NIGHT'S VAGARIES: A NEW BADGER POEM...

 Night’s Vagaries…

The wind-battered copse

In dusk’s pervasion cold

Lies strewn with the debris

Of crooked limbs, awry,

Blown from trees by recent storms’ cruel ire.

The phantom robin hops

In winter’s invasion bold

Amongst the damp, dun debris

Of rotting leaves nearby,

Snatched from branches by harsh gales dire.

The tentative badger stops

In February’s chill untold

And snuffles at the loose debris

For any food morsels dry,

  Hidden by night’s vagaries in rain-sodden mire…

Pete Ray

25th February 2022…

Cold, windy but one badger ate the scattered food near its sett.

Many branches had fallen from nearby trees and one had almost blocked an entrance to a sett…

STUDLEY FC 3-0 FC STRATFORD: THE INDEPENDENT, HONEST & LIGHTHEARTED MATCH REPORT...

 Rapid Bees Sting Limited Guests…

Studley FC 3-0 FC Stratford

The Mowdog’s thoughts…

Despite the fact that FC lost goalie Nathan Taylor, who was injured before half-time, the visitors were in truth well beaten by that time. 2-0 behind, they struggled to get any offense going, although central striker Zidane Sutherland certainly looked capable of severe threat after the break, when five times his lithe and pacy running saw him pass up opportunities to assist others and shoot off target on each occasion himself. Three shots went well wide, one rose way over the target and the other, from an acute angle also flew awry.

The only other attempt at goal worth mentioning by the guests was before the hosts scored for the first time. A short, low centre by George Dunkley from the right was connected with by Sutherland at the near post but home ‘keeper Brendon Bunn’s outstretched right boot kept the ball out of his net.

In a game short of free-kicks, one player was cautioned, Dan Atkins of FC and he would be responsible for the final action of the match, following a superb tackle on Sutherland by Bees’ right-back Owain Taylor, who played tremendously well, especially after the recess. The ball rebounded to Atkins 22 yards out but his drive struck home defender Jake Donnelly who showed no pain. It’s what he does…

THE TOSS IN THE DARK...

Donnelly scored goal two for the hosts and Sean Brain, a pain all night for Stratford’s Tom Fishwick and skipper James Robbins, nabbed a brace in a match which Studley were desperate to win. The choice of fast forwards was certainly validated, for Brain, Sam ‘The Beehive Flyer’ Jackson, Alfie Bloomer (until he was replaced at the break by Aaron Bunn) and Dale Edwards really stretched the rather static Stratford defence. Odane Barnes substituted for the unlucky Dale Edwards though after 20 minutes or so, following yet another injury to the clever winger. 

2-0 became 3-0 in the opening seconds of the second period due to an error by half-time FC substitute Patrick Zito and a predatory strike by the lurking, harassing Brain…

In reality, the game was over and Studley, with midfielders Jack Creswell and skipper Robbie Bunn looking too strong, too smart and too creative for their midfield opponents, it was clear that the three points had been wrapped up by the 46th minute.

SUTHERLAND, IN THE MIDLANDS, READY TO GO...

Harry Higginson took over in goals for the guests and he did a decent job but with two opposing speedsters off the field, the Bees’ stings were less hurtful to Stratford after the break, during which the players probably downed honey sandwiches and a mug of Bovril, for it was such a cold evening.

Owain Taylor…

He impressed with his tackling, recovery ability and pace during the second 45, when he played near the touchline from which I was filming. He did offer me his shirt though when I kneed the ball onto my left shoe and returned it to him, trying to hold onto my camera at the same time. He was good on the night and actually claimed the assist for goal three straight from the second period restart. 

OWAIN TAYLOR: DID A FINE JOB...

His long pass along the right flank was chased, as ever, by Brain but Zito’s first contribution for FC, with Brain right behind him, was to attempt a back-pass to replacement goalie Higginson from the defensive left-back position. Zito’s touch was weak, Brain nipped in, advanced inside, evaded Fishwick and planted the ball into the net past the helpless Higginson.   

Sean Brain…

The forward had a point to prove and he subsequently grabbed two goals but his overall display was disciplined and he also worked for his team-mates, pressing opponents and chasing lost causes. His first goal was a fine exhibit…

The wily and easy on the eye Creswell, back from suspension, threaded a smart pass for the speedy Brain to latch onto, covered by the also quick Robbins but as the striker ran towards the left post, he made such a quick change of direction that one feared for his knees on the artificial surface but the action sent Robbins skidding past in front of him and a flurry of little rubber lumps were launched into the night air. Brain steadied himself and smashed the ball past Nathan Taylor. Gods, did Brain need that…

In the opening moments of the contest, Brain had received a pass from the elusive Jackson who had just seared past FC’s Oli Taylor, playing as a wingback for the guests. Brain reached the left bye-line but his low right-booted cross flew across the goalmouth untouched. He nodded a corner too high in each half but one wondered where the tall FC defenders were, as the Bees’ forward timed his movements and jumps better… He shot wide from distance prior to half-time and past the left upright after the interval from inside-right but he was also denied before the break by Higginson, who fell left to smuggle a low shot from Brain past a post.

SUBS BARNES & SMITH...

Sam Jackson…

The Bees’ winger was devastating several times with his quickness in his exciting races against Oli Taylor who spent much of the game defending, not able to contribute as an attacking force. Before the interval, Jackson forced Nathan Taylor to shove a low shot past his left stick, then the wide-man cut inside but drove off target, before curling another shot which took a touch on Fishwick’s left boot on its way to striking the upper reaches of the right post and then cannoning across the goalmouth.

After half-time Jackson was quieter but still forced Higginson to kick away an acute delivery from the left, then he shoved a near post effort wide following good work by Barnes on the right and finally he fired in a well struck shot late in the match which hit FC replacement Tom Smith and ricocheted for a corner.

The other Bee opportunities…

Bloomer drove too high in the early stages following a fast rush but his best effort at goal was following a melee at the right post from which a corner deflected out to him. His resulting fine low drive smacked against the base of the left upright. 

Nathan Taylor did well to get down and smother a Creswell free-kick from downtown round his left pole but he could nothing about goal two. This stemmed from one of Creswell’s rather decent flag-kicks which was glanced on by FC’s Fishwick towards Robbie Bunn on the left side of the penalty-box. He struck the ball left-footed across the 18 yard rectangle straight to Donnelly, who controlled it 7 yards out from the far post and shot with aplomb into the corner of the net past the despairing dive of Nathan Taylor…  

NATHAN TAYLOR WOULD NOT RECOVER FROM THE KNOCK HE HAD TAKEN...
I WISH HIM WELL.

In the second 45, a wayward, indeed very wayward left foot attempt by Barnes was followed by Creswell’s dangerous right-wing corner being headed from the goal-line by Atkins. Creswell had a shot deflected for a corner too, Donnelly nodded a Creswell corner wide of the left post and Bunn drove well wide late on.

A really good shot from 22 yards was hammered at goal by replacement Aaron Bunn which took a slight deflection on its way to clearing the crossbar but in truth, new goalie Higginson wasn’t really tested during the second period, despite the goal attempts listed above.

The final words…

It was good to see Dean Poulson remaining loyal to FC and playing his usual calm midfield game but really, the wide players, Dunkley and Oli Taylor weren’t able to get going due to the constant threat by the Bees’ speedsters.

Jack Storer appeared in the game for FC and it was a shame that he wasn’t involved as much as I’m sure he would have liked. Odd moments of clever footwork were a pleasure to watch but too often, calling for the ball in space, he received no service at all. I appreciated some of his smooth touches in possession however…

So, Robbie Bunn and Creswell orchestrated the victory, Jackson  and Brain produced the offense, Ben Welsh, Donnelly, Owain Taylor and Matt Edwards formed a strong defensive barrier and protected gloveman Brendon Bunn throughout, leaving him just one save to make and forcing Sutherland to take pot-shots from downtown…

Fair play to FC Stratford for passing the ball however and Zak Tellyn showed neat glimpses of his ability near my touchline after the interval.

It was cold at the Beehive and suspended home club skipper Dan Carter served hot drinks to his dugout friends, which was novel. Me? Impressed by the presence of Bunns and a Bloomer, I drove home with marmalade on toast in mind… 

And Owain Taylor didn’t give me his shirt after all.…  

TEAMS:

STUDLEY FC:

BRENDON BUNN, OWAIN TAYLOR, MATT EDWARDS, JAKE DONNELLY, BEN WELSK, JACK CRESWELL, DALE EDWARDSM ROBBIE BUNN (CAPT), SEAN BRAIN, ALFIE BLOOMER, SAM JACKSON.

SUBS:

BEN BIRCH, AARON BUNN, MARK MAGEE, ODANE BARNES, RYAN SMITH.

FC STRATFORD:

NATHAN TAYLOR, TOM FISHWICK, ZAK TELLYN, DAN ATKINS, JAMES ROBBINS (CAPT), HARRY HIGGINSON, OLI TAYLOR, DEAN POULSON, ZIDANE SUTHERLAND, JACK STORER, GEORGE DUNKLEY.

SUBS:

NICK COX, LOUIS MCDONALD, TOM SMITH, PATRICK ZITO.

STUDLEY FC 3-0 FC STRATFORD: THE LINK TO 25 MINUTES OF VIDEO ACTION WITH FULL COMMENTARY...

 PLEASE CLICK ON THIS MESSAGE TO GO TO THE 25 MINUTES OF VIDEO ACTION WITH FULL COMMENTARY...

FOR ONCE, BARELY A WIND & NO RAIN, SO THE MOWDOG DIDN'T FILM FROM THE SHELTER... 

RATHER DARK THOUGH & IMAGES WERE TOUGH TO TAKE...

THE SCENE FROM THE OPPOSITE TOUCHLINE...

THE PYDOG & THE BODGING DIDN'T DESERT THEIR POST...

LANE ISOLATION...

 Lane Isolation

Weekend storm winds render

Yonder tree dishevelled and distressed,

Yet in shock against a mauve and buff sky

It stands silhouetted.

Wintering woodland leans in surrender

To the prevailing gusts, depressed,

Yet that sturdy tree, if slightly awry,

Shaken, untidy and rough

Still stands unfettered.

And in the lane mud and rainwater gleam,

As sunlight’s final throes still weakly stream…

I had shivered, the knees had wavered

And the February wind had chilled,

Yet I had hovered,

Fiercely patient in silence

Until one badger had levered

And eased itself, wraith-like from a sett and had thrilled

Me as it too, had hovered

In a hollow, wrestling with its own natural reticence…

Pete Ray

22-02-2022

Temple Balsall. Worth the wait…

 

A FIERCELY TERRITORIAL ROBIN...

 A Fiercely Territorial Robin…

Like an interceptor missile

The territorial robin launched

Its red breasted torso at a greenfinch with bullying conceit,

Which clung to a garden feeder

And actually took it out, dispersing

The interloper with impeccable style

And speed, noisily coercing

The unsuspecting prey into a swift retreat…

Like an NFL cornerback

The irritable robin launched

Its needle-fine bill at a chaffinch with cruel deceit,

Which hovered at the garden feeder

And totally took it out, barging

The defenceless bird in a frenzied attack

And spitefully coercing

The humiliated prey into conceding defeat…

Pete Ray

21st February 2022…

 

One of the regular robin visitors to the garden appears to consider one of the feeders its own property in its own territory and fiercely defends it if it becomes aware that finches are taking the seed.

Several times in recent weeks, it has simply flown at finches, bumping them off the feeder itself, or deflecting them away from the landing perches.

A cornerback is a defender in American Football who often takes out a wide receiver, a running back or a tight-end with a launched missile-like tackle…

AND THE WIND SLICED AT THE COPSE...

 And The Wind Sliced At The Copse

Scattered food was inspected by a robin, ruffled

By human presence, unsettled 

And shifting, a shadow in shade,

As a thin orange sunset on the horizon gleamed.

But a wind sliced cold in the leaf strewn glade…

Littered leaves lay distressed on the undulations 

Within the copse with its limitations,

And drifting, they skittered

As a drab dusk across the enclosure streamed,

Yet the wind shivered cold and my body jittered… 

Cluttered holes then revealed two badgers, becalmed,

Creeping from their setts, not alarmed 

And their lifting greyness slowly emerged,

As the developing draping darkness seemed

Drawn by the wind and daylight was purged…

Pete Ray

20th February 2022… 

A cold Saturday evening of sheep bleats and distant gunfire.…

I had just seen a soccer match in Studley and I then drove to Temple Balsall with food for the badgers. There was sufficient water remaining in the receptacles there due to the recent storms and rain however.

I shivered as the wind cut and sliced into the copse but still I lingered. 

Suddenly, a shape moved into my eye-line, that of a black dog, off its lead in a narrow but often busy lane, its elderly owner trailing some way behind.

It shoved its head into a sett entrance and began to eat the morsels of food left for the badgers.

Incredulous, I felt like yelling at it but it was finally called by its owner, who never knew that its pet had managed to acquire an impromptu feast.

As it moved away it became aware of me, a darkly hooded lurker and it suddenly yelped and dashed off to its ignorant owner…

When the two badgers emerged, I was so pleased because because they began to eat, crushing and munching. 

Then, as night enfolded the glade, I lost sight of them and I left, silently…

    

STUDLEY FC 1-4 MALMESBURY VICS: THE INDEPENDENT, HONEST & LIGHTHEARTED MATCH REPORT...

 Offensively Challenged Bees Wiped Out By Zebroski

Studley FC 1-4 Malmesbury Vics

The Mowdog’s thoughts…

The league leaders crumpled under the lively and creative Vics’ midfield section. They had the wily, experienced and clinical Chris Zebroski in attack though and he punished the Bees four times. True, Studley had skipper Dan Carter and midfielder Jack Creswell suspended and defender Will Beach still injured but despite Robbie Bunn’s promptings the home forwards lacked any venom. 

ZEBROSKI: 4 GOALS...

The home bench included three seasoned attacking players, Dale Edwards, Sean Brain and Alfie Bloomer but Edwards arrived too late to affect the outcome and Brain scorned two opportunities with the score at 1-2. Bloomer wasn’t used because defender Ben Birch had been replaced early on by Dave Edwards. The Bees’ rearguard guys were loose and careless in their marking for Zebroski’s goals but they were given a real workout by Vics’ wingers Ollie Crosby-Clark and Kyle Witt too. 

BIRCH WOULD BE SUBSTITUTED...

However, the dominant player in the encounter was unquestionably the visiting skipper Jack Hobson-McVeigh, who ran things at a canter, for the home midfielders were often too busy attempting to check the nifty efforts of Malmesbury’s Ash Alchin and Chalmers Phin.

The wind was a factor on the day but certainly the guests passed the ball more competently on the surface and totally deserved their victory in the end, although Studley will doubtless grimace when they watch the video action to see their wasteful finishing and careless defending.

THE TOSS...

Interesting that at one point in the second period there were three players in the Bees’ line-up with the surname Edwards (Matt, Dave and Dale) and three with the surname Bunn (Brendon, Aaron and Robbie…) 

A commentator’s nightmare. 

Chris Zebroski…

Well, the guy did the business at the Beehive… Not only did he shoot four killer bees, sorry, killer goals, he defended two corners with saving headers also. Ben Welsh, Birch and Dave Edwards were all severely tested by his know-how and he took his goals stealthily, three from very close range and one, the first, from 14 yards.

He began the move for goal one, passing towards Crosby-Clark on the right, who made for the byeline. The home defence seemed to forget Zebroski, being more concerned about the winger’s ability on the ball and consequently the return pass to Zebroski was despatched into the left corner of the net from an unmarked position at inside-right, 14 yards from goal.

The striker had seen a header deflected by strong Studley left-back Jake Donnelly in the first-half too but after the break, Hobson-McVeigh shoved a forward pass to Phin and he slipped a smart assist right of centre into Zebroski’s path between Welsh and Donnelly and as the striker neared goal, all three players seemed to come together but the ball squeezed past Bren Bunn inside the right stick.

Next came a free-kick, left-side from Hobson-McVeigh, whose low near post delivery was touched in at the near post by Zebroski, with several Bees somewhat taken aback…

His fourth goal was mainly due to some very lax home defending, simply watching the striker move towards the middle of goal onto a fine left-wing centre by Witt, before lifting his right boot and angling the ball into the net off the inside of the right pole from close range.

I don’t recall any other goal attempts by Zebroski… 

Nice.

Other goal attempts by the Flying Monks…

Before the break, after being pushed sideways by Welsh in the early moments but earning no spot-kick, winger Witt dispossessed Aaron Bunn but shot past the left upright from distance, then with so many taller players in the 18 yard box, he nodded a Hobson-McVeigh corner over the left angle of crossbar and post. Alchin went close with a shot from 23 yards too, which fizzed past the left stick…

Hobson-McVeigh shot too high from 19 yards and ballooned another effort but also saw a right-flank corner tipped away by Bren Bunn.

A couple of sorties by Crosby-Stepover-Clark in the second period, his legs dancing like he was performing in a rap video, ended with one shot straight at Bren Bunn and another over the target from an angle.

Robbie Bunn…

ROBBIE BUNN POINTS TO WHERE THE GOAL IS...

The home skipper, along with Donnelly could not be faulted for his efforts on the day. He shot wide of both posts before the interval, drove a fine wind-assisted free-kick from downtown only just too high and smacked a good effort from 25 yards too which forced a flying save from visiting gloveman Adam Clatworthy.

Clatworthy also dived smartly to turn away a decent drive by Sam Jackson, who regained parity for his team near half-time from a Robbie Bunn pass. Vics thought that home forward Odane Barnes had fouled central defender Ant Brown in the build-up but the rather cautious and undemonstrative main official saw nothing amiss. Jackson made ground into the left side of the 18 yard area and clipped a low right-footer past Clatworthy into the bottom right corner of the net.

Near stings, er, things for the Bees…

Welsh hooked wide following a first-half set-piece, central-striker Mark Magee shot too high from 22 yards and Birch headed a huge Donnelly throw from the left touchline centimetres over the crossbeam.

However, there was an odd incident during the first 45 too, which saw Bees’ winger Josh Westwood rush towards goal, Clatworthy advanced but the ball wasn’t quite claimed by the ‘keeper on the ground as Barnes challenged him. The ball then appeared to go into the net via Vics’ defender Ben Patey but the official, a long way behind play, disallowed the goal. I can’t argue with that, for the footage isn’t clear, in truth…  

THE SECOND PERIOD WOULD WORSEN FOR THE BEES...

After the recess, Studley were denied when Westwood’s angled drive was smuggled round the near post by Clatworthy and Donnelly fired too high but four more times the Bees messed up in front of goal and subsequently, Zebroski punished them…

Replacement Sean Brain was assisted twice by Magee, first mis-kicking totally with only Clatworthy to beat, then as he closed in on goal at inside-right, he smacked his shot against the near post.

Jackson later made a superb and long run on the left but his eventual shot veered well wide of the right post and finally, Dale Edwards’ smart left-side cross found the head of Magee right in front of goal but to his dismay, he somehow glanced it wide of the far post.

The final words…

Whatever folks say about artificial pitches, players can display their passing skills on them and certainly Phin, Alchin and the excellent Hobson-McVeigh did just that. Vics impressed throughout but in reality they took their chances well, whereas Studley blew their goal opportunities when they came along. 

Liked Witt and Crosby-Clark on the flanks for the Vics and of course, Zebroski enjoyed his day out at Solihull Moors’ training complex. A shame only 59 folks turned up to watch…

THE VICS ENJOYED A SUCCESSFUL ROAD TRIP...

From defenders Brown and Patey, to full-backs Andy Baker and Luke Curtis, plus replacements Archie Walsh, Harrison Archer and the brilliantly named Will Power, who all slotted in comfortably, Malmesbury managed the game better than their hosts…

The Bees still have a game in hand over the threatening Worcester Raiders and that is on Tuesday evening against a much changed FC Stratford outfit, so with the type of weather forecast for next week, I will attend the Beehive again to see how things pan out…

Well done to Vics. I must return to the Flying Monk ground soon…

TEAMS:

STUDLEY:

BREN BUNN, AARON BUNN, JAKE DONNELLY, BEN BIRCH, BEN WELSH, MATT EDWARDS, JOSH WESTWOOD, ROBBIE BUNN (CAPT), MARK MAGEE, ODANE BARNES, SAM JACKSON.

SUBS:

SEAN BRAIN, ALFIE BLOOMER, DAVE EDWARDS, OWAIN TAYLOR, DALE EDWARDS.

MALMESBURY VICS:

ADAM CLATWORTHY, ANDY BAKER, LUKE CURTIS, ASH ALCHIN, ANT BROWN, BEN PATEY, OLLIE CROSBY-CLARK, CHALMERS PHIN, CHRIS ZEBROSKI, JACK HOBSON-MCVEIGH (CAPT), KYLE WITT.

SUBS:

ARCHIE WALSH, HARRISON ARCHER, WILL POWER…