NUNEATON GRIFF (The Pingles Stadium)

FA VASE 5th ROUND, NUNEATON GRIFF 0-3 SALISBURY FC, ATTENDANCE: 870

The business end of the FA Vase drew me to the West Midlands as the lowest ranked team definitely in the fifth round attempted to win through to the last eight. Midlands League Division One (step 6) Nuneaton Griff were hosting Wessex League (step 5) Salisbury FC. I clearly wasn't the only football fan attracted to this game as Nuneaton Griff's record crowd of 870 passed through the gate.

Nuneaton Griff was founded in 1972 as Nuneaton Amateurs but a dispute resulted in many members moving to the Nuneaton Griff and Coton Miners Welfare Ground. The club played in various Coventry league until 1999 when they joined the Midland Football Combination.

Nuneaton are currently fourth in the league table and I did actually see them play earlier this season when they were very impressive in dispatching Bolehall Swifts by 7 goals to 3.

The Pingles Stadium is also the home of Nuneaton Harriers
Athletics Club.

The last time I watched a Salisbury team play was on the final day of the 2013/14 when a 2-2 draw at the Deva Stadium relegated Chester from the Conference. However Chester were reprieved when Salisbury City were unable to meet their financial obligations, after the club was sold to two businessmen with no money, and removed from the Conference. The club were placed in administration and it's assets were bought by a consortium and a new phoenix club, Salisbury FC, rose from the ashes. Steve Claridge was part of the consortium and he is also the manager of the new club.

Sam Wilson scores from the spot for Salisbury

On a bobbly pitch, and in very windy conditions, Salisbury won through thanks to a hat-trick from Sam Wilson, but that scoreline doesn't reflect the game.

For the majority of the match there was hardly anything between the teams though, as you would have expected, Salisbury enjoyed most of the possession.

The game hinged on two penalties. Salisbury were awarded a penalty after 31 minutes, after Calum Brockway was tripped in the box. Sam Wilson duly dispatched the spot kick.

Griff's Ashley Wilks sees his effort saved

After 52 minutes Nuneaton were awarded a spot kick themselves after Brockway unceremoniously ended Ben Ashby's run, but Ashley Wilks effort was saved by Charlie Searle in the Salisbury goal.

Salisbury played out the last 20 minutes or so with 10 men after went off injured and all their substitutes had been used.

However as Nuneaton chased the game they were caught out and Wilson (83 & 90) ensured it would be the Whites who went through to the quarter finals and a home tie with Dunston UTS or Ashford United.

BOLEHALL SWIFTS (Rene Road)

MIDLAND FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION ONE, BOLEHALL SWIFTS 3-7 NUNEATON GRIFF, ATTENDANCE: 46 (h/c)

From Kings Norton I headed across to Tamworth where Bolehall Swifts were hosting Nuneaton Griff in an evening kick off. The journey was made in plenty of time, allowing for a quick slurp in the Sir Robert Peel in town.


Bolehall are struggling this season and are yet to register a victory. I was speaking to the couple behind the counter in the tea bar, as they prepared me a delicious steak pie, and they were telling me that their manager and most of their players from last season had departed in the summer and the team was rather youthful at the moment. I guess the last thing they needed was a visit from a team that hit 10 (v Heather) in midweek.

The game kicked off in torrential rain and the pitch did incredibly well to hold up as well as it did. Bolehall looked great when they came forward, and actually took the lead through Leo Thompson after five minutes, but it is at the back they struggled with some self inflicted errors not helping their cause. Ryan Millerchip (10) equalised for Griff from the penalty spot before Sean Gardiner (26) restored the Swifts lead.

Millerchip (29) drew Griff level for the second time before the visitors took the game away from Bolehall. Luke Shorthouse (31) gave Nuneaton the lead before Josh Ruff (40) and Dave Barnett (44) made it five for The Heartlanders.

Bolehall had chances to claw their way back into the game but Nuneaton added more goals late on through Aden Moore (79) and Ryan Slinn (88). They did look a very, very good side.

I enjoyed my evening at Rene Road, despite the weather, and I hope Bolehall can work things out and start picking up some wins. I wish them every success for the rest of the season.