Match Reports - April 2005

Boldmere St Michaels 0 - 4 Rushall Olympic

Travel Factory Alliance

Saturday 30th April 2005

It was a champagne ending for Champions Rushall Olympic as they bounced back from 3 consecutive away defeats to complete the double over Boldmere St Michaels with an emphatic 4-0 victory at Church Road.

Rushall enjoyed the perfect start when after only 2 minutes an ill-advised back pass from Mikes defender Tom Bayley was under hit to his 'keeper Gareth Murphy and the ball was instinctively intercepted by front runner Neil Kitching who ran clear to clinically rifle home into the bottom corner from 12 yards.

With the game now well in hand the visitors put their recent poor run of form well and truly behind them and confidently contained their hosts for the remainder of the first period, while also creating one or two half chances. The only occasion that Boldmere really threatened came just after the half hour mark when they rapidly turned defence into attack and the ball was played invitingly into the danger zone where a fortunate bounce found Mykel Beckley in space but the sharp shooter could only screw his effort wide of the right post from 8 yards when it appeared easier to hit the target.

The Mikes emerged for the second half in a far more determined frame of mind and visibly upped their work rate as they began to effectively harry and close down the opposition when not in possession. However, Rushall came up with the perfect answer in the 56th minute when a free-kick from the left edge of the box was looped into the far post where the ball bobbled around before sitting up nicely for top scorer Joe O'Connor who ruthlessly lashed home from 6 yards to net his 22nd goal of the season.

Although the two-goal cushion gave the visitors an ample amount of breathing space, Boldmere were still dangerous on the break and on 68 minutes Olympic 'keeper Paul Cooke had to be at his very best to pull off an outstanding one handed save at full stretch to push Dominic Reece's venomous drive from just outside the box for a corner past his right post.

Rushall extended their lead further in the 73rd minute when Joe O'Connor latched on to a fine probing through ball that spilt the Mikes defence asunder and as the Pic's striker ran through into the left side of the box he was unceremoniously upended by a reckless challenge from 'keeper Gareth Murphy that earned the stopper a caution and Rushall a penalty kick. Player-Coach Dave Read confidently stepped up for the conversion attempt and in his first league game of the season he buried the ball into the left side of the net with a howitzer of a drive that gave the Boldmere custodian no chance whatsoever.

From that point onward there was no way back for the Mikes and Olympic even had the luxury of being able to field veteran goal keeping coach Steve Johnson during the final 15 minutes for his first outing of the season.

With a little over 5 minutes remaining Olympic ended the game with a flourish as substitute Tim Jackson scythed his was through Boldmere's hesitant back line, but his well placed effort side footed from the edge of the box was pushed around the left upright at the very last second by 'keeper Gareth Murphy. However, from the resulting corner kick swung in by Ian Mitchell, the ball eventually ran out to Simon Truman who unleashed a rasping first time pile driver from 30 yards that was deviated in flight by a deflection and rocketed into the top left corner past the flat footed stopper.

Despite conceding the fourth goal the hosts gamely battled on and with 2 minutes remaining Rushall 'keeper Steve Johnson showed that he is still a force to be reckoned with as he rolled back the years to deny Mykel Beckley from 10 yards with an excellent body block to smother out the danger and claim a well earned clean sheet for his side.

Meanwhile, Rushall Olympic's reserve team made it a double title celebration at Dales Lane as they clinched the ICIS Combination Reserve Division Championship with a game to spare by claiming a 2-1 victory at Rugby United with goals from Tobias Salmon and Tyrone Barnett.

Rushall Olympic: Paul Cooke (Steve Johnson), Ian Mitchell, Rob Holdcroft, Dave Read, Richard Brown ©, Ron Walker, Simon Truman, Darren Goodall (Tim Jackson), Neil Kitching, Joe O'Connor, Steve Shaw (Ben Smith). Unused Substitutes: Rob Vassell & Dave Davies.

Causeway United 2 - 0 Rushall Olympic

Travel Factory Alliance

Saturday 16th April 2005

Rushall Olympic are rapidly turning from champs to chumps following yet another wholly unacceptable away performance that gifted relegation threatened hosts Causeway United surely the easiest 3 points they have won all season.

The Dales Lane side have now failed to win any of their last 4 games and the end of the season cannot come quickly enough for Rushall's exasperated supporters as yet more opponents were left wondering just how on earth Olympic had ever been crowned champions in their first place.

However, with promotion still very much on the agenda the badly misfiring Pic's had just better hope for their sake that a play-off match will not be required to achieve their long term goal of playing at a higher grade of football next term, otherwise this season could end on an extremely depressing note.

Olympic's biggest problem appeared to be the apparent lack of strength in depth of their first team squad and they again strangely opted to name a substitute bench totally devoid of a striking option and only a solitary midfielder. However, with places now very much up for grabs for next season the Rushall faithful would certainly have expected far more drive and enthusiasm from their side as once more confidence was totally lacking and some individual performances were woefully sub-standard as the Pic's appeared to have lost the plot.

During a largely forgettable first period it was worryingly difficult to tell just which team were champions or in the relegation zone of the league, such was the poor standard of this typically end of season encounter. Chances were essentially very few and far between and it took the visitors 19 minutes to register their first attempt on goal as skipper Richard Brown powered a header wide of the top right corner from 10 yards following a corner from Causeway's left.

As the match progressed it became patently obvious that for some unknown reason Olympic were once again totally devoid of the fluency that had won them the league title and they began to badly lack ideas and creativity, continually making the same errors.

Indeed, it was little surprise in the 64th minute when playmaker Simon Truman carelessly lost possession in Causeway's own half and as the ball was swiftly transferred down the left flank Ian Kirkham eventually whipped in an inviting centre to the far post and the unmarked Andy Jones could hardly believe his good fortune as the striker had all the time in the world to pick his spot and rifle home unhindered into the bottom right corner from close range.

Conceding the opening goal hardly endeared the erratic Rushall team to the task in hand that had suddenly become a great deal harder. However, they did spark briefly into life on 73 minutes when a throw-in from the right found substitute Darren Goodall who intelligently dinked the ball into the box where Neil Barnfield's looping 15 yard volley had to be smartly tipped over for a corner by 'keeper John Carmichael.

With 3 minutes of normal time remaining Olympic's best opportunity of an equaliser evaporated when a telling ball in from the left was met by Ron Walker who was totally frustrated as he powered a superb downwards header on to the inside of the right post from 12 yards, beating the Causeway custodian all ends up, but the danger somehow rebounded clear to safety.

In the second minute of injury time Rushall's humiliating afternoon was complete when some lackadaisical defending saw Danny Cox breeze past Dave Davies all too easily down the left channel before being allowed to run totally unhindered into the box where he fired a low drive past helpless 'keeper Ryan Price into the bottom left corner from 15 yards.

Rushall Olympic: Ryan Price, Willie Dunn, Tim Jackson (Rob Holdcroft), Dave Davies, Ian Mitchell, Richard Brown ©, Ron Walker, Neil Barnfield, Ben Porter (Rob Vassell), Joe O'Connor, Simon Truman (Darren Goodall). Unused Subs: Steve Shaw & Paul Cooke.

Rushall Olympic 2 - 2 Chasetown (After Extra Time)

Chasetown won 4-2 on penalties

Walsall Senior Cup Semi-Final

Tuesday 12th April 2005

Although Rushall Olympic celebrated in style as they proudly received the Travel Factory Alliance Championship Trophy before their final home game of the season, it was second placed neighbours Chasetown who were the eventual winners on the night as they narrowly progressed into the Walsall Senior Cup Final following extra time and penalties, where they now face lower league Tividale at Bescot Stadium next month.

Chasetown began proceedings with a high tempo game that had given Rushall untold problems during their league meeting last month at Dales Lane that the home side eventually won to complete the double over the Staffordshire side.

With only 11 minutes on the watch the visitors shocked their hosts as they took the lead when a poorly defended long throw-in from the right flank by Steve Ball found its way into the box to the feet of striker Lee Bullimore who had all the time in the world to turn on a six-pence and rifle home into the bottom right corner from 8 yards out.

As Olympic regrouped they slowly began to acclimatise to the intense pace of the game and within 5 minutes of falling behind they were deservedly back on level terms when Leon Allen was fouled 35 yards out and Ian Mitchell's exquisite free-kick floated into the danger zone was met by a deft looping header from Ron Walker that sailed over stranded 'keeper Simon Bryan into the top of the net from 12 yards out.

With Rushall visibly growing in confidence they went agonisingly close to surging into the lead on 24 minutes when Simon Truman floated in a free-kick from the right corner of the penalty area and as Dave Davies rose majestically above his marker his well executed header from 10 yards was directed barely inches wide of the right post.

On 36 minutes the Dales Lane side were on the offensive once again as a long clearance by Leon Allen was chased through by Simon Truman, but Craig Harris' hopelessly underpowered header back towards his 'keeper was smartly intercepted by the Pic's play maker who could hardly believe his misfortune as he ultimately steered the ball wide of the right post from 15 yards when handily placed.

However, Olympic were not to be denied when in the 37th minute Simon Truman made an excellent run down the right flank before centring towards the edge of the box into the feet of Willie Dunn who proceeded to turn his marker inside out before lashing the ball home into the bottom right corner past the visitors flat footed custodian.

Right on the stroke of half-time and Rushall were caught napping when a debatable free-kick was awarded some 35 yards out and was quickly punted into the box where the unmarked Lee Bullimore netted his and Chasetown's second goal of the evening as he toe poked home from 15 yards through a crowded goalmouth past the unsighted Ryan Price.

Although the second half promised much the contest became an instantly forgettable affair as both sides did an extremely good job of cancelling each other out, however it was the visitors who had arguably the best opportunity when with 20 minutes remaining Chasetown outnumbered their defensive counterparts on the break, but Steve Ball's half chance from 25 yards flew well wide of Ryan Prices' left upright.

Despite the visitors arguably looking stronger on the counter offensive than the hosts aided and abetted by perhaps a slightly higher fitness level, an at times tired looking Rushall side ultimately held firm and predictably forced the game into extra time.

Rushall began extra time in confident fashion and in the 94th minute an excellent free-kick from 30 yards was curled in towards the bottom right corner by Simon Truman, but 'keeper Simon Bryan was Chasetown's hero as he pulled off an outstanding save at full stretch. However, as the danger was only partially cleared the ball was looped back into the danger zone from the right by-line and Ron Walker's looping header from 8 yards towards the unguarded left side of goal was somehow scoped clear by a last gasp defensive lunge.

The turning point of the game arrived on 108 minutes as Chasetown survived a massive let-off when Olympic striker Joe O'Connor was sent racing clear and upon spotting 'keeper Simon Bryan off his line he lobbed the ball first time over the custodian from 20 yards, but looked on in disbelief as it struck the inside edge of the right post before rebounding upwards and bouncing across the face of goal before being frantically cleared to safety.

However, the visitors themselves almost wrapped up the cup tie when with 8 minutes of extra-time remaining a defensive mix-up in the Rushall rearguard allowed Dave Egan to race clear through the centre, but the forward blazed an effort wildly over the bar from 18 yards.

In time honoured fashion a penalty shoot-out could not be avoided and as Chasetown confidently converted their first three attempts, Olympic struggled badly with skipper Richard Brown and top scorer Joe O'Connor having the first and third efforts superbly saved by 'keeper Simon Bryan. Although the Scholars Duncan Horler then completely missed the target with the visitors fourth, Ben Porter's consolation strike could not prevent Dave Egan from winning the contest 4-2 in Chasetown's favour.

Rushall Olympic: Ryan Price, Willie Dunn, Steve Shaw (Rob Holdcroft), Dave Davies, Ian Mitchell, Richard Brown ©, Ron Walker, Leon Allen, Neil Kitching (Darren Goodall), Joe O'Connor, Simon Truman (Ben Porter). Unused Substitutes: Rob Vassell & Paul Cooke.

Loughborough Dynamo 3 - 1 Rushall Olympic

Travel Factory Alliance

Saturday 2nd April 2005

Rushall Olympic's hopes of finally clinching the Travel Factory Alliance championship without relying upon other sides were dealt a mighty blow as they turned in a truly awful performance, or rather non-performance, totally lacking in any form of conviction whatsoever as they crashed to a humbling 3-1 defeat at struggling Loughborough Dynamo.

However, the Pic's biggest crime of the afternoon was to finally pull level with 11 minutes remaining and then going on to gift Loughborough two simply dreadful goals in the final 3 minutes of the contest when they should have shut up shop and gratefully grabbed the point that was easily on offer.

The visitors could also certainly lay themselves open to accusations that they have become over reliant upon the incredible predatory instinct of 21-goal striker Joe O'Connor of late who was on this occasion forced to watch from the sidelines due to injury. Indeed, without a ready made replacement in sight and with the transfer deadline long since gone Rushall were always going to struggle, even against opposition who in reality offered little threat.

Once again the Dales Lane side had to rely heavily upon other sides to help fight their cause in the title race as Chasetown's victory over Quorn ended the Leicestershire outfits championship tilt, leaving only Coalville Town capable of overtaking the Pic's.

Despite the massively disappointing final score line, Olympic began brightly and bossed play during the opening 20 minutes of the game, but ultimately something was undoubtedly amiss from their overall game play that was eventually brutally exposed.

On 9 minutes Ben Porter raced clear of his marker, but was eventually crowded out by three defenders and instead played a square ball to strike partner Neil Kitching whose muted 25 yard attempt was easily held by the home 'keeper. Three minutes later and an excellent reverse ball from Ron Walker found Ben Porter whose 25 yard curler had to be smartly tipped away at full stretch by stopper Steve Windegaard past his left upright.

However, in the 20th minute Rushall were rocked to the very core when a simple but highly effective ball over the top of their flat footed rearguard fatally exposed Dave Davies' lack of agility and was chased through by Adam Smith who all too easily cut in from the left flank and fired a fierce drive across surprised 'keeper Ryan Price into the bottom right corner from 15 yards.

Despite falling behind to the opposition for the second game in succession, Olympic continued to plug away but were always severely lacking drive and enthusiasm in certain quarters of their side, particularly within the engine room.

On 23 minutes Ben Porter was set free down the left channel, but as he cut inside he fired another curling effort over the bar from just outside the box without testing the credentials of the home 'keeper. Two minutes later and the visitors should certainly have equalised when a long clearance from Ryan Price was superbly flicked on by Neil Kitching for Ben Porter to run on to, yet as the young striker raced clear he showed a lot of inexperience by hurrying his effort and steered a low drive wide of the left post when extremely well placed.

Although Rushall forced a succession of corners that amounted to little and enjoyed the majority of possession that they were insistent upon continually giving away, Loughborough were undoubtedly having the greater rub of the green.

As Olympic continued to probe for an opening on 41 minutes sweeper Ian Mitchell made a delightful 20 yard run past three defenders, but his final shot from 25 yards out lacked any real conviction and the home custodian gathered easily. Within a minute the Leicestershire side were again firmly on the back foot as Ben Porter cut in from the right flank into the box, but his vicious low drive across the flat footed stopper flew wide of the left upright from 15 yards as yet another opportunity went begging.

For the commencement of the second period Rushall were quickly back on the offensive and within 2 minutes of the restart Rob Holdcroft headed a high ball down into the path of Ben Porter, but as they young front runner pulled the trigger from 15 yards his rising drive was easily parried away by 'keeper Windegaard at chest height to safety.

By the time the 67th minute had arrived the Dales Lane side had used all 3 of their substitutes and were now crucially operating without a recognised out-and-out striker in their line-up. However, substitute Simon Truman found himself in the box following a good run down the right channel, but his tempting centre from the by-line was missed by everybody as it flashed across the face of goal.

Frustratingly, 11 minutes later one of Olympic's best opportunities was almost an own goal as substitute Tim Jackson produced an inviting ball in from the left that was met by the head of Dynamo midfielder Alvin Jarvis 15 yards out, but with the attempted clearance heading for the top right corner 'keeper Windegaard plucked the danger out of the air at the very last second.

On 79 minutes the visitors finally got back on level terms, but the opportunity owed everything to the individual talents of Simon Truman rather than good team play. As a corner from the left was eventually repelled Rushall's playmaker picked up possession on the left edge of the box before jinking his way past two defenders with a mazy run and coolly slotting home from 8 yards with an excellent finish.

Incredibly, Olympic were patently not grateful for what they had just received and foolishly set about the ill-fated task of attempting to grab all three points. Typically, they could not rid themselves of their Kamikaze tendencies and with only 3 minutes of normal time remaining a strangely lead-footed Ron Walker dithered on the ball and lost possession all too easily. As the home side broke down the left, with not a single defender in sight, Phil Miller had all the time in the world to plant the ball from the edge of the area into the bottom right corner past the badly exposed Ryan Price.

To add insult to Olympic supporter's indignity, with the game in its third minute of injury time another break by Loughborough past a paralysed Olympic back-line saw the ball played down the right before the resulting deep cross was gleefully converted by unmarked substitute Andy Murray from the edge of the box without hindrance to complete a thoroughly miserable afternoon for the Rushall faithful.

Rushall Olympic: Ryan Price, Willie Dunn, Rob Holdcroft, Dave Davies (Tim Jackson), Ian Mitchell, Richard Brown ©, Ron Walker, Leon Allen, Neil Kitching (Simon Truman), Ben Porter (Tyrone Barnett), Darren Goodall. Unused Substitutes: Steve Shaw & Paul Cooke.