The new team
Datelin: 11 July 2008
Report by Andrew Poole, courtesy Bloxwich United AFC. Pictures by Stuart Williams.
The new Bloxwich United AFC football club made its formal debut on 11 July, bringing football back to Bloxwich in style.
On an historic evening at The Old Red Lion Ground, Somerfield Road, Bloxwich United AFC’s first-ever game ended in a narrow 1-0 defeat at the hands of a Walsall FC XI.
Both sides displayed outstanding commitment and passed the ball around well, which pleased the 300-strong crowd.



It was the home side who created the better chances, with Jamie Simkiss and Mitchell Tolley both hitting the post in quick succession during the second half, before Saddlers‘ substitute, Sean Geddes fired home a late winner.




“I‘m over the moon with the lads,” said Bloxwich United manager, Michael Moseley at the final whistle. “They gave me everything and I couldn‘t be more proud of them.
“The new lads slotted in really well; Craig Bannister and Aaran Archer were lively up front, Carl Morris and Jamie Vaughan put in outstanding displays and Daniel Battison was in commanding form.
“I thought that defensively we were solid and all in all it was an excellent team performance. We have set the standard now and the future appears to be extremely bright.”


Walsall FC’s Youth Liaison Officer, Bill Jones, himself a former Bloxwich Strollers player, added: “Considering that both teams were playing their first game of the pre-season programme, it was a good, energetic match, played in the right spirit.
“We tended to tire a little towards the end as we‘ve only been back in training for a couple of weeks, but we packed the midfield and came through what was a good first test for us.
“We were impressed by Bloxwich United and wish them every success in the season ahead.”
BLOXWICH UNITED AFC: Holliday, Tolley, Welsh, Bent, Clarke, Simkiss, Morris, Battison, Bannister, Archer, Vaughan. Subs: J. Moseley, Lindop, Freeman, Marriott, Arnold, Wall, Joyce
WALSALL: Cox, Wood, Patrick, Gunnarsson, Cartwright, Winkermann, Lowe, Adkins, Travis, Grigg, McCourt. Subs: Moon, Geddes, Bowerman, Partridge, Cooney, Keenan, Hickman.
A fine turnout at The Old Red Lion Ground bodes well for the future of Bloxwich United AFC.There were three unclaimed prizes on the raffle. If you had ticket numbers 186-190, 296-300 or 381-385, please email bloxwichunited@aol.com.
For more on Bloxwich United AFC, visit their website: http://www.bloxwichunited.co.ukback to top