Steve B the Groundhopper

10.30am 5 April  2025 West Midlands Christian League Real Riverside 0 Dudley Lions 3 (att 17) This was my first game in this league all season, and was plan B after my original chosen fixture, in the same competition, was showing as postponed on Friday evening. Dudley Lions are too far from the leaders to have realistic hopes of winning the title, but close enough to the top to have a good chance of finishing runners-up. They kept themselves in the chase with a straightforward win at Real Riverside. There wasn't much between the sides, but the visitors were sharper in attack. Two goals in the five minutes leading up to half time gave them a flattering advantage at the break. Real Riverside began the second half on the front foot, but couldn't get themselves back into to the game. With a few minutes remaining Dudley Lions added a third goal. The venue was a pitch at Moor Green Lane in Birmingham. It's just a pitch, but a pleasant place on a bright and sunny morning.

10.30am 4 May  2024 West Midlands Christian League Charlemont Star 5 Real Riverside 1 (att 6) Both teams are in mid-table and had little to play for other than late-season pride. Real Riverside's took a battering during a first half in which a mix of sharp finishing and unfortunate goalkeeping saw them concede five times. Charlemont deserved half time their lead, even if the scale of it was a little flattering. With the game won they eased off after the break, and Real Riverside put up tougher resistance. The visitors got a goal back to at least have the consolation of 'winning' the second half. With a little more luck they might have reduced the arrears further. The league website gives Charlemont's home ground as Wood Green Academy, just off the M6 in Wednesbury. That's where players change, and the best place to park, but the pitch is just beyond the school grounds in a playing field called Elwells. There are two pitches. This game was played on the one furthest ...