No.6 - Mon. 27th August 2007; Midland Combination Football League Division 1 1pm at the Pavilon Sports Grnd, Thimblemill Rd, Smethwick, Warley, West Mids. (Att: 20; Admn: N/A; Prog: No)
View matchday images 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Thimblemill Rec (0) 1 Mile Oak Rovers (0) 2 Rovers take top spot!
On Bank Holiday Monday I decided to complete a Midland Combination Football League ‘double-header’. The first match was a Division One fixture between Thimblemill Rec Football Club and Tamworth-based Mile Oak Rovers which started at 1pm (a time I confirmed with no fewer than three people). In fact there was a reason for this following a wasted trip made almost a year ago to the day. On that occasion we turned up for an early evening game only to be told that the match had already been played several hours earlier! No doubt there may be many other travellers who have suffered a similar fate and been ‘compelled’ to go back. How sad is that? The game was played in beautiful sunny conditions on a lush green pitch with a dazzling array of autumn leaves providing a colourful backdrop. Amazing to think we were only a few miles from Birmingham City centre. The joys of hopping! The match was a real cracker with plenty of action at both ends. Rec took the initiative with an early goal only to be pegged back when the hosts equalised after the break. The result was settled midway through the half when the visitors bundled the ball over from close range taking them temporarily to the top of the table much to the delight of their small band of travelling fans which contributed to a crowd of about twenty. Unlike several clubs in this Division Thimblemill rather disappointingly don’t issue programmes. For this level though the facilities at the Thimblemill Recreation ground are pretty good. An expansive playing field caters for football and cricket with the main pitch closest to the entrance and car park. An elevated view of proceedings is offered from the veranda of the well appointed Sports & Social Club which overlooks the pitch. Refreshments can be purchased from the bar with plenty of choice for the hungry hopper. The changing rooms can be found beyond this building at ground level. There is a small covered stand (without seats) positioned close to the half-way line. The club is based in the Smethwick area of Birmingham and can easily be reached from the M5 motorway by leaving at junction 2 and following the A4123 Wolverhampton Road for a couple of miles along the Broadway and Norman Road. After turning left down the Thimblemill Road the narrow main entrance and driveway is visible on the left hand side. FGIF Rating: 4* edited on 09/08/07
