Tuesday night seemed to be local derby night. I had a couple of possibilities on my list, Uppingham Town v Oakham United looked promising but the traffic between here and Uppingham didn't. What did look much more doable and promised to be a good game was the Midland league Division Three clash between Wake Green Amateur and Silhill. Less than 3 miles between the clubs and, in the table, only one place between Wake Green, in third, and Silhill in second. Both teams had a 100% record after two games and both had scored eight goals in those two games. They were separated by just a single goal against, three for Silhill compared to Wake Green's four.
So, for the third time in nine days, I was on the M40 heading for Solihull, a real hotbed of non-league and grassroots football. I still need to visit Silhill, AFC Solihull and Solihull Sporting to complete the Midland League (Step 7 & 8) set. Did I miss any?
Not only was this my first visit to The Holloway, it was also the first time I had seen either of these teams in action.
So, for the third time in nine days, I was on the M40 heading for Solihull, a real hotbed of non-league and grassroots football. I still need to visit Silhill, AFC Solihull and Solihull Sporting to complete the Midland League (Step 7 & 8) set. Did I miss any?
Not only was this my first visit to The Holloway, it was also the first time I had seen either of these teams in action.
Richardson about to equalise The opening moments of this game was a microcosm of the first half. Within 20 seconds Silhill had a half-chance but, before a minute had been played, they were a goal behind. Home captain Adam Turner drifted a free-kick into the box and, when the ball was allowed to bounce by a hesitant defence, Ashley Smith nipped in to flick a header over Matt Pickford. 1-0. Excellent poaching from Smith but awful defending, something that was going to become a theme in the first-half at both ends.
Silhill were immediately on the search for an equaliser. Kyle Porter brought a good save out of Joe Beale after four minutes and a few minutes later a long throw from the left was flicked off the home bar before being scrambled away for a corner on the Silhill right. This was delivered long towards the back post by Alfie Merriman and, when it was headed back into the mix, Kamal Richardson was on hand to stab the ball over the line. 1-1
With only 12 minutes played Silhill hit the front for the first time but it was not a goal crafted by the visitors. Instead, it was handed to them on a plate. Attempting to play out from the back, Wake Green managed to give the ball away deep inside their own penalty area. Joe Beale thought he had saved the day when he threw himself in front of Kyle Porter's shot, blocking at point-blank range. Sadly for the keeper, the ball then rebounded off Billy Powles and ran into the corner of the net for an OG. 1-2
Five minutes later, in what was becoming a manic, breathless first half, The Wakes were back on level terms, and it was the same combination of captain and centre-forward that took the plaudits. Turner this time delivered from the opposite flank, the left, but the outcome was the same. A deft Ashley Turner header and it was 2-2.
The goal gave the home side something of a boost and just before the midway point of the half, they almost got back in front. Smith turned provider, laying the ball into the path of Harvey Watts who smashed a drive inches wide of Pickford's right-hand post.
And breath. I think both teams needed to settle after four goals in the opening 20 minutes. However, as we hit the half-hour mark, it all kicked off again. Silhill nudged back in front with a beautifully simple but well-taken goal. Josh Sarmenio made a diagonal burst from deep, towards the edge of the home penalty area. His run was spotted and the ball lofted into his path. One touch to control and then a first-time, lofted finish over the stranded keeper made it 2-3. Without doubt goal of the game so far but, hold my pint, said Gil Grant two minutes later. Picking the ball up some 25 yards from goal, out on the right-hand edge of the area, he absolutely leathered a drive into the opposite top corner. No keeper was stopping that one. What a strike! 2-4
A two goal advantage for the visitors, but for how long? As it happens, the answer to that question was three minutes. Two-goal Ashley Smith once again became the provider, sliding a ball sideways for Harvey Watts, who made no mistake with a rocket past Pickford. 3-4.
It was almost all-square five minutes before the break. Adam Turner shimmied past a couple of challenges before providing a reverse pass into the path of Watts who hit the ball on the run, narrowly putting it over Pickford's bar.
However, the scoring was not over and it was the visitors who were next to strike. Sarmenio's cross from the left swung dangerously under Beale's bar at the near post. The goalkeeper got to it but could only push it onto the bar and, when the ball dropped into the mix, Kyle Porter was on hand to nudge it over the line. 3-5
We were now deep into time added on for the numerous stoppages that had occurred, namely two injuries to home defenders that had led to a complete revamp of their back-line. Time to get the kettle on for the half-time brew. Well no. Wake Green still had something else up their sleeve when they were awarded a stonewall penalty in the 51st minute. Harvey Watts stepped up and made no mistake. 4-5. The goal came so late in the day that there was no time to restart the game before the referee blew for half-time.
HT Wake Green Amateur 4 Silhill 5. A crazy first half, peppered with defensive mistakes and very good goals. It feels like anything could happen in the second half.
Silhill were immediately on the search for an equaliser. Kyle Porter brought a good save out of Joe Beale after four minutes and a few minutes later a long throw from the left was flicked off the home bar before being scrambled away for a corner on the Silhill right. This was delivered long towards the back post by Alfie Merriman and, when it was headed back into the mix, Kamal Richardson was on hand to stab the ball over the line. 1-1
With only 12 minutes played Silhill hit the front for the first time but it was not a goal crafted by the visitors. Instead, it was handed to them on a plate. Attempting to play out from the back, Wake Green managed to give the ball away deep inside their own penalty area. Joe Beale thought he had saved the day when he threw himself in front of Kyle Porter's shot, blocking at point-blank range. Sadly for the keeper, the ball then rebounded off Billy Powles and ran into the corner of the net for an OG. 1-2
Five minutes later, in what was becoming a manic, breathless first half, The Wakes were back on level terms, and it was the same combination of captain and centre-forward that took the plaudits. Turner this time delivered from the opposite flank, the left, but the outcome was the same. A deft Ashley Turner header and it was 2-2.
The goal gave the home side something of a boost and just before the midway point of the half, they almost got back in front. Smith turned provider, laying the ball into the path of Harvey Watts who smashed a drive inches wide of Pickford's right-hand post.
And breath. I think both teams needed to settle after four goals in the opening 20 minutes. However, as we hit the half-hour mark, it all kicked off again. Silhill nudged back in front with a beautifully simple but well-taken goal. Josh Sarmenio made a diagonal burst from deep, towards the edge of the home penalty area. His run was spotted and the ball lofted into his path. One touch to control and then a first-time, lofted finish over the stranded keeper made it 2-3. Without doubt goal of the game so far but, hold my pint, said Gil Grant two minutes later. Picking the ball up some 25 yards from goal, out on the right-hand edge of the area, he absolutely leathered a drive into the opposite top corner. No keeper was stopping that one. What a strike! 2-4
A two goal advantage for the visitors, but for how long? As it happens, the answer to that question was three minutes. Two-goal Ashley Smith once again became the provider, sliding a ball sideways for Harvey Watts, who made no mistake with a rocket past Pickford. 3-4.
It was almost all-square five minutes before the break. Adam Turner shimmied past a couple of challenges before providing a reverse pass into the path of Watts who hit the ball on the run, narrowly putting it over Pickford's bar.
However, the scoring was not over and it was the visitors who were next to strike. Sarmenio's cross from the left swung dangerously under Beale's bar at the near post. The goalkeeper got to it but could only push it onto the bar and, when the ball dropped into the mix, Kyle Porter was on hand to nudge it over the line. 3-5
We were now deep into time added on for the numerous stoppages that had occurred, namely two injuries to home defenders that had led to a complete revamp of their back-line. Time to get the kettle on for the half-time brew. Well no. Wake Green still had something else up their sleeve when they were awarded a stonewall penalty in the 51st minute. Harvey Watts stepped up and made no mistake. 4-5. The goal came so late in the day that there was no time to restart the game before the referee blew for half-time.
HT Wake Green Amateur 4 Silhill 5. A crazy first half, peppered with defensive mistakes and very good goals. It feels like anything could happen in the second half.
Watts on the spot Whilst no-one was expecting the glut of goals to continue throughout the game, the second half did start off with a few opportunities, the first of which fell to Silhill's defender Jon Myrie, but his header was comfortably held by Beale. The home side, however, looked to be keen to get themselves back into the game and launched attacks of their own.
Conversely, it was during one of these raids that they ended up falling two behind again. They had Silhill pushed back to the edge of their own penalty area when the visitors left-back Owen Fackrell, hammered the ball clear. It sailed over the home defence, completely catching them flat-footed. However, Josh Sarmenio was alert enough to run in behind the defence, collect the ball and slip it past Beale. 4-6.
Unsurprisingly, given the madness of the first half, the game then settled down a little. Wake Green were certainly having more possession now but they were up against a Silhill defence that had clearly taken note of earlier frailties and were determined not to repeat them.
Ashley Smith, who had assumed the captain role after Turner went off, did his level best to stretch the visitors, putting himself about across the entire front-line. He can certainly give it out but, to be fair, he is quite happy to take it too. It was one such piece of determination that almost led to a goal back for Wake Green after 67 minutes. Smith wrestled the ball off Fackrell close to the left-hand corner flag and, ignoring calls for a foul, slipped the ball inside for Harry Prew. The substitute guided his strike wide of Pickford's left-hand but also agonisingly wide of the far post.
That was as close as the home side got to finding a way back into this game as Silhill proceeded to manage the game for the final 20 minutes. Sarmenio came close to a hat-trick when he had a close range shot blocked but neither keeper had to go full stretch in the closing minutes. Both teams had exerted so much in the opening 45 minutes, there probably wasn't too much left in the tank towards the end.
FT Wake Green Amateur 4 Silhill 6. The second half was never going to match the first for goals. Presumably both teams were read the riot act as far as their defending went in the first 45 minutes. When Silhill regained their two goal lead it always looked like a tall order for Wake Green, although they toiled away until the final whistle.
From a neutral perspective it was a great game to watch. From a coaches viewpoint, I am sure there will be things to work on in training.
Both teams are back in league action this coming Saturday. Silhill welcome mid-table Balsall/Berkswell to Sharmans Cross Road. This fixture finished 2-0 to Silhill last season in front of 52 spectators. Wake Green are back at The Holloway for the visit of fourth-placed Continental Star. The Wakes won the corresponding fixture 5-1 last season thanks largely to an Adam Turner hat-trick.
Finally. Time for a little rant. As any long-time readers of this blog will know, I am a former West Brom season ticket holder and, for my sins, stuck with the club for the rest of my life (some thigs you just can't change). However, I started losing interest when we got promoted to the Premier League and my disillusion with pro football continues. Last night summed up my reasons. Whilst I travelled 50 miles and paid £3 to watch a very entertaining 10-goal thriller, hundreds of Baggies made the long trip to Fleetwood, paid over £20 to get in, and then watched a team made up of reserves and kids lose to a League Two team. That's total disrespect to the fans in my opinion.
Wake Green Amateurs: 1.Beale, 2.Powles, 3.Loose, 4.Ismail, 5.Percival, 6.Best, 7.Watts, 8.Moore, 9.Smith, 10.Crampton, 11.Turner(c). Subs: 12.Yale, 14.Kelly, 15.McCausland, 16.Prew
Silhill: 1.Pickford, 12.Smith, 5.Fackrell, 15.Myrie, 8.O'Neill, 7.Richardson, 9.Grant, 10.Williams(c), 3.Merriman, 4.Sarmenio, 11.Porter. Subs: 2.Marson, 16.Paterson, 14.Ferrarin, 17.Robinson, 6.Hussain
Conversely, it was during one of these raids that they ended up falling two behind again. They had Silhill pushed back to the edge of their own penalty area when the visitors left-back Owen Fackrell, hammered the ball clear. It sailed over the home defence, completely catching them flat-footed. However, Josh Sarmenio was alert enough to run in behind the defence, collect the ball and slip it past Beale. 4-6.
Unsurprisingly, given the madness of the first half, the game then settled down a little. Wake Green were certainly having more possession now but they were up against a Silhill defence that had clearly taken note of earlier frailties and were determined not to repeat them.
Ashley Smith, who had assumed the captain role after Turner went off, did his level best to stretch the visitors, putting himself about across the entire front-line. He can certainly give it out but, to be fair, he is quite happy to take it too. It was one such piece of determination that almost led to a goal back for Wake Green after 67 minutes. Smith wrestled the ball off Fackrell close to the left-hand corner flag and, ignoring calls for a foul, slipped the ball inside for Harry Prew. The substitute guided his strike wide of Pickford's left-hand but also agonisingly wide of the far post.
That was as close as the home side got to finding a way back into this game as Silhill proceeded to manage the game for the final 20 minutes. Sarmenio came close to a hat-trick when he had a close range shot blocked but neither keeper had to go full stretch in the closing minutes. Both teams had exerted so much in the opening 45 minutes, there probably wasn't too much left in the tank towards the end.
FT Wake Green Amateur 4 Silhill 6. The second half was never going to match the first for goals. Presumably both teams were read the riot act as far as their defending went in the first 45 minutes. When Silhill regained their two goal lead it always looked like a tall order for Wake Green, although they toiled away until the final whistle.
From a neutral perspective it was a great game to watch. From a coaches viewpoint, I am sure there will be things to work on in training.
Both teams are back in league action this coming Saturday. Silhill welcome mid-table Balsall/Berkswell to Sharmans Cross Road. This fixture finished 2-0 to Silhill last season in front of 52 spectators. Wake Green are back at The Holloway for the visit of fourth-placed Continental Star. The Wakes won the corresponding fixture 5-1 last season thanks largely to an Adam Turner hat-trick.
Finally. Time for a little rant. As any long-time readers of this blog will know, I am a former West Brom season ticket holder and, for my sins, stuck with the club for the rest of my life (some thigs you just can't change). However, I started losing interest when we got promoted to the Premier League and my disillusion with pro football continues. Last night summed up my reasons. Whilst I travelled 50 miles and paid £3 to watch a very entertaining 10-goal thriller, hundreds of Baggies made the long trip to Fleetwood, paid over £20 to get in, and then watched a team made up of reserves and kids lose to a League Two team. That's total disrespect to the fans in my opinion.
Wake Green Amateurs: 1.Beale, 2.Powles, 3.Loose, 4.Ismail, 5.Percival, 6.Best, 7.Watts, 8.Moore, 9.Smith, 10.Crampton, 11.Turner(c). Subs: 12.Yale, 14.Kelly, 15.McCausland, 16.Prew
Silhill: 1.Pickford, 12.Smith, 5.Fackrell, 15.Myrie, 8.O'Neill, 7.Richardson, 9.Grant, 10.Williams(c), 3.Merriman, 4.Sarmenio, 11.Porter. Subs: 2.Marson, 16.Paterson, 14.Ferrarin, 17.Robinson, 6.Hussain
The Holloway
The Ground
Wake Green Amateur play their home games at The Holloway, just to the South-East of Solihull. The Stratford-on-Avon Canal runs along one side of the ground and just a few yards form the club entrance is the Shirley Drawbridge, which straddles the canal. In fact, the entrance to the ground is directly opposite the Drawbridge Inn, names after the bridge. There is a good sized car park in front of the clubhouse with additional parking available on the grass behind the main pitch (there are three in total). The clubhouse sits on a rise above the football pitches and consequently, provide a good view, especially of the main pitch which is directly in front of the clubhouse block. Spectators tend to congregate on this side of the field, although there is also space on the opposite side, where advertising boards separate the main playing surface from the slight incline leading down to another pitch. There are no covered spectator areas. However, many supporters bring along their own seats.
Ground Number: 413
Att: 40
Entrance: £3.00
Programme: N/A
Wake Green Amateur play their home games at The Holloway, just to the South-East of Solihull. The Stratford-on-Avon Canal runs along one side of the ground and just a few yards form the club entrance is the Shirley Drawbridge, which straddles the canal. In fact, the entrance to the ground is directly opposite the Drawbridge Inn, names after the bridge. There is a good sized car park in front of the clubhouse with additional parking available on the grass behind the main pitch (there are three in total). The clubhouse sits on a rise above the football pitches and consequently, provide a good view, especially of the main pitch which is directly in front of the clubhouse block. Spectators tend to congregate on this side of the field, although there is also space on the opposite side, where advertising boards separate the main playing surface from the slight incline leading down to another pitch. There are no covered spectator areas. However, many supporters bring along their own seats.
Ground Number: 413
Att: 40
Entrance: £3.00
Programme: N/A
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