Sixways Stadium, home of Worcester Raiders based in Worcestershire and play their trade in Step 5 of the Non League Pyramid in the Hellenic League Premier Division. Also the home of Worcester Warriors Rugby Club who are sadly no more…
It’s one that’s been on the hitlist for a long time especially with the uncertainty around the use of the ground with the Worcester Warriors situation but the Raiders roll on and I am officially going far far away on a school night! The furthest so far…
So it’s to the M1, to the A42 leading to the M42 and onto the M5 into the stadium car park with around 15 minutes to kick off. Suddenly… *PHONE RINGING* It’s Gaz from the FANA Fan Podcast season 3 episode 15 and he’s HERE!! £8 to get in here! Fabulous! And fabulous to finally meet Gaz!
Out come the teams! A Worcestershire Wednesday or a Gloucestershire glory day? Let’s see!
Kick Off! 4 minutes in and Cinderford have a corner, in it comes… It’s pinball in the box…… Raiders get it clear.
18 minutes now and Raiders come forward, it comes for Bailey Fuller on the edge of the box who goes for the curler… Just wide of the far post.
25th minute and Cinderford have a free kick from around 30 yards, Kerry Morgan will take and he’s going to shoot… Keeper has dropped it… Did that cross the line?! The Cinderford players think it did! Play goes on and it’s out of the play… The Referee is going over to his assistant… Goal! Raiders are furious but it’s Cinderford who take the lead! 0-1!
10 minutes later and Cinderford have it on the right, it’s played across and Cinderford get there at the far post… Keeper keeps it out… The other Cinderford man clatters into him and the ball is in the net for Cinderford… But it won’t count! Foul on the keeper!
Right on half time now and here come the Raiders, Bailey Fuller gets into the box on the right, he cuts inside and shoots… And he finds the top corner!! What a finish!! 1-1! That is the final action of the first half.
Second half, 58 minutes on the clock and Raiders come forward, it’s crossed in and Jake Donnelly is there with the header… It’s wide! Big chance!
3 minutes later and Cinderford have a free kick on half way, it’s played into the box, it’s come for Lewis Powell who controls and shoots over his head… AND IT’S GONE IN!!! Cinderford lead again! 1-2!
3 minutes later again and here come Cinderford down the right, it’s crossed in… The header… WHAT A SAVE!! He’s tipped it over for a corner somehow! In comes the corner… Cleared by Raiders.
67th minute now and it’s a long throw in from the right for Cinderford, it’s come down and played to Charlie Davies just outside the box who sets himself and shoots… BANG!!! What a strike!!! Cinderford again! 1-3!
Raiders are shellshocked… And you can see by their play going forward! Cinderford hold on for the win!
FT: Worcester Raiders 1-3 Cinderford Town
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 3/10 – A bit behind closed doorsy with the stadium empty nearly but still some noise from both sets of fans.
- The Ground: 9/10 – Fabulous stadium! Definitely fits into League 2 at least! Very unique and with a lot of executive boxes in particular! The main stand resembles Port Vale and the other stands resemble Bristol Rovers funnily enough.
- Expense: 9/10 – £40 for fuel, £8 to get in and £3 for food, nearly worth it!
- Overall Experience: 9/10 – Great to meet Gaz tonight and the other Cinderford fans and I’m really glad I ticked this ground off at last!
30/40