Today it was a journey into the unknown, or Shropshire to be exact, as the chance to watch a "treble header" in the Shropshire County League appeared on ones hopping radar. Normally, my travels would never take me to such a low level of football (the league, although officially not part of the pyramid, is effectively step 9 and 10 football) as I'm avoiding such low levels until they become an absolute necessity, which I am hoping will be a good few years away yet. However, for a meagre four pounds sterling (including the programmes) it was a case of nothing ventured nothing gained...
Shropshire County League Division One
Oakengates Athletic 0-2 Impact United
Attendance: 144
The ground adjacent to the Hadley Learning Centre was the setting for the first game of the day and a mid table division one clash between 9th placed Oakengates and 6th placed Impact United. The ground was simply a field, but had been roped off for today's game.
After the first half of this game I was beginning to feel that £4 was absolute robbery. This game was absolute dross. I have seen better Sunday league football than this. Impact United looked the team most likely and missed a few chances. They eventually took the lead on 41 minutes through Graham Jones. The second half continued in similar fashion with neither team being able to hit a cows arse with a banjo. Impact United proved this point by missing a penalty late on but Graham Jones did bag his second deep into stoppage time. I must confess that I missed these latter two incidents as I'd simply lost the will to live and buggered off the nearby chippy...very nice they were too!!
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| The Hadley Learning Centre is in the background |
Shropshire County League Division One
Wrockwardine Wood 3-3 FC Hodnet
Attendance: 142
After the first game I was hoping that it couldn't get any worse than that and fortunately it didn't. The second game was, again, a division one clash but this time it was 3rd v 1st. The ground was adjacent to the Oakengates Leisure Centre, and this time it felt like a proper ground. The pitch was railed off and there was a small covered stand, though today it was being used as the dugouts.
The game was exciting from the off with both teams playing decent football. It was a surprise that it took until the 29th minute to see the first goal when Stephen Faux gave the home side the lead. It wasn't to last long as Ross Ramuite levelled for Hodnet on 32 minutes. A free kick from Luke Dent, which literally broke the net, restored Wood's advantage on 36 minutes to give them an interval lead.
The second half continued in similar end-to-end fashion but Hodnet couldn't find an equaliser. Another Dent free kick on 79 minutes gave Wrockwardine what seemed an unassailable 3-1 lead. Wrong! On 81 minutes substitute Chris Matthews bundled in a cross to reduce the deficit before a Jay Ainsworth header in the last minute gave Hodnet a deserved share of the spoils.
Shropshire County Premier League
Newport County Borough 2-3 Shifnal Utd
Attendance: 121
The final game of the day took place at Shukers Field, the home of Newport County Borough. This, again, was just a railed off field, but the bonus was that it actually has a tea bar! You would not believe how welcoming it was to be ale to get my hands on a brew...the simple pleasures in life!
This was a Premier Division clash against Shifnal United, who actually boasted a former Premier League professional in the shape of Lee Mills who played in the top flight for Bradford City, who were one of his many clubs. He was looking a little older and greyer, but the touch of class was evident to see. At the start of play Newport CB were in 7th position and Shifnal were 5th.
Despite the closeness of the scoreline, it was actually a comfortable away win for Shifnal United after coming from behind. O'neill Lewis gave Newport CB the lead on 9 minutes but that was against the early run of play. Shifnal eventually got level through Chris Henry on 34 minutes before two quick goals midway through the second half (Matt Illingworth 65mins and Dan Biggins 69 mins) gave United a 3-1 lead. A Sam Wilde own goal with 12 minutes remaining gave NCB a glimmer of hope but Shifnal held on to take all three points.
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| Lee Mills, the ex Derby, Wolves, Port Vale, Bradford, Portsmouth striker, now turning out in the colours of Shifnal United |
Despite my initial reservations, and the ensuing dross of the first game, the hop was a good day out and, for the price of the ticket, there can be no complaints. Any opportunity to "tick" off three grounds in a day is not to be sniffed at! Will I be in attendance at next years shindig? I think you probably know the answer to that...
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