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) 

HIGHGATE UNITED (The Coppice)

After an abortive attempt back in February, I finally made it to The Coppice, on Tythe Barn Lane, the home of Highate United. There was no danger of a waterlogged pitch today as it was a fine, if chilly, spring afternoon.

Highgate United were formed in 1948 in the Highgate area of Birmingham, but are now based in the Solihull district of Shirley (Shirley Town's ground, is just around the corner from The Coppice).

They reached the (now) Midland Combination in 1964 and remained there until 2008 when they won promotion to the Midland Alliance.

This season however they are in danger of being relegated back to the Combination but are managing to put up a fight with some good results in recent weeks.

The Coppice ground is basically one-sided with cover along one touchline which incorporates seats and standing. There is a clubhouse and, whilst in the clubhouse, I noticed a plague on the wall (left) dedicated to the memory of Tony Allden, who died on the blackest day in Highgate's history.

It was during an FA Amateur Cup tie versus Enfield in 1967 that a bolt of lightning struck the pitch at The Coppice and three players were knocked out.

Two of the players recovered by sadly Tony Allden did not and died in hospital 24 hours later. The club have produced a booklet detail the full tragic story (see below).

Today Highgate were up against the team who are directly above the relegation zone, Atherstone Town, but who were 10 points clear of them, so it was a must win game for the homesters.

The first period was a pedestrian affair that was dominated by Highgate, in possession terms, but the best chances fell to Atherstone. Ben Ashby really should've put his side two goals up at the break, but he fluffed his lines in two one-on-one situations.

The second was, to put it politely, much more livelier as Atherstone pressed the self destruct button to hand the points to the homesters. With the game still goalless on 53 minutes, Adders skipper Chris Sockett had words with the referee, who then sent him off.

Three minutes later Highgate were awarded a penalty for a foul in the box, admittedly it was a soft one but, from where I was sat, it looked like there was contact. Oliver Casey stepped up to convert.

The Adders then conceded another penalty on 65 minutes when goalkeeper Paul Hathaway appeared to shove Highgate's Junior Bennett. Atherstone's Carl Stringer exchanged words with the referee in protest at the decision and another red card was produced. Casey stepped up to score his second spot kick of the game.

Atherstone, now down to nine men, pulled a goal back on 70 minutes when Daniel Douglas headed home. Any hopes of a dramatic comeback were extinguished just moments later when they were reduced to eight men, Ashby receiving a red card for an alleged elbow.

The homesters finally put the game to bed in the 78th minutes when a low cross was scuffed home by substitute Liam Florey. A vital three points for Highgate, whilst Atherstone must be looking over their shoulders nervously especially now, with a raft of suspensions looming.

As the train was taking the strain, the final act of the day was to head into Birmingham for some real ale and a re-visit to the fantastic Post Office vaults in the city centre.

TAKE ONE: Oliver Casey fires home his first penalty of the match (57)

TAKE TWO: Same player, same result (65)

Saturday 31st March 2012
Midland Football Alliance
Highgate United 3-1 Atherstone Town
Attendance: 78

I think this is a worthy cause, and the booklet is an interesting read, so I thought i'd give it a wee plug...

The club have produced a 16 page booklet documenting the tragic events of 25th February 1967. It costs £1 and is available from the clubhouse or by emailing highgateunited@hotmail.com to arrange payment and postage.

All profits go towards purchasing a memorial plaque.