Proper Football

                          West Midlands(Regional)League.Premier Division March 30th

                           AFC Wulfrunians v Black Country Rangers

At last,a game and one to anticipate.Wulfs trying for top spot;BCR off the pace but still nobodies' mugs.Add in the mix of Sandwell(BCR play their home games at Tividales' ground) v Wolverhampton and the prospects looked good.
                                          A little potted history

Prior to the game,we had a very informative discussion with a member of Wulfs Committee.We learned of Wulfs' denial of promotion when they last won this league;the reason given - 'ground not up to standard'.This would be amusing if it was not so diabolically untrue.The ground-Castlecroft-was originally Wolverhampton Wanderers training ground.When Wolves moved their training to Compton they sold Castlecroft to the Council from whom The Rugby Football Union secured a 100 year lease.The RFU then moved their headquarters to Twickenham.AFC now rent the premises from the RFU.It is a fantastic facility.Not only is it the best ground in the WML,it's equal to or better than most in the Midland Football Alliance to which Wulfs aspire.

The first thing that struck me was how many 'big lads' Rangers have in their side. They started the game on the front foot,penning Wulfs back for the first 10 minutes or so.Gradually the home side came into the game but it was still 50-50.No quarter was asked and none given,with some crunching tackles going in.

It was from one of these Rangers number 7 was yellow-carded.As the half wore on it was still very even but Wulfs were stringing together some very promising moves and it was from one of these they gained opened the scoring.

Two precision diagonal passes cut Rangers defence wide open and Brady scored from a tight angle.An excellent move.Following this,Rangers number 8 was red-carded for a 'studs-up' sliding tackle.

Half-time :AFC Wulfs 1 BCR 0

No sooner had the game restarted than Wulfs had doubled their lead following some heroic work by Piggott.The game suddenly sprang into life when Price scored for the visitors.However,their joy was short-lived as no sooner had they scored when Hammond was dismissed for a second bookable offence.

Sedgemore(AFC) and Hammond receive a bollocking(and a card each) from the ref.

Wulfs then used their superior numbers to potentionally put the game out of reach.The second of these scored by Brady who caused Rangers problems all the game with his speed and trickery.

Game over,or so it seemed.Rangers scored a consolation goal 3 minutes from time.Two minutes from time that goal seemed more than a consolation as they scored a third goal and Wulfs looked decidedly rattled but managed to see the game out.Credit to BCR for persistence when all seemed lost.

A thoroughly entertaining game which could have been spoilt by the two red cards but actually added spice to the mix.

Entrance; £2(concession)
Programme; Free(with an extra one fronm a postponed game thrown in)
Hot drink; £1
Crowd;70-80(guess,but not far off)
Ref; Good
Weather; Bloody cold.