FA VASE ROUND 4 @PACKLINGTON LANE
SATURDAY 16 JANUARY 2015 3PM
OVERVIEW OF PACKLINGTON RD HOME OF COLESHILL TOWN FC |
The weekend started with the usual weather problems some pitches were still waterlogged and thanks to a heavy frost around base their were a stack of ground inspections planned so after much wondering about gambling with real turf we opted for the game that had been beckoning all week this delayed FA Vase round 4 tie. Having seen Coleshill earlier on in the season when they were temporarily encamped at The Lamb Tamworth FC, while their excellent 3g pitch was installed it was a good chance to visit their base south east of Birmingham and just a goal kick away from the NEC.
PILLORY POST IN COLESHILL CENTRE |
With two hours to kick off we had time we decided for a pleasant walk to the ground knowing it would take about 45 minutes and so it turned out. Leaving the Parkway station we passed through an industrial estate area before climbing up the hill into Coleshill and taking a small deviation to take a look at the 'pillory' a post for the purpose of placing miscreants on for a good whipping. It was missed on our first passing but we did notice it on return but it was well shielded by local business adverts.
LETS HOPE THE STICKERS COME OFF |
From reading the last two blogs you may have discovered I'm becoming a moaning old git, becoming[?], but today I have to just mention the admission price. Having seen mention of £8 adult entrance fee on the clubs twitter feed I did look twice and feel it is a little bit of a steep charge for round 4. Coleshill normally charge £6.50 for step 5 Midland League football which is at the top end of the charge bracket however today they had added a further £1.50.
THE BUSINESS END, SNACK CABIN! |
MAKE MINE A LARGE CONE AS COLESHILL PREPARE THEIR WARM UP |
NICE VIEW FOR THE PLANE WHICH AS JUST DEPARTED BIRMINGHAM |
The far touch line has a long scaffold induced stand with very little overhang thankfully we did not need to check out what protection it offered today. The two dugouts are smart and of standard design for new 3g pitches the only shame here is that the smart little stand has now become a white elephant as all bar the back row of seats have their view blocked and so we arrive back at the turnstile block.
THE MANAGEMENT DUNSTON UTS DUG OUT TEAM |
It was Dunston who got off to an excellent start after just 8 minutes when Burrell on the inside left lobbed the keeper with a beautiful effort with the inside of his right foot from 25 yards out a goal good enough to win any game.
DUNSTON NUMBER 4 DALE BURRELL AFTER HIS EARLY OPENER |
The home sides pressure was mounting and just when it looked like it may not be their day they deservedly equalised and what a goal it was. Out on the left and cutting into the left angle of the penalty box Johnson curled one in off the right hand post to set of joyous celebrations in North Warwickshire after 85 minutes. In injury time Coleshill were reduced to ten men when Rob Evans was shown a second yellow card for a half way line foul that could have seen Dunston break away on the home goal. Coleshill needed to look for the winner now and Simeon Colbourne nearly found it in the fourth minute of injury time but could not connect strongly enough to finish the tie.
So we entered extra time and here it all went a little wrong for Coleshill who had more than deserved this further tilt at victory.
It was an Adkins free kick that once again saw Connell deny Coleshill before Dunston took the lead when Steven Richardson guided in an Alex Francis assist to make it 2-1 to the visitors. Insult to injury was added a few moments later when a half way line challenge by Coleshill's Adkins on Dunston's Burrell saw referee Danny Gratton show a red card. Within moments of the re start a very late two footed challenge on the far touchline saw referee Gratton again forced to reach for his red card and Coleshill were down to 8 men with Dean Rathbone dismissed, the game was just one more red away from an abandonment. Thankfully after the mini melee calmed down both teams kept their heads and the game did finish, not though before we had seen end to end football with the home side valiantly battling on with reduced numbers.
There was still time for Dunston man of the match Connell to pull of another wonderful flying save this time from live wire Johnson. Thanks to the visitors number 1 he had kept Dunston in the game at regular intervals and now they were able to force home their 3 man advantage when Aristotte Guerin made it 3-1 to the north easterners.
As we started the second period of extra time it was Dunston who probably should have scored more with Richardson twice denied by Paul Hathaway in the home goal before his post was struck in the closing minutes.
STEVEN 'SPEEDY' RICHARDSON |
Quick dash to the main road for the number 70 back to Coleshill station and a surprising 5 carriage cross country train to Leicester which had seats galore. After a delay just outside Nuneaton we arrived in Leicester late but thankfully the Sheffield bound train was also running behind time and we hopped aboard to arrive at base station just after 8pm.
An enjoyable day with a guaranteed game thanks to the smart new 3g spent in the good company of an exciting FA Vase game and at the end some happy Dunston UTS fans can look forward to an even longer trip, but you just know they will be there in big numbers as ever!
INTERESTING FLOODLIGHT BASE, REPLACES THIS WEEKS TRANSPORT PICTURE |
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