194. Thursday 12 May 2016 - Coventry Charity Cup (Final) - Attendance: 300 - At: Coventry City
AEI Rugby (blue & black stripes & black) 3-1 Woodlands WMC (red & white & red)
Scorers: AEI Rugby (Halim 1, Smith 62 & 85) Woodlands WMC (Stanley 73 pen)
Pitch: home to the sky blues, not as good as Aldershot Town, marked out for rugby
Travel: driving with Les - Weather: nice day, mild evening
The game that really defines my season. I am proud to announce that in the past 12 months I have raised £260.00 for the Coventry Charity Football Cup and in exchange I received a badge, a certificate, a tie (which has been worn twice) and as a special treat free parking at the Ricoh Arena. Football-wise the game did not matter. It's the spirit of the occasion and doing something for charity is always much better than staying at home blowing bubbles.
My companion tonight was none other than the Right Honourable Leslie Bull. It was good to see the committee painfully extract some money from his pocket using a monkey wrench. My good friend likes to be introduced as the chief scout for Real Madrid, which is a blatant lie. At best, Les can be described as Vinney Jones dresser, as officially Les was Wealdstone's kit man in the 1880's. Les was also staunch friends with Stuart Pearce. Many people know Les wears his Sunderland shirt proudly and when it's not in the laundry basket it can usually be found in dire straits.
At the final, Richard Aston and his committee were working as hard as ever. I've only met Richard twice, however he always seems to have a spring in his stride. I'm certain, he knows what he is doing, although carrying the cup down 100 steps nearly was one task too many, particularly if the cup reaches the bottom first.
The game was surprisingly good. Last year we waited 112 minutes for the only goal, but tonight barely 30 seconds for the opener. AEI Rugby kicked-off, ran half the length of the field and found a hole in the Woodlands WMC defence. The move finished with a shot from in front of the goal, which defeated a surprised goalkeeper. It was very unfortunate for Woodland WMC to conceded so quickly, but their goalkeeper went on to make two tremendous saves and a block to keep the deficit to one at half-time. In the second-half, AEI Rugby increased their lead heading home from a soft centre, but immediately there was one goal back for Woodlands WMC from the penalty spot. AEI Rugby's third goal was almost identical to their second, another header from a short cross. However, Steve Brook in goal did not endear himself to the referee and was booked for protesting that the cross was out of play.
With the presentation duly made, the gleaming cup (polished by Richard's wife) was taken home down the A45 for AEI Rugby's trophy cabinet. I will continue to support the Coventry Charity Football Cup for another year or until such time Les apologies. Another problem for our man from Sunderland was simply, at 38 inches tall, Les didn't recognise it as a cup. Well he wouldn't!
PMW's Non-League Football Tours
Broadcasting, Reporting and Supporting
The Coventry Charity Football Cup
(new for 2015-16 and nominated as my charity for 2016-17)
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