Mar
04
2024

Walsall 3:1 Doncaster Rovers

by Willenhall Lad

A damn cold day but an important one if Walsall were to keep up the momentum for a play-off push and after a cagey start they did just that.

Here’s the BBC match report.

Doncaster look a side that’s lost confidence, but looked dangerous on occasions. Typical of this was the headed back-pass that looped over their advancing keeper and was nearly slotted into the net but for a timely intervention from their defender.

Walsall always looked like they would win, despite the bad conditions – it rained for a good hour and made the pitch quite wet and when it started to dry, the ball stuck more in the mud, making passing difficult.

Walsall’s keeper – Jackson Smith – was again outstanding and part of Walsall’s revival is that he plays the ball out to midfield quickly as well as the occasional long ball. Another player making a difference is Jamille Matt. Now fit, he’s running onto the ball a lot better and when playing with Mo Faal, Walsall have two big strikers that are quick with their feet as well. Plenty of attacking options there as well with Josh Gordon and Ross Tierney on the bench or starting.

Forest Green Rovers next who are bottom of the league so let’s see if Saddlers can maintain the momentum.

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Feb
28
2024

Walsall 2:1 Accrington Stanley

by Willenhall Lad

A cold February night out with the Brother-in-Law and Nephew was brightened up somewhat by an excellent game of football. BBC match report here.

“Stanley” are a rare club having been thrown out of the league in 1962 and have taken a epic resurrection to get them back to playing in the major leagues again. They are also well known for the Milk Marketing Boards TV advert in 1989.

The game was very good as both sides like playing good football and passing it about both short and also the long game.

Accrington won a penalty just after the break but Walsall now have some resilience so fought back well and scored a couple of headers come scrambled goals to go 7th in the table and a play-off spot! Exciting was hardly the word!

Have to say though, the referee was most inept (again).

Bring on Donnie!

 

 

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Feb
19
2024

The Great Train Trip

by Willenhall Lad

I like travelling by train so the opportunity not to have to drive the Farnborough College was a welcome opportunity to sit back and relax with only one change. Or so I thought.

A Cancelled Cross-Country train on the way back meant I had to “Station-hop” back to Wolverhampton using 6 different trains at these stops:

  • Basingstoke
  • Reading
  • Oxford
  • Banbury
  • Birmingham Moor Street
  • Birmingham New Street

6 hours to get back from a journey that should have taken 3.

This was more of a Michael Portillo trip than a business one in the end and the stripy one would have been hard pressed to get a day’s filming into this journey. Also, as these were commuter trains rather than inter-city type, the seating wasn’t the most comfortable and no trolley service except on the excellent Javelins between Reading and Oxford, and as they were so fast, no time to grab a cuppa.

With politicians and the environmentalists pressing for more use of public transport, how can this be justified when the service is sooo poor? Years of underinvestment in the railways, or the wrong investment, have left a delicate system that has little resilience and that’s in people as well as infrastructure and trains.

I find it incredulous that there are no other companies offering trains from Manchester to the South Coast and vice-verca other than Cross Country. A monopoly really that’s gone unspotted by the miasma of a failed privatisation that should be investigated.

Here’s some views of the stations anyway for your enjoyment:

Farnborough Station at 1410 hrs.

Reading Station

Oxford Station

Banbury Station

Birmingham New Street

Wolverhampton Station reached at 2000 hrs

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Feb
19
2024

Shifnal Town 1:1 Darlaston Town

by Willenhall Lad

A good game this with two sides that created lots of chances but probably a fair result in the end.

Darlaston are quite a physical side with two big central defenders and they largely negated Shifnal’s attack but at times they were really stretched. Shifna, had two chances cleared off the line.

Equally, Shifnal’s defence is quite small but held their own against the Darlaston attack which was enhanced when Kieran Miller came on, a big unit of a bloke.

Once again, Shifnal’s captain, Joe Cuff stood out and could have scored on more than one occasion.

Darlaston’s goal was a clever flick into the top right hand corner and it was worth the £8 entrance fee to see that.

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Feb
17
2024

Sahib by Richard Holmes

by Willenhall Lad

A great read this one and I took my time over it as it dealt with the British Soldier in India during the Empire days.

It covers quite a lot of both military and social history in all its aspects – even sexual ones.

Well worth the effort.

posted in Reading List 2024 | Comments Off on Sahib by Richard Holmes

Feb
04
2024

Shifnal Town 0:0 Studley

by Willenhall Lad

Saturday is a usually a busy time for me but a gap in the Walsall fixtures (they were away at Gillingham) and Essington Rugby away at Stone, meant I had a spare afternoon so why not catch up with Shifnal Town?

They were 7th and played third place Studley and really, both sides managed to cancel each other out despite having a few clear cut chances. Studley hit the bar late on and Shifnal had them on the rack a couple of times but couldn’t convert.

The usual crowd of around 70-80 in warmer conditions of late meant that it was an afternoon well spent away from cleaning etc.

Here’s the team sheet as well:

Team Sheet

 

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Jan
22
2024

Cleaning and more cleaning

by Willenhall Lad

As I’ve got my house up for sale, a potential buyer wanted a viewing on Sunday last which meant that in addition to packing up my gear, I had to spend (again) most of the weekend cleaning the house as if it was a military inspection.

However, the weekend was punctuated by a charity event run by my Cousin John for the Falklands Veterans and a great trip to The Vine with Yorkshire Jon, JC, Rob & Charlotte and we also ran into Fazza and Bev.

Anyway, Sunday went off okay – seemed interested – and the Brother-in-Law gave me a chuck so afterwards we grabbed Mrs. B and went to the OK Diner for a late breakfast.

Anyway, this week will probably be more packing but hopefully, not much cleaning……

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Jan
15
2024

On the Move

by Willenhall Lad

This weekend was rather taken up with two issues:

  • Cleaning the house up for my intended move to Penkridge
  • Help The Nephew out with the computing part of his dissertation

Other than that, we had a very enjoyable time at The Littleton Arms (even though the bill was £117!) and at the The Vine with Rob and Softlad martin on Friday night. I do like The Vine.

I also bought a new (second-hand) loco from the Toy fair at Walsall Wood.

Usual weekend in The Principality really. I suppose I must make the most of them whilst I still live here.

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Jan
07
2024

Southampton 4:0 Walsall

by Willenhall Lad

First game of the new year saw us travel to see Walsall in the 3rd round of the FA Cup to play Southampton. First time I had seen an away FA fixture ever.

They lost 4-0 but gave Southampton too much respect for the first 25 minutes and by then they were 1-0 down.

Walsall had some good chances but were frankly, outclassed by a Premier-contenders  Southampton who were very clinical and in Ryan Frazer, the winger, they were a bit tormented by a good player with a bright future.

Walsall were handicapped by a long injury list and also Freddie Draper has been called back by Lincoln City and this was obvious really as they had a number of key players missing in key positions, such as Stirk and Matt.

A long day out with my Brother-in-Law , Sister and her mate Cath (how can talk for England and possibly the UK) but well worth it.

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Dec
31
2023

2023: Recovery

by Willenhall Lad

It’s New Years Eve again and a short time for reflection on the year about to pass.

Following last years tortuous time, I spent the early part of the year sorting out my Dad’s estate and helping my Mom.

Work has picked up, especially since March.

April saw me with some of the junior members of the family at the Leicester Space Museum followed by the Newark Air Museum the week after which were both excellent trips.

Of note is that I largely managed to stay away from hospitals – just the Godson at the QE and he’s recovered – and only 1 funeral – Phil’s Uncle Jack so good on that score.

The King’s Coronation was a distraction in May, and my Birthday in June as well as a number of trips to Sheffield throughout the year.

July I went to a brilliant Test Match in Leeds, the escape room and got very drunk at Rosco’s Birthday bash at the Old Bush. We managed a day out at Edgbaston for the cricket as well. I played some of the Touch Rugby Tournaments around Staffordshire.

August was particularly busy with a wet trip to Duxford and Andy Lyndon’s Wedding anniversary as well which brings me to The Orkney’s in September which was a great holiday. Holiday of a lifetime really.

October was back at work and preparation for the Trade Show at St Andrews in November which also I did 3 Quizzes.

December was really busy with winding work down and seeing lots of family and friends – in fact Christmas has been magic, too much booze and a great break.

Tonight is the usual panic over where to celebrate the New Year but I’m not that bothered really – a drink in The WMC will do. It’s the people not the venue that counts.

Anyway, roll on 2024 – this is a big year upcoming for lots of reasons such as:

  • Moving house
  • Niece’s wedding
  • Last full year working full time

let’s see how much actually happens…..

posted in Chums and things, El Familia | Comments Off on 2023: Recovery

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