Chelmsley Town V Wednesfield (Division One)

​Chelmsley Town played Wednesfield at Pack Meadow yesterday evening looking for a result following a tough start to the season. The hosts had picked up one point from three matches coming into this one but had a difficult schedule that involved playing the likes of Nuneaton Town and Gornal Athletic. On paper, it’s a good squad and a result would give them a lot of confidence.

Wednesfield were also looking for a result following a challenging start to the season. It’s been a busy summer for the visitors following last season’s play off challenge where they just missed out on goal difference. Sean Geddes has come in as their new manager and is building a new look team to go again in division one. Patience is needed with a lot of player turnover over the summer.

Pack Meadow is a brilliant ground to visit as a groundhopper and is well worth a visit. The atmosphere is friendly and welcoming, and the supporters get a good view of the pitch. The programme on offer was also good value for money and included a history of the clubs competing in division one. Overall, it’s a good match day experience and recommended.  

The ground is accessible to get to by public transport. Supporters can get the X13 platinum to Chelmsley Wood from Birmingham City Centre and get off at the Hall Walk stop in Coleshill. From there it’s a nine-minute walk to the ground where supporters walk down Packington Lane before finding the ground on the left.       

​Starting Line Ups

The starting line up for Chelmsley Town included Liam Moss starting in goal and Harry Howard captaining the team from midfield. The formation appeared to be a 4-1-4-1 with Fiifi Kwofie playing up front as the main striker and being supported by Oscar Jackson and Louie Newbold on the wings.

There were four changes from the team that started against Gornal Athletic at the weekend with Fiifi Kwofie coming into the team and playing up front.

The starting line up for Wednesfield included Jack Price starting in goal and Dilpreet Sandhu captaining the team out on the wing. The formation looked like a 4-4-2 with Randane Larmond and Brad Page playing up front as the two main strikers.

There were four changes from the team that started against Nuneaton Town at the weekend with Adam Naim coming into the team and playing out on the left wing.    

  
First Half

The match got off to a lively start with Wednesfield taking a surprise lead in the opening few minutes. Randane Larmond made a good run at the defence and beat a few players before producing a composed finish across Liam Moss into the bottom left corner to make it 1-0. It could turn out to be a key moment in Wednesfield’s season and was their first league goal of the campaign.

This gave the visitors some confidence and belief and they were well set up off the ball to stifle Chelmsley Town who were looking to play a possession style of football and work the ball through the channels. The hosts offered a threat through the link up play of Fiifi Kwofie who impressed for division three side Solihull Sporting last season and looked good yesterday.

​The first real chance at goal for Chelmsley Town came in the middle of the first half when Oscar Jackson cut inside from the right before having an effort narrowly go over the far post.

The hosts grew into the match as the first half went on and were starting to build some momentum in front of goal. The only thing missing was the final ball to open the Wednesfield defence.

The best chance of the first half for the hosts came when Fiifi Kwofie played a header that found Louis Newbold who made a good run down the left before getting through one on one with Jack Price. He had an effort narrowly go out for a corner, but Chelmsley Town were pushing for an equaliser in the latter stages of the first half.

Wednesfield were resolute at the back and offered an attacking threat on the counterattack through the likes of Dilpreet Sandhu out on the wings. There was a nice balance to the visitors with George Young working hard in midfield to break up attacks and Ashley Oliver defending well at the back.

The chances were fairly limited in the latter stages of the first half, and it finished with Wednesfield being a goal up going into the break.  

​Second Half

Just as Chelmsley were looking for an equaliser at the start of the second half they got caught on the counterattack with Wednesfield scoring a second goal. A quick break from Dilpreet Sandhu lead to the winger playing a good ball over to Adam Naim out on the left-hand side who produced a quality finish into the bottom right corner to make it 2-0.

The hosts were building up the play well and moved the ball with purpose throughout midfield and in the final third. Jamie Smith and Harry Howard were linking up the play well and bringing players into the game. The thing that caught them out was Wednesfield playing on the break and committing players forward which left them a bit open at the back.

It was similar to the first half with Chelmsley Town pushing for a way back into the match but struggling to create clear cut chances in front of goal. A lot of the play looked promising, but it was just that final pass to create the goal that was missing. The effort was there, and they kept going despite the scoreline.

The best chance for the hosts in the second half came when Oliver Burgundy had a shot from distance that went wide of the left-hand post.

Wednesfield had a late chance to make it 3-0 late on when Dilpreet Sandhu played Adam Naim in on goal who fired wide of the right-hand post. It was similar to the build up to the second goal and caught Chelmsley Town off guard.      

The visitors held out and managed the match well to claim a valuable three points that could kickstart their season.

Full Time

Despite the result yesterday evening, Chelmsley Town played well in spells against Wednesfield. The passing from midfield was precise and they built up the attacks well. There’s a lot to be positive about for the supporters with the attacking threat of Fiifi Kwofie in the first half and players such as Alfie Chatwin coming on in the second half. It’s just getting it to click in front of goal.

It was a really good away performance from Wednesfield who looked solid at the back and produced moments of quality when it mattered to get the result. Randane Larmond looked a threat as the main striker. His hold up play was good, and he helped the visitors get up the pitch. Dilpreet Sandhu was positive on the ball and helped to create some chances in front of goal on the break.

The visitors had conceded 14 goals from three matches coming into yesterday and looked surprisingly good at the back. There are signs of something to build on with Henry Smith and Ashley Oliver impressing at the back and making numerous clearances. Oliver Haydon also had an underrated match from left back and was constantly getting to the ball to break up the play.

It was an interesting match to watch yesterday with both sides showing promise for the season ahead.

FT score: Chelmsley Town 0-2 Wednesfield.

Man of the Match: Dilpreet Sandhu (Wednesfield)

Match report written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League