One of my goals for this season is to visit all of the grounds used in the Midland Premier League, and this past Tuesday I made the trip into the Black Country to the Aspray Arena, home of Sporting Khalsa FC. The programme notes reported that this was the home side’s last game at the ground before moving to groundshare with neighbours AFC Wulfrunians, and the signs of impending building work were plenty visible.
The ground did look as though it could use a lick of paint, but did have plenty of character with a big main stand running along one side and the dressing rooms behind one of the goals. The plan is to convert the pitch to a 3G surface to allow more game time and teams to play there, and no doubt add to the community spirit that is already present at the club – numerous smaller pitches hide the main pitch from the road and make parking somewhat of a premium!
Sporting Khalsa’s opponents for the evening were Worcester City, flying high in the top level of football in the Midlands since their relegation from the National League North at the end of last season. Despite the long drive to the outskirts of Wolverhampton there was a vocal band of supporters in attendance for the away side, making for a lively atmosphere for this clash of two promotion chasing outfits – Sporting Khalsa in third, with Worcester right behind them in fourth.
With both teams having plenty to play for the game started brightly, and after just three minutes the away side took the lead, a poor defensive mix-up led to a corner for Worcester, and a bullet header from defender Mark Smith ended up in the net despite the keeper getting a hand to it.
Both teams looked keen going forward but nervy at the back, and another defensive slip allowed Worcester striker Dave Reynolds in with an audacious overhead kick, but it went flying over the bar. Sporting Khalsa were not out of the game by any stretch though, and a free kick whipped in was easily cleared by Worcester.
The home side continued to push for an equaliser, cheered on by a loud home support, and Khalsa’s Mervin Nisbett found some space on the edge of the area but fired wide from a tight angle. Then, two minutes later, David Meese went close with a shot from distance, earning his side a corner.
As the first half progressed the game became more scrappy as the teams battled both the elements and each other, trading free kicks and passages of attacking play but neither able to find a way through. Sporting Khalsa’s best chance to level the score came on the half hour, as Brady found some space as a long throw in bounced into the box, but he slipped on the wet surface and the volley went flying over the bar and out for a goal kick.
The ground did look as though it could use a lick of paint, but did have plenty of character with a big main stand running along one side and the dressing rooms behind one of the goals. The plan is to convert the pitch to a 3G surface to allow more game time and teams to play there, and no doubt add to the community spirit that is already present at the club – numerous smaller pitches hide the main pitch from the road and make parking somewhat of a premium!
Sporting Khalsa’s opponents for the evening were Worcester City, flying high in the top level of football in the Midlands since their relegation from the National League North at the end of last season. Despite the long drive to the outskirts of Wolverhampton there was a vocal band of supporters in attendance for the away side, making for a lively atmosphere for this clash of two promotion chasing outfits – Sporting Khalsa in third, with Worcester right behind them in fourth.
With both teams having plenty to play for the game started brightly, and after just three minutes the away side took the lead, a poor defensive mix-up led to a corner for Worcester, and a bullet header from defender Mark Smith ended up in the net despite the keeper getting a hand to it.
Both teams looked keen going forward but nervy at the back, and another defensive slip allowed Worcester striker Dave Reynolds in with an audacious overhead kick, but it went flying over the bar. Sporting Khalsa were not out of the game by any stretch though, and a free kick whipped in was easily cleared by Worcester.
The home side continued to push for an equaliser, cheered on by a loud home support, and Khalsa’s Mervin Nisbett found some space on the edge of the area but fired wide from a tight angle. Then, two minutes later, David Meese went close with a shot from distance, earning his side a corner.
As the first half progressed the game became more scrappy as the teams battled both the elements and each other, trading free kicks and passages of attacking play but neither able to find a way through. Sporting Khalsa’s best chance to level the score came on the half hour, as Brady found some space as a long throw in bounced into the box, but he slipped on the wet surface and the volley went flying over the bar and out for a goal kick.
Worcester City had the chance to double their lead on the stroke of half time, as a free kick came in from just over the half way line and was not well cleared by Sporting Khalsa, but the resulting shot went high and wide. Up the other end a slip in the Worcester defence allowed Reid in for a one on one chance but a Gwynne with a great save low to his left forced it out for a corner. Some head tennis from the resulting corner and Sporting Khalsa managed to get the ball in the net, but the linesman’s flag was up and the equaliser was chalked off.
Deep into first half stoppage time a 25 yard free kick for Sporting Khalsa was well saved but not cleared, allowing Meese to slot in from close range and bring the home side level.
HT: Sporting Khalsa 1-1 Worcester City
Deep into first half stoppage time a 25 yard free kick for Sporting Khalsa was well saved but not cleared, allowing Meese to slot in from close range and bring the home side level.
HT: Sporting Khalsa 1-1 Worcester City
The second half began much in the same way the first had ended – encouraging but scrappy play by both sides. After just a couple of minutes a rogue defensive header led to the home side earning a corner, but they couldn’t take advantage and the chance was wasted. This was a theme that continued throughout the second half – long throws and decent runs but neither side was able to put anything together to get a winner.
Shortly after the hour another free kick for Sporting Khalsa was whipped in and hooked back across the face of the Worcester goal, but there wasn’t a Khalsa player on the end of it and another chance went begging. The home side looked more likely to get the winner though, as with around ten minutes left a Worcester goal kick was headed back into the box, but the home striker Brady couldn’t beat the keeper from close range.
The final whistle blew without any further chances and the game ended all square. A draw probably did neither side much good in terms of their promotion hopes, but it was certainly a fair reflection of a close run and energetic Tuesday night fixture. An added bonus was seeing ex-West Bromwich Albion and Coventry City striker Lee Hughes get a half hour run out for the visitors, but his chances were limited and wasn’t able to make much of an impact. Overall though an enjoyable evening of action in front of a great crowd, including a sizeable away support for a Tuesday game, and a venue well worth a visit when Sporting Khalsa make their return.
Sporting Khalsa 1-1 Worcester City
Attendance: 155
Entrance: £5.00
Programme: £1.50
Sporting Khalsa: Arnold, Franco, Haynes (Stone 39’), Boothe, Robinson, Perks, Holt, Meese, Reid (Bannister 71’), Brady, Nisbett (Kinch 81’)
Worcester City: Gwynne, Weir, Griffiths, Albert, Smith, Forsyth, Birley (Hughes 56’), Birch, Sarmento, Reynolds, Tomkinson (Baldwin 52’)
Shortly after the hour another free kick for Sporting Khalsa was whipped in and hooked back across the face of the Worcester goal, but there wasn’t a Khalsa player on the end of it and another chance went begging. The home side looked more likely to get the winner though, as with around ten minutes left a Worcester goal kick was headed back into the box, but the home striker Brady couldn’t beat the keeper from close range.
The final whistle blew without any further chances and the game ended all square. A draw probably did neither side much good in terms of their promotion hopes, but it was certainly a fair reflection of a close run and energetic Tuesday night fixture. An added bonus was seeing ex-West Bromwich Albion and Coventry City striker Lee Hughes get a half hour run out for the visitors, but his chances were limited and wasn’t able to make much of an impact. Overall though an enjoyable evening of action in front of a great crowd, including a sizeable away support for a Tuesday game, and a venue well worth a visit when Sporting Khalsa make their return.
Sporting Khalsa 1-1 Worcester City
Attendance: 155
Entrance: £5.00
Programme: £1.50
Sporting Khalsa: Arnold, Franco, Haynes (Stone 39’), Boothe, Robinson, Perks, Holt, Meese, Reid (Bannister 71’), Brady, Nisbett (Kinch 81’)
Worcester City: Gwynne, Weir, Griffiths, Albert, Smith, Forsyth, Birley (Hughes 56’), Birch, Sarmento, Reynolds, Tomkinson (Baldwin 52’)