Fireworks, Poppies and The F.A. Cup: Fleetwood at Home

The aftermath of the Russian airliner which disintegrated after taking off from Sharm-al-Shaikh in Egypt rumbles on: the Advice from the British Commonwealth Office is against travelling to the resort and civilian flights have been halted. This leaves a whole number of British tourists stranded there, with rumours about how – and when they will get home. Arrangements are broadcast, then changed. Was it a terrorist bomb? An accident? Mechanical failure? Nobody actually knows – yet! But two hundred and twenty four innocent people were killed instantly!

But, either way, in some insidious fashion, the terrorists are gaining ground. One, tourism in Egypt will take a knock, the country may become more isolated, the extremists will find it easier to influence what is happening there. Two: the whole economics will disappear, leaving Egyptians unable to continue the same standards of life and living.

I believe the British government is doing what is necessary: seeking to protect the lives of British people. It seems, from rumours and the very active media circus that security systems in place, or at least the people manning, them are insufficient, poorly trained or corruptible. Most tourists will be returning with hand luggage only, so the suggestion is that hold baggage was improperly checked – or worse.

In British politics the recently elected Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has upset many people (including me!) by suggesting the annual Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal celebrates war, and as such, is dishonourable. I find this absolutely shameful. The poppies are not sold to celebrate of glorify war but to offer some financial assistance to the very ordinary people and families who suffer from needing to do extra-ordinary things. It ought to be possible, surely to separate the actual war from the people who take part in it. People who made this nation – indeed, the world – what it is today, gave us our freedoms and responsibilities. There is some question as to whether Corbyn will actually lay a wreath at the Memorial service at the Cenotaph In London on Armistice day (11^th November).

 

That wars are not started by ordinary men is obvious; wars are the product of politicians: Corbyn may be correct in his anti-war stand as a modern politician, but must re-think his stance on the poppy.

Walsall face the First Round F.A. Cup proper today, November 5^th (my brother’s birthday and Guy Fawkes Night too). Doesn’t seem so long ago that new_ Fleetwood manager Steve Pressley was sitting enduring some banter from my brother and I in the HomeServe Stand, having lost his manager’s job at Coventry. Now he’ll be back again, trying to knock us out of the only Cup we are still in.

Fleetwood are simply struggling – and their opening performance tells its own story. Only a few fans have made the trip … and they are very quiet. We have not been good this season at imposing ourselves from the first whistle: but today we do – or Fleetwood are just that poor.

Indeed, during the first sixty minutes or so we control the game. George Evans, who must be one of the best-ever loan signings at Bescot has tucked away his third goal of the stay. We are one nil up and they have little to offer. Their goalkeeper and manager are two of their most animated characters – to little effect until we make some changes.

Lalkovic goes off, so does Etheridge and Tom Bradshaw. On come Forde, McGillivray and Jordan Cook. We miss Bradshaw’s steadying presence up front. When the ball is cleared Tom is usually able to hustle, control, steal or take the ball on. He is constantly putting defenders under pressure. Cook is just not able to do this – or not as well as Bradshaw. This, I guess is why Bradshaw has had his first full wales international l call-up (more of this later).

 

And Fleetwood get some serious possession, set up (and miss) several good chances. We are sitting back in our own half, unable to get away, relieve the pressure. But Fleetwood cannot take advantage of it. And into the three minutes of added time we get a throw in. It is well taken, worked to Forde, who has a short run, cuts inside … and I watch him, with time and space, look up, pick a spot and curl the ball into the Net. Two – nil ad we will be in the draw for the next round. Some guy outside the ground wanted to be playing Wolves at Molineux in the next round. Me? Not too fussed at the moment: I want this team to do well, but am concerned that, with the squad size we need to avoid injuries … and seriously/

Would prefer to get automatic promotion! Or at least be in the play offs again.

Tom Bradshaw has been picked by The Wales manager, Chris Coleman to join the training before the next international games. Gareth bale is not bale to play and there are some other first-names-on-the-list missing, so Super Tom gets the nod. Whether he will play or not is a different matter. But it does mean that our away game, next week at Shrewsbury is postponed.  How fortunate for me: I will be going to Durham for the weekend with the Saddlers Widow and, depending on the rearranged date will not miss this local away game.

Back from the game, I scurry with boxes of dry paper and some wood left over from re-cladding the garden shed to mom’s. For the annual bonfire, beer and food-at-our-hose. Traditional. Our home-made one isn’t as big or as glamorous as Thursday’s Star Inn bonfire (thanks Great Wyrley Parish Council, great show!). It does however contain a couple of pallets that I liberated from the enormous pile! As usual, we all toddle out of our houses and watch the magnificent display of aerial fireworks: fascinating colour combinations!. But ours is  a great chance to get spread-out members of our family together. The night is dry, skies clear and the food welcome.

But, in the country darkness, with people walking about I am sure, once o twice that Stewart Staples, long-time friend (and Walsall fan) is the one making the footsteps.

Sadly this is not so: he died last year, buying fireworks as he always did for our annual celebration.

Miss you, my friend!

This morning, being Remembrance Sunday we stood with refreshingly large  numbers of scouts and local people at the memorial Gates on the A34 in Great Wyrley: poppies were laid and sacrifices remembered.

We Will Remember Them.

Spirits High? You Betcha! Gillingham at Home

Hallowe’en evening: home.

Last week the clocks went back (Daylight Saving Time which was introduced in a time when it was necessary – not like now when electric light is so freely available it seems) and today is actually Hallowe’en.

I am sitting upstairs typing this having been preparing a bonfire tis morning (for next Saturday evening, though the actual bonfire night is 5^th November) …and fireworks are already lighting up the dark, clear skies outside.

Expectations of the game have been high all week: again it is a top versus second day. Gillingham being one of the league’s top scoring teams; Walsall having the best defence. Quite properly local papers have been full of this … how good it is to have lowly Walsall being accorded this praise and recognition. And so richly deserved!

And Gillingham, not surprisingly brought coachloads of noisy fans to cheer them on.

Queuing up, with my brother before the game to get a ticket for next week’s home F.A. Cup match against Fleetwood (at home next Saturday) we were told by one of the stewards that the office was now only selling tickets for this game :

“… to get every one into this game, next week’s match can wait …” he explained with a smile. Although it appears some grumpy fans were going to make some kind of a protest about this “treatment”: come on people, get a grip; if you were responsible for selling of tickets, what other sensible decision could there be? Really?

Of course, it might just be that it would mean less tickets being sold – say if the result – or the performance were poor.

A lot of fuss was also made before kick-off that the Royal British Legion would be using the game to “kick off” (pun intended) the local Poppy Appeal. Indeed there was an honour guard and a reading of the Kohima Declaration and a one minute silence (brilliantly observed by all fans  (but why were TV sets left on, with the commentary ruining the perfect, respectful silence (note to stewards!)) … but where, oh where were the poppies and collection boxes? Perfect opportunity blown: I had money and orders for two!

Walsall is properly recognised as a local community club and I feel proud when they take public part in such traditions. Clearly the fans around me felt the same.

Seems we were opting for the 4-4-2 system again; leaving Rico Henry (a tremendously energetic , intelligent and willing runner) a little further back and with greater defensive duties than usual, Jason Demetriou likewise in the right back slot opposite to him. Neil Etheridge back in goals and Paul Downing and James O’Connor in the middle of defence.

Gillingham were on the front foot straight away; pushing us back and opening up spaces and making chances. Good too. After eleven minutes a long ball put MacDonald in a one on one race with O’Connor and the ball was in the Walsall net. We were looking a little desperate at times, but, this season we have seen the team come back again and again, so the next action would be worth watching.

Except that Gillingham’s somewhat prima-donna-ish young “star” Dack was left unmarked in our box, slipped, regained his feet, slipped towards the gaol and fell over (maybe too easily) when Downing attempted to get the ball way. Penalty! No real arguments. Downing may have been suckered, but should have been sharper earlier.

Etheridge tried some professional time wasting kidology tricks but the ball was smashed professionally into the net.

So: not only one down, but now two – and maybe demoralised by events.

Absolutely not!

So proud of the team for getting heads-down and we’re in this together, rather than pointing accusing fingers at Downing.

And mounting pressure on the opposition. Passing got sharper, players running into spaces, making space and, with just a little necessary needle creeping into the play we set Gillingham back on their heels. Not easy, they were cool and professional at all times …

Until, almost out of nowhere (with our poorly hit shots (sound familiar?) whizzing over the bar time after time, Kieron Morris cut in from the right wing, dropped a shoulder and popped a vicious left footed shot into the side netting.

Gillingham were rocked at this point, struggling to contain our running and we took over the game.

Within seconds a busy Milan Lalkovic was there to bundle the ball over the line for the scrappy – but they all count! – equaliser. Breathless and stunning: the Gills supporters having been loudly proclaiming their status as “top of the league” fell silent – and no wonder.

Half time!

The second half saw us more in control, Gillingham stretched , though never in panic. Refereeing decisions upset both sets of fans as defenders – mostly visiting ones – became frustrated. One wonderful flare up between a typically emotional (bless him) Milan Lalkovic and the full back had Walsall players properly taking the Walsall winger away to calm down. He came back to the referee and took the yellow card; the defender also being cautioned for his over eagerness to make his point to the official. Fair enough!

Towards the end, we noticed Rico Henry seeming to struggle – I became worried – he turned his ankle and does not know how to slow down. Substitution please, I am thinking. But nobody is paying any attention to me – and in the dying minutes, after repelling Gillingham attack after attack the ball is played – a ball too many? A ball too far? – for Rico. Ever willing he makes it to the ball, takes on the defender, gets into the box and seems to push it too far ahead of himself …

…surely it’s going out for a goal kick ?

… but no; with a superhuman effort he reaches it, cuts it back, a shot goes in, is beaten out only for Demetriou, who has been in the papers talking about getting his first club goal, belting a stunning volley

… into the net.

The crowd went crazy! Real emotional outburst, partly from the justice-being-done feeling after the street-wise antics of the Gillingham players, partly just joy!

All around the home fans.

Justifiably – top of the league.

Then comes the substitution – Henry replaced by Taylor – and the game runs out.

Long way home for the Gillingham faithful, who deserve every credit: proper supporters every one of ‘em.

The crowd is still cheering as we exit the ground, walking briskly back to the car. Passing a guy who reckons he has two bets on the Saddlers: £100 to get promotion and £100 to win the league. His ‘phone rings and he thinks he is being called by radio WM to talk about the game. Good luck on all three counts my friend.

Thanks to my brother to and from the game. This is turning into a really fine season: delusions of mediocrity surely cannot be far away … and clearly the whole football club believes in itself.

I do not join the queue to get my Cup ticket – I’ll catch up with that in the week (hopefully a good crowd, but even so, don’t think it’ll be a sell-out!

Elsewhere the rugby union world cup final has New Zealand beating Australia: a southern hemisphere derby played in the “old country”. Hopefully lots of money was raised for the clubs and associations taking part – and for Blighty too (noble hosts – no choice actually). But, brilliantly, modestly and touchingly when a teenage fan is ungraciously tackled to the floor (trying to get an autograph perhaps?) by a security guard at the feet of the All Blacks doing their lap of honour, the players take over, look after the lad, escort him back to his folks and – Sonny Boy Williams actually gives the youngster his actual World Cup Winner’s medal. How brilliant is that! He has my respect (and is later given a second medal, so he has given away something and had it again – compassion and humility being rewarded!)

In MotoGp Valentino Rossi, topping the riders championship got out of line and out of sorts in the last race and, subject to an official enquiry has been docked important points and, far more grave will start the final race from the back of the grid. Rossi has always been a fierce competitor but seems to have been untypically rattled by Mark Marques in the race – and Lorenzo, second in the championship looks set to prevent “the Doctor” getting an amazing record setting title this year.

 

“… this Lad on the Roof …” Colchester Away

27th October: home

So, after denying “any knowledge” of the rumour that he had two games to save his job – and a home defeat to Swansea City Tim Sherwood is sacked by Aston Villa. I am not sure whether to be sorry or shrug and say

“Hey-ho, should have done better” … “and, where are you going to get a better one from, Villa?” while whistling Dixie and hoping they don’t look our way – at least while we are putting this little run together.

Meanwhile, my own team don’t seem to know just when to quit.

Take Saturday. Away at Colchester. Two goals up at half time (a re-directed shot from Romaine Sawyers and a deflected Lalkovic power-driver) they are pulled back to two all in the second half. George Evans fires us in front again. Three all, then we go behind. But in extra time O’Connor slips the equaliser in – and, before the final whistle Kieron Morris nearly steals all the points.

Four – all !

 

Keeps us in second place, two points behind Gillingham … and we play them on Saturday. At home (gulp! Not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad one; but I’ll take it anyway. Until this Colchester game we had shipped only two goals away from home – a key to winning games – or at least not losing them. What happened to that defence in this game? Letting in only two in seven away games … they allez oops! – four in forty five minutes? Will it happen again? That’s what football is all about really. The record that stands – and stands us in good stead – is that we are still unbeaten away from home.

I wasn’t there, a journey too far – and some dollars (no, I mean pounds sterling, but dollars is more poetic!) short.

When all the dust has settled, however, we are still sitting in second place, two points behind Gillingham … and we play them on Saturday. At home (gulp! Not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad one; but I’ll take it anyway).

The Gillingham home game will feature a guard of honour and a British Legion Poppy Appeal collection. Poppies, being one of the first flowers to grow in the churned up mud and debris of the World War One battlefields, quickly became a symbol (here in the U.K. anyway) of remembrance and the hopes for peace.

I will be donating – and wearing a poppy with pride!

This evening, while I was catching up on a TV programme (The Last Kingdom, adapted from Bernard Cornwell novels) we have been drawn at home in the F.A. Cup against Fleetwood. Games to be played in/around Bonfire Night weekend (my brother’s birthday – and excuse for a big party usually). Might be we have to get the fire built early.

And from the Express and Star football columnist Matt Maher – on the joys, perhaps – of being a Barnsley supporter:

“… the most bizarre story of the weekend, however goes to the Barnsley supporter who fell asleep on the stadium toilets at Oakwell and had to be rescued by the fire brigade.

The man, believed to be in his early 20s, nodded off during half time during the Tykes 1 – 0 defeat to Fleetwood.

Waking, seven hours later, he found himself locked inside the ground.

“Usually it’s a false alarm,” said a spokesman from Barnsley’s fire station. “but we turned up and saw this young lad on the roof trying to get our attention.”

“he had no shoes on and had lost his mobile ‘phone and his hat. He was more bothered about his hat.”

The questions are, of course, many. Either way it quite the scathing commentary on the home side, who have lost five out of their last six.”

Enough said?

Poppies and Chesterfield.

 Began the day attacking the Leylandii hedge at the front of the house. It’s really difficult to imagine that the four trees we’re taking down were scrounged from a garden centre skip. But it seems their time has come – and the trimmings are headed for the family bonfire. The rain stays away and it’s windy but not cold. The drive to Bescot takes me along roads that are edged with autumn leaves swept from the trees by the very strong winds of the week. Golds, ochres, yellows, browns and reds.

There are a lot of fans from Chesterfield. They are having a good run having been promoted from League Two last season and riding the mid-table positions well (tenth at start of play today). They fill a fair section of the away end – and they create some noise!

The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal was launched last week and the display at the Tower of London is looking amazing: one poppy for every British serviceman killed during the First World War I think. Its memorable and spectacular. Funds from the sale of poppies goes to help wounded soldiers and their families. Collectors were outside the ground today – I salute them.

This home game was also chosen as the “Kick It Out” match for Saddlers. This raises awareness of racial discrimination at football grounds. It should go without saying – of course – and such events should not be necessary – but the world, unfortunately is what it is and people need reminding. Good that football is playing a part in the campaign.

We have some good news: Tom Bradbury, whose endeavour and energy have impressed me, is back from a hamstring injury –and last year’s Player of the Season, Sam Mantom is fit to return.

Bradbury is our only player to look and act like a striker so far this year. He has a turn of speed, a physical presence and a good eye for goal (five gaols to his name at the kick off). Will there be some kind of up-front partnership with Jordan Cook (who should be match fit after a couple of games in the first team?

No! We are playing four at the back (Richard O’Donnell in goals was formerly at Chesterfield), Chambers as holding midfielder , then Sawyers, Cain, Baxendale and Cook behind Bradbury.

Chesterfield are fast out of the blocks. They confidently and quickly press up the pitch. Our defenders deal well with the pressure when exposed. Purkiss is looking smooth at right back, especially with Andy Taylor opposite him on the left. (Programme notes talk about the wonderful partnership between Mick Evans and Frank Gregg back in the day.

O’Donnell needs to be quick to make saves, but we begin to create chances as play see-saws up and down the pitch. Downing makes a few careless mistakes, giving the ball away needlessly. But is covered effectively.  

Purkiss and Taylor raid effectively down the wings, Sawyers is good at close control but must move towards the ball more often: he’s losing the ball when faster players read the game and nip in first… and Chesterfield are good at this. Bradbury covers all of the forward line, keeping all four defenders busy. But, in doing this he inevitably runs into dead ends and we are short of somebody nipping into the hole in the middle. Sawyers? Manset (on the bench)? Cook?

At half time some servicemen veterans are welcomed onto the field as part of the Poppy Appeal launch. A good community thing to do. Well done my team!

We are not down-hearted at half time. Inside for a quick coffee, we talked about the visit to Tallinn, families, work and a possible trip to Notts County next week. Then back out again for a better second half. Baxendale replaced by Forde after fifty eight minutes and it made the difference. He is quick, confident and his runs effective, taking the initiative and defenders out of the game. A quick bout of inter-passing involving him, Cain, sawyers and Bradbury ended with a beautiful ball laid into Bradbury’s feet – and he made no mistake.  Goal – and a well-worked one too. The Walsall crowd were delighted. So was Bradbury, mobbed by players on the goal line he was booked. I am surprised. Why was he booked? He didn’t leave the pitch. Didn’t jump into the crowd.

We wondered whether he had made some sarcastic remark to the referee who had failed to give Bradbury any of the free-kicks when fouled, tripped, pushed or knocked off the ball by defenders.

Sawyers later got a free kick with a super piece of skill; the ball long gone from the back of his heel before a surprised defender took both of his feet away. Sam Mantom comes on. he looks a little off the pace – no surprises there but is influential in keeping things calm. Would have been a shock if, after all the waiting and build up our talismanic midfielder brought us no good.

Chesterfield players seemed to lose a bit of heart, began arguing with one another (two of their forwards did this in the first half when one fluffed a good chance – and seemed to want the other, running off the ball for him, to take the blame). But, never a team to make it easy on the fans some slack defending gives Chesterfield a couple of great chances. They miss.

A couple of people sitting to my right were taking copious notes: one I seem to think is a journalist. He upped and left with ten minutes to go, but was soon back with a steward; he couldn’t find his car keys. They were not anywhere near where he had been sitting.

Then the whistle was going and I was on my happy way to the car. To be met with the almost incredible sporting news that Birmingham City – who sacked manager Lee Clark this week – lost at home to Bournemouth 8 – 0. Eight, count ‘em, nil!

At home I find an amusing Tweet from a Saddlers fan which goes something like

“Saw a Birmingham City fan nail his season ticket to a tree and walk away. Took it: you can never have too many nails!”

The first round of the F.A. Cup is drawn on Monday. All being well I will be in Tallinn, but it’ll be interesting to see who we get.

What a difference a win makes … and I expect Dean Smith is feeling a little more relaxed too… and the clocks “fall” back overnight.

Images: Tower of London: Stoke Sentinel

Sawyers/Bradbury: http://www.fiveyearplanfanzine.co.uk

Match action: Walsall Advertiser