It's only just over 5 months since I last watched Bustleholme, at home. However, here we were. A new season, a new division, a new kit, a new badge, and a new home for the Bs. Last May I was at the University of Wolverhampton to see Bustleholme lose 1-0 to a Pelsall Villa side needing just a point to win Division One (Back To Back). The Bs have had something of a nomadic life and during the Summer they were on the move again, changing their base to the Birmingham County FA Headquarters at Ray Hall Lane, just outside West Bromwich.
This Saturday's opponents, Telford Town, didn't change their ground over the Summer. However, they did change their name before the end of last season, switching from Wellington Amateurs to Telford Town. The Ams, as they are still known, have a good history in the West Midlands (Regional) League structure, winning Division Two in 2008 and Division one on no fewer than three occasions, the latest in 2012. No league wins for the Bs, but they do have a Premier League Cup trophy in the cabinet from 2010.
Both sides were coming into this game on the back of good starts to the campaign. In fact. the visitors headed the table by 12 points before kick-off, albeit having played four more games than their nearest rivals, FC Darlaston. Bustleholme sat seventh, 19 points adrift of the leaders but with a colossal five games in hand. This was the reverse fixture of the opening day when Telford had won 3-0 at The Key Worker Stadium, with second half goals from Kyle Jordan, Ryan Mansell and Rune Corinaldi.
This Saturday's opponents, Telford Town, didn't change their ground over the Summer. However, they did change their name before the end of last season, switching from Wellington Amateurs to Telford Town. The Ams, as they are still known, have a good history in the West Midlands (Regional) League structure, winning Division Two in 2008 and Division one on no fewer than three occasions, the latest in 2012. No league wins for the Bs, but they do have a Premier League Cup trophy in the cabinet from 2010.
Both sides were coming into this game on the back of good starts to the campaign. In fact. the visitors headed the table by 12 points before kick-off, albeit having played four more games than their nearest rivals, FC Darlaston. Bustleholme sat seventh, 19 points adrift of the leaders but with a colossal five games in hand. This was the reverse fixture of the opening day when Telford had won 3-0 at The Key Worker Stadium, with second half goals from Kyle Jordan, Ryan Mansell and Rune Corinaldi.
Calum Bennett heads home The visitors started the game really well, almost immediately pushing Bustleholme back into their own half and keeping the there. The high tempo start paid off for them as early as the third minute. Kyle Jordan's long throw was flicked on and, with two players coming in unmarked at the back post, it was left-back Calum Bennett who took the initiative, smashing the ball past Sam Westwood from close range. 0-1
Two minutes later the long throw from Jordan was causing issues again for the home side. This time, however, they escaped with just a corner, which came to nothing. Telford continued to boss possession, restricting the Bs to few touches and, when they did get hold of the ball, they failed to retain possession, or create anything. It looked very much like Town would get themselves further in front at any minute but, as sometimes happens, the game swung suddenly. Completely out of the blue Ibrahim Sillah produced a perfect trough ball, dissecting the Telford defence and weighted perfectly for Anton Nesbeth to run onto. The number 7 took a touch and let fly early from the edge of the box, beating Jack Boswell and finding the net via the goalkeeper's right-hand upright. 1-1.
Now it was the home team who looked on top. Two minute's after equalising they so nearly went in front when Callum Lawton's goal bound strike was deflected just over the bar. Telford were rocked for around five minutes before they shook off the disappointment of the equaliser and began to put the pressure back on their hosts. Around the midway point of the half, Bustleholme had their keeper to thank thee time in quick succession, first coming out to bravely block at the feet if Ryan Mansell, then saving an Andrew Nicol effort with his feet and finally diving to his right to palm an Essa Faburay effort around the post for a corner.
However, a minute before the half-hour, there was nothing Westwood could do when, from a right-wing corner, Calum Bennett rose at the far post to plant a lovely header back over the keeper for his, and Telford's, second of the day. 1-2.
Once more the visitors were on the front foot. On 33 minutes they engineered a golden opportunity for Ryan Mansell to give them a two goal advantage which the striker failed to take. After that miss, it appeared that they would have to settle for a narrow advantage at the break, until a minute into added time when, once more, they won a corner on the right. This time Jordan and Hayden worked a nice little short corner one-two before the ball was fed to Sam Yeardley on the edge of the box. His low drive, accurate drive beat the outstretched had of Westwood before nestling in the corner of the net. 1-3
HT Bustleholme 1 Telford Town 3. Telford were, no doubt, worthy of a half-time lead. Aside from the 5 minute period after Bustleholme equalised against the run of play, they had controlled the game. Having said that, the home side did show in small bursts that they had the ability to worry the Telford defence.
Two minutes later the long throw from Jordan was causing issues again for the home side. This time, however, they escaped with just a corner, which came to nothing. Telford continued to boss possession, restricting the Bs to few touches and, when they did get hold of the ball, they failed to retain possession, or create anything. It looked very much like Town would get themselves further in front at any minute but, as sometimes happens, the game swung suddenly. Completely out of the blue Ibrahim Sillah produced a perfect trough ball, dissecting the Telford defence and weighted perfectly for Anton Nesbeth to run onto. The number 7 took a touch and let fly early from the edge of the box, beating Jack Boswell and finding the net via the goalkeeper's right-hand upright. 1-1.
Now it was the home team who looked on top. Two minute's after equalising they so nearly went in front when Callum Lawton's goal bound strike was deflected just over the bar. Telford were rocked for around five minutes before they shook off the disappointment of the equaliser and began to put the pressure back on their hosts. Around the midway point of the half, Bustleholme had their keeper to thank thee time in quick succession, first coming out to bravely block at the feet if Ryan Mansell, then saving an Andrew Nicol effort with his feet and finally diving to his right to palm an Essa Faburay effort around the post for a corner.
However, a minute before the half-hour, there was nothing Westwood could do when, from a right-wing corner, Calum Bennett rose at the far post to plant a lovely header back over the keeper for his, and Telford's, second of the day. 1-2.
Once more the visitors were on the front foot. On 33 minutes they engineered a golden opportunity for Ryan Mansell to give them a two goal advantage which the striker failed to take. After that miss, it appeared that they would have to settle for a narrow advantage at the break, until a minute into added time when, once more, they won a corner on the right. This time Jordan and Hayden worked a nice little short corner one-two before the ball was fed to Sam Yeardley on the edge of the box. His low drive, accurate drive beat the outstretched had of Westwood before nestling in the corner of the net. 1-3
HT Bustleholme 1 Telford Town 3. Telford were, no doubt, worthy of a half-time lead. Aside from the 5 minute period after Bustleholme equalised against the run of play, they had controlled the game. Having said that, the home side did show in small bursts that they had the ability to worry the Telford defence.
Mohamed glances the ball past Boswell After a fairly quiet first five minutes of the second half another Yeardley strike, after 50 minutes, that was smothered well by Westwood, signalled a ten minute spell of action. It started in the 52 minutes. Bustleholme's Keatley Charles, already on a yellow, made an attempt to get himself between player and ball but, in doing so, appeared to stamp down on the Telford player. The action most likely looked a lot worse than it actually was. However, the referee saw it as a bookable offence, pulling out a yellow and then the red card, leaving the home side to play the majority of the second period a man light. There minutes after the sending-off, Telford took full advantage of the extra man. Ryan Mansell was slipped in behind the defence and made no mistake with the finish this time. 1-4
Credit to Bustleholme though. Within two minutes of going three goals behind, and only five after losing as player, they hit back. A cross from the left was glanced past Boswell by Essam Mohamed. 2-4. That was not the end of the 10 minute spell of action though. On the hour mark, Sam Westwood earned a yellow card when he raced out of his box, timed his tackle all wrong, and wiped out Feburay. Luckily for the keeper, the player and ball were way out wide of the goal. Anywhere more central and the card could well have been red.
AT this point it was as if both sides took a deep breath. The action slowed somewhat. Telford still held a two goal lead and a man advantage and so, somewhat understandably, they were comfortable enough to relax a little. Bustleholme, to their immense credit, were still intent on giving it a go. However, despite playing some good football in the middle of the pitch, their chances in the final third were quite limited. Sallah did put a semi-scuffed strike just wide in the 75 minute, but that was as close as they came. At the other end, Telford substitute Rune Corinaldi put a diving header straight into the arms of Westwood.
Bustleholme did almost have the final say in the game when they were awarded an 85th minute free-kick just outside the box. Anton Nesbeth got the ball up and over the wall, but couldn't quite get enough dip and the ball smashed against the woodwork with Boswell beaten.
FT Bustleholme 2 Telford Town 4. A good three points for the league leaders who controlled the game well in both halves. Greta credit to Bustleholme in the second half, playing with 10 men for 38 minutes or more, they still managed to give Telford a run for their money. All in all, for a neutral, a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon out.
Telford remain 12 points clear after Darlaston also won away from home, 4-1 at Stourport Swifts Development. Bustleholme remain in seventh spot.
Next week, Bustleholme are back at home in the league as they welcome third from bottom, Stourport Swifts Development, who they lost 2-1 to earlier in September. Telford are back in the Black Country for a Premier Divison League Cup clash with Tipton Town. The sies have not yet met in the league this season.
Bustleholme: Westwood, Lawton, Morris, Harper, Garrity, Thompson(C), Nesbeth, Mohamed, Charles, Smith Sillah. Subs: Galli, Cassidy, Collingridge, Brown, Clarke, Chaney
Telford Town: Boswell(c), Jordan, Bennett, Cooper, Wycherley, Jones, Fabruay, Hayden, Mansell, Yeardley, Nicol. Subs: Wilson, Daley, Evans, Danks, Corinaldi, Lindsay
Credit to Bustleholme though. Within two minutes of going three goals behind, and only five after losing as player, they hit back. A cross from the left was glanced past Boswell by Essam Mohamed. 2-4. That was not the end of the 10 minute spell of action though. On the hour mark, Sam Westwood earned a yellow card when he raced out of his box, timed his tackle all wrong, and wiped out Feburay. Luckily for the keeper, the player and ball were way out wide of the goal. Anywhere more central and the card could well have been red.
AT this point it was as if both sides took a deep breath. The action slowed somewhat. Telford still held a two goal lead and a man advantage and so, somewhat understandably, they were comfortable enough to relax a little. Bustleholme, to their immense credit, were still intent on giving it a go. However, despite playing some good football in the middle of the pitch, their chances in the final third were quite limited. Sallah did put a semi-scuffed strike just wide in the 75 minute, but that was as close as they came. At the other end, Telford substitute Rune Corinaldi put a diving header straight into the arms of Westwood.
Bustleholme did almost have the final say in the game when they were awarded an 85th minute free-kick just outside the box. Anton Nesbeth got the ball up and over the wall, but couldn't quite get enough dip and the ball smashed against the woodwork with Boswell beaten.
FT Bustleholme 2 Telford Town 4. A good three points for the league leaders who controlled the game well in both halves. Greta credit to Bustleholme in the second half, playing with 10 men for 38 minutes or more, they still managed to give Telford a run for their money. All in all, for a neutral, a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon out.
Telford remain 12 points clear after Darlaston also won away from home, 4-1 at Stourport Swifts Development. Bustleholme remain in seventh spot.
Next week, Bustleholme are back at home in the league as they welcome third from bottom, Stourport Swifts Development, who they lost 2-1 to earlier in September. Telford are back in the Black Country for a Premier Divison League Cup clash with Tipton Town. The sies have not yet met in the league this season.
Bustleholme: Westwood, Lawton, Morris, Harper, Garrity, Thompson(C), Nesbeth, Mohamed, Charles, Smith Sillah. Subs: Galli, Cassidy, Collingridge, Brown, Clarke, Chaney
Telford Town: Boswell(c), Jordan, Bennett, Cooper, Wycherley, Jones, Fabruay, Hayden, Mansell, Yeardley, Nicol. Subs: Wilson, Daley, Evans, Danks, Corinaldi, Lindsay
Birmingham FA HQ
The Ground
Bustleholme now play their home games at the home of the Birmingham FA, just off Ray Hall Lane, between West Bromwich and Great Barr. There are two car parks, a small one in front of the main building and a much larger one behind the ground, accessed via a small service road that runs down the length of the pitch.
The ground, as you would expect for a county FA HQ, is well appointed. There are two small stands on either side of the pith. To the left, when looking form the car park, are two small seating stands, to the right, separated by the dugouts and a media tower, are covered, terraced standing areas.
The main building is beyond the far goal from the car park end, where you can find toilets and a snack bar. There are also benches along the wall of the building, should you wish to watch from behind the goal.
The pitch looked to be in very good condition too.
Ground Number: 419
Att:
Entrance: £5.00
Programme: N/A
Bustleholme now play their home games at the home of the Birmingham FA, just off Ray Hall Lane, between West Bromwich and Great Barr. There are two car parks, a small one in front of the main building and a much larger one behind the ground, accessed via a small service road that runs down the length of the pitch.
The ground, as you would expect for a county FA HQ, is well appointed. There are two small stands on either side of the pith. To the left, when looking form the car park, are two small seating stands, to the right, separated by the dugouts and a media tower, are covered, terraced standing areas.
The main building is beyond the far goal from the car park end, where you can find toilets and a snack bar. There are also benches along the wall of the building, should you wish to watch from behind the goal.
The pitch looked to be in very good condition too.
Ground Number: 419
Att:
Entrance: £5.00
Programme: N/A
Boswell claims a cross at the car park end
RSS Feed