We'll start in the Worcester Nursing Junior Cup where BGIS had a brilliant win 4-1 away at Perrywood, a renowned strong team from the Worcester League. BGIS took a 1-0 half time lead when Dan Lawrence scored on the stroke of the whistle netting after Marc Wright in the Perrywood goal, a former BDFL player, had kept out the initial effort. BGIS expected a second half onslaught from the hosts but it never came, instead a brace of goals from Connor Collins on 54 and 60 sealed the tie with Collins pace proving decisive. Alex Dugmore added a fourth late on before annoyingly, BGIS conceded on the stroke of full-time to ruin Aaron Collins's clean sheet bonus! Well done to BGIS who now face Upton Snodsbury in the semi-finals at the start of February.
In the Kidderminster Hospital Minor Cup, there was a fine 5-1 win for Hizza United over Swan to advance them into the next round, whilst Rubery Legends didn't turn up against Dudley Saracens crashing to a 4-1 victory with only Chris Gee's goal for any sort of crumbs of comfort. In the Junior Cup of this competition, the game between Meadow Park and Wyre Forest had to be halted at the end of full time with the sides deadlocked at 2-2, whilst there was agony for Belbroughton Athletic who lost to Wilden Village in a penalty shoot out, this after an 8 goal thriller in the 120 minutes of that game before the hosts were more clinical from 12 yards to win the tie.
Bridgwater Cup action and specifically Group B where Studley Lions took a massive step towards qualification for the semi-finals as Group Winners as they beat Stoke Works 3-1 (who were also in the mix) and at the same time eliminating Winyates and Arrow Valley in what has been one of the closest groups for some time. Both sides started this game well getting the ball down and playing football – Early doors, it became apparent Stoke's new signing ex VBGF right back James Wells and Captain fantastic Paul Halfpenny would be the main playmakers whilst Studley had the hard working Chris Hands calling the shots from the middle of the park with his strong running. The game had to be stopped inside 5 minutes when Studley's Nick Briggs dislocated his finger slipping over onto the 3G surface but this didn't affect Briggs as he was soon racing onto a through ball that Stoke's centre back Tom Westwood failed to deal with – However disaster struck whilst one on one with James Ryan, Briggs managed to pull his thigh muscle just before he shot, fell over and the ball scuffed wide of the post meaning his morning was over! Studley continued to look threatening going forward, Marc Jovanovic giving Matt Chance a torrid time with his strong forward play and Tommy Blewett finding plenty of space on the right, indeed it was from one of Blewett's crosses that Rupert Antley fired a drive wide with 24 on the clock. It was no surprise when the Lions went ahead during the middle of the half when Halfpenny got dispossessed from a throw in, Sean Trainor found Jovanovic and his long range shot deflected off the luckless Westwood and flew past a startled Ryan in the home goal. Studley could of doubled their lead 5 minutes into the second half when Jovanovic got his shot off but was tackled late by Chance and with Assistant Referee Ellis flagging for a spot kick, it was awarded. Sam Small struck his penalty well but Ryan made a great save. This seemed to give Stoke a bit of a kick up the backside and they soon pulled themselves level when a right wing flag kick found its way to Westwood who smashed home a stylish 15 yard half volley that fizzed past Kial Jackson giving him no chance at all. Studley regained the lead around the 75 minute mark when a free kick from the trusty left foot of the legendary Steven Dipple found Jovanovic who headed back across goal to the unmarked Hands who had ghosted in unmarked and he couldn't miss from yards out. Stoke began to push forward knowing a defeat was not an option but with targetman Jon Snell off the pitch with a rib injury, the skilful Ryan Cooper was finding it difficult to turn his marker excellently shackled all game by Russell Southwick, the closest he came to scoring was when his curling effort drifted narrowly wide. The third goal late on came when Stoke were pushing forward and a fine passing move involving the main Studley players saw Stewart Rowland side foot home from close range. A great encounter between two good sides and Stoke certainly won't look out of place in Division 2 should they be promoted at season end.
Two WA Harris Cup matches completed Round 1 of the competition; Firstly Premier Division side Millfield Rovers saw off plucky Division 2 side Spa Athletic 6-3 , who came from 4-1 down to 4-3 before succumbing to a couple of late goals one a penalty which knocked the stuffing out of them. James Ward banged in a hat-trick for Millies, with Danny Hiles, Chris Lowe and Diddy Cummings getting the others. Millfields now face Division 2 leaders Sporting Club Redditch in Round 2. Meanwhile the WA Harris Cup favourites, Black Horse, had a 10-0 win over Oak Tree Sporting in a game which was only able to last 45 minutes when Oak Tree Sporting found themselves down to 6 players after injuries; The 5 new signings on their way to Oak Tree Sporting can't come soon enough for Rory's men who suffered a hammer blow in the week leading up to the game. Black Horse now face Meadow Park Youth in the second round and a match where they will be near enough 1/12 shots to progress.
Just the one Premier Division game this week and that saw Pilkington Sunday beat Rubery Athletic 4-1 thanks to a brace of goals from Smith and Jones yes honestly Smith and Jones! (Oliver Smith and Grant Jones). Jack Berry got the visitors consolation after his initial penalty was saved and it rebounded kindly to him. Pilks won the game in the first 15 minutes barraging the Rubery goal with 3 quick strikes and it was always hard after that for the Rubery boys.
Fast improving Quinton Athletic managed to stop Red Lion in their tracks with a 2-2 draw in a Division 1 encounter down at Greenlands. Keil Sumnall put the Quinton-ers ahead before Kingsley Smith and Kieron Madden put Lion ahead before half-time. Lion missed a golden opportunity to equalise when they missed a penalty and Sumnall made them pay by bagging his second to secure a decent point. These dropped points allowed both Rubery and Chaddesley Corbett to pull 3 clear at the top of the division with Bromsgrove Athletico only in friendly action. Rubery had a routine 7-0 win over FC Hop Pole with star of the show being the skilful Italian striker [censored] 'Pirlo' Behan who netted four, whilst Chaddesley Corbett always have a good side out for the really important games and this they did again today, the tactical nous of Richard Ash coming into full play as they beat visiting FC Highgate United 3-2. FCH were ahead twice in the game, through Ben Markall's penalty (after Damian Ash handled) and Connor Wilson's strike but goals from Ben Tolley (2) and Daniel Weston, two of them coming in the final 5 minutes, sealed victory. Credit to stand in FCH keeper Spencer Hunt who made some fine saves and proves he really is the jack of all trades in the FCH set up as well as occasionally showcasing his refereeing skills in the BDFL!
In Division 2, Sporting Club Redditch continue to lead the way and their first game for over a month saw them beat gritty Callowbrook Green 2-0 thanks to goals from Jay Gifford and Joe Shaw. SCR have a lot to look forward too for the rest of the season if they maintain this winning form. Redditch United Sunday have been a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde team this season, but on Sunday they showed their good side as thrashed Awkies Allstars 7-0 in their own backyard, a backyard of a 3G pitch where Awkies are normally dominant. Nothing went right for the home side at all, Ashleigh Tullett and Jason Gibbons fired blanks all game which allowed clinical Redditch to stamp their authority on the scoreline. Debutant Jack Garghan a midweek signing from Callowbrook Green netted a hat-trick whilst Ben Smith, Jamie Sippitts and Alex Griffiths Hughes (2) also netted although Griffiths Hughes got himself needlessly sent off for a rash tackle and now faces a suspension. AFC Northfield continue to plunder some big names to their squad and the policy is certainly reaping rewards now as they secured a 3-2 away win at Winyates thanks to a brace from Shaun Hunter and Luke Dugmore.
In Division 3, the festive break hasn't done Bromsgrove Corinthians any harm and they came out of the traps quickly putting six past Stoke Prior in their first game of 2017. Alex Beck continued where he left off in 2016 with a brace, whilst Ed Tear, Joshua Mitchell, Leigh O'Connell and Simon Johnson also netted. Arrow Valley blow hot and cold like the artic wind and on Sunday they blew cold as they crashed to a surprise 2-1 defeat to Bromsgrove Academicals. Despite Reece Miles scoring for the home side, a rare double from the now bearded Nick Baker took the points home for the visitors who leap into mid table as a result. Cofton Old Boys made it two wins on the bounce as they beat the infuriatingly inconsistent Chaddesley Corbett Reserves by a 6-3 scoreline, whilst in the eagerly awaited Sidemoor derby between Millfield Rovers Reserves and FC Bromsgrove, Patrick Sullivan got one over Adrian Godwin (who wasn't present due to a ground exclusion order) as his Bromsgrove side won 3-1 thanks to goals from Mark Smith, Curtis Holdham and Shaun Nash. Millfield Rovers Reserves never got going and will be thankful that Godwin is back on the sidelines next week to motivate his team.
And in the final match of the day, Bromsgrove Athletico had a 7-1 friendly win over Drakes Broughton Rangers from the Worcester League – Star man in this match was the jet-heeled Sam Wright who netted a hat-trick with Jay Woolridge, Ryan Wood, Jake Bourne and Sean Mcdermott also netting.
Next week's fixture list could be at threat from the weather as some cold wintry weather is forecast over the weekend but the latest models from BDFL HQ do not show a severe amount of disruption just that it will be blooming cold! So take your woolly hats and thermal socks if you are taking in one of the many games we have on offer next week – At a glance, Millfield Rovers v Black Horse (Premier), BGIS v Meadow Park (WA Harris Cup), Awkies v Sporting Club Redditch (Div 2) and the Bridgwater Cup Group A/B games (which could decide group finishing positions) are the ones which most catch the eye. Hopefully back to a Sunday report as normal next week.