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.

Saturday 8th September 2012
FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round
Wolverhampton Casuals 1-1 Tividale
Attendance: 104 (h/c) 

LONG EATON UNITED (Grange Park)

Today was one of those days. To begin with I was undecided until the last moment where I was heading. I wanted to do a game in the FA Vase, but I overslept, which meant options were rather limited due to time.

I decided to head for Long Eaton United, even though this went against my self imposed criteria of, when I can, trying to see games in the FA competitions that don't involve teams from the same league. United were hosting Lincoln Moorlands Railway who, with Long Eaton, play in the Northern Counties East Premier League.

The sat-nav said I was due to arrive at the ground around 1.30pm, but thanks to others drivers 'rubbernecking' an accident on the northbound M6, then the A50 near Sudbury being closed and traffic diverted, after being stationary for about 20 minutes, it was closer to 2.30pm when I arrived at the ground.

Another source of disappointment, after a rather stressful journey, was the lack of paper as there was no programme available. Bah! Luckily I did get a badge and the bacon cob and cup of coffee helped restore ones natural sunny disposition!! ** written with no sense of irony**

Grange Park is the home of Long Eaton and it is smart ground with a large Main Stand (named the Big Jim Stand) and a further seated stand on the opposite side, incorporating a separate block of seats for the Directors, but today this was empty.

The Blues were founding members of the Northern Counties League in 1982 but were demoted in 1989 due to a lack of floodlights, eventually installed in 1998, the club rejoined the league in 2002 and have been in the Premier League since 2004.



Goalscorer Shaun Rickford (10)
on the chase

Going into this game, Long Eaton were in the better form having won three of their first five league games, though they did get knocked out of the FA Cup at the very first hurdle, whilst Lincoln Moorlands Railway were rock bottom of the table, with a solitary point to show for their efforts. Perhaps a run in the Vase could get their season going.

In the end though the game went with form and in the end the homesters ran out comfortable winners. For long periods though it was a pretty even game and, without sounding too harsh, pretty dull.



The home wall is solid as a Moors
free kick is fired in

 Admittedly Craig Turner in the Lincoln goal was the busier of the two 'keepers but a lot of his saves were routine stuff. Long Eaton took the lead after 30 minutes when, after The Moors defence tried to play offside, Blues skipper Shaun Rickford broke clear to smash the ball home.

The tie was eventually settled with two goals in two second half minutes. After 73 minutes  and cross from the right was turned home at the far post by Matt Savage, then after 75 minutes, Savage then bagged his second when the ball came back off the crossbar and he had the simple task of heading home from about two yards.

In the next round, on 15th September, Long Eaton will travel to Radford.



 

Saturday 1st September 2012
FA Vase 1st Qualifying Round
Long Eaton United 3-0 Lincoln Moorlands Railway
Attendance: 52

NORTHERN LEAGUE DOUBLE (Seaham & Stokesley)

After two days in Mid Wales, the Bank Holiday football continued in the North East of England....

11am, Monday 27th August 2012
Northern League Division Two
Seaham Red Star 0-5 Ryhope Colliery Welfare
Attendance: 123

It was early start for a trip up the A19 to the coastal town of Seaham, just south of Sunderland. Seaham Red Star were taking on newly promoted Ryhope, from just up the road, in a Northern League Division Two encounter at Seaham Town Park.

It was an early start for early for all concerned but Seaham were still half asleep as Ryhope found themselves two goals to the good after fifteen minutes.

They did have a very early chance but it flashed just wide (pictured right) and from then on in Ryhope seemed to be in control.

After 2 minutes Chris Winn raced clear to give the visitors the lead (pictured left) before he caused more problems in the home area, which resulted Michael Pattison turning the ball into his own net (15).

The game was up for the homesters after 78 minutes when Winn blasted home his second goal, from about 20 yards out.

Another Own Goal (Ross Phillips 89) and an effort from John Butler in stoppage time meant a comfortable three points for Ryhope. 

2pm Monday 27th August 2012
Northern League Division Two
Stokesley Sports Club 1-3 Thornaby
Attendance: 53

It was south from Seaham to Stokesley, near Middlesbrough, or, to be more exact, Broughton Road the home of the Stokesley Sports Club. A well as being home to Stokesley, the ground is also the headquarters of the North Riding FA.

It was a grim afternoon as the predicted rain fall finally arrived and, to be completely honest, the football did little to raise spirits.

It was a poor game as the homesters succumb to another defeat, which leaves them firmly rooted to the bottom of the table. A brace from Daniel Lofts and one from Gary Mitchell gave Thornaby the points, though Ross Hodgson did equalise for Stokesley before half time. 

The day was rounded off with a visit to the White Swan, the home of the Captain Cook Brewery. Seeing as it was in Stokesley town centre it would have been rude not to!!