stand of the Ricoh.
Triumph, defying the fact that they play their league games at a step lower than their opponents, made the brighter start of the two sides, certainly for the opening two or three minutes. Having said that, they were almost caught out after 5 minutes when Copsewood's lively striker, Daniel Kavanagh shot wide. The effort seemed to wake Copsewood up and they began to get a foothold on the game. Indeed, after 8 minutes, they were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box which produced an effort no too far off target.

The pace of Kavanagh and the quick feet and trickery of Jak Redhead were causing a few problems for the Triumph defence but, on the other hand, Athletic also looked like they could pose plenty of problems at the the other end, especially with the long throw-ins from Kyle Walker, who seemed to be able to reach the penalty are from pretty much anywhere inside the Copsewood half.
Just over halfway through the first-half Copsewood were awarded another free-kick on the edge of the box. The attempt at goal was absolutely hammered and would have given the keeper no chance if it had been a foot or so lower.

Then, as the half was drawing to a close the breakthrough finally came, not for Copsewood as the balance of play would have suggested, but for Triumph. Luke Comasky chased a ball into the Copsewood penalty area and was brought down by keeper Dale O'Donnell. Nick Walker stepped up and calmly stroked home the spot-kick to give Athletic the lead. 0-1.
The response from Copsewood was almost immediate. They surged forward with some urgency, creating some havoc in the Triumph penalty area. Kavanagh was first to react to a loose ball, turning it into the net only to see the assistant's flag up for offside after the referee had already blown for the goal. Some consultation followed before the referee took the assistant's advice and cancelled out the goal. I have to say that from my position, which wasn't quite in line but wasn't too far off, Kavanagh looked to be easily onside and it looked to be a very harsh decision on Copsewood.

HT Coventry Copsewood 0 Triumph Athletic 1. A great start from Triumph countered well by Copsewood who then had the better of the half. However, Triumph took their chance and lead slightly against the run of play.

​If Kavanagh was disappointed that his name wasn't on the score sheet after the disallowed effort, he certainly didn't show it and just a few minutes into the second half it was the same player who burst through, latching onto a ball over the top of the Triumph defence before finishing powerfully past the keeper. 1-1.
Just past the hour mark Copsewood were awarded another free-kick also just outside the penalty but this time a few yards right of centre. Captain Daniel Fraser stood over it before curling in a beautiful effort which went in off the far post giving Bryce no chance whatsoever. 2-1

Triumph didn't let their heads drop after going behind but Copsewood were looking a lot more composed now. They were the current cup holders and they were clearly not going to let the trophy go easily.
With there minutes left on the clock and with Triumph pushing people forward in search of an equaliser, Kavanagh was again able to use his pace to get in behind the defence. Once again his finish was clinical, making it 3-1 and seemingly sealing the victory.
Again, great credit to Athletic though, they dusted themselves down and even with just a few minutes to go did not throw in the towel. On the 90 minute mark they got some rewards for their persistence when Owen Wassall was sent through by a delightful, clipped ball. He, in turn, applied a deft finish to make it 3-2.

As it turned out, there was not enough time for Triumph to get back on level terms despite pushing almost everyone up front for a frantic minute or so.

FT Coventry Copsewood 3 Triumph Athletic 2. Athletic played their part in an entertainign Cup Final but on the balance of the entire game Copsewood gained a thoroughly deserved victory and retained the Challenge Cup.


Coventry Copsewood: O'Donnell, Bartram, Fraser(c), Fesel, Rooney, Stringer, Dodds, Welland, Piper, Kavanagh, Redhead. Subs: Whitelaw, Rawlings, Brandish, Davies, Osborne
Triumph Athletic: Bryce, T.Atkins, Suddick, K.Walker, R.Atkins(c), Chamberlain, N.Walker, Normoyle, Comasky, Freeman, Cooper. Subs: Wassall, Barlow, Irwin, Budd, Fletcher
Att:
Ground Number: 200
Entrance: £5.00
Programme: £1.00

As I was already in the Midlands on Tuesday, it seemed like a reasonable idea to head over to Walsall in the evening to take in the final of the Les James Challenge Cup, being played at Walsall's Banks's Stadium.

The Background
A little pre-match research showed that, of the two sides, it was Knowle who had the greater pedigree in the competition, although it had been a while since they manged to take the trophy home. In the 1996-97 season they had won the cup 5-4 on penalties after drawing 3-3 with Kings Heath. Borough, although not yet victors, had made the final just two season's previously, going down 2-1 to Paget Rangers.
 
Progress in this season's competition (thanks to the very informative match-day programme for making this research very easy) looked like this:

Knowle - FC Shush (h) 3-3 (5-4 pens), GNP SPorts (a) 3-3 (P), Birmingham Tigers (h) 3-0, Enville Athletic (a) 1-0
Borough - Feckenham (h) 5-1, Bolmere Sports & Social (h) 1-0, Continental Star (a) 1-0, Inkberrow (h) 4-0

League-wise neither side has set the world alight this season. Knowle finished in 8th spot with 42 points. Borough four places and ten points lower. The two league meetings had both ended in home wins, Redditch winning 2-1 and Knowle 3-0, giving no real indication of the possible outcome on a neutral ground. Interestingly, both sides had played Coventry Alvis in their final league outings and both had lost. Knowle went down 2-1 whilst Borough had been beaten 6-1 on their own patch. 

​The Game
It was Redditch, playing in their change kit of all blue, who made the better start of the two sides with Jak Albutt immediately making a real nuisance of himself with his bustling, battling style. However, they failed to make the most of their good start, allowing Knowle to gradually work their way back into the game.

​Then, as so often happens when a side has been on the back foot for a while, Knowle suddenly looked the more dangerous, forcing a corner on their right after 24 minutes. The ball was delivered into a dangerous area  where it was met by a Knowle head. Only a slight deflection prevented a goal, the ball clipping the top of the bar and going for another corner. Borough, however, did not learn their lesson and, when this corner was delivered deeper, towards the back post, it was met by the head of Louis Bridges, who powered the ball back across the keeper and into the far corner. 1-0.

​Redditch, after looking the better side for the opening 15 minutes, found themselves behind and wobbling a little. Five minutes after going a goal behind, they really should have conceded again. A move down the Knowle left flank led to a cross finding their number 8, unmarked in the box but he couldn't get his header on target when he maybe should have scored. A let off for Borough, and one that they capitalised on after 35 minutes when they were awarded a penalty. Billy Garvey stepped up and calmly slotted home the spot-kick. 1-1
The boot was now firmly back on the other foot with Redditch winning the ball back almost immediately from the restart, raiding down their left flank. The cross was delivered over to the back post and was then hooked back into the mix where Khurum Iqbal was on hand to steer the ball low past Johnson's despairing dive to make it 1-2. A great turnaround from the Robins.

HT Knowle 1 Redditch Borough 2. Redditch deserve their lead and have been the better side despite conceding the first goal.

​It's hard to know what to write about the second-half. Knowle came out with a steely determination to get themselves back on level terms and, to their credit, the majority of the half was played in the Borough half of the pitch. However, Redditch defended resolutely whilst still looking quite dangerous on the break. Knowle, despite all of their efforts, just could not find a way through the Borough back-line and Redditch were able to see out the half, including 7 minutes of stoppage time, to take the trophy for the first time.




​FT Knowle 1 Redditch Borough 2. Great spirit from Redditch to fight back from a goal down but Knowle showed equal spirit in their second half performance. It was hard to separate them sides overall and a shame that there had to be a loser.

Knowle (from): Bridges, Cullen, Davis, Else, Ingram, Payne, Powell, Ruck, Seeley, Weeks, Johnson. Subs: Ajayi, Brooks, Healey, Fox, Oakley
Redditch Borough: Gandy, Turner, Bruce, Iqbal, Hatfield (c), Denham, Westwood, Hall, Albutt, Garvey, Wilkinson. Subs: Bennett, Birch, Sargent, Davies, Ruppenthal, Smith

Att: 203
Ground Number: 199
Entrance: £5.00
Programme: £1.00

​The Ground
Purton play home games at The Redhouse Club perched on a hill to the South East of Purton village itself. The ground is part of a community sports complex that hosts bowls and tennis as well as football. The pitch sits below the level of the main facilities building and is accessed by the players via a small set of stairs which lead down next to the dugouts. There are no stands around the pitch but the elevated view from the level above the playing area is pretty good. Apart from a public toilet, there didn't appear to be any other facilities for spectators, which was a shame because I was looking forward to a cup of tea. Nevertheless. with the view looking out towards Cricklade and beyond, its a pleasant enough location to watch a game and, luckily, the torrential rain I had driven through on the way to the ground held off for the duration. The pitch, although pretty flat, looked like it could have done with a trim before the game.

The Background
The game had no real significance in terms of league positions for either club. Kintbury had already secured second place quite a few games previously. Purton, who were themselves on a good run of form, were secure in fifth and, although they could draw level with Melksham Town Reserves with a win, would need an enormous scoreline to overhaul them on goal difference.
There was, however, pride to play for. Back in November Kintbury had inflicted a 5-1 defeat on Purton in the reverse fixture with goals from Shaun Thorp (2), George Smith, Harry Way, and Fabio Pinto. A solitary William Backhouse goal being the response from Purton, who also had Callum Hall sent off for two yellow card ofences.

​The Game
Having seen Kintbury play Wroughton only two days previously I could tell, even without team sheets, that this was a much changed Rangers line-up. Presumably, Purton had also noticed this and, as a consequence, went for it straight from the kick-off.
Within three minutes of the start, Purton took the lead. A swift break down the right was followed by a low cross which evaded all of the Kintbury defenders. Purton's George Drewitt had time to control the ball and pick his spot beating captain for the night Kyle Clough to make it 1-0.
Only three more minutes passed before the home side doubled their advantage. The entire Kintbury backline stopped, looking for an offside flag that never came. Daren Regis was left to waltz past the stranded Clough and roll the ball into an open net for 2-0.
Purton were now running riot. The Kintbury coaching team had already made some formation changes in an attempt to stem the red flow but their side looked disjointed with no real shape to them. With 20 minutes on the clock, Nathan Marland was set free down the exposed Kintbury right-flank before driving into the box and beating Clough with a low drive. 3-0
Whether, at this point, Purton took their foot off the gas a bit or, more likely, Kintbury's changed line-up finally started to gel a little, the initial rush of goals dried up. Kintbury's front two chased and harried whenever they could but were effectively feeding off scraps as the home side continued to control the game even if they didn't manage to add to their tally for the remainder of the half.

HT Purton 3 Kintbury Rangers 0. Rangers requiring something of a Champions League style comeback to get anything out of this game. Purton, to be fair, looked a good side and even though this was a final, dead rubber league game, were treating it like any other match.

​There was a renewed vigour about Rangers early in the second half. Clearly, they were missing a number of regular first-teamers but the side they had put out looked determined to save themselves from taking a complete hammering.
Ten minutes into the second period they had a real opportunity to get back into the game but Charlie Alsop put the chance over the Purton bar. However, just before the hour mark, Rangers did manage to get on the scoresheet, George Smith beating the offside trap before rounding the keeper and sliding the ball home. 3-1. Could this be the start of another comeback?
Purton clearly wanted to kill off any hopes that Rangers may have been harbouring and immediately set about getting the three-goal lead back. Twice in quick succession, they tested Clough with the Rangers stopper producing vital saves on both occasions. Then it was back down the other end where a Rangers effort from just outside the box beat the Purton keeper only to rattle the bar and fly to safety. How that could have changed the outcome of the game if it had been 2 inches lower.
As it was, on 78 minutes, Clough had to be at his best again, producing a flying save to keep out another Purton effort. However, three minutes later as the clocked ticked to 81 minutes, there was absolutely nothing the keeper could do to prevent a blistering angled drive from Purton substitute Manuel Mesas flying into the far corner. 4-1
Then, to round the game off and give me an excuse for the terrible wordplay in the blog title (sorry, but it's the end of a long season of writing and it is a popular film at the moment), another substitute, Chris Avery, was set up with the reasonably simple task of slotting the ball home from 10 yards to make it 5-1

FT Purton 5 Kintbury Rangers 1. Retribution for the reverse fixture for Purton who finish the season in fifth place after a very good run of results that they will, no doubt, want to carry over into next term. Kintbury have second place and a Senior Cup in their trophy cabinet. Their patched together side, that looked completely bereft in the first half, gave a decent account of itself in the second 45 minutes.

Att: 32
Ground Number: 198
Entrance: 0.00
Programme: N/A

One of the great things about the end of the season is that I quite often find the opportunity to visit teams lower down the pyramid. This Tuesday was a case in point. An chance to see two teams that I hadn't seen before, a ground that I had not visited before and a league that I hadn't sampled before. All that and a 6:30 kick off which meant that I would be home at a  reasonable time.

The Ground
Kintbury Rangers play their home games at The Recreation Ground, on the western edge of Kintbury and what a little gem it is. Accessed via a small driveway that services both the football ground and bowls club, there is a small car park behind one of the goals as well as parking on the grass down one side of the pitch. At the opposite end of the ground from the car park is a rather quaint looking building, somewhat reminiscent of the cottage at Craven Cottage, that houses the club house and other facilities.
There is one small, wooden covered standing area on the far side of the ground but what makes the ground different from most others is the fact that there is a dugout on either side of the pitch. Talk about keeping the benches apart.

​The Background
The Wiltshire Senior League was all new to me before Tuesday evening, although I was familiar with some of the names from their days in the Hellenic League. This was the last league game for Wroughton and the penultimate one for Kintbury. Wroughton had already secured the league title, even if Kintbury were to win both remaining games. Kintbury's 1 point deduction for fielding an illegible player meant that they could not now catch their rivals. However, only the previous weekend, Rangers had beaten Wroughton 3-2 in the Senior Cup Final in what was, by all accounts, a tremendous game.
So, it was with some excitement that I ventured into Wiltshire on Tuesday night, hoping for a good match. I was not to be disappointed.

​The Game
Kintbury, in their orange and black kit, made a blistering start to the game. Inside the first minute George Smith curled a delightful effort past the outstretched Wroughton keeper Callum Wilkinson, only to see his effort strike to post and fly to safety. Rangers had the bit between their teeth and only a superb reach from Wilkinson prevented Kintbury's number 9 from getting his name on the score sheet after little more than 2 minutes had passed.
Wroughton were rocking but, like true table-toppers, they gathered their wits quickly, stemming the home sidde's attacks and getting themselves back into the game. What followed, for the best part of the next half hour, was a fascinating encounter, interspersed with some, shall we say eccentric, officiating and a strange series of events surrounding a substitution. First of all, Kintbury decided to withdraw their number 11. Thee didn't seem to be a noticeable injury but the substitution came immediately after a Kintbury attack petered out when the aforementioned player failed to chase a loose ball because he was looking away from the play, looking somewhat disinterested. There was a brief exchange ebtween player and bench and then the player walked form the pitch, ignoring coaches and team mates before heading straight towards the changing rooms. Strange in itself (although maybe I misread the situation), but there was more to follow. Kintbury introduced substitute Chris Collin, waved on by the assistant on that side of the pitch.
One of the Kintubury players, seeing the the referee was apparently oblivious to the fact that they had made a substitution, pointed it out to him. The official then called the substitute over to the bench and, after having words with the coaching staff, booked Collin for entering the field of play without permission. All this despite the assistant apparently waving him on initially. Needless to say, the home bench was not happy with the officiating.

They were even more unhappy on 33 minutes when their defence allowed Aaron Maximen to rise, unchallenged, to head home a right-wing corner, making it 0-1.
The goal swung the action in favour of Wroughton who, seven minutes later, doubled their lead. Number 8 worked hard in midfield, winning the ball back and playing in Shane Hibbert who guided the ball past Kyle Clough to make it 0-2.

That was the end of the scoring in the opening 45 minutes, a first-half that, as a neutral, had passed in the blink of an eye.

HT Kintbury Rangers 0 Wroughton 2. Wroughton, after surviving an initial onslaught, were good value for their lead at the break.

​If the crowd thought that the first half was entertaining, the opening 15 minutes of the second half eclipsed it in all ways. Five minutes in George Smith was felled in the Wroughton box. Penalty to Kintbury. Smith took the spot-kick himself but was denied by a brillaint save from Wilkinson. However, celebrations were cut short when the referee noticed the assistant's flag. Apparently the keeper had moved before the kick was taken. The referee ordered a re-take and this time Smith made no mistake, putting the ball to the opposite side. 1-2 and now it as the turn of the Wroughton bench to be furious with the  officials.
Maybe they would have been better served to have concentrated on marshalling their team because, two minutes later the home side drew level. A right-wing corner causing chaos in the Wroughton six yard box and the ball being forced over the line amidst appeals for a foul on Wilkinson. The goal was givin immediately and credited to Rangers substitue Jake Rowe.
There was a brief lull in the action but, just past the hour mark Ali Thorp was sent clear for Rangers. He was hauled back by Craig Bowden for a second penalty. The Wroughton defender escaped with a yellow card when it could easily have been a red. Smith stepped up and clamly slotted away his second and Kintbury's third. 3-2 and the comeback was complete.

Wroughton tried to rally, Hibbert coming close but ot was Rangers who looked more likely to get a fourth. However, neither transpired and the referee drew a close to whta had been a thoroughly compelling encounter between two very good, competitive sides

FT Kintbury Rangers 3 Wroughton 2. Rangers won the battle but it was Wroughton left celebrating at the end, lifting the Wiltshire  Senior League trophy for the third time and keeping up the recent pattern of these two sides alternating title wins.
As I said at the start of this blog, this was my first taste of the Wiltshire Senior League. On this evidence, it ceetainly won't be the last. I'll be tapping into this league for a number of games next season.

Kintbury Rangers: Clough, Lee, Williams, Thorne, Sopp, Pinto (c), Mahoney, A.Smith, A.Thorp, G.Smith, Way. Subs: Cox, Rowe, S.Thorp, Collin

Att: 
Ground Number: 197
Entrance: £0.00
Programme: N/A

Thursday night football was a toss-up between one of the Isthmian League Play-off Semi-Finals or the title decider in Division Two East of the Hellenic League. Well, I love a title decider and I really don't like the M25 at rush-hour, so it was off to Marsh Lane for Long Crendon v Langley.

The Background
Three sides had dominated the Hellenic Division Two East all season. Long Crendon, Langley and Penn & Tylers Green Development had lost just 5 games between the three of them. With just a single league game to go, Long Crendon v Langley, all three sides were locked on 74 points, just goal difference keeping Long Crendon on top of the pile.
So, the whole season came down to one game. Long Crendon needed a point to take the title, Langley had to go for the win.

​The Game
Long Crendon could have been forgiven for keeping it tight in this game. After all, they only needed a point to clinch the title. However, it was the team in green who started the stronger of the two sides. After just a couple of minutes Oli Lethbridge got clear on the right, forcing a good save from the Langley keeper. Moments later an Archie Pettingell effort scraped the top of the Langley bar with the keeper well beaten. Langley, to their credit, weathered the initial storm and played their way into the game.
After 26 minutes Langley had a massive shout for a penalty when one of their players appeared to be taken out when in a goal-scoring position. From my angle, admittedly at the opposite end of the ground, it did look like a penalty. However the referee, who was in a much better position, immediately waved play on despite the protestations of the Langley players. This could well have been the turning point of the game because, barely six minutes later, Long Crendon took the lead through Christian Warwick who drilled the ball firmly past the Langley keeper. 1-0
The goal put Long Crendon firmly in control of their destiny. They immediately looked a lot more relaxed and confident on the ball. Langley were wobbling a little and could clearly see their title challenge fading at this point.
Three minutes before half-time Long Crendon hit Langley with a second, and probably decisive, goal. Some good work down their right flank led to the ball being crossed into the path of captain Alex Farley. His low drive back across the keeper nestled into the corner of the net to make it 2-0.

HT Long Crendon 2 Langley 0. With the home side only needing a point for the title, it's going to take something very special from Langley in the second half.

​Langley appeared back out very early for the second-half. Presumably there was not too much for their manager to say. It was abundantly clear what was required of them in the second-half. Despite the early re-emergence of the away team, it as the home side who had the brighter start and on 54 minutes they came close to increasing their lead but Hawkes saw his effort denied by the Langley keeper.

As with the pattern of the first half, Langley played themselves back into the game and, just before the hour mark, came close to getting a goal back themselves when a header from a left-wing corner was headed off the Crendon line by Joe Russell.

Langley kept trying to press for a way back into the game but were eventually undone when, following a Long Crendon break, Archie Pettingell was adjudged to have been fouled in the box. Nathan Brownsword stepped up and calmly slotted home the penalty to make it 3-0 and put the title firmly in the bag.
Crendon were clearly boosted by their third goal and a few minutes later came exceedingly close to getting a fourth. Only some good goal-keeping and last ditch defending prevented a goal. Credit to Langley who were still putting their bodies on the line to keep the ball out even though the game had effectively gone for them.
With 79 minutes on the clock, Harry Pettingell applied the icing to the Crendon cake with a sublime goal. Taking a diagonal ball on his chest he then volleyed and unstoppable effort over the keeper and into the net. Fantastic technique and a goal to grace any game. 4-0

​​FT Long Crendon 4 Langley 0. After a season where the sides have been neck and neck, Long Crendon took the title in some style.
Congratulations to Long Crendon but great credit should be given to Langley and Penn & Tylers Green Development, who both pushed the champions all the way.

Long Crendon: Collingwood, Russell, Bonwick, T.Lethbridge, Farley (c), Brownsword, Warwick, H.Pettingell, Hakes, A.Pettingell, O.Lethbridge. Subs: B.Sykes, T.Sykes, Tack, Chappell, Hawthorne

Att: 
Ground Number: Re-visit
Entrance: £5.00
Programme: Included
​

Tuesday evening presented a choice of football. There were a couple of Step 4 play-off Semi-Finals that both looked to be interesting games, but there was also the small matter of the Witney & District Ted Young Senior Cup Final between Hailey and The Hollybush FC, I couldn't miss out on the opportunity to support the lower echelons of the game, especially as the game was being played just down the road from home. So it was that I set out for Eynsham Park, home of North Leigh, which also happens to be one of my favourite non-league locations.

The Background
The Senior Cup Final would be contested by last season's winners The HollyBush FC, and four times previous winners, Hailey FC (2006, 2008, 2010, 2011).  
In this season's competition Hollybush have already beaten league champions Charlbury 3-1 away from home and Kirtlington 3-2 in the Semi-Final. Hailey have played both of their games away from home, winning 2-1 at Spartan Rangers and 4-2 at Tower Hill.

Hailey came into the game after already picking up some silverware on the same ground two weeks ago, winning the Fred Ford Cup with a 2-1 victory over Kirtlington.
Both sides had seen a fairly successful league campaign with Hollybush currently in second spot and Hailey in third. The latter having a game remaining that, should they win it, would mean they would take second spot from their rivals. In league terms Hollybush have the meanest defensive record in the division conceding just 23 goals in 18 games, whilst Hailey are the second highest scorers with 47 in their 17 outings. Both league meetings finished 0-0 which indicates that this could be a tight affair too.

​The Game
As alluded to with the two league meetings this season, the opening encounters of this game showed that there wasn't going to be too much between these sides. It was definitely a slow burner with neither side being able to establish themselves in the game.
It was 15 minutes into the match before we saw the first meaningful strike on goal, Dan King's effort from just outside the box forcing Rayfield to get down quickly at his near post. There followed another period of battling between the sides, with little in the way of serious goalmouth incidents, except when Rayfield misjudged a cross and  the ball fell to Hollybush striker Craig Mays, but he couldn't keep his shot below the crossbar.
Just after the half-hour mark Hailey suddenly produced a flowing, one-touch move that was without doubt the best piece of action in the game so far. Unfortunately for them the final effort from Travis O'Connor sailed narrowly wide of the mark. With the clock ticking down towards half-time, Hailey were almost gifted the lead when Matt Howard dropped a right-wing corner but luckily for the Hollybush keeper there was a defender on hand to hook the ball off the line and to safety. The fumble seemed to shake the keeper and, shortly afterwards, he fumbled another ball giving Hailey striker Jack Wood a chance which was just about snuffed out by a saving tackle from a Hollybush defender. 

HT The Hollybush FC 0 Hailey 0. Not the most entertaining of games, but still the odd glimpse of possible better things to come. Cagey was how I described it on Twitter and I can't think of a better description.

​Hollybush were out very early for the second-half but it was Hailey who engineered the first real effort with the lively Nathan Kimber forcing Matt Howard into a good save, the stopper seemingly recovered from a couple of fumbles towards the end of the first half.
Back down the other end and Hollybush appealed for a penalty after two players came together in the box. The referee, however, remained unmoved.

On 57 minutes, however, the man in the middle did have a decision to make as Dan King flew into a high challenge in midfield, leaving a Hailey player in a heap. The referee had no hesitation in pulling out a red card. Despite plenty of protestations from the Hollybush players, the referee had very little option but to send off King. From the resulting free-kick, Kimber again forced Howard into a decent save, the ball bobbling up in front of the keeper at the last moment.
However, there was nothing that the revitalised Hollybush keeper could do a minute later. A left-wing corner was met by Sean King who powered a header into the net. 0-1

At this point with Hollybush a man and a goal down, Hailey were expected to push on and win comfortably. However, try as they might, they could not find a way to kill the game off and, after 79 minutes, they were punished for it.
Hollybush earned a free-kick on the left, midway into the Hailey half. The ball was delivered into the box, eventually finding its way to Daniel Brearley who prodded it over the line for the equaliser. 1-1

Shocked into action by the equaliser, Hailey looked to take advantage of their extra man. Kimber again tested Howard with a free-kick with the Hollybush stopper coming out on top again. Hailey had their own penalty shout, but the referee waved play on and the then, inside the last minute, Kimber was set free on the right, driving into the box but again, Howard pulled out all of the stops to make a vital save and take the game into extra-time.

FT Hollybush 1 Hailey 1. You had to admire the effort from Hollybush who managed to stay in the game at a man and a goal down before forcing an equaliser from a set play, but extra-time was going to be tough with a man light.

Somewhat unsurprisingly, Hailey began to dominate play in extra-time, being a player short was beginning to take its toll on Hollybush. However, Hailey were once again struggling to break through the final line of Hollybush defending, that is until the 99th minute when Hollybush captain Carl Austin was adjudged to have fouled a Hailey striker in the box. The incident happened on the side of the pitch where I was standing and, I have to say that, although it was a soft penalty, it was the correct decision. Austin went to ground and the Hailey striker went over him. Not a deliberate foul by any means, but a foul nevertheless. Jack Wood waited for the protestations to die down before stroking the ball home to make it 2-1 to Hailey.
There was still time in the first period for Howard to make a superb fingertip save from a Buckingham drive to keep his side in with a slim hope.

HT in ET. Hollybush 1 Hailey 2. Hailey had the advantage and would kick down the slope against 10 men for the final 15 minutes.

With Hollybush hanging on you felt that it is a matter of time before Hailey killed the game off but, again, the Hoops just couldn't muster that final blow. With that said, Hollybush also didn't seem to be able to put together any meaningful attacks and it looked as if the game would just draw to an uneventful conclusion.
Then, out of nowhere, Hollybush managed to summon up the effort to push up the slope one final time. There was a barely a minute of extra-time remaining when, after some hesitation in the Hailey box, Mays found himself the meat in a Hailey sandwich, with Rayfield bringing the striker down. Penalty to Hollybush. Mays picked himself up and slotted home the spot-kick and we were all square again at 2-2.

FT in ET. Hollybush 2 Hailey 2. Penalties to decide the winner.

Penalties (Scores in brackets, Hollybush first)
Hollybush take the first penalty and score. (1-0)
O'Connor for Hailey, scores. (1-1)
Bryant for Hollybush hits the bar (1-1)
Kimber for Hailey. Howard gets a hand to it but can't stop it. (1-2)
Mays, who scored the late equalising penalty, scores for Hollybush (2-2)
Tinson for Hailey, but Howard saves well. (2-2)
Stubbs scores for Hollybush (3-2)
Jordan Cormack levels it up for Hailey (3-3)
Hughes for Hollybush but Royfield makes the save (3-3)
Jack Wood scores to win it for Hailey. (3-4)

Congratulations to Hailey FC, Witney & District Senior Cup Winners, 2018-19

Hollybush: Howard, Stubbs, Robinson, Brearley, Austin, King, Threlfell, Hughes, Rogers, Mays, Bryant. Subs: Grant, E.Williams, Brookes, R. Williams
Hailey: Royfield, Foster, Tinson, Mutch, Wood, King, O'Connor, Cormack, Kimber, Buckingham, Gregory. Subs: Wright, Slimani, Evans, Burnell, Webb

Att: 
Ground Number: Re-visit
Entrance: £3.00
Programme: Included

​The games come thick and fast towards the end of the season, especially with a Bank Holiday weekend thrown into the mix. This Thursday saw the fourth game in five days for BotP, spread from the West Midlands, through Oxfordshire, London and now to the South Coast with total round trips mileage of over 450 miles. The first three of these games had seen one side clinch the title on their own ground, one lose their title winning opportunity and another side create history with a giant-killing Cup Final result. What would this evening bring? It was another big game with promotion and relegation issues to be settled.
​The Background
AFC Stoneham, playing just their fourth season at this level, were going into the game in second place. A point behind Amesbury Town, who had already completed their fixtures, but with a superior goal difference. So, they just needed to take a point for the title.
Totton & Eling sat bottom of the table but could leapfrog Andover Town with a win. They had beaten Whitchurch United 2-0 in their last game and had only suffered one defeat in their last five games, drawing three. Defensively, their record was by no means the worst in the league but with 45, they were the division's second lowest scorers.
Stoneham meanwhile, along with Amesbury, had managed the entire season without a home defeat. They were the division's top scorers, with 121 and could also boast the meanest defence with just 39 goals against.
The reverse fixture in Eastleigh finished 6-1 to AFC Stoneham and featured a first-half hat-trick from The Purple's Sergio Caballero.

The Ground
Totton & Eling moved to Millers Park for the 2009/10 season. The ground is directly behind AFC Totton's Testwood Stadium in a set-up that reminded me very much of Wellingborough Town and Whitworth. The ground still has a new feel to it. Accessed through a single turnstile which brings you into the ground around about the halfway line. There is a main stand just to your right as you enter. Beyond this is the snack bar, directors lounge and toilet block. To the left of the entrance there is another building that houses the players and officials facilities. There is also a covered standing area behind the goal at The Testwood Lakes end of the ground, to your right as you enter. Dugouts are directly opposite the main stand. All in all, a very tidy, well-kept ground. Great to see the team sheets written out on a large whiteboard just as you enter the ground. Invaluable information for visitors.

​The Game
With so much riding on the game nerves were to be expected, especially in the initial stages of the game. However, this did not appear to be the case. Stoneham immediately set about trying to get themselves a goal and Totton settled back into a tight formation which suggested that they were determined not to concede early on.
The majority of the game was being played in the home half of the pitch but Nathan Jones was not being tested.
With 5 minutes remaining until the end of the half, the away side's pressure finally told. Zach Glasspool received the ball on the corner of the six-yard box, with his back to goal. Hos sharp turn wrong-footed the defenders, allowing him the space to rifle a shot past Jones into the far corner. 0-1
I'll be honest. When the goal went in, I really thought that it was game over. Totton & Eling had showed no real sign of being able to score themselves and Stoneham, who remember only needed a point, would have been quite within their rights to have sat back and protected their lead. Little did I know what was to come in the second-half.

HT Totton & Eling 0 AFC Stoneham 1. The home side could not be faulted for effort but needed to show something extra in the final third if they were to get back into the game. 

Within a minute of the restart Totton had a golden opportunity to get back on level terms. They engineered a move up their left flank that led to the ball being cut back into the penalty area, around 12 yards out. Rory Wood was perfectly positioned but could not beat Fredericks. It was a miss that the striker would be made to regret even more within two minutes when, down the other end, first-half substitute Josh Clark latched onto a through ball and beat Jones with a low drive to the keepers left. 0-2

Stoneham seemed to be turning the screw now and I think many of the locals feared for their side. Before the hour mark it appeared to be all done and dusted. A right-wing corner caused some panic in the home penalty area before the ball fell kindly for Alex Welch to stab in The Purple's third. 0-3.

This really did seem to be the end of the game as a competition. In fact, I saw a few people leave the ground at this point. Maybe Amesbury fans hoping for a home win? As it turned out, they missed all of the drama.

Ten minutes later, on 68 minutes, Totton got a goal back out of nowhere. Again it was a corner that caused the problems and, after a little bit of a scramble, Rory Wood made up for his earlier miss by nudging the ball over the line. 1-3.
​
Even so, few people would have put any money on a Totton comeback. However, with 1 minutes remaining they did manage to get another goal back. This time a low drive from Harry Burns just evaded Fredericks' fingertips and crept into the corner of the net. 2-3 and you could see some nerves creeping into the away side
On 84 minutes, those nerves were jangling even more when the home team were awarded a penalty. Up stepped captain Sam Vidler, making no mistake to level the game up. 3-3. They couldn't, could they?

Credit to Stoneham at this point. Backed by a large away following, they managed to steady the ship and see the game out, despite a titanic effort from a tiring Totton & Eling team. What a fantastic end to the game and a superb advert for Step 6 football.

FT Totton & Eling 3 AFC Stoneham 3. Heartbreak in the end for The Millers. A valiant effort, especially in the finally 20 minutes where they really made Stoneham sweat.
Big congratulations to AFC Stoneham. Champions of the Wessex League Division One. 
Commiserations to Amesbury Town who, it has to be remembered, also went unbeaten at home all season and eventually only lost the title on goal difference. 
Note to self: Get to more Wessex League games next season

Totton & Eling: Jones, Higdon, Kana'ah, Gain, Pattison, Stacey, Vidler (c), Burns, Wood, Matthews, Selby. Subs: Callaway, Steel, Stuttard, Metcalf, Head
AFC Stoneham: Fredericks, Stupple, Harris, Manning (c), Palmer, Clarke, Laptas, Welch, Glasspool, Sutherden, Caballero. Subs: Bainbridge, Caton, Wright, Hills, Clark

Att: 276
Ground Number: 196
Entrance: £ 6.00
Programme: N/A

​The end of season games keep coming thick and fast. Following the West Midlands Regional League decider on Saturday and the Jersey Cup Final on Monday, Tuesday evening signalled time to head inside the M25 for Tooting Bec v Frimley Green, a game that would decide who would take the Combined Counties Divison One title.

The Ground
Tooting Bec currently play their games at Grand Drive, the home of Raynes Park Vale. The ground is part of the Prince George's Fields, which apart from Raynes Park Vale's stadium, also hosts may other pitches including the current home of a 5-time FA Cup winning side, Wanderers FC. The ground is accessed via a fairly long service road off Grand Drive and has ample parking, either in the car park to the rear or along the service road, against the fence surrounding the pitch. The clubhouse, bar and tea bar is situated behind the ground, next to the car park. From the outside it appears to look like a couple of portakabins bolted together (it's not). However, once inside it opens out into a bar area and a couple of separate rooms one of which is large enough to accommodate table tennis and table football. It's almost Tardis-like.
The ground itself features a main stand that has covered seating and a small covered standing shelter behind the car park end goal. There is also a unique, tiny covered seating 'shed' at the opposite end of the ground, featuring a single plank as a bench style seat. Another one of those features that make non-league grounds so interesting. Why is it there? 
The pitch slopes upwards towards the car park end of the ground and also from the main stand towards the service road side of the pitch.

​The Background
Only two sides were left in the title chase and the situation could not be clearer. Leaders Sheerwater had already finished their  games and held a one point lead over Frimley Green, who had this game left to play. Significantly, Sheerwater also held a 15 goal advantage in the goal difference standings. Consequently, nothing short of a win would give Frimley Green the title. Anything less and Sheerwater would hold on to top spot and take the crown.
Tooting Bec only made the move up from the Surrey Elite League last season and, regardless of the result in their final game, had already exceeded expectations for a first season at this level. Currently sitting in fourth spot, a win in this game would see them climb above Farnham into third.
In a nice piece of symmetry for Frimley Green, the reverse fixture this, their last game of the campaign, was on the opening day of the season. It resulted in a 0-0 draw. The sides also met more recently, a Division One Challenge Cup game in which Frimley Green came away with a 2-0 away victory after Tooting's Jack Martin saw red.
The men to watch up front were Ali Wiltshire for Tooting, with 24 goals in 31 games, and Frimley's Dan Bone who had managed 19 in 33 games.

​The Game
Kicking up the slope, Frimley Green seemed to settle into the game better than their hosts, looking determined to get the win they needed. Tooting looked to be happier sitting back, allowing Frimley to come on to them and then trying to hit them on the break. As the half wore on, this began to look like a very good tactic because, although Frimley had the majority of possession, Eddie M'bango on the Tooting right-flank, looked extremely dangerous when the home side broke. His pace, power and trickery was a handful for the Frimley defence.
Tooting's back four, who noticeably bonded as a unit just before kick-off, looked assured an, for the most part, were handling Dan Bone and the  Frimley attack very well. They had the meanest defence in the league this season and it was clear to see why.
The key point of the half came on 35 minutes. After soaking up quite a bit of pressure, Tooting broke down their right flank again, M'bango causing consternation among the Frimley back-line. The ball eventually found top-scorer Ali Wiltshire who placed a low, hard drive past Borrett's left-hand and into the net. 1-0.

HT Tooting Bec 1 Frimley Green 0. 

​The second half gave us much of the same as the first with the exception that Frimely, now kicking down the slope and getting anxious for a goal, opted to use the longer ball more often. However, they often overhit the passes, failing to find their range or judge the run of the ball on the slope. Tooting's defence, to their credit, stood firm time and time again and whilst we all love to see goals fly in, it was also very good to see a team display character and grit in the art of defending.
Frimley switched it around, bringing on a couple of subs and switching their wingers onto opposite flanks. However, nothing they did helped them penetrate the solid Bec defence. They also had to continue to be wary of the break, with M'bango and Wiltshire still causing problems when the ball was cleared to them.
With 5 minutes remaining and Green getting more and more depsperate for a goal, they finally thought they had the breakthrough. A scramble in the Tooting penalty area culminated in the ball ending in the back of the net. However, the referee had spotted an infringement, indicating that the ball had been kicked out of Tooting keeper Whyte's hands before it crossed the line. No goal.
Then, just on the 90 minute mark, a long ball over the top of the tooting defnce caught them out, alloowing a Frimly player to get a touch on the ball, sending it past Whyte, only for it to strike the post and bounce to safety.
Somewhat unsurprisingly, given what was hanging onthe result, the game boiled over during added time, following a fracas just outside the Tooting box. A number of players got involved and it took the officials a minute or so to calm it down. Once they had control back the referee issues a coupel of yellow cards which, in the light of their being just a seconds left to play, seemed to be a very sensible decision whn he coudl quite easily have brandished reds.

FT Tooting Bec 1 Frimley Green 0.

The final whistle was greeted by loud cheering from the stand behind the goal which seems to be populated by most of the Sheerwater team. They are crowned Champions of the Combined Counties Division One. Congratulations to Sheerwater but also, well played to Frimley Green. Second place in this league is no mean feat. Finally, mention must also go to Tooting Bec. Regardless of the final result, whether they finish third or fourth, it has been a marvellous first season in the division and, I believe, they may even be heading back to Imperial Fields for their home games next season.

Tooting Bec: Whyte, Parsons, Fernando, Fox, Stone, Thurbon (c), Patel, Ogunmade, Wiltshere, Blenkinsop, M'Bango. Subs: Wheeler, Ogidi, Henery, Martin
Frimley Green: Borrett, Primett, Horkan, Neville, Ward (c), Hamer, Medrado, Miller, Bone, Bowerman, McKinley. Subs: Turner, Carter, Thorogood, Dearlove, Vass

Att: 162
Ground Number: 195
Entrance: £5.00
Programme: £1.00

A sunny Easter Bank Holiday Monday. The perfect time for a local cup final.
After a trip up to the Midlands in the morning, it was back to Ardley for the Jersey Cup Final between Banbury & District Premier League Champions Bishops Itchington and Second Division side, Bicester Hallions who had recently secured promotion to Division One and won the Mid Oxon Cup Final.

The Background
It was Premier League side Bishops Itchington who had had the easier route to this final. They started with a bye, before easing past Divison Two outfit Hardwick Sports, 4-1 away from home. This was followed by a crushing 8-2 home defeat of Division 1 side Hornton, followed by a 2-1 away win at another Division 1  team, Halse United in the Semi-Final.

Hallions' route saw them take on Division 3 winners Brill United, triumphing 6-3 away from home. They then had to face three other Premier League sides, Woodford United at home (6-1), Chasewell Park away, winning 4-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw and finally a 3-2 home Semi-Final victory over Deddington Town.

So, as the Premier League outfit, Bishops Itchington were favourites before kick-off. However, having already put out three Premier League sides, Hallions were unlikely to be phased by another one, even if they were the champions and current Jersey Cup holders.

​The Game
Itchington start the game well and have the first two chances. In the second minute they try an audacious effort from the halfway line that evades the Hallions keeper but just fails to hit the target. A few minutes later a crashing drive from way out again beats the keeper but smacks against the bar and away to safety.
After four minutes, however, Hallions took the lead when Dan Sweeney was left with a gaping goal to slot the ball into. 1-0
The goal galvanised Hallions and they started to take control of the game. On 13 minutes we were treated to a goal worthy of gracing any football pitch at any level. A free-kick in a central position, just inside the Bishop's half was floated into the box way to the right of the goal. Stuart Bridges ran onto the ball and produced a stunning volley, over the keepers head and into the far corner, reminiscent of Marco van Basten's famous 1988 European Championships effort. 2-0.
Bishops Itchington weren't about to go down without some sort of fight though and, on 20 minutes, they pulled a goal back when Jamie Simpson got a glancing header onto a left-wing free-kick. The ball went in off a Hallions defender but, as it was already on the way in, it will certainly be credited to Simpson.

​It didn't take Hallions too long to re-establish their two goal lead when, on 27 minutes, a mishit goal kick fell straight to Dan Smith who made no mistake, slotting past Adam Bourton to make it 3-1.

Bicester remained on top in terms of possession. Bishops Itchington never lacked effort but were second to the ball on most occasions. Then, with three minutes to go until the break, some superb defensive work from Bridges, curtailing an Itchington raid before calmly taking the ball past a couple of challenges. The defender then played a ball over the top of the Bishop's defence. Dan Smith was first to react, out-muscling his marker before lobbing the on-rushing Bourton. 4-1

HT Bicester Hallions 4 Bishops Itchington 1. A dominant first-half display from Bicester but will the slope and the heat make a difference in the second-half?

​Maybe it was more the conditions and the 4-1 lead than the slope on the pitch, but Bicester were certainly more lacklustre at the start of the second period, allowing their opponents a far greater share of possession than in the first half. To be fair to both teams though, it was a very warm day. 
However, even with more of the ball Bishops Itchington failed to take advantage, apart from once again hitting the Bicester cross bar. This was matched by Hallions when Dan Smith was inches from grabbing hat-trick when his header struck the woodwork.

Hallions did finally make a further breakthrough when they won a penalty in the 82nd minutes. Bridges stepped up but Bourton guessed correctly and made a good save. Unfortunately for the Itchington stopper, the ball ran straight back to Hallions man who made no mistake with the follow-up. 5-1

There was still time for Bishops Itchington to get a very, very late consolation when Kostiuk made it 5-2 but it was Bicester's day and shortly after the restart the referee blew his whistle for the end of the game.

FT Bicester Hallions 5 Bishops Itchington 2. A well deserved and fairly comfortable win for Hallions, completing what has been a very successful first season. Promotion and two cup wins and the first time a Division Two side has won the Jersey Cup. Not too shabby.

Bicester Hallions: Veal, Ellis, R.Bridges, Jenkins, Crossman, Hallatt, Dean Smith, S.Bridges, Dan Smith, Neal, Sweeney. Subs: O'Dwyer, McGovern
Bishops Itchington: Bourton, Morgan, Herdman, Symons, J.Cox, Kostiuk, Reeves, Smith, Simpson, Bennett, Dixey. Subs T.Cox, Wall, Roberts

Att: 
Ground Number: Re-Visit
Entrance: £3.00
Programme: N/A

​The Background
The West Midlands Regional Premier League title was going to be decided on the final day. Two teams could still win in. Tividale, in pole position and a point clear or Haughmond. The equation was simple. All Tividale needed to do was equal Haughmond's result and they would be champions. As it happened the final day action revolved very much around my home town of Dudley. Tividale, which is just a mile or two outside of Dudley town centre, were at home to mid-table AFC Bridgnorth. Meanwhile, Haughmond travelled to tenth-placed Dudley Town who sadly do not currently play home games in the town.
Earlier in the season Tividale had won 1-0 at Bridgnorth, despite having Ben Birch sent-off. Haughmond defeated Dudley Town 4-2 in Shropshire back in November.

​The Ground
Having driven past The Beeches on more occasions than I care to remember, it was high time that I finally got around to paying a visit. The ground is tucked away just off New Birmingham Road that leads out of Dudley. When I worked in Birmingham, many year ago, I used to see the floodlights poking out over the housetops. It has the feel of a very old ground and I don't mean that in a bad way. However, Tividale have only played there since the mid 1970s. Car parking is a limited on days like today, when a larger than normal crowd turns out, so parking in the adjoining streets is necessary. Entrance is through a single gate which is just to the left of the club house as you approach through the car park. There is also a tea/snack bar attached to the club house building.

​The Game
It took Tividale just 3 minutes to get the early goal they clearly set out to score. Nerves, if they had any, were completely settled when Demetri Brown outpaces the Bridgnorth defence, take sit around the keeper and slots into an empty net. 1-0
Bridgorth rally have no answer to the Tividale enthusiasm and work-rate. Sure enough, after 12 minutes, Tivi get their second goal of the afternoon. Darragh Bustin weaves a bit of magic out on the right flank and then cuts the ball back into a dangerous area. Tividale's fist attempt is blocked but Dan Smith latches onto the ball, swivels and hammers a shot into the far corner. 2-0
Seven minutes later and the game is as good as over. Brown runs onto a ball over the top as the Bridgnorth defence look for offside. To be fair, he did look a good couple of yards off to me and even hesitated himself. However, when no flag was raised he ran on and scored with some ease. 3-0.
So, 20 minutes into the game and Tividale have effectively sealed the title with no drama whatsoever. Anyone who came with a view to anxious glances at Twitter to see how Haughmond were getting on a few miles away, were sorely disappointed. However, as a football fan you had to appreciate the way that Tividale had set about their task. Knowing that they just needed to win, they began the game determined to not let anxiety set in.
On 25 minutes Brown's pace, once again, caused absolute chaos in the Bridgnorth defence. He outstripped them again but this time, after getting the ball caught under his feet, he halted his run and slid a ball sideways to Jamal Fuller who took his opportunity with a low drive, beating Bristow to make it 4-0.
Just past the half-hour mark Brown's pace once again saw he get clear of the defence, rolling the ball in to claim a first-half hat-trick and make it 5-0.
It made difference at this point but Dudley Town were also a goal up against Haughmond.

Brown was unstoppable in this game. You had to feel a bit sorry for the Bridgnorth defenders who had absolutely no answer to his pace. Even dropping off and giving themselves a 5 yard start, they were still being beaten to and muscled off the ball. On 41 minutes he was at it again, bursting through and heading towards the penalty area. He was finally stopped when Callum Hill used arm around him to pull him back before he could get into the box. Unfortunately for the Bridgnorth man the referee had no real option other than pulling out the red card. To make matters worse, from the resulting free-kick, Darragh Bustin bent a low shot around the wall which Bristow failed to keep out of the net. 6-0

HT Tividale 6 AFC Bridgnorth 0. A superb half for Tividale. They set about their task with a zest that Bridgnorth could find no answer to at all. 

​All credit to Bridgnorth at the start of the second-half. At 6-0 down and reduced to 10 men, they could easily have been completely demoralised. However, they came out with a renewed determination and, for the first 14 minutes of the second period steadied the ship, keeping Tividale at bay. This came to an end just before the hour mark when Bustin slipped a perfectly weighted pass inside the Bridgnorth full-back for Brown to run onto and lash a drive past Bristow. 7-0

With four goals under his belt it was time for Brown to take a well earned rest and claim the applause as he left the pitch. A superb performance from him. Power, pace, skill on the ball and lethal finishing. A defender's nightmare.
Clearly the game was well and truly over and the title in the bag. Especially as Haughmond were also on their way to defeat at Dudley Town. On 75 minutes it was the turn of Tividale's captain Matt Hunt to get in on the act, powering in a header from a right-wing corner to make it 8-0.

Could they get to double figures?
Well, on 86 minutes substitute Harvey Walker got his name on the score-sheet, hammering the ball home to make it 9-0. There was, however, no tenth goal and the home side had to 'settle' for a nine.

FT Tividale 9 AFC Bridgnorth 0. An emphatic way to claim the title for Tividale. To be honest, it was never in doubt. From the first minute, even before the early goal, they looked in control, confident and assured. 


Tividale: Maher, Hurdman, Fuller, Birch, Hunt(c), L.Smith, Bustin, Wilkinson, D.Smith, Brown, Cocking. Subs: Walker, Gardner, Cameron, Welding, Shilvock
AFC Bridgnorth: Bristow, Dean, Chetter, Guryn(c), Dudley, Hill, Lee, Griffiths, Knowles, Jenks, Owen. Subs: Pike, Hegley

Att: 238
Ground Number: 194
Entrance: £5.00
Programme: £1.50