MICKLEOVER ROYALS 2-0 WILLENHALL TOWN: match report by THE MOWDOG...

Lockmen Picked By Gumption Then By Guile

Mickleover Royals 2-0 Willenhall Town

(FA Vase, Round 2)

Willenhall attempted to grind out a result against their lower league opponents but deserved to tumble from the FA Vase, despite heroic performances by central defender Graham Ashton and ‘keeper Ben Holden. Town reminded me of a large padlock on the solid oak door of a disused Black Country church and it seemed that the Royals would not find a way to unlock it, until a battering jump by striker Tyrell Shannon caused the ‘keeper to spill the ball like a vicar dropping the collection plate, was allowed to go unpunished by the smiling referee. Later, a piece of skill by the lock-picking Adam Birch confirmed Willenhall’s undoing, despite the bellowing of ‘Frank’, who has three wardrobes, I believe: one for Bilston, one for Willenhall and one for Darlaston. He is a total star, albeit an enigma and as I saw at Bilston in October, he kept up his barrage of er, encouragement for Town from well before the start until just after the finish… A word of apology to Willenhall’s players: any mistakes in recognition are due mainly to the awful numbers on your shirts, obviously added to the material in a paint-ball fight. I did my best.

The number 6 of Mickleover and the paint-blob, possibly a number 6, of Town, toss a coin...

Can you see a man in a very silly hat?
He thinks my name is 'Mowdog'...

An early yellow card for the combative Town midfielder Tom Turner actually followed a challenge on a colleague, which preceded a playground scuffle, which thankfully died there and then and didn’t spill over into the remainder of this contest. A few corners were won by Royals, as the visitors struggled to make any headway, bar a couple of right-side deliveries from Danny Hemmings. Danny Martin’s right-side flag-kicks for Royals didn’t seem to be able to clear the near post defenders but Shaun Roberts’ right-flank efforts led to off-target headers by Oli Buxton and Shannon. Shannon had seen a shot deflected to gain one of those corners and Chris Martin’s scurries were often winning the ball back well for the hosts. Ash Warner in the Royals’ goal actually bent his back once though, picking up a weak shot, like he was plucking daisies for his niece. Shannon was lively and I noticed a brilliant few moments of nudging and shoving with Ashton behind the headmaster’s back, but the ex-PE teacher saw you, boys…

A minor skirmish...

Kingsley Burrows-Fields was cautioned for a slovenly tackle and with Roberts standing by, Danny Martin curled a low free-kick from 20 yards round the defensive wall, forcing the somewhat unsighted Ben Holden to shovel the ball out for a corner near his right post, like he was rolling a too-heavy tenpin bowling ball towards distant skittles. A couple of game-switching passes by the calm Danny Martin had already been easy on the eye, before he pushed a short one for Shannon to chest into Steve O’Connell’s path, but his low drive was saved falling left by the competent Ben Holden. Finally, Nashan Wilson looked lively for a moment with a strong left-side run but his low centre rolled behind the goal-frame, then Shannon suddenly found himself free, one-on-one with Ben Holden, who saved well at the striker’s feet and although Shannon poked the loose ball towards the left upright, the Town defence covered, as Birch hovered threateningly.

Another effort by Shannon cannoned off a defender into the busy and effective Roberts’ path but his rising drive just cleared the crossbar from 21 yards. An astute Danny Martin pass to the scandalously unmarked Birch looked really promising for Royals but although the winger’s measured low shot beat the motionless, standing Ben Holden, the enigmatic Ashton was there to hack the ball from his goal-line to preserve parity. A late break by Mickleover, as half-time loomed, saw Shannon’s pass to Wilson on the right travel a little too strongly and the attack stalled temporarily, finally being snuffed out in its second phase by a linesman’s flag. The interval had arrived, Willenhall had stubbornly resisted Mickleover’s offensive play, which at times had been wrecked by a lack of incision, and Ashton, along with the midfield strength of lookalike and skipper Paul Holden, had led his troops well. O’Connell had won some aerial ball for the hosts but although Shannon looked dangerous, Wilson certainly needed to see more of the ball.

Was I not brave to endure 'Frank'?

Shannon won a corner for Royals after the restart, the kick was taken quickly but O’Connell’s lobbed volley beyond the far post was easily collected by the concentrating Ben Holden. The Town ‘keeper then advanced a long way from goal to slide and deny Wilson, to whom the ball had ricocheted and it did look as though the goalie’s hands made contact with the ball outside the penalty-box but the officials waved play on. A fine and flowing break by Royals, involving Shannon then O’Connell, led to a hasty and fortunate slice over his own crossbar by the dependable Ashton, as O’Connell’s pass rolled across the penalty-area. After a Roberts drive had been blocked, Town won a throw on the attacking right and after the expected aerial challenge, Warner actually had to do something, knocking the loose ball away. Birch ran into the Willenhall penalty-area but although slightly tripped, kept his feet, only to run the ball out for a goal-kick.

Ed Wynne Wilson entered the fray for the Lockmen, before the ball suddenly appeared at Wilson’s feet, 12 yards out but he pulled the ball wide of the right upright with his left foot as a challenge flattened him, leaving him hurt for a few moments. A wild tackle at 20 yards gave Danny Martin a shooting opportunity but he lifted his free-kick shot over the Town goal-frame, then a similar incident moments later led to Shannon trying his luck but his effort clipped a defender’s head in the defensive wall. Finally, Wilson, now recovered from the pain, opened the scoring, when the well involved home right-back Ryan Thompson crossed from the right, Ben Holden stretched to catch, Shannon jumped with him, the ‘keeper lost the ball under the challenge and Wilson slipped the loose ball into the net with Willenhall’s players bursting at their locks in complaint. Neither referee, nor assistant chose to uphold the pleas and Royals, finally, had netted to gain a deserved lead.

The goal stands, possibly so that the referee wouldn't have to officiate an overtime period...

Peter Aliguma and Joe Brockley joined the game for Royals and Willenhall made an effort to produce some offense but Warner tipped one cross away for Jordan Simpson to belt behind for a corner and the Mickleover ‘keeper caught the ball smartly from the flag-kick. Another Royals shot from inside-left beat Ben Holden but a superb clearance off the goal-line by Harry Rickus saved his team and he then defended Shannon splendidly from the rebound. Chris Martin’s pass set Shannon running into the 18 yard box but Ben Holden was again alert, saving bravely at the forward’s feet, then Daniel Jarrett appeared as a substitute for the guests, before Birch caned the visitors with a fine second goal. He cut in from the right and curled a great left-booter from 16 yards round Ben Holden’s dive and high into top left corner of the net. 

Birch is in there somewhere...

2-0...

It only remained for Jarrett for Town and Buxton for Mickleover to be cautioned for fouls late on, although solid visiting defender Andre Calder was fortunate not to be shown a yellow card too, yet Willenhall’s officials accepted defeat gracefully, which really impressed me. Town did lack some pace, whereas in Wilson, Shannon and Chris Martin, Royals had speed in abundance. This was a gritty Willenhall performance against a confident, high-riding Royals outfit and although not a classic, the game was always enthralling. 

Almost over...

I drove home to eat cheese and Weetabix, rest my ears and brain from the beatings handed out by ‘Frank’, whose wardrobe malfunctions are legendary and get some kip. It’s what I do. 

Teams:

Mickleover Royals:  Ash Warner, Ryan Thompson, Oli Buxton; Jordan Simpson, Chris Martin, Danny Martin (Capt); Nashan Wilson, Shaun Roberts, Tyrell Shannon, Steve O’Connell, Adam Birch.

Subs: Joe Brockley, Peter Aliguma, Simeon Lawrence, Kieran Lynch, Jake Pritchard (gk).

Willenhall Town:  Ben Holden, Kingsley Burrows-Fields, Andre Calder; Tom Turner, Graham Ashton, Paul Holden (Capt); Danny Hemmings, Matt Dove, Matt Dorgan, Craig Sudlow, Harry Rickus.

Subs: Damian Charie, Steve Nurse, Ed Wynne-Wilson, Harbin Basra, Daniel Jarrett.