Hellenic League
Division 1
Tuesday 22nd February 2022
Kick Off 19.45 Actual 19.49
Studley 3 F.C. Stratford 0, attendance 116 (official 87)
12’ 1-0
18’ 2-0
46’ 3-0
@ The Beehive, 3G Pitch
Abbeyfields Drive
off Birmingham Road
Studley
B80 7BF
£6 Admission
£1 Programme. Wasn’t offered one at gate, so assume sold out?
When I last came here, on 13th May 1993, it was to see Studley B.K.L. lose 1-2 to Bloxwich Town in a Midland Combination League Premier Division match. The game was played on the pitch that runs widthways when exiting the back of the clubhouse. Tonight’s game was on the 3G pitch beyond this, running parallel to the former pitch and accessed through a caged in walkway. At least there is spectator viewing around the entire pitch and there is even a seated stand on the far side.
It is widely perceived that the Hellenic League is the worst Step 5/6 in the pyramid, with some very basic grounds, although this is probably improving slowly. It certainly doesn’t help when they have the dreadful Step 7 level of their league, that doesn’t even feed automatically to the division above and if there was ever a league that needed to be absorbed back into county league football, then this would be top of the list, with the Central Midlands League a close second.
At least tonight’s fixture had the look of a decent game, as 2nd hosted 7th in the league table. Studley missed the chance to go top of the table on Saturday, but they suffered a surprise 1-4 defeat at home to Malmesbury Victoria. There was no chance of a slip up tonight though. They were 2-0 up after just eighteen minutes, before Stratford then lost their ’keeper to injury seven minutes later, replaced by an outfield player. Any chance of a comeback disappeared a minute into the second half when Studley made it 3-0. It was very comfortable from then on and they cruised to an easy three points.
They now top the table with just six games remaining. They are a point clear of Clanfield 85, who only have three to play, whilst Worcester Raiders are third, a further two points back, but they also have six games left.
There was a large turn out of ground hoppers tonight, probably in the high twenties, despite this being one of the hosts on the up coming Hellenic League ’Hop at Easter. I was surprised that the difference between the number actually watching the game, compared to the official attendance differed by 29. That’s quite a few ‘hangers on’ getting a freebie. They will certainly be in for a shock when the Groundhop U.K. fanfare rolls in to town.
