FENIX TROPHY FINALE, STADIO ROMEO NERI, RIMINI

FENIX TROPHY FINAL 8 WEEKEND:

GRAND FINAL - PRAGUE RAPTORS 0-2 FC UNITED of MANCHESTER

BRONZE MEDAL MATCH -AS LODIGIANI CALCIO 1-1 BRERA FC*

5th/6th PLAY-OFF - HFC FALKE 2-2 AKS ZŁY*

7th/8th PLAY-OFF - CD CUENCA MESTALLISTES 2-3 AFC DWS

* won on penalties 

ATTENDANCE: c500 

After heading to Milan for a group stage game in April, this weekend I was back in Italy as the inaugural Fenix Trophy reached it's grand finale.

The 'Final 8' took place at the Stadio Romeo Neri, the home of Rimini FC, and the format saw the two groups of teams play the other that finished in the respective position, concluding with group winners Prague Raptors and FC United of Manchester playing each other for the honour of lifting the trophy. Tickets were a very reasonable €10 for all four games and included a souvenir ticket and programme.

Host club Rimini FC are currently a Serie D side and have played at stadium since it's inauguration in 1930. The ground is named after Italian gymnast Romeo Neri, the first citizen of Rimini to participate in the Olympic Games in both 1928 (Amsterdam) and 1932 (Los Angeles). The ground has a capacity of around 9,500 but today only one side was in use and, thank goodness, it was the covered side as shelter from the sun was much needed.

Rimini were hosting the tournament by way of a tourist opportunity, using the opportunity to bring in fans from around Europe to this famous seaside resort. They certainly put on a good show.

I made my way to the Adriatic Coast on the Friday and, after my flight was delayed for around two hours, I arrived into Bologna very late in the evening. I didn't see the first game of the tournament on the Friday night, the all Italian affair between AS Lodigiani and Brera. That game ended in a 1-1 draw, with the team from Milan winning on penalties.

After my delayed arrival, meaning I didn't check in my hotel until 3am, I overslept on the Saturday morning so by the time I had gone for my walk along the beach and to grab a spot of lunch, I never arrived at the ground until the second half of the 7th place play-off off match. 

The team from Valencia, CD Cuenca Mestallistes, were winning 2-1 upon my arrival but at full time it was AFC DWS of Amsterdam who had turned it around and won the game 3-2.

The 5th place play-off pitted Hamburg side HFC Falke against AKS Zły from Warsaw. The sides played out a 2-2 draw before, in a shocking turn up for the books, the Germans lost on penalties. That's right a German team lost on penalties!

The main event between FC United and Prague Raptors kicked off slightly late, as yet another flight from Manchester was delayed, but luckily all the fans were inside the stadium to witness the Red Rebels become the only British team to lift European silverware this season.

First half goals courtesy of Ali Waddecar and Joe Duckworth ensured the Fenix Trophy would be heading to Broadhurst Park. The game was played at a pedestrian pace but that was understandable in the 28⁰c heat in Rimini and once United went 2-0 up there was no danger of them surrendering that advantage.

The atmosphere of whole day, and indeed tournament overall, was very convivial, as supporters mixed together in the stand, certainly living up to the Fenix Trophy's motto of "making friends not millionaires". I'm sure the beer from a local brewery that was on sale at the ground helped tremendously!

I would estimate there were between 500 and 600 fans in attendance, of which about 80% were United and around 15% were Falke. Hopefully the interest generated by the tournament will result in it's return next season. I'm sure the FC United, and their fans, would love the opportunity to defend their title.

Michael Potts lifts the Fenix Trophy after his final appearance for FC United. 

🇮🇹🏆🇮🇹

WOMBWELL TOWN (Recreation Ground)

SHEFFIELD AND HALLAMSHIRE COUNTY LEAGUE DIVISION ONE, WOMBWELL TOWN 3-1 DENABY MAIN, ATTENDANCE: 224

As we reach the business end of, thankfully, a largely uninterrupted season games that actually have something riding on them start to become few and far between. However if you dig a little deep, for example at step 7 or below, then you can find some crackers. My game of choice today was no exception.

I crossed over the Pennines to South Yorkshire for a massive game in the Sheffield and Hallamshire County Senior League. It was 3rd vs 4th in the First Division (which sits at step 8 in the non-league pyramid) where Wombwell Town needed to avoid defeat to gain promotion to the Premier Division, whilst opponents Denaby Main needed to win the game, then hope Wombwell slip up somewhere in their remaining games in hand, thus allowing them to overtake the Wellers and snatch a promotion spot. It was certainly all to play for this afternoon.

Wombwell is a former mining town around 5 miles from Barnsley. There were once two collieries in operation, Mitchells Main and Wombwell Main, but these closed in 1956 and 1969 respectively.

There have been numerous football clubs over the years that have represented the town. The first Wombwell Town,  founded in the 1890's, won the inaugural Yorkshire league and were the first Wombwell team to enter the FA Cup. This club folded in the early 1900's. Next was Wombwell Rising Star who lasted a season around 1904. Another Wombwell Town was formed in 1920, and reached the 1st round of the FA Cup in 1930, before folding in 1934. The fourth team to represent the town was the one that lasted the longest. Wombwell Athletic was founded just after the second World War and lasted over 50 years, until the millennium. This club played in the Yorkshire League before becoming founder members of the Northern Counties East League in 1982 before they joined the Central Midlands League in 1988. They were in the Sheffield and Hallamshire League, and known as Wombwell Town, when they were dissolved in 2000.

The latest Wombwell Town incarnation was founded in 2018 by former Barnsley FC professionals Karl Rose and Doug O’Connor. The home ground is the Recreation Ground, where the last Wombwell Town had previously played. The club were placed in division two of the Sheffield and Hallamshire League and they won this at the first attempt. The following season the club were on course to make it back-to-back promotions but in March 2020 the Coronavirus pandemic struck and the season was abandoned. Season 2020/21 was also a write off, with just 5 games being played, so finally after two years the club were now in a position to finally clinch that promotion.

It was not a good start for The Wellers as Denaby took the lead after 20 minutes when Christian Baxby raced through to score. Brad Kerr equalised for Wombwell after 37 minutes to ensure it was all square at the break.

Will Harling put the Wellers in front after 69 minutes before Kerr netted his second after 85 minutes to wrap up victory and with it promotion. It was a well deserved victory and I offer my congratulations to The Wellers. All that is left for Wombwell to do now is to win seven points from their three remaining games to clinch the title. Good luck!

CPD Y FELINHELI (Cae Seilo)

ARDAL LEAGUE NORTH WEST, CPD Y FELINHELI 0-1 CPD PORTHMADOG, ATTENDANCE: 420

There were few options for a new ground 'tick' this Friday evening, so I decided on a revisit to Cae Seilo, the home of Y Felinheli. 

So why the revisit?

Well, my previous visit was back in September 2004 for a Welsh Cup game against Mynydd Isa. The score was 1-1 at half time but he first half was played in torrential rain. The grass was slightly long and the rain washed away the pitch markings. The referee therefore had no option to deem the pitch unplayable and abandoned the game.

It's only taken 18 years but I returned to see a full 90 minutes!

Since my last visit in 2004, a seated stand has been
erected at Cae Seilo.

Y Felinheli is a Welsh speaking village on the banks of the Menai Strait, situated between Bangor and Caernarfon. It is famous for it's harbour which is a hub for sailing and pleasure boating. The football club was founded in 1977 as Port Dinorwic FC (the English for Y Felinheli) before changing to the Welsh language name in 1978.

The club joined the Caernarfon and District League, and were champions in 1982 and 1983 before becoming founder members of the Gwynedd League in 1983 and inaugural champions in 1984. The club joined the Welsh Alliance before dropping back down the leagues. The club were back in the Welsh Alliance by 2016 and they were declared champions on points per game in 2020. When the restructuring of Welsh football took place in that year, the club were placed in the Ardal League North West, the third tier of Welsh football.

There was a huge crowd at Cae Seilo this evening, most of whom had travelled up the A487, to watch Porthmadog earn a vital three points as they attempt chase down Denbigh and Mold Alex at the top of the table. The homesters had nothing to play for, but they made it extremely difficult for Porthmadog.

The solitary goal came after 21 minutes courtesy of Rhys Alun. Porthmadog had enough chances to win this game more comfortably but Guto Hughes in the Y Felinheli goal was in inspired form and made a number of tremendous saves.

He did get away with one in the second half when he must have thought a wayward cross was going over the bar and he let it go but it dropped under the bar, and clearly over the line, and the ball bounced out. The officials missed it and waved play on much to the fury of the Porthmadog fans behind the goal.

There was a few familiar faces in attendance and it was good to chew some fat whilst enjoying a great game in a wonderful setting. This is what groundhopping is all about. Da iawn!