Casuals claim the spoils in a terrific contest.

    25/11/2023                               

               ⚽Midland Football League ⚽

Wolverhampton Casuals 2  Shifnal Town 1

This was something to on a cold afternoon as two good teams went toe to toe with Casuals certainly having the better of the early exchanges but with neither side really threatening a goal. Having said that, the visitors worked their way into the game midway through the first period and it was they who held sway for most of the rest of the first half.

The second period saw the hosts impose themselves  much more and their pressure told in the 64th minute following a rapid counter-attack, with the ensuing shot from Cottam seemingly taking a wicked deflection resulting in the ball trickling over the line⚽. It was no more than they deserved for their no nonsence efforts and they certainly weren't prepared to stand on their laurels as they went in search of the killer goal, but it was Shifnal who claimed the next goal in the 83rd minute when , from a corner on the right Jarman headed in⚽. To all intents and purposes that seemed to be it until, in the 93rd minute Smith unleashed a cracking shot into the top rh corner giving the keeper no chance⚽.

This was a really good game for partisan and neutral spectator alike, played at a fast pace with some thundering (but fair) challenges going in. The visitors played their part but can't really have any complaints as Casuals were the better side on the day. 

Entrance ; £5 concession

Programme ; £1

Drink ; £1.50

Referee ; 9/10

Att'ce ; 75 (est)

Entertainment ; 9/10

 

Tividale progress in F A Vase.

                               ⚽F A Vase⚽

Tividale 2  Shirebrook Town 0

After 20 minutes, there was little to choose between these two save Tividale possibly looking the more threatening in front of goal but neither keeper having been troubled. Shirebrook  repeatedly made headway until the 18 yard box where, time and again things came to an abrupt halt.

Following the break the hosts certainly upped their game and it paid dividends around 65 minutes when Townsend sent a low shot between the post and keeper to put them in the driving seat⚽ whilst the visitors again were guilty of doing all their hard work up to the penalty area and hitting a brick wall(often due to terrific defending by Tivi but also wasting their good work with wayward shots). Tividale, by now were having the bulk of play and increased their lead around 75 minutes when the keeper totally misjudged the bounce of the ball and Townsend was able to head his and Tivi's second into an empty net⚽. The visitors were awarded a late penalty but the keeper did really when, although diving the wrong way he  saved  with his feet.

Tividale were worth their win due to their second half endeavours while Shirebrook although looking a more than capable side seemed to lack a cutting edge where it mattered.

  

Entrance ; £4 concession

Programme ; Sold out

Drink ; From £1.50

Referee ; 3/10

Crowd ; 90 est

Entertainment ; 9/10