Sutton Coldfield Town FC

 After what seems like an eternity of postponed games I've tried and failed to attend since the turn of the year, I finally found one that was on, however my intended destination had been Wolverhampton Sporting Community, only for them to fold and withdraw from their league during the week. It wasn't to be and instead my fixture was Sutton Coldfield Town vs Bedworth United. I didn't realise until I arrived at Sutton Coldfield that it actually holds the Royal title before it's name. The town centre was very uninspiring though and reminded me a bit of Stevenage, a bit of an 80s concrete jungle. However I got fed and watered well enough and it was only a 20 minute train ride out of Birmingham, where I had arrived earlier in the day by coach. The opposition, Bedworth, were familiar to me, memories brought back of many years ago, probably around 2008 at a guess, when they visited Bootham Crescent to play my team York. I recall we beat them easily, also the 100 or so Bedworth fans just using the day as a drinking session pratting about on the open aired grosenvor road terrace, with I think, no real interest in the game itself.

Anyway into the ground and there was no sign of any of the aforementioned Bedworth fans, not surprising given they are currently rooted to the foot of the Northern premier Midlands league. Sutton Coldfield, hardly setting the league alight themselves lay in 15th and must have expected a comfortable home win. 

The first half was dour to say the least, practically no shots, although Bedworth were the more willing, but it's not saying much at all. I was just praying for something to spark the game into life during half time and sure enough, early into the second half a mix up at the back for Sutton Coldfield and Bedworth awarded a penalty. The forward made no mistake blasting into the roof of the net. Soon after a low cross in, converted by the number 9 from point blank range. All of a sudden Bedworth were cruising. Unsurprisingly they were happy with what they had got and showed little ambition in the immediate aftermath. A raft of substitutions from Sutton Coldfield followed but to little effect, although they were the team probing. With about 20 minutes left on the clock, out of nothing, the Sutton Coldfield number 6 arrowed a delightful shot into the far top corner to pull one back and leave Bedworth stunned. Bedworth dug in though and two minutes from the end caught the Coldfield defence literally cold, a long raking ball found the winger, he passed to the striker who hit a first time shot in acres of space, it took a deflection off the desperate defender, wrong footed the keeper 1-3 job done. The crowd, 193, the food, an excellent bacon and tomato sandwich that tasted a lot better than it looked. I was slightly worried when it turned up in two slices of value white bread, but the contents were cooked to perfection. A bit pricey at £4.50 but good quality and highly recommended. Luckily the club shop opened, albeit only for 10 minutes or so, but long enough for me to acquire the usual pin badge for £4.

To get to Sutton Coldfield take the train from Birmingham New Street, straight to Sutton Coldfield, about 20 minutes on the Lichfield train. The ground is then a 15 minute walk through the high Street and along the road at the other side onto Coles Lane. The most interesting thing for me in the town was seeing a do not feed the pigeons sign, listed in 6 different languages, shows how multi cultural the town is, no idea what the languages are below English! The ground itself has a very unique and grand main stand, then a bit of a stand on the other side in one corner, then ample standing room if like me you can't get comfortable sitting for 90 minutes. On the entrance to the ground their is also an off licence if you require one before or after which is very convenient.

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