'Twas a cold and misty night and your our intrepid blogger did venture into the West Midlands. St Michaels of Boldmere was our destination; a land of sloping pitches and funny accents in the deepest and darkest corners of non-league football.
Yes, it's my favourite cup competition, The Birmingham Senior Cup 2nd Round which follows our scintillating display at the mighty Coleshill Town. I'm amazed at how unpopular this competition is for most Brewers fans - local games, cheap admission and an opportunity to watch players you have never heard of, exposed to the elements in true grass roots tradition.
Boldmere is a lovely little ground; the club house behind one goal is built next to the pitch so that there is a strange covered standing area where you can view the match through little brick windows. The only other cover is a seated area down one side, the other two sides being exposed. Like Coleshill, it's basic but welcoming. There are few Brewers here and I take my place next to the dug outs, resplendent in suit and club tie. (I'd been to court earlier, something to do with pretending to run Bury fans out of town? I plead insanity).
Earlier in the evening, I popped into the Bishop Vesey Pub up the road and enjoyed a delightful pint of Adnams Special Pale. 3.2% well-balanced, refreshing and tasty. It has nothing to do with the football, but I just thought I would mention it.
OK. Let's be honest here. I could have taken a pen and pad and actually listened to the PA announcement. I could have looked at the chalkboard which listed the players. I could have asked for a copy of the team sheets. But I didn't. And I don't know ANY of the Boldmere players (0ne was called Stu. I'm sure I heard someone shout "Stu!") and I know hardly any of the youth teamers and/or trialists who featured heavily in tonight's team. I know. I'm crap.
Having said that, if you are reading this blog for accurate information, then you're in the wrong place anyway. The fact both the official site and CTMD appear to have got the scorers wrong for this match makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Ha!
So here goes: Shane Redmond in goal, Darren Stride at Centre Back and I think Grocott was also in the back four. Freeza Goodfellow on the right wing, Serge Makofo in midfield and up front, James Knowles and Greg Pearson. The others and the subs - I forget or didn't bother to even think about. They look like youth teamers to me.
Boldmere start the brightest, and it's a busy opening 30 mins before Goodfellow is brought down in the box and Pearson scores from the resulting penalty. One Nil.
5 minutes later, one of our lads is fouled and the BSM player gets a straight red (I thought it was a second yellow at first but the bloke next to me insists it's a red), possibly for kicking out after the foul.
On the stroke of half time, Pearson heads wide, but James Knowles deflects the ball in with a header of his own to make it 2 - Nil. NOT a Pearson goal as reported elsewhere.
Second half, Boldmere get a penalty for a handball, but they hit the post and the ball is cleared. Burton are now on top of the game. The Boldmere manager maons and groans at every decision which doesn't go his team's way. "He's [the ref's] giving nothing" he shouts to one of his players "You've got the wrong colour shirt on". Didn't he just award you a penalty you bloody idiot?20 minutes into the second half, Pearson scores a lovely effort; back to goal, he half turns and volleys into the roof of the net. 3 nil.
My man of the match was Goodfellow who always looked dangerous going forward on the right wing, but Pearson was instrumental in all of our attacking plays. A decent night out and we are now into the draw for the quarter finals. Yippee!
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