Ed's Eye

Saturday Review

Division One

City Church 1 Clarendon 2

City are still not mathematically down after today's defeat but it would take a long-shot for them to avoid the drop. If Sheldon beat St Matthew's on Wednesday night, then it's all over. The three relegated clubs would be City, Chawn and Solihull.

Whilst you would have expected a win for the League Champions, it may have been possible for them to have lifted off the gas from a selection or attitude point of view. Clarendon's Louis Williams texted a brief report: A Roger Moore header and Everton Morrison's penalty made the difference today. City missed gilt-edged chances and had they scored it could have been much different had they been converted. With double point-blank saves from Alton Stewart keeping the scores down to one gave us another great result . The game was played in a great spirit. Wishing City all the best for the rest of the season.

City's Martin Ogbourn adds: A gutsy, hard working team performance from City as we showed great heart and commitment. We worked hard all game, played some good football at times with a good attitude and created numerous chances, but were only able to convert one chance late on.

The first half was fairly even and City had some good openings, but were unable to convert any of them. Clarendon looked sharp in phases and played some quick passing moves, but they were unable to settle into their rhythm. However, their best chances came from long throws and they scored late on in the half from one of these long throws. This was frustrating as we played against the wind and slope in the first half and defended very well again.

In the second half City put the Champions under enormous pressure and dominated possession and scoring chances. However, Clarendon still looked dangerous on the quick counter-attack as we pushed more players forward. They scored from a penalty early in the half, but only had sporadic chances after that. Towards the end City forced the Clarendon keeper into several saves. Notably there were two point blank saves in succession - the second was saved by the side of the keeper's head, although I'm not sure how much he knew about it!!

City scored late on to give us hope, but it was too late to grab an equaliser. We certainly deserved something from the game, although Clarendon defended well and managed to block shots, tackle, win headers and cover, when required throughout the game. Congratulations to Clarendon for their League title and all the best for the Cup Final.

This game has not defined our season. In the final analysis it is the six games we have taken the lead in and failed to win (which ended in five draws and one defeat) which has cost us too many points.

Rowley College 3 Amblecote 5

Amblecote put themselves in pole position to take second spot, with the three clubs involved all having one game left. Amblecote must put last week's 0-6 defeat at Dynamo behind them as their last is the reverse fixture. St Mary's play Solihull away on 3 May and as previously mentioned St Matthew's travel to Sheldon this Wednesday.

Pete Bennett reports: Once again we were bettered by our long-time bogey team, though today I was relieved to have a full complement and not have to play. I also enjoyed the spectacle of two attack minded teams playing on a messy pitch (full marks to referee Ian Jeavons for getting the match on!) and keeping everyone entertained. To some extent it was a tale of two goalkeepers: we’d lost ours to work and Amblecote’s was back between the sticks. Luckily we have a perfectly competent replacement in Andy Rowe but that left a defence already bereft of our two centre halves looking even more makeshift and Amblecote exploited our understandable uncertainties especially in the first half. In their goal Dean Russell was excellent in the sense that he was dominant and decisive and when we had the advantage of the slope he was constantly there to thwart us. This was very much end-to-end with both sides creating and missing lots of chances but Dean was one of the reasons that they always looked more likely winners (and on reflection I think 5-3 wasn’t far off ).

As I’ve implied Amblecote had the slope and a little wind in the first half and came at us hard so it was a real lift when we took an early lead with Craig Micklewright showing what we’ve been missing for most of the season: round the keeper and slotted home. We then conceded two horrible goals (from our point of view) at the start of what was a concerted bombardment in terrible conditions for defenders. Firstly we failed to deal with a low cross to the edge of our six yard box forcing makeshift centre back Johnny Warr to slide in and block it straight to Jadon three yards out! Then Rowey confidently came to take a corner which he then spilled to present a second open goal (our lads feel he’d got a bit of a nudge but there you go. We were glad to get in at 1-2.

The second half was a little frustrating since we had a significant advantage but failed to use it despite playing some decent stuff. Chris Staien had gone to centre back and was outstanding as was Ross Hughes at left back. A word too for Andy Binder who was helping us out on a trip back from university. The sucker punch came early when Jadon slid in Rion Mills and he finished well (he deserved a goal and looks a real prospect). (He plans on signing for new club Champions Church next season-Ed). By now we were cranking up the pressure but with Jim looking decent at the back and the goalie dominant we were often snatching at shots (or blocking one anothers). When a similarly slick move left Amblecote 4-1 up it was all getting a bit depressing (since this was never a thrashing), but we kept going despite losing Johnny Warr and Craig was able to complete his hattrick (either side of a Tim Fellows’ goal). Both Craig’s goals were a) good finishes and b) a little controversial. The first was possibly the result of the linesman ‘balancing’ decisions: in the space of five minutes I saw Craig go in on the keeper twice. The first time he looked clearly (three yards?) onside and was flagged off, the second he looked clearly (five yards) off and no flag came. Ah well! The game ended also with a ‘marginal’ penalty decision as Dean Russell appeared to get the ball before he collided with our lad. Craig dispatched it. I’m still amazed how much football was played on such a pitch.

Simon Ashby adds: A good game yesterday against Rowley who over the years we always seem to do quite well against. Although 5-3 I think we always looked comfortable at 4-1 and 5-2 before a late penalty but it was a real battle in the wet and mud!

Good fun, on a bog of a pitch, but one which we all wanted the game to go ahead on so well done the ref for that. Rowley played well in stages and it was an old fashioned battle at times but some really well worked goals from us in the second half won the game.

Frustrating again as we have conceded more goals in the last two games as the previous fifteen! But despite losing five games in an up and down year, we can still get second with a win next week.

And lastly Amblecote's Jim Wilkes: A great game on a mud bath! The type of game that when you get home, you go straight to the washing machine put your kit bag and all the kit youv'e got left on in the washer, oh and not to mention your white boots! Go straight into the shower and need three bars of soap to clean! Loved it!

Good game full of mistakes either end, can't remember Rowley's first goal, I was clattered down by Deano who missed the ball but hit me. He apologised to me, I still wished he'd kick me and the ball! Their second and third I think Pete explained these well!

Both teams played in good spirit, some good performances either side, but as ever Rowley never give up, credit Pete!

Dynamo Kingswinford 3 Sheldon 2

Having picked their feet up in the last few weeks, Dynamo secure Division One football for next season with a 3-2 win over a Sheldon side with everything to play for. The win gives them ten points from twelve to take them past my theoretical 'twenty points for safety' margin. We'll see how that one pans out again by 3 May.

Dynamo's Gary Lamsdale texted: Typical Saturday football, this week we were missing key players forcing us to play our keeper up front. Fair play to us all, we battled hard and never stopped trying. Praise to Ian Hopson who at forty-three years of age had to play in centre-mid. (You babbie I can hear Pete Bennett say-Ed).

That should be enough now I hope, my heart won't take much more!

Lyndon Fisher adds: On a blustery morning on the back of two victories, we really should have beaten Dynamo. We created a hatful of chances whilst controlling the game. Their goalkeeper made some fine saves and definately kept them in the match.

Division Two

E K Corinthia 1 St Thomas' Aldridge 5

A much better performance this week from EK made St Thomas' work for the points. EK's leading marksman Chris Morrison texted: We went one up through a Chris Morrison wonder goal and really played well. The score didn't really reflect the balance of play with us capitulating after our sending off.

Next week St Thomas' play King's in a highly crucial match. Obviously, St Thomas' need the points. If they beat King's and Halesowen slip up against Bilston or Selly Oak on 26th, then the Chapionship is theirs. However, a win for Selly Oak in their tie against Halesowen would mean they would take the third promotion place if King's don't win all three of their remain games against Bislton, Walsall and St Thomas'.

With three quality sides coming down and two out of three of Selly Oak, King's and Wolves staying down, Zion Athletic and Walsall improving it's not going to be an easy Division to escape from next year. I would anticipate that Bilston will put on a better show next year after they have settled down after last year's monumental shake up and EK have now experienced their a full season and learned from the year's football, it could be a cracking year. That's not to mention clubs coming up from Division Three in 2009. I'm jumping ahead a bit now and making assuptions, sorry.

Halesowen Zion 6 Walsall Olympic 1

I managed to watch some of this match today at Dudley Wood. I had dropped by to meet and watch the match on the other pitch: MBD United and Elim Athletic were playing a friendly. I moved over to the Halesowen-Walsall game at half time and was told that Zion had spent most of the half encamped in the Walsall end of the pitch. In fact, Mel Lewis the lineman was shivering because had had spent much of his time stood still. At half time the score was 1-0 to Halesowen, having hit the woodwork (rusty metal) three times.

The second half continued in the same vein; Halesowen even managed to hit the crossbar of the goal on the adjacent field, but on one of Walsall's rare break-away attacks Andy Marshall floated a deep cross-come-shot. The ball left stand-in keeper and club secretary stranded as it drifted over his head into the back of the net.

The goal panicked Halesowen a little. Walsall have had a good run recently, walloping EK 11-1 last week to add to wins against St Boniface and more notably a 1-0 win at King's. Halesowen kept plugging away and scored again to relieve a little stress, although Walsall continued to defend doggedly and threaten on the break. But the killer goal eventually came. Tom Doran worked hard in the box and eventually evaded his defender and rolled the ball across for Chris Noone to slot home from ten yards. They look easy but when you have to redirect the ball on a bobbly pitch, many end up in the car park. Noone made no mistake and the game was over. Walsall lost their resolve and Halesowen, free from the shackles and tension of needing the three points scored freely.

King's AFC 1 St Boniface 1

Promotion chasing King's stutter at home to struggling St Boniface. I've heard very little about this match, save to say that I was under the impression that St Boniface were having difficulty getting a side together. Either things go better throughout the week or a little propaganda was put out. A win for St Boniface in an interesting encounter against EK this Wednesday will secure tenth place for the Selly Park based team. Whereas King's season reaches it's climax on Saturday in their game at St Thomas'.

Zion Athletic 13 Sandwell United 1

Sandwell's season finishes with a whimper as their nine men get hammered by the strength of Zion. Zion's James Hamilton writes: Unfortunarely Sandwell could only muster nine players today, so this was a fraction one sided as they scoreline may suggest!! It got to the point where I was feeling more and more guilty as each goal went in. Much credit must go to the Sandwell players who never gave in despite the complete drubbing. They kept trying, and maintained their sense of humour throughout.

Last season was our first season in the league and we were in exactly the same position as Sandwell are now. When there is nothing much to play for it is difficult to keep the players motivated. But I sincerely hope that Sandwell will build on lessons learnt this year and build a stronger, more solid squad to last them the whole of next season.

Friendly matches

There were a couple of games played yesterday. St Matthew's and Selly Oak were both keeping their hand in with a game up in Walsall. Fixtures tend to peter out at this stage of the season and clubs sometimes get out of practice. There's nothing like a game for keeping your eye in. The match ended in a 1-1 draw. Martin Nicholls reports: Friendly this week against Selly Oak from Division Two. This match in some ways typified the second half of our season. The first thirty minutes we had plenty chances but failed to reach half time with more than one goal to the good. Nicholls gave St Matt's the lead after good work from Luke Hopson along the sideline followed by a cut back that Nicholls slotted home under a leaping Paul Beagen. A mixture of bad fortune and poor finishing meant we went in 1-0 up.

As the game progressed Selly grew in stature and as the sub count increased for both teams they notched an equaliser when their full back scored from what I reckon was a cross but I am sure he will claim otherwise. A draw was the least Selly deserved for a spirited second half display.

Perhaps more interestingly, was the match between two sides planning to apply to join WMCFL next season: MBD United and Elim Athletic. I got photos of both teams but both clubs had several key players missing, so the pictures will be replaced in due course. Jon Earp from Elim provided a match report: It was a good game today with both teams trying to find their feet for a new season. We got off to a great start with a good passing move down the right flank with Dean O’leary putting in a nice ball to Dave Hunter who quickly turned and put it into the corner. Dave quickly got his second of the game with another ball into feet from Dean from the right hand side. A quick turn and it was 2-0. Straight after the kick off MBD United went straight through middle of us, but fortunately our keeper Buzz pulled off a great one on one save. With the formation we are playing we we’re always getting men forward in support and the ball was played into Sean who decided to put it on the bar instead of the back of the net. Just before the break MBD United caught us sleeping on a corner, and with a goal mouth scramble the ball was quickly prodded home. Unfortunately an MBD player bent low to win a challenge and managed to find our strikers studs, which put him out for the rest of the game.

After the restart we looked disinterested, fortunately we managed to win a few headers in the middle of the park which set Sean Mckenna away on a quick attack who dribbled round the keeper who then squared it for Joe Croot to knock in from a yard out, to make it 3-1. Again quickly after the restart MBD caught us sleeping and got down our left flank. Their player beat our two defenders and the cross-come-shot went in over our goalies head, 3-2. It was pretty end-to-end in the second half, and we got down the left flank with Joe beating the right back and putting in a lovely ball to allow Dean O’leary to tap in: 4-2. Unfortunately for us pretty much straight away they we’re in our box again and made it 4-3. We made a few subs at this stage which put a bit of life back into us, and with six or seven of us going forward we got the ball across the box. With a quick pass from Chris, Sean bent it in over the keeper to make it 5-3. Just as both teams were seeing out the last few minutes MBD were awarded a penalty, and they made it 5-4.

All in all it was a good game and a good win for us and hopefully we can push on from here.

Ed - I spoke to Tracey and Jon at the match who would like to express their thanks for the kind messages sent through by many of you for Adam. Please keep them coming. He started his treatment and is benefitting from the words of encouragement.

So that's all folks this week. I normally get a few reports drifting in throughout Sunday and Monday, so I'll paste them in as and when they arrive. Please pencil the Cup Final into your diaries. As usual, it's at the Grove, the home of Halesowen Town FC and kicks off at 7.45 on Monday 21 April.