Claverdon Benefit From Binned Glades…
Glades FC 1-3 Claverdon FC
The Mowdog’s thoughts…
This game was pivotal in the deciding of the league title for Division 1 of the Birmingham & District Football League. Glades needed a point to be champions, whilst Claverdon needed to win and win well, due to their poorer goal difference.
Yes, the match was edgy, often untidy and mostly tense but in reality, it lacked goalmouth action for the decent turnout of spectators in Solihull’s Lugtrout Lane. The officials affected the outcome of the encounter too, as the sin-bin reared its ugly head three times for Glades at the worst possible times during a frustrating contest.
Unbelievably, after the quick-footed Glades forward Josh Parkinson was binned and had susequently returned to the fray, Oscar McCracken entered the game as a replacement, apparently exchanged words with a Claverdon player and he was binned within seconds of his arrival. Incredibly, just minutes after he had re-entered the encounter, Parkinson was binned again, leaving Glades with nine playing eleven during a second period which had begun to turn Claverdon’s way…
Despite some possession early, Claverdon lacked any penetration, so that when Glades’ top goalscorer Cam Ford broke away to put his team ahead, it looked grim for their guests. Clav were already missing striker Jamie Robinson (broken leg), his ex-Birmingham City dad Paul and the clever George Curry but soon, Harry Bedford was hurt and was forced to leave the field.
However, after Rory Nicholson had fallen over Tom Donlon’s challenge and won an early second period penalty, suddenly Clav had been offered a chance to get a hook into the confrontation. Amazingly, home goalie Andrew Struthers so nearly saved Henry Eddy’s spot-kick but then the visitors pressed forward more and eventually against a peeved Glades team, they grabbed late goals through replacement Tommy Williams and then from a deflection on Owen Bennett’s drive from way downtown…
No title for Glades yet then but it will be tough for Claverdon to get the kind of win they need at Benson Cresconians to snatch the honours, for they need a victory by eight clear goals…
The rather limited goalmouth action…
The opening half was bereft of real offense in truth, home goalie Struthers only being concerned by a nasty bounce on a long distance Bennett effort for Clav, whilst Glades managed a shot over the target by impressive midfielder Dan McCarthy, an effort wide by Brad Barclay and a ballooned strike by hardworking midfielder Bailey Pollard.
Oh, of course they scored a goal too… It was a disappointing moment for Clav’s Rich Heath to be fair, for he was involved in a difficult midfield tussle and although his footwork almost worked to get him free of challenges, he was inevitably mugged and Barclay clipped the ball forward for Ford to chase and the striker got the better of visiting skipper Josh Farr, before slotting a neat finish past advancing ‘keeper Matt Parker.
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| ABOVE: BARCLAY IS ABOUT TO SET UP FORD & BELOW, THE STRIKER GETS CLEAR TO SCORE FOR GLADES... |
Glades’ demise…
Really, after the short interval due to the fading light, Glades were forced to limit damage, especially when their sinners were binned.
The penalty happened quickly and Eddy’s shot towards the left corner of goal was reached by the falling Struthers but his right gloved palm was unable to keep the ball from entering the net.
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| ABOVE & BELOW: EDDY'S PENALTY GOAL FOR CLAVERDON... |
A low drive from distance by Clav’s Drew Hill rolled against the foot of the left post and Williams shot straight at Struthers, before an Eddy free-kick set up goal two for the guests.
Both home defenders, skipper Ryan Lees and Nick Capewell jumped with Clav’s Alex Litwinko but the ball somehow fell off and behind them for the lurking Williams to lift into the net past a surprised Struthers from a few yards out.
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| ABOVE, EDDY'S FREE-KICK IS ABOUT TO SET UP AN AERIAL CHALLENGE AS SEEN BELOW, THEN FINALLY WILLIAMS STRIKES... |
Separating two efforts by the increasingly influential Clav forward James Spiers, both of which were saved by Struthers, came a chance for Litwinko but it was blocked by desperate Glades defending. Spiers struck both of his powerful shots from the left corner of the 18 yard box, the first being plucked smartly by the gloveman, the second being tipped away by the leaping goalminder.
And then Bennett’s powerful left-booter from 28 yards deflected off the unfortunate McCarthy and flew into the left corner of the net, leaving Struthers helpless.
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| ABOVE & BELOW: BENNETT'S SHOT IS DEFLECTED BY MCCARTHY (7 IN BLUE) FOR CLAVERDON'S 3RD GOAL... |
The final words…
Devastated Glades are still the likely favourites to win the division but Claverdon have matters in their own boots, which need to create and execute offense more like their second period performance in Lugtrout Lane.
Glades felt hard done by when two players were binned and they felt they had deserved a penalty too, when Ford claimed a foul. However, apart from Pollard’s sterling efforts, McCarthy was very involved and was progressively evident in midfield throughout the match and he didn’t deserve to be on a losing team. Ford was lively in attack, without the service he needed, especially after half-time.
Parkinson had such an eventful time but his quick feet were smart on occasions, whilst defenders Tom Donlon, Lees, Capewell and Dan Phipps showed determination and industry.
For Claverdon, Shay Nicholson was effective alongside Farr in defence but in all honesty all of their players battled hard enough, of that there was no doubt. Spiers looked dangerous after half-time in particular, although top scorer Dan Sill was on the periphery for much of the game. Litwinko showed good moments but I guess that goalie Parker was surprised at the lack of work he was asked to do.
Thanks to Glades for their kind welcome at the game and I must congratulate both teams for their successes during this season.
I won’t see Claverdon’s last league match, for I will hopefully be watching Racing Club Warwick’s attempt to reach Step 4 with a play-off victory over Aylestone Park at Townsend Meadow…
