Damage in the Box!: FA Cup

Showing posts with label FA Cup. Show all posts

SHILDON AFC (Dean Street)

I was back on the FA Cup trail today with a visit to Shildon, a town that is considered to be "the cradle of the railways" due to the fact it's population grew dramatically when the Stockton and Darlington Railway, who owned the land, established workshops there in the 19th century.

There is a locomotion museum in town and the football club's badge has a train as part of it's design. The club is also nicknamed The Railwaymen.

Dean Street, a 'proper' old town centre ground, is the the home of Shildon and has been since their formation in 1890.

The large main stand was erected in 1923. There is a covered terrace opposite the Main Stand, which is named in memory of former player Lee Hainsworth, who was tragically killed in 2004 on his way to training.

Shildon, who made the first round proper in 2003 when they lost to Notts County, were playing Conference North (step 2) side Altrincham and, in my eyes, this was the stand out tie when the draw was made.

Shildon are currently mid-table in the Northern League (step 5) whilst Altrincham are in a similar position in their league. However just based on their respective leagues, the visitors were clear favourites to move into the next round.

Unfortunately for the Railwaymen that is exactly how it proved. The tie was over as a contest after just 12 minutes as Altrincham went 3-0 up.

A defensive error gifted Damian Reeves a goal after just three minutes before James Lawrie scored from a free kick cross that eluded everyone and found it's way into the net after 7 minutes.

Reeves headed home his second (pictured left) after 12 minutes and the game was effectively over.

Altrincham could have, and should have, extended their lead but as they relaxed, and took their foot off the gas, Shildon did have some decent efforts at goal but it was routine stuff for an experienced 'keeper such as Stuart Coburn.

The second half was pretty much a non-event and Shildon's cause wasn't helped when they went down to 10 men after Lee Chapman was stretchered off and all substitutes had been used.

Reeves had a chance to complete a hat-trick late on but he blasted a penalty high over the crossbar (pictured right). In the end though it was very comfortable for Alty.

Pre-match was spent at the Stanley Jefferson in Bishop Auckland, but as I was driving there was no chance of getting myself in a fine mess!

As is usually the case, another top day in the North East.

Saturday 22nd September 2012

FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round

Shildon 0-3 Altrincham

Attendance: 300 (est)

GODALMING TOWN (Wey Court)

A bonus Sunday FA Cup game down in leafy Surrey as Godalming Town took on Dulwich Hamlet in a 1st Qualifying Round tie.

You have to admire the clubs thinking as they hoped a Sunday game would reward them with a decent crowd, hence the switch. I guess they wouldn't have been disappointed with a 300+ gate.

The early 2pm kick off meant an early start for us, everything was going swimmingly until we encountered the dreaded M25 where an accident was causing long delays.

At one stage it was rather worrying but we reached our turn off and arrived at the ground in good time to snaffle our programmes, then head off into town to pay a visit to The Star, a local GBG entry, where it's fine selection of ales went down a treat on a baking hot day.

Wey Court is about a mile out of Godalming itself, in Farncombe, and has been the home of The G's since the early seventies.

Dulwich Hamlet are familiar foes to Godalming having played each other three times last season in Isthmian League and Cup before Godalming were moved across into the Southern league Central in the annual close season shake up.

It was Godalming that made the early running before Dulwich settled into their rhythm and slowly started to take control of the game. It was no surprise when the visitors took the lead, Dean Carpenter (23) blasting home a low 25 yarder, which clipped the inside of the post on it's way home.

Hamlet then took their eye off the ball and let the G's back into the game. They equalised just before half time when a superb cross (pictured right) was buried at the back stick by Johnnie Dyer (43). A great header.

The home side took the lead soon after the break when substitute Antonio Simeone (52) struck home a brilliant free kick, which flew into the top corner.

Hamlet looked like they has shot their bolt as Godalming took control but there was a game changing moment with the introduction of Turkish substitute Erhan Otzumer. The debutant proceeded to run the show for the remainder of the tie.

With just minutes remaining Carl Wilson-Dennis went through one on one, with just Jake Somerville in the home goal to beat, and was brought down by the Godalming number one. The referee booked the 'keeper (pictured above left) but Otzumer (88) dispatched the penalty (pictured right) with aplomb to take the game to a replay on Tuesday.

Sunday 9th September 2012
FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round
Godalming Town 2-2 Dulwich Hamlet
Attendance: 311

WOLVERHAMPTON CASUALS (Brinsford Stadium)

It was FA cup time once again as the competition moved into the 1st Qualifying Round. Work commitments meant I had to choose a tie that was close enough to get to after one had completed ones hours.

It was Hobson's Choice really as there was only one game that allowed me to do this and, as luck would have it, it turned out to be a cracking cup tie.

Formed in 1899, Wolverhampton Casuals, of the West Midlands Regional League, were taking on Tividale, of the Midland Football Alliance, one step higher. This is the first time the sides had met in two seasons, when both sides were in the WMRL (Tividale were promoted in 2011).

This was only the second ever FA Cup tie staged at Casuals Brinsford Stadium, their first being in the last round when they beat Pilkington XXX 2-0.

On a glorious sunny afternoon, it was a pretty even first half with both sides having decent chances. Dan Watson in the home goal though had to work slightly harder to keep the score blank.

However, as the half entered stoppage time, Dean Clarke cut in from the wing and fired a low shot, which beat Tim Beech at his near post, to give the homesters an interval lead.

The Cassies were just four minutes away from a cup upset when James Cooper scored a fantastic volley from the edge of the box to take the game to a replay.

On the balance of play in the second period it was no more than Tivi deserved as The Casuals struggled to get out of their own half such was the domination of the visitors. Tividale missed numerous chances, hit the crossbar and it did appear that the Cassies had lady luck on their side, had ridden the storm and were going to hold on.

Maybe it needed something special to break their stubborn resistance and that is indeed what Cooper provided. Someone in the crowd filmed the goal if you want to take a peep.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmdmmVy74n8

The replay will take place next Tuesday at The Beeches.

Wolverhampton's Brinsford Stadium is pretty basic, with just a small seated stand, but it certainly makes the most of what it has got. The man on the gate, as you drive in, was incredibly welcoming and was happy to pass the time of day.

There is a small clubhouse, but the best has to be The Cassies Cafe. The pie, chips & gravy were served on a proper plate and the portions were generous to say the least.

All in all a great day out at a very friendly club and I would recommend a visit to anyone.