Thursday 30 April 2020

FLASHBACK TO 2016: ALVECHURCH 1-2 HEREFORD FC...

Noisy Crowd Becomes Bulls’ 12th Man, As Sick As Parrots ‘Church Suffer Bad Day At the Office In A Funny Old Game…

Alvechurch 1-2 Hereford FC

As I hate football clichés so much, I decided to include as many as I could recall in my report of this really important, all-ticket clash at Lye Meadow. Hereford deserved to win the encounter for their first 70 minutes of effort, when they really put a shift in, during which they found that goals really do win games. 
IT GOT NOISY HEREABOUTS...

Early doors, the guests looked more comfortable, anchored by the tireless and excellent Rob Purdie in midfield, but striker Mike Symons simply led the attacking line like a stalwart and this allowed wide-men Sirdic Grant and Sierra Leone’s Mustapha Bundu room to work the ball wide, both of whom enjoyed fine tussles with ‘Church’s Zack Foster and Chris Field respectively. Neither Bull was on the scoresheet but threaten they did. Purdie’s goal lit up the opening period during which the furious ‘Church coaching staff became frustrated at their players’ seeming inability to avoid delivering long balls at mesomorphic forward Jordan Nadat and an exasperated bellow was heard: “Pass the f……’ thing…” 
HOW I REACHED THE ROOF...

THE, ER, BOX...

LONG WAY DOWN...

A second goal from a corner seemingly saw Hereford safe but a 71st minute goal by home substitute Danny Ashton meant that the tide had turned but despite some domination, ‘Church couldn’t buy a goal to regain parity. Even a disputed penalty (I’ve seen them given…) won by Nadat’s low centre of gravity and subsequently saved superbly by Martin Horsell, would not shift the Bulls. 
FILLING UP...

Spectators timed their fighting to perfection, for ‘Church were on a roll, had moved up a gear and Hereford had their backs to the wall but the game was understandably stopped for a while by referee Kevin Carroll, allowing the visitors some respite of course and the hosts were unable to regain that streak of ascendancy they had acquired. Metal barriers were hurled upwards like they were cabers being tossed at the Highland Games, beer fizzed into the darkening sky, assailants assailed and confrontations were confrontational. A few policemen moved across eventually but they were surely unwilling to get physical at that time of night. A crunch game, a big crowd, a drummer drumming, the presence of an ex-league club, which is a household name, at a smaller venue with beer flowing and I guess it was no surprise that tempers thus became frayed…
FINE SKY...

READY TO GO...

JORDAN NADAT MEETS THE BODGING...

The pitch had taken some heavy showers of rain during the day and before kick-off, and the evidence was there for all to see, with a brook glistening along the touchline on the dugout-side of the sloping surface. Home ’keeper Paul Evans demonstrated the down side of the surface when an early left-flank cross by Hereford’s skipper Joel Edwards was glanced across the goal-face by Symons, not a household name but with good feet for a big man, forcing Evans to run left and slide onto the ball. Only he kept sliding… He was forced to release the ball as he slid out of the penalty-box, a real heads-up reaction, then stood quickly, side-footed the ball back inside the rectangle and picked it up. “Phew…” he thought. Well, maybe he thought: “F… me…”
ATMOSPHERIC...

The opening goal, when it came, arrived courtesy of a poor touch, the intervention of the slippery surface and a fine, astute finish by a quality footballer. Evans raced out of goal to harry Hereford’s Pablo Haysham, whose final touch had been as loose as the ladder I’d climbed up to the roof upon and once again Evans slid well to save but the ball bounced off his torso and flew out to Purdie, lurking, as ever, some 30 yards from goal and his precise clipped shot was unerring, as the spectating Bulls behind the net boomed their approval.
PURDIE HAS SCORED: 0-1...

Hereford would have been really pleased by the opening period, they’d set out their stall, they’d found acres of space in the trenches and also on the right through right-back Jimmy Oates. They had moved up a gear whenever possible and they had seemingly wanted it more. ‘Church had perhaps assumed the role of underdog, their half had become pear-shaped, they had almost lost the plot and needed to pull something out of the bag… The queues formed at the beer gazebo, I remained on the sodden roof, Coventry United were drawing 1-1 with Nuneaton Griff in the League 1 third v second clash and Steve Burr had been sacked as Chester manager. He’s family, so I wasn’t pleased…

The Bulls gained a right-wing corner during the second-half and scored from it. The delivery was sound by Purdie, Oates got behind James Spray, fell to head the ball downwards inside the 6 yard box and as it bounced, Haysham, back to goal, also fell but he overhead-kicked an effort through a crowd of players and into the net. Simples…
0-2: HAYSHAM WITH THE GOAL...

Following substitutions, Nadat’s fight and Spray’s persistence saw the ball fall to the loosely marked Ashton, right side of the penalty-area and from an angle, he shot off and beyond Horsell into the far corner of the net to reduce the arrears. Not a worldie but a life-saver for ‘Church and a wake up call for the Bulls.
ASHTON HAS SCORED FOR 1-2...

No clean sheet for the Bulls then, a collector’s item for Ashton, so ‘Church would surely throw the kitchen sink at FC, who must have feared a late backlash. A smashed clearance by a Hereford defender struck the roof of the platform I was standing on and ricocheted at a guy’s beer container, which was torn from his grasp and the liquid soaked his clothing. Brilliant accuracy on the clearance, brilliant humour displayed by the drinker…

And then the game erupted… Nadat turned inside the penalty-box, all arms and physicality and he quickly fell, the referee didn’t really signal at first but I believe his assistant saw a foul and a penalty was awarded to ‘Church. Red mist descended, a bullish ‘fan’ even entered the field of play, there was a ‘discussion’ but eventually, Nadat lined up his spot-kick confidently. He struck the ball hard and low to Horsell’s right but the ‘keeper was quick and dived to make a fine save. The crowd spilled over the rail onto the back of the net, things appeared to be getting slightly out of control but with Alvechurch on top for the first time in the game, emotions were badly fraught. Thus with FC suffering squeaky bum time, giving 110% with their backs to the wall, the interruption came at the perfect time to calm things down for them.
'KEEPER HORSELL PREPARES...

...NADAT FIRES THE PENALTY...

...BUT HORSELL'S LEGS DO THE REST...

The fight was sad to see. The majority of spectators at the game were decent people. Those who became embroiled in the nastiness will no doubt escape punishment, however. That is also sad…

Not a classic, not top drawer, not Roy of the Rovers stuff, not end to end, not even a game of two halves, but a rousing, exciting competition, which was won by the more accomplished team.

Purdie’s sumptuous goal, finishing with aplomb and the eventual victory had left his colleagues and fans over the moon in this David v Goliath contest and their critics had been silenced. They hadn’t shipped goals but had won a match they had controlled for 70 minutes, finally by the skin of their teeth. Alvechurch hadn’t played in triangles or diamonds, were a little square at the back at times but with the Bulls circling for the kill, they had been reduced to linear boots forward for much of the game, until Ashton employed the right side of the 18 yard rectangle. Luke Paskin was cautioned near the end, taking one for the team (I hate that phrase) but with other similar offences not yellow-carded, perhaps Mr Carroll thought they were all six of one and half a dozen of the other.

Purdie and Symons were so good for the guests, the full-backs strong and the ‘keeper superb on the night but there will be disappointment for the hosts, whose central defence looked uncomfortable all evening, for despite their late vein of form, their only course now is to take each game as it comes…

I climbed down the shaky ladder with care then drove home for a pee and a strong mug of tea. 

It’s what I do, you see… 

TEAMS:

ALVECHURCH:
Paul Evans, Chris Field, Zack Foster, Dave Bellis (Capt), Andrew Parsons, Luke Paskin, Ryan Winwood, Sam Williams, Jordan Nadat, James Spray, Jack Cresswell.
SUBS:
Mark Smith, Nathan Waite, Nick WRight, Danny Ashton, Matt Sargeant (gk).

HEREFORD FC:
Martin Horsell, Jimmy Oates, Joel Edwards (Capt), Rob Purdie, Ryan Green, Nathan Summers, Mustapha Bundu, Aaron Birch, Sirdic Grant, Pablo Haysham, Mike Symons.
SUBS:
Jamie Laird, Dylan Bonella, Anthony Robbins, Joe Tumelty, John Mills.  



      

  





     

KYNANCE COVE: WORDS BY THE MOWDOG...

Kynance Cove


Such dull, yet interesting 
Colour,
Almost lifeless, yet rich;
Wild growth and crickets flicking
On rolling hills down to the Cove.

Such boulders, yet strewn 
Incongruously;
Almost positioned, yet not so.
Wild moorland and blackbird busy
Amongst brush and thriving flowers.

Such cliffs, yet merely 
Stone,
Almost falling, yet solid.
Wild shards and eroding base
On flat sand, awaiting the tide.

Such beauty, yet cruel surf,
Turquoise,
Almost enticing, yet plotting.
Wild waves and crashing noise
Amongst stumbling rocks, deflecting the route.

Such depth, yet fascinating
Layers,
Almost shelves, yet not so.
Wild lands and breathless sheerness
On uninhabited and natural coastland.


Pete Ray


Kynance Cove, Cornwall. 


Attracted me.





WAR MEMORIAL, KENTISBURY, NORTH DEVON...

Kentisbury Memorial, North Devon


It holds no more interest than
A street light,
Or a telegraph pole;
Barely an eye flickers towards
The hewn stone,
Or roughly tarnished bronze figures
And lists of forgotten names
Of departed military souls…

It held no more interest than
A flock of sheep,
Or a herd of cattle;
Fairly hidden from the eye was
The sculpted stone,
Or vertically impressive cruciform memorial
With list of inscribed names
Of remembered dead from battles… 

Pete Ray

 A church, silent crossroads, a memorial leaning back into bushes and history lay unnoticed by most travellers. 

And I wept inside…

Wednesday 29 April 2020

KYNANCE COVE: 'CAT COLOSSUS'...

Cat Colossus, Kynance Cove…


Tail snug around firm buttocks,
Colossus cat sits
Behind outcrop of weathered rock,
Seemingly ready to lick a sandy paw;
Poised elegantly on haunches,
Sculpted feline gazes,
Shadowed by bulk of exposed stone,
Fitfully averse to protecting an endangered shore.

Eye keen on smooth head,
Watchful goddess waits
Between heights of sheer rock,
Curiously hiding to unleash a sharpened claw;
Rising serenely from cauldron tide,
Hewn Bastet mewls,
Lashed by waves of breaking surf,
Balefully howling to mourn coast’s fissured jaw…

Pete Ray

An outcrop of rock reminded me of a colossal statue of the Egyptian goddess Bastet, a cat, worshipped from Bubastis originally. Seemed like she was attempting to hold back the destruction of autumnal tides at the spectacular Kynance Cove.




WAR MEMORIAL IN LES VANS, FRANCE...

Appeal Unheeded


Helmet shed, face upturned 
Towards his enemy,
Or perhaps to his God?
Vacant, yet certainly 
Pleading, needing
Mercy. But from whom?
His enemy’s, or his God’s impending doom?

Reclining, inclining
Towards an uneasy truce
With his enemy, or perhaps his God?
Right hand loose upon butt of rifle, grounded,
Boots’ scarred hobnails worn and rounded;
Left hand grips wound, or maybe his heart,
For he now cannot distinguish his enemy, or his God apart…


Pete Ray


 1st World War Memorial at Les Vans, France.



Tuesday 28 April 2020

COMFORT ZONE: FROM A PICTURE BY SUSANNA UGALDE...

Comfort Zone
(from Susanna Ugalde’s artwork…)



Just a cafe and a bar:
No frills, no luxury,
Merely welcoming and frugal;
A feeling that you are comfortable,
Like being within the strings
Of an acoustic guitar…

Just a smile in a cafe, a bar:
The thrill, the company,
  Certainly beguiling and cultural;
A knowing that you are untouchable,
Like the mind being on wings
And drifting your thoughts afar…

And the faint jazz echoes, slow
And your eyes close 
And the wine is aglow
And the pleasure flows… 

Pete Ray
28th April 2020

Spotted the picture by the Barcelona based artist and liked the style, the feeling and the simplicity. 

I would react to those things just by being there… 

PZ 17 & ITS OTHER SEAGOING USES: PART 8...

PZ 17 & ITS OTHER SEAGOING USES,

PART 8:






Monday 27 April 2020

COVID-19 UPDATE FROM MONDAY MORNING IN SOLIHULL...

Covid-19 Update: Monday Morning In Solihull 
(07.15 hours until 8am…)

Grumbling has been circulating
About a noisily driven Subaru,
Its exhaust like a motor bike’s,
Its colour steely blue;
But it does have a competitor
In the shape of a Skoda Octavia,
Also blue and spluttering
And committing anti-social behaviour…
Slowing down at speed humps
Almost to a stop and brakes lock,
Then they roar away to wake the neighbours
More effectively than a rampant cock…

However, milk was needed today from One Stop,
A necessity, so I walked out early
And found myself in a queue of four,
Including the window-cleaner, surly…

The chap in front bought a canned drink and crisps
And so my finger just ached to accuse
But he then spent five minutes at the counter,
Lottery tickets and scratch cards to choose…

The window-cleaner had entered the store,
Nodded then queued with his customary smirk,
To buy only his packet of fags for the day,
A necessity when you’re due at work…

The other elderly fellow waiting in line
Was glum and he too held no goods to buy:
Purchasing fags then it was clear to us all,
Cuz for smokers rules don’t seem to apply…

As I left the till space I guardedly turned
To find the lump blocking my exit and escape;
I waited until realisation moved him aside,
His expression dim, his mouth dully agape…

What happened above took just three-quarters
Of a dull and cloudy, Monday hour,
Leaving the whole day ahead to contemplate
And extract a smile from my glower… 

Pete Ray 
27th April 2020

The noisy car drivers seem to be joyriding, despite local complaints becoming commonplace.
"GET US A PACKET OF RICHMOND SUPERKINGS IF YOU'RE GOIN' TO ONE STOP..."

I was the only one of four customers at One Stop who was actually buying an essential: milk…
"DROPPED MY BLOODY CRISPS..."

Cigarettes? Canned drink? Crisps? Lottery tickets and scratch cards? 
"FRIGGIN' LOTTERY, THESE CATTLE..."
Really?

QUIET GULLY...

QUIET ROAD...

SOCIAL DISTANCING AT ITS BEST...