Coalville Town

Owen Street Sports Ground, home of Coalville Town based in Leicestershire and play their trade in Step 3 of the Non League Pyramid in the Southern League Premier Division Central. Nicknamed the “Ravens” as they play in Black & White and also used to play in nearby Ravenstone and also played at a ground called “Ravenslea!” A coincidence?

A massive game at the top of this league today which could mean that Coalville will be playing next season at Step 2! Coalville are level on points with Tamworth at the top but Tamworth have a superior goal difference by 2 meaning Coalville need a thumping good win today against Stourbridge! Coalville Town should become ‘Goalville’ Town here today! Tamworth are away to Redditch United today. A win for Coalville and Tamworth don’t win or for example if Tamworth win 1-0 and Coalville win 3-0 then Coalville are up on goals scored.

Will Burford will be at Redditch today and me and him will be providing updates throughout. Gillette Soccer Special eat your heart out! Will was the one who strongly recommended Coalville to me a while back due to the fanbase so they should be pretty good on a day like today!

So onto the M1 to the A42 and into Coalville with around just under an hour and a half until kick off. £10 for this one! Wicked! The crowd is gathering here already! This is going to be a day remember I’m sure!

Gourmet Burgers for lunch it is, a bacon & cheese chicken burger is the decision for £7.90… This better be worth it… Well in all fairness it certainly is delicious!

The player warm ups are done and the shed is getting pretty full and the atmosphere is starting to build nicely! Out come the teams now to a wall of noise from the shed! Promotion is a possibility here! 90 minutes to score as many as you can Coalville!

Kick Off… Straight away here and Coalville play it forward for Tim Berridge and he’s in here… OH HE’S SCORED!!! HOW ABOUT THAT FOR A START!! It’s the quickest goal I’ve ever seen at a game! LOOK WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE COALVILLE FANS! About 10 seconds in!

3 minutes later and here come Stourbridge down the left, it’s played across, it comes for Tyler LYTTLE… OH! HOW’S HE MISSED THAT?! From about 4 yards out he’s blazed it over! What an explosive start to the game here!

“We’re on our way! We’re on our way! To the National League! We’re on our way!” The Coalville fans are having a disco here!

News has gone around of a goal at Redditch and it’s gone Tamworth’s way… Not what we all wanted to hear! Coalville need 2 goals as it stands!

26th minute and Coalville come forward again, George Wilson drives forward and he goes for goal from 25 yards… AND HE’S FOUND THE BOTTOM CORNER!!! There’s one!! Carnage again in the shed end!!

36 minutes on the clock and Coalville play a ball over the top and Tim Berridge will run onto it, he gets there and he’s in AGAIN… OH! It’s saved! Vital save there!

43 minutes now and Coalville play it out to the right for Tom McGlinchey, he cuts inside and he goes for goal… It’s off the bar! Billy Kee runs in for the rebound… THREE!! He heads it home!! COALVILLE ARE CHAMPIONS AS IT STANDS!! CRAZY SCENES HERE IN THE SHED! 3-0!

Coalville continue to take the game to Stourbridge… Tamworth are 2-0 up… Coalville need another now! 3-0 at half time here! All to play for in the second half!

Second half, 51 minutes gone and Stourbridge get into the Coalville box, the Stourbridge man goes down… It’s a penalty… Oh no! Stanley Obinna Anaebonam will take… And he scores! It’s 3-1! That one hurts! Tamworth have scored again as well… Coalville need 3 goals now!

2 minutes later and Coalville are straight out of the blocks, it’s played into the box on the left, the shot comes in… It’s off the line! Coalville get it back, it’s pinball on the goalmouth… Stourbridge get it clear somehow for a corner, in it comes… The keeper punches it away and Stourbridge clear.

56th minute and Coalville play down the left, it’s played across to Tim Berridge, he takes a touch and shoots… Oooooh! He’s dragged it wide!

The atmosphere has drained away sadly as it’s looking increasingly likely that Tamworth will be going up… The Coalville performance this half hasn’t matched the intensity of the first half and Stourbridge are looking to add to their goal here.

65 minutes played and Stourbridge play out left, it’s crossed in, the header… OH! It’s just wide! That was dangerous!

86 minutes now and Chitiza is played through for Coalville and he’s in… It’s a big save by the Stourbridge keeper! It’s a corner, in it comes… Cleared by Stourbridge.

1 minute later and Tom McGlinchey picks it up on the right on the halfway line, he goes on a run… What a run this is! He gets into the box and he shoots… Saved again by the keeper!

Coalville continue to press… But it stays at 3-1 and they are in the play-offs. Tamworth will be going up to the National League North next season! A show of respect from the fans who have been incredible today!

FT: Coalville Town 3-1 Stourbridge

Ratings

• Atmosphere: 9.5/10 – An unusual rating to give but the second half was pretty quiet but it was down to the circumstances. The Coalville fans were incredible today nonetheless! An amazing fanbase! Limbs, chants, scenes, the lot! Did I write that top 10 fanbases post too early? Yes I did!
• The Ground: 8/10 – I think it’s a very pretty ground! Stands at all ends and the clubhouse on the halfway line looks amazing! It’s got some great features and I like it!
• Expense: 10/10 – £10 for this level is ok by me!!
• Overall Experience: 10/10 – Loved it here today despite the team not getting promotion! The fans near me were really friendly and I’m delighted to finally tick this one off! If you’re looking for a good time, Coalville’s shed end won’t let you down!

37.5/40