⚽West Midlands Regional League⚽
Bilston Town 0 Smethwick Rangers 2
Not a lot to say about this game really as these two were so closely matched with just two highlights,both resulting in goals for the visitors .The game was heading for a draw when Rangers pounced on a error by a Town defender to take a late lead and two minutes from time the home keeper was sent off, resulting in a penalty for the visitors which was duly dispatched past the substitute keeper.
An excellent game for the neutral with two committed sides really going for it.
MOTM Bilston; No 6 👏👏
MOTM Smethwick ; No 6 👏👏
Entrance ; £3 concession
Programme ; £1
Drink ; £1
Referee ; 6/10
Crowd ; 75 est
Non league dogs ; 1,see above ; 'Lunar'
Entertainment value ; 9/10
⚽ Total Motion Midland Football League ⚽
Sporting Khalsa 2 Romulus 3
The hosts' pre-match position was as table-toppers but on the day, the well-drilled visitors were too good for what appeared to be a lacklustre Sporting Khalsa.
The first 15 minutes was mostly Khalsa with Romulus restricted to counter attacks using the pace of their two front men allied to some well-organised defending . The visitors seemed to gain in confidence and it was they who then took command for a while and this seemed to be the pattern of things until a couple of minutes before the break when,following a corner, the visitors broke the deadlock.
Fifteen minutes into the second half the hosts levelled when the keeper couldn't hold onto a piledriver from outside the area. The visitors were not put out by this; indeed by the 72nd minute they were 3-1 ahead,the second following a goalkeeping howler. On 80 minutes the Khalsa keeper somewhat redeemed himself by stopping the visitors number 9 from scoring, three times in a matter of seconds. Well done the keeper ! With 5 minutes to go Khalsa reduced the arrears so it was definitely game on but to be fair,Romulus could have increased their lead on a couple of occasions after that and for all their belated efforts Khalsa couldn't find a leveller.
This was a day when Khalsa met an extremely well-organised,impressive outfit where everyone knew their role so credit to them. Khalsa will have better days than this.
MOTM Sp Khalsa ; No 9
MOTM Romulus ; No 2
Entrance ; £3 concession
Programme ; £1.50
Drink ; £1.50
Crowd ; 70 est
Referee ; 7/10
Non league dogs ; 0
Entertainment value ; 8.5/10
West Midlands Regional League
Shifnal Town 5 Worcester Raiders 1
Another example of the quality of the WMRL from two very capable sides. Early skirmishes were pretty even-steven before the hosts instantly took a firm grip on proceedings as they scored twice in as many minutes. Try as they might,and they really did have a go,the visitors struggled to contain table-toppers Shifnal. Things took a sharp turn right on the stroke of half-time when the visitors reduced the deficit with a 'worldy' from the right; was it a shot or a cross ? No matter, from where we stood it was an absolute belter !
Within minutes of the restart Shifnal increased their lead which was further enhanced with a mix-up between defender and keeper; 4-1, but they kept the best 'till last; a sweeping move from defence to attack with just 5 touches and the ball was dispatched for a fifth. Magnificent stuff at this level !
To be fair, the visitors were never overrun;indeed they had their moments and were unlucky on quite a few occasions but Shifnal are worthy league leaders on this performance.
MOTM Shifnal Town ; No 9
MOTM Worcester Raiders ; No 8
Entrance ; £4 concession
Programme ; £2
Drink ; £1
Referee ; 9/10
Crowd ; 50 est
Non-league dogs ; Didn't see any !
Entertainment value ; 9/10
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⚽
Buildbase FA Vase 1st Qualifying Round
Wolverhampton Casuals 2 Bilston Town 1 Played at Brinsford Stadium
There's never a dull moment at this level; following last weeks' FA Cup exploits,this week it's the turn of The FA Vase and this derby looked good for local enthusiasts. Both sides are known for their 'never-say-die' attitude so we knew what to expect and we weren't disappointed.
First blood went to the hosts; following a dreadful defensive mix-up initiated by Vidal,Brady pounced to tap in. Casuals controlled large parts of the first half without adding to their lead but the visitors always looked dangerous on the break.
Town started the second half on the front foot and were denied by a combination of good goalkeeping and unfortunate misses but they were rewarded on 68 minutes for their enterprising play and to be fair,it was no more than they deserved.
Game on,or so we thought ! Just three minutes later Brady connected with a ball over the top to lob the advancing keeper to claim his and the hosts' second. That was how it remained despite the best efforts of the visitors.
Casuals move on to the next round to play Lichfield City.
Yet another excellent Non-league game.
MOTM Casuals ; No 3
MOTM Bilston Tn ; No 6
Entrance ; £4 concession
Programme ; £1
Drink ; £1
Referee ; 8/10
Crowd ; 50 est
Non-league dogs ; Didn't see any ! 😬
Entertainment value ; 9/10 👏👏👏
