10.30am 12 April 2025
West Midlands Christian League, Challenge Cup, Semi Final, Second Leg
Excel NIS 5 Young Boyz 1 (6-3 on aggregate) (att 14)
This was one of two possible morning games when I left home to head south towards Birmingham.
My first stop was Warley Rugby Club, where Excel NIS usually play home games, to see which pitch groundsharers West Bromwich Elim were using. As I suspected, they were warming up on the same pitch where I'd seen Albright and Wilson in the West Midlands Regional League more than 30 years ago.
Had it been a different pitch I might have stayed, but I knew I had this game just a short drive away in West Smethwick Park. And being a cup semi final it also looked a better fixture.
Although they're several places off the top, Excel NIS - whose unusual name reflects both their affiliated church and their sponsors - have enough games in hand to be favourites for the title.
But they'd lost the first leg of this semi final 2-1, and Young Boyz, second in the table, had also inflicted Excel's only league defeat this season.
The home side got off to a strong start with an early goal. But the visitors grew into the game and had chances to equalise. They eventually did so about three minutes before half time, although Excel hit back immediately to leave the aggregate score tied at the break.
In the second half Excel's superiority showed as they extended their lead. It took late goals before the tie was definitely out of Young Boyz's reach, and the final score was a bit harsh on the away side.
On a warm and sunny morning, tree-lined West Smethwick Park was a pleasant place to watch a game.
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