FLASHBACK TO 2014 & A 0-3 WIN FOR MICKLEOVER ROYALS AT HOLBROOK ST MICHAELS...

Inconsistent Officiating Encumbers Battle of Badger Hill

Holbrook St Michael’s 0-3 Mickleover Royals, 2014...

The referee of this encounter displayed such a lack of predictability that one wondered whether he had recently secured a university degree in inconsistency. One assistant looked on silently and incredulously as yellow cards were, or were not brandished, seemingly with a lack of common sense or authority. Some bad fouls were excused, whilst two innocuous trips by a visiting midfielder led to a pair of cards and a needless dismissal. The official erred badly when awarding a simple throw and later signalled a corner on the left, after the ball had clearly gone well wide of the opposite upright. Players and coaches alike became frustrated and rather angry with the discrepancies, which badly affected the flow of the game. Holbrook, or Hale Broc, Saxon for Badger Hill, was a new ground for me and it was clear that Saints were playing damage-limitation against the Royals, who were fielding eight different starters from their impressive FA Vase win over Willenhall Town last Tuesday evening. The guests won with something to spare, despite their profligate finishing and all three goals were disappointing for Saints to concede. Two scruffy close-rangers and a free-kick which passed through a bunch of people completed the unattractive strikes but the victory was imperative for Royals, although in truth the Saints’ general defending was stout throughout their determined ranks. 

The new footballing catchphrase could be heard as the players emerged from a melee of bushes, trees and leaning fencing at The Elaichi Park: “Come on boys, eh?” It’s heard just about everywhere these days. Davy Hamson’s work ethic was evident throughout this game for Royals but forward Kirk Francis would probably spend his Saturday evening counting the number of bruises on his legs.

Francis was absolutely scythed down by Saints’ aptly named defender Joe Fowler (his full-back partner was Jordan Butcher: surely you couldn’t make this up?) and the frowning Fowler was justly cautioned. Francis hobbled away. Eventually, Francis tricked his way to the left byeline after a one-two with Brandon Gwinnutt and he fed Hamson, who passed inside back to Gwinnutt and the midfielder squared the ball for Joe Brockley to shoot from 18 yards. Home goalie Chris Dodsley might have seen the ball late but he threw himself down to the right and made a fine one-handed save, only for the marauding Louis Menson to flick the ball smartly into the corner of the net from an awkward angle. 

MENSON STRIKES FOR 0-1...

Half-time was signalled by whistle, not by yellow card, the players trudged back into the shed at the bottom of the garden and the cloudy afternoon began to look a trifle murky. Matt Cole, Adam Kay and home skipper Charlie Holman had defended with real aplomb for the hosts but despite their undoubted dominance, Royals had squandered too many opportunities and had been careless too, preserving hope in the Saints’ ranks.

Francis was then crudely floored by the fortunate home defender, the well-named Fowler, who was not shown a second yellow card but was merely advised, in the company of his skipper, not to repeat the misdemeanour. This incident should be remembered by the reader, for it has a bearing upon later developments. Following neat build-up play the visitors were awarded a free-kick just outside the penalty-box and some 15 yards from the byeline. Ash Foster managed to clear the undermanned defensive wall with his delivery and the ball somehow sneaked past everybody and entered the Holbrook net. 0-2 and the points were all but safe, even at this stage of the match.

FOSTER'S FREE-KICK FROM THE LEFT WOULD GO STRAIGHT INTO THE NET FOR 0-2...

Saints’ Mickey Dunn replaced the hard working, if largely ineffective Mike Smith (not the legendary M.J.K. Smith, the famous Warwickshire cricket captain) but immediately a bad foul on Francis, just 23 yards out, brought merely a free-kick, as a Saint escaped a deserved card.

Soon afterwards, as Gwinnutt, effectively running the midfield now for the Royals, challenged an opponent. A trip was correctly signalled by the official but then Gwinnutt was dismissed, after receiving a very harsh second yellow card, which even the Saints players must have been aghast at.

The third Royals goal was unfortunate for Saints’ Kay, who had escaped punishment for several fouls given away previously. The ball struck his arm as he attempted to control it, Savage stole possession, ran towards the 18 yard line but fell as he poked a left-foot shot which bounced off Holman’s foot, then the advancing Dodsley’s boot too, leaving Menson to chase with defender Mitch Robinson. As the pair slid like Quarterbacks getting a first-down in the NFL, the ball rolled apologetically into the net, with Menson claiming a brace.

MENSON SCRAMBLES GOAL 3 FOR THE ROYALS...

The referee would blow his whistle promptly for the game to end, maybe attempting to hide his embarrassment and had probably left the ground before the Holbrook staff had taken the nets down. Can’t blame him, really. Mickleover should have won the game more convincingly but as Chris Dodsley kept reminding his team-mates, until the third goal, Saints had never been out of the contest. Dodsley, Kay and skipper Charlie Holman had done their best but in truth, Idris Kabonga, the one realistic danger, was rarely fed and Royals’ Ryan Thompson nullified the threat well. Kieran Lynch looked good for the visitors and skipper Jordan Simpson held his men steady. Hamson and Francis were dangerous for Mickleover but Foster was prominent in midfield and was always willing to shoot. 

I looked at the Holbrook club badge of a knight on a charger but the Royals had convincingly won this joust. I wondered whether one-time owner of the land, Edmund Crouchback would be squirming in his grave at the performance of the officiating Sheriff… 

THE BODGING SEEMS AT HOME AT BADGER HILL...

Me? Eggs and chips in the faraway hamlet of Shirley in Warwickshire. 

It’s what I do…

Teams: 

Holbrook St Michael’s:  Chris Dodsley, Joe Fowler, Jordan Butcher; Matt Cole, Adam Kay, Charlie Holman (Capt); Mike Smith, Rob Inkle, Charlie McCormack, Fenwick Butcher, Idris Kabonga.

Subs: Mickey Dunn, Mitchell Robinson, John Pearce, Richard West.

Mickleover Royals:  Ash Warner, Ryan Thompson, Kieran Lynch; Jordan Simpson (Capt), Peter Aliguma, Joe Brockley; Louis Menson, Brandon Gwinnutt, Davy Hamson, Ash Foster, Kirk Francis.

Subs: Oli Buxton, Matt Savage, Danny Martin, Owen Brown, Jake Pritchard.