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Town sign off in style
Fixture congestion can be quite a headache for many players and officials at the end of a busy season. However there can't be many football clubs who face the daunting prospect of having to play seven matches in just two weeks! After a spell of bad weather caused a number of games to be called off (especially through waterlogging), during the winter months and as a result of reaching the League Cup Final, Wryley Rangers FC currently find themselves in this unenviable situation. Helpful club official and ace website reporter Jim Cartwright cheerfully accepts the club's fate though and realises it is all part of the game.
Visitors Dudley Town, who were presented with the 'Team of the Month' Award before kick-off, looked the better side throughout this keenly contested Premier Division encounter. A beautifully floated free-kick into the box was matched with an equally spectacular glancing header to beat the acrobatic 'keeper and give the visitors a narrow lead seconds before the interval. Rangers hit back in the second half to restore parity. However just when it looked like the game was going to end level, the men from the Black Country grabbed a late winner in the dying minutes. This was also quite significant as, by contrast, it marked their final match of the season.
The game was played in beautiful warm sunshine on what was ironically a hard, bumpy playing surface. An excellent 20-page programme was issued for the game and cost £1. The computer generated effort featured a player photo and match details on the glossy front cover with full team line ups printed on the back. I was very impressed by the wealth of statistics, team news, up to date match reports and even photos contained inside. Definitely a true labour of love. A range of both hot and cold drinks and snacks were available from inside the magnificent clubhouse at half-time.
The Long Lane Park ground is set in a very rural location on the West Midland/Staffordshire border to the east of Essington village. All the facilities are found along one side nearest to the main entrance and car park. A smart all-seater stand on the right provides cover for about 100 spectators. The club house and changing rooms to the left are bordered by a high wire mesh perimeter fence which runs the length of this side. There is flat standing on all sides except behind the goal at the far end which is hemmed in very tightly by a large hedge and some more wire netting. The pitch itself is fully railed off. A second playing area runs at ninety degrees to this behind the two dug outs on the far side.
The club can be found by leaving the M6 at junction 11 and following the A262 towards Willenhall. After passing through Warstone, turn left into Broad Lane (marked B4210 Bloxwich) and then left again into Long Lane. Keep going until the ground can be seen on the left - despite driving though open countryside it will appear!
FGIF Rating: 4* | 