Ed's Eye

Saturday Review

With twenty odd games left in all, we settled a few issues yesterday. Most of the outstanding fixtures are in Division One where St Mary's kept up the pressure on Clarendon, whilst further down the table it compressed itself with Rowley apprearing to be dragged back into the relegation dog-fight and City slipping back into the bottom three.

Division One

City Church 2 St Mary's 3

Another very tight game from St Mary's but they come away with all three points from their match with City, who consider themselves unlucky to come away from their two games with St Mary's with a solitary point.

Martin Ogbourn reports: It was a close, tight game today in which City were leading 2-1 at half time. We conceded two scrappy goals from set-plays in the second half and could have equalised late on from several clear chances as we ended with our best spell of the game. City left it too late though to force the draw. St Mary's never looked completely comfortable at the back but were dangerous with quick counter attacks and from long throws. Although St Mary's had more possession City fought for the full 90 minutes and Daniel Atkins scored from 50 yards in open play ('Beckhamesque' from the halfway line over the stranded St Mary's keeper!), from a free kick and also hit the bar with another free kick!

Overall we are disappointed not to have got something from the game but we showed great spirit again.

Halesowen Zion 4 Rowley College 1

A great three points for Halesowen which probably sees them straight for Division One survival. Halesowen have at least three games left, two of which are in the League: Amblecote and City, then there's their League Cup Semi-Final. For Rowley, they are in trouble now. The one statistic that sticks out like a sore thumb, so much so that I have gone back through their scores to check there hadn't been a typo: Just twenty-three goals scored. Their rivals have averaged forty.

Dave Walters reports: A solid performance from us today and at times playing some super football. We began the game in charge of the early exchanges going close from a Dan Carver shot which was brilliantly pushed onto the bar by the Rowley keeper. Then Tom Doran missed a one on one with their keeper when put through by a wayward back pass and we had a couple of half chances where we might have done better. Against the run of play it was Rowley who took the lead just before half time when Oliver Staien got to the ball just before Simon, our keeper, to nudge the ball over the line.

We began the second half again looking the more likely but not really creating a chance until Jon Lea won a header in our half which was played through to Tom with a super ball from Cocky which he hit first time across the keeper for a superb equaliser. We continued to push and got a second through Tom. Again, we then started to look a little nervous but that was put aside when Ben Doran hit a long free kick into the box and found Chris Noon on the far post to slot home. I can only think of one save Simon had to save from a powerful shot from the Rowley midfielder. We wrapped it up with five minutes to go when Tom completed his hat-trick. A good all round display from us today.

Pete Bennett adds: Bit of a disaster for us (and me in particular) today against a good Halesowen Zion side. To be fair this was partly caused by me having Tom, my autistic son with me and thus having no chance to properly run things. Then, to make it worse, Mark Turton got lost on the way, which wouldn't have been so bad, had I not named him to start and not realised that I was entitled to change the team sheet after submission and name somebody else (despite the lino trying to tell me this). Thus we played the first half hour (unnecessarily) with ten men! By the time Turton arrived Stew Harvey was limping off but we were still 0-0 and holding our own. When Olly Staien (captaining the side before he goes off for a year travelling) scored just before half time things looked sweet: we now had eleven players, a goal and Turton to shore things up.

Second half they played very well and we tired (I suspect our early exersions didn't help). The turning point was their equaliser, beautifully crafted and brilliantly finished, since it shifted the momentum. When they took the lead we had to make changes and chase the game and two late goals made it look worse than it was. The truth was with key players missing we failed to threaten. Olly was great though and we wish him well and hope we're still in this division when he returns.

St Matthew's 2 Sheldon Community Church 2

The myths and mysteries of football were played out here and St Matthew's and Sheldon drew a match a week after St Matthew's easily won (on paper) 3-0 last week. You could blame it on the home and away situation, i.e. teams play better at home but St Matthew's were away last week. People laugh at me when I suggest that teams get an advantage playing at home but I think it can be true even at this level. Players are more aware and familiar with their own pitch. They are used to the bumps and bobbles and dimensions. And as we've seen in the above report, they sometimes arrive late or can't find the pitch, which can unsettle a side.

Sheldon are currently placed fith with four games to go. Despite having to play both St Mary's and Clarendon in their run-in, I think they'll get something from their last four matches. They also have to play Dynamo and City. For St Matthew's, their position is looking a little precarious. Twenty-three points may not be enough and their last two games are against Clarendon and St Thomas'; both of whom may well be roaring for a result.

Dynamo Kingswinford 1 Amblecote 4

Amblecote improved their position somewhat yesterday with a 4-1 win away at Dynamo, once their nemesis but they are far from out of the woods yet. For Dynamo, they are left with two games in this stay in Division One, unless by some major reorganisation they escape. The last match is at home to Clarendon on Wednesday 25 April. Dynamo and Clarendon first joined WMCFL back in September 2002 and went at it hammer and tongs for the DIvision Two title all year. The decider came on a Wednesday night, 23 April 2003, when Clarendon won 4-2 and won the Division by a point from Dynamo. There'll probably be quite a few folks who not only remember that night but played in it that will be in action this time around. Sadly, Dynamo have fallen on harder times but I'm sure they'll be up for sticking a spanner in the works.

Simon Ashby says: Even though our plight looked a bit doomed leading up to this game, we knew we had the Dynamo game to come and given the season they have had so far, we felt we 'should' really be getting three points and that would make the league a bit more accurate given all our relegation rivals had played them.

But as we tend to do this year, we made the job difficult for ourselves by playing a decent first half but still falling behind midway through the half. Dynamo winger Andy Aston had a good run down the right only to be denied by a great block by Fireman Phil our right back, but in one of those time stands still moments, the ball just stopped before running out of play and he stretched out a leg, prodding it right across the goal for their striker to score.

After that I think we were much better though and up until half-time passed the ball better, looking more creative and fluent and got our just desserts when Stu Lester found himself with space outside the box and saw his shot flick off the defender and into the back of the net. So 1-1 at half-time but we felt confident. Good reward for Stu who chanced his arm from distance three or four times during the game.

The second half was much better for us, and at various intervals we managed to find the back of the net, first through Stu's second goal when through on goal, then Dozza and Fellows completed the scoring with good finishes. We were showing some of our early season form with good passing and movement across the park and a great display particularly from our three-man midfield.

I felt a bit for DK as they had two really good chances in the second half that went astray and could have made it a different story. By the end of the game they were down to ten men through injury and at least two others looked like they were struggling. But we have had the same misfortune this year and made the advantage count well.

So now it looks between us, City and Rowley to fill the third relegation place and given we have to play them both away it should be great fun from now 'til the end of the season. Having beaten Sheldon, Kings, Dynamo, St Thomas' and nearly St Marys away though, we feel confident of safety, but need to play like we did yesterday to get out of trouble.

Division Two

Renewal Solihull 2 Wolverhampton and Perton Churches 2

I've just been in and added 'Division Two Winners 2009' to the Wolves and Perton club page. A very big 'well done' to them securing the first bit of silverware to the list of runners-up trophies they have gathered in their eleven seasons in WMCFL. Wolves did appear to have peaked in 2005 and 2006, with a Cup Final appearance and looking like they were going to win the Division One Championship, then falling away in recent years. But like quite a few teams, they've been relegated from the top flight only to bounce back. It was also nice to see Tom Baugh getting the goals that eventually secured the title. He's been a feature of the Wolves team and WMCFL for some years now.

Tom Baugh writes: Wolves win the Division 2 title after coming from behind twice to get the point they needed against a battling Solihull side.

For long periods of the match it didn’t look like it was going to be our day, but the combined desire from everyone in red and black to get the result eventually saw us home.

With Kev, Phil and Nat (all first team regulars) missing, we were forced to field a slightly make-shift team. But despite all of the changes, we flew out of the blocks and immediately put Solihull under pressure. The five man midfield was doing it’s job and dominating possession, but unfortunately we couldn’t convert this into what would have been a very useful early goal. Instead, Solihull with what was their first real attack, earned a penalty when Stevie went into the back of the ever-dangerous Jon Follows. Dennis Bailey stepped up and sent Uncle Rich the wrong way to give the home side the lead.

For the remainder of the first half, Wolves had numerous sustained spells of pressure on the Solihull goal. Frenchie got on the end of a fantastic cross from Jas but his effort cannoned off the defender on the line. There was also the customary scramble with the ball somehow not ending up in the net after Mozza, myself and few others attempted to bundle home an equaliser. Just before half-time, Olly delivered an inch perfect cross, which I glanced goalwards only for the keeper to smartly tip the ball wide.

Half-time: Renewal Solihull 1 W&P 0

We were all gutted to be losing at the interval, having enjoyed the better of the play and created quite a few good chances. But we were confident a goal would come if we kept at it and didn’t get desperate with our play. In what proved to be a pretty shrewd tactical decision, Pag moved Frenchie back into the middle and shifted Gaz out wide. I think this gave us much more balance with Frenchie anchoring the midfield and Gaz a more natural attacking threat.

At the start of the second-half though we were frustrated as Solihull enjoyed more of the ball and started to pull us around the pitch. Fortunately though, it was our turn to get a goal against the run of play and turn things back in our favour in the process. Jas managed to find some space on the edge of the box and planted a perfect header into my path. With the keeper advancing, the ball dropped nicely to simply lift it over the top of him and we were level.

As the game progressed and opened up I thought it was really going to play into our hands as we seemed to have the pace to get in behind them and cause problems. Typically though, a long punt forward hit the ground and bounced over the top of Scott allowing Richard Allen to fire home. Credit to Richard though, it was a fantastic hit and left his namesake in the Wolves goal with little chance.

So once again we found ourselves behind and entering the closing stages of the game. Chances were still coming though and the game remained fairly open. Mozza got in at the back post and crashed a header off the bar and Gaz was causing problems down the left. With about ten minutes to go, Olly burst forward, drew the last defender and played me in a treat to score an almost identical second goal, lifting the ball over the keeper to equalise. Cue mass celebrations.

Solihull weren’t about to settle for a point though and forced numerous corners as well as tossing many long throws into the box. Pag and Scott did a great job of marshalling the defence though and Mozza was outstanding in the air having been given the unfavourable task of marking Jon Follows. Up the other end of the pitch, we got in behind them a few times and Gaz came close to making sure when he hammered a shot of the top of the bar.

Needless to say when the final whistle went, we were all ecstatic, particularly as we’d been worked so hard to get the result.

Wow, what an unbelievable way to end the season. The resilience shown by everyone yesterday, when it would have been easy to fold, was fantastic. Nobody hid away from responsibility and the work-rate was top class.

When we think of Solihull now, we won’t just have to think of them as the team who beat us in the Cup Final and it’s fitting in many ways that against the team who inflicted on us perhaps our most painful defeat, we now enjoy our finest hour.

On a personal note, it was fantastic to get both goals, particularly having not contributed anywhere near as much as I wanted to this season. I said to Pag before the game, if we lost out to St. Boniface by just a few goals, I wouldn’t have forgiven myself for the chances I’ve missed throughout the campaign. Thank goodness I don’t have to think about that now!

Finally, I think we all need to say a big thank you to the people that help run our team. Pag, who has the task of picking the team, often when it’s not an easy job and getting us ‘fired-up’ when the heads go down. Scott, who chases us all for our money, which is a thankless job in many ways but one that is vital to keep our club going.

Last but by no means least, Uncle Rich. To say he’s the heartbeat of our club is an understatement. He looks after practically everything and probably does a hundred other things that most of us don’t appreciate. Not only that, but over the second half of the season, he’s been unbelievably consistent between the sticks, which I think has contributed heavily to our up-turn in results. More than anyone else, this title belongs to him. Thanks Uncle Rich!

Walsall Olympic 2 Chawn Hill Church 4

Chawn Hill pretty much ensure that they will finish outside the bottom three this season with a win away at Walsall. EK can catch and overtake Chawn but will need to win both games and make up a thirty goal deficit, a long shot I think.

Chawn have had a tough season but it's been one of rebuilding the side after getting relegated last year. I think they will come back stronger next season.

Division Three

MBD United 2 Champions Church 2

Well, they didn't quite do it but to say that Champions 'nearly' achieved the full 100% season is a bit of an understatement. To have a goal ruled out for off-side in the nintieth minute that would have done the job is probably a bit of a choker for them but to be fair, they were chasing this game all the way through. The little bit of luck that they have ridden on in one or two previous games finally ran out today. I have to say that Dave Roberts in the MBD goal played out of his skin today and kept his team in the game when Champions were pressing.

MBD's Neil Howard says: An interesting game was on the cards today. Both teams had something to play for, Champions to be the first team to go 100% and MBD to secure secure.

The first half was a fairly even affair with both teams creating chances. MBD keeper Dave Roberts had to make a few fine saves and Shawn Davenport could of had two. At the other end, MBD were creating pressure from the wings and Si Lamour in the middle. The breakthrough came from a corner to MBD. The ball was sent in and cleared by Champions but only as far as Rob Lee just outside the area. He controlled the ball before hitting a looping shot into the top corner. 1-0

The second half started in the same vein but shortly after KO several yellow cards and then a red for MBD's Ryan Reynolds changed the way game had to be played. It can be hard enough to go down to 10 men at anytime let alone against a team of Champions' calibre. Sure enough, soon after the sending off, some nice build up play saw Champions split the MBD defence and equalise. 1-1. After that Champions were pushing for the winner but MBD held strong they were playing well as a unit and still looked dangerous on the break. The game turned again when some brilliant football in the middle of the park saw Si Lamour beat several men before sending a perfect pass through to Rob Lee who managed to connect an outstretched leg and slot the ball home. 2-1. Champions were throwing everything at MBD now and equalised again through Shawn from a corner. Rob Lee saw his hat-trick denied by a finger tip save and Champions had a goal ruled out for offside so the game finished 2-2.

I was really pleased with the performance of the whole team today. To go down to 10 men but battle as they did until the final whistle showed why we have secured promotion this season. Special mention to Dave Roberts, Si Larmour and Rob Lee though for three stand-out performances in particular.

Shawn Devonport adds: Unfortunatly we failed at the last hurdle in our attempt to win all 18 but credit to the lads they couldn't have done much more.

We started poorly with our shape being wrong and after going 1-0 behind to a good finish we changed our formation to get Rion Mills more involved and from then on it was one way traffic. Firstly the MBD keeper saved well at my feet and then Josh Ball dragged a good chance wide before being off target with an header. Then the MBD keeper made a flying stop to keep out another header before I missed a sitter after good work from Tim Bamber when I headed wide from six yards with all the goal to aim at. A shocking finish but I don't get too many with my head. The MBD keeper then denied me again with another fantastic stop before he tipped my free kick over the bar. One way traffic yes with MBD only having one other shot all half.

Second half and the bombardment continued but this time we were much more wayward with our shooting and were not hitting the target. MBD were reduced to 10 men then and we got level after a fantastic finish from Mark Goule. We then continued to press but a bit of magic from Simon Lamour put Rob Lee through to get his second. Lamour's pass was the best I've seen at this level and he had a fantastic game today. We had 25 minutes to get two goals, Lee Ralph fired a free kick straight at the keeper, Rion Mills and Dave Oakley both fired over and found the back gardens and I fired well over in a decent position. We again drew level with what was about our 12th corner of the game and another fantastic Lee Ralph delivery made its way to me and I smashed home from five yards. We then threw the kitchen sink at MBD and Dave Oakley was agonisingly close with an header, Mark Goule went close with a scramble and was denied at point blank range with another header and the MBD keeper foiled me again with another tremendous stop down to his right. However we did create one more chance: With 30 seconds to go, a Lee Ralph ball made its way through to me, I squared to Mark Goule who slotted home again. It sparked wild celebrations but unfortunatly the flag was up and it didnt count. I was adjudged offside in the build up which I was sure I wasn't but I would say that.

MBD did not have another shot all half except the goal but credit to them they defended superbly and their keeper was quite simply outstanding and a definate man of the match. Also thought Simon Lamour was class today his vision and footwork are very, very good and he is a very good player, one to watch out for.

We did our best but it was just one of those days. We didn't really play well all though we created plenty and at times we probably panicked and rushed things second half. But what a fantastic first season and just want to say a fantastic well done to the guys of whom I'm very proud of. We hope to strengthen with a few guys lined up for next year and look to build on a fantastic first season with a good season in Division Two.

We wish all the teams with remaining fixtures all the best and a big thank you to every team we have played this year. It's been a fantastic season for WMCFL.

Friendlies

St Boniface 12 Pye Green Towers 1

Pye Green's Dave Spencer says: We're starting to get a more fixed squad together now and after what was a positive game for us againest Shiloh United we were keen and eager for the match ahead. St Boniface lack the discipline that we've become more used to with the Division Three teams, but they more than made up for it with their attackers and midfield who were the most rapid players we've come across.

We started positive for the first part of the game, but after the match fitness bug hit in I just watched as the goals fly in from all directions. The highlight of our game was an outstanding free kick from Dan Hardiman which would have been a goal had the goals been regualation size but instead hit the bar allowing Matt Drury to knock the rebound in.

After half time there was an incident where with a St Boniface player and one of our younger lads who had a disupute over several tackles which resulted in a hand bags at dawn situation. Fortunately after a few people broke their nails, we started playing football again. Final score 11/12-1 (I lost count but one of our faithful fans kept tally). We're in need of a friendly for this Saturday 11th April, if anyone's free give me an e-mail: dave@pyegreen.co.uk

All Nations 1 International Life Centre 2

ILC's Gift Moyo reports: The weather was great yesterday, with hardly any wind blowing and the pitch was in great condition. ILC got off to a flying start creating a number of chances but lacked that finishing touch. After around ten minutes the Referee gave All Nations a penalty, which we think was undeserved. However the ILC Keeper, Pride, made a superb save to keep the score at 0-0. All Nations were creating chances too but I think I'm safe to say the ILC defence was quite solid at the back. All Nations created a few scares, until an ILC counter attacker turned into a goal from a lovely finish by striker Ade.

1-0 Halftime.

Second half All Nations got on the attack, with ILC seeming a bit relaxed. ILC got off the hook, with an All Nations header coming off the crossbar. About 15 minutes into the Second half, there was tussling in the ILC penalty area as the keeper was trying to make a save. One of the All Nations players appeared to have kicked the keeper's knee, leading to the ball being blasted in, pulling All Nations level. The keeper then had to be replaced by reserve goalie, Jones, who was equally as brilliant as Pride. ILC then went on the attack stringing beautiful passes together and creating a lot of chances, but again lacked that finishing touch. With about 10 minutes to go, ILC got a free kick, and striker Ade scored with a neat finish to make it 2-1.