Emirates FA Cup 2019/20 Second Qualifying Round
I suppose connections are everywhere if you look closely enough and, indeed, try to seek them out. As a Blues fan it was a genuine thrill to bump into Trevor Francis' signed European Cup winning shirt at Lutterworth Town's Kong Park - his Nottingham Forest shirt, that is.
I haven't yet bumped into his signed Birmingham City European Cup winners shirt.
Francis was Blues' top scorer for 3 successive seasons in the late 70s. This was a period of relative glory for Blues with a decent showing in the top-flight through most of the 70s, an FA Cup semi-final, and ample coverage on ATV's Sunday afternoon Star Soccer with Gary Newbon and Hugh Johns. Glory days indeed.
Of course there is always a top-scorer. Since Trevor Francis there are some notable (for Blues fans anyway) names on the roll-call of top scorers. Keith Bertschin, Mick Harford (as in "don't mess with Mick Harford"), Wayne Clarke (twice), Steve Whitton (twice), Nigel Gleghorn, Paul Devlin, Paul Furlong and Dele Adebola to name just a few from the less successful 80s and 90s.
A dedicated paragraph for Frank Worthington. Absolute class. Top scorer in the 1980/81 season and the subject of one of my favourite football songs, "Frank Worthington" by The Joe Jordanaires. Sample lyric (imagine Elvis singing it and you'll get the gist)...
"Who needs cars and cash when you've got a big moustache? Oh bless my soul, Frank Worthington".
It's on Spotify - check it out.
Another of Blues' top scorers, in the cup winning season of 1994/95 (OK, the Auto Windscreens cup, but it is a cup), was legend Steve Claridge. These were the days immediately before his Leicester City stint. It would not be strictly accurate to describe Steve Claridge as a one club man. Over about 35 years he's played over 1,000 games for something like 25 clubs. Steve now manages Salisbury.
Second Qualifying Round: 21 September 2019
Portland United FC versus Salisbury FC
Of the 80 ties in the second qualifying round, I was tempted by a few. This is the round when the big guns from the National League North and South join in. However, I really couldn't resist Portland United "The Blues" at home to Salisbury, "The Whites", managed by Birmingham City ledge Steve Claridge.
And it's basically an overseas trip. The Isle of Portland is a "tied island" in the English Channel, connected to Weymouth by Chesil Beach. It's dimensions are about 4 miles by 2 miles. Portland Stone, Portland Harbour (used in the 2012 Olympics), Portland Bill, Portland United FC. I had a look at Portland Bill, the impressive views over the channel and as it was sunny, had an ice cream. Needed to be done.
Then it was off to The Weyline Stadium for The Blues (Portland United FC) against The Whites (Salisbury FC). The Weyline Stadium, AKA New Grove Corner, is a few hundred yards from the 'original' Grove Corner which The Blues were moved from in 1994 when the land was required for mineral extraction. Ore was it?
Portland from the Sydenhams Wessex Premier League versus Salisbury from the Southern Premier League South (2 steps higher in the pyramid than Portland).
From the programme notes, Portland United were variously referred to as 'Portland and Grove', 'Portland Prison Officers' and 'Portland Prison Officers and United' before reforming in 1921. Salisbury on the other hand were formed in 2015 (there was a previous Salisbury City, liquidated in 2014).
"Who's Butch Nash?" I wondered. Butch Nash was founder of Portland Stone Limited and a former borough and town councillor dubbed 'The Portland Legend'. The Dorest Echo continues "...[Butch] helped so many charities, the Butch Nash stand is named after him...". He passed away in 2011 and in a wonderful final touch, his coffin did a lap of honour of Portland on the back of a skip lorry. Me and my mate Clive raised a glass to him in the bar before the game. Nice one Butch.
Entry £6, Programme £1, Very passable cheeseburger £3.50
Attendance: consensus estimate from me and Clive 500, actual 534 (from @PortlandUnited Twitter account).
I was pleased to meet Lin (thanks for your friendly assistance Lin) and also former BCFC legend Steve Claridge before the game. And I was pleased that we were able to enjoy the game from The Butch Nash Stand, to watch both teams put in a decent shift on a sunny, windy afternoon on Portland.
Salisbury missed an absolute sitter after 1 minute and there were a couple of skirmishes in the Portland goalmouth which needed some urgent defending. There was also a top quality save from the Portland goalie, Steve Boore. While the better chances fell to Salisbury, possession was pretty even in the first half and it was decent end to end stuff.
The Portland number 11, Jamie Beasley (nickname Dopey, according to programme notes), had a few promising moments down the left wing. But, on the stroke of half time, Toby Holmes controlled a cross on his chest and took a sharp chance to give Salisbury a 1-0 lead going into the break.
A quick word for the excellent 500+ crowd. There was plenty of lively and good humoured banter, some good encouragement to both sets of players and much helpful advice given to the referee and his assistants throughout the game. A good effort from all.
In the second half the Salisbury goalie, Tom Smith, was a busy man. There were at least 3 decent saves keeping Portland at bay in the third quarter of the game. After that promising spell from Portland, Salisbury's game management and a bit of superior fitness seemed to take hold and the game finished with just that single goal in Salisbury's favour.
Tired minds and bodies lead to a touch of handbags towards the end of the game, but both teams contributed to a decent FA Cup tie. Enormous credit to Portland and best of luck to Salisbury in the next round.
Full time, Portland 0-1 Salisbury.
Lin - hope Ryan's OK!
Next, it's the 3rd Qualifying Round over the weekend of 5th October.
PS - 2nd qualifying round results for teams I've seen in earlier rounds...
Hednesford Town beat Barwell FC 3-2
Cray Wanderers beat Soham Town 5-2
Chertsey Town beat Biggleswade 3-1
And it's basically an overseas trip. The Isle of Portland is a "tied island" in the English Channel, connected to Weymouth by Chesil Beach. It's dimensions are about 4 miles by 2 miles. Portland Stone, Portland Harbour (used in the 2012 Olympics), Portland Bill, Portland United FC. I had a look at Portland Bill, the impressive views over the channel and as it was sunny, had an ice cream. Needed to be done.
Then it was off to The Weyline Stadium for The Blues (Portland United FC) against The Whites (Salisbury FC). The Weyline Stadium, AKA New Grove Corner, is a few hundred yards from the 'original' Grove Corner which The Blues were moved from in 1994 when the land was required for mineral extraction. Ore was it?
Portland from the Sydenhams Wessex Premier League versus Salisbury from the Southern Premier League South (2 steps higher in the pyramid than Portland).
From the programme notes, Portland United were variously referred to as 'Portland and Grove', 'Portland Prison Officers' and 'Portland Prison Officers and United' before reforming in 1921. Salisbury on the other hand were formed in 2015 (there was a previous Salisbury City, liquidated in 2014).
"Who's Butch Nash?" I wondered. Butch Nash was founder of Portland Stone Limited and a former borough and town councillor dubbed 'The Portland Legend'. The Dorest Echo continues "...[Butch] helped so many charities, the Butch Nash stand is named after him...". He passed away in 2011 and in a wonderful final touch, his coffin did a lap of honour of Portland on the back of a skip lorry. Me and my mate Clive raised a glass to him in the bar before the game. Nice one Butch.
Entry £6, Programme £1, Very passable cheeseburger £3.50
Attendance: consensus estimate from me and Clive 500, actual 534 (from @PortlandUnited Twitter account).
I was pleased to meet Lin (thanks for your friendly assistance Lin) and also former BCFC legend Steve Claridge before the game. And I was pleased that we were able to enjoy the game from The Butch Nash Stand, to watch both teams put in a decent shift on a sunny, windy afternoon on Portland.
Salisbury missed an absolute sitter after 1 minute and there were a couple of skirmishes in the Portland goalmouth which needed some urgent defending. There was also a top quality save from the Portland goalie, Steve Boore. While the better chances fell to Salisbury, possession was pretty even in the first half and it was decent end to end stuff.
The Portland number 11, Jamie Beasley (nickname Dopey, according to programme notes), had a few promising moments down the left wing. But, on the stroke of half time, Toby Holmes controlled a cross on his chest and took a sharp chance to give Salisbury a 1-0 lead going into the break.
A quick word for the excellent 500+ crowd. There was plenty of lively and good humoured banter, some good encouragement to both sets of players and much helpful advice given to the referee and his assistants throughout the game. A good effort from all.
In the second half the Salisbury goalie, Tom Smith, was a busy man. There were at least 3 decent saves keeping Portland at bay in the third quarter of the game. After that promising spell from Portland, Salisbury's game management and a bit of superior fitness seemed to take hold and the game finished with just that single goal in Salisbury's favour.
Tired minds and bodies lead to a touch of handbags towards the end of the game, but both teams contributed to a decent FA Cup tie. Enormous credit to Portland and best of luck to Salisbury in the next round.
Full time, Portland 0-1 Salisbury.
Lin - hope Ryan's OK!
Next, it's the 3rd Qualifying Round over the weekend of 5th October.
PS - 2nd qualifying round results for teams I've seen in earlier rounds...
Hednesford Town beat Barwell FC 3-2
Cray Wanderers beat Soham Town 5-2
Chertsey Town beat Biggleswade 3-1
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