Belgrave

BELGRAVE 3-0 KINGSWAY RANGERS
Saturday 10th April 2010
Leicester & District League Premier Division
Co-op Sports Ground

My choice of game today is a top two clash in the top division of the Leicester & District League. The scenario is that anything but a win for Kingsway would allow Belgrave to put one hand on the title. A brief history of Belgrave Football Club is outlined below in a timeline format:

Timeline

1987...formed as "Last Straw 87 FC"
       joined the Leicester & District Sunday League Division 2
1988...started a Saturday side and joined the Mutual League Division 2
1990...promoted to division 1 of the Leicester & District Sunday League
1991...Saturday side switched to the Leicester City League Division 3
       stopped playing Sunday football
1992...Leicester City League Division 3 winners. Promotion to division 1
1995...Leicester City League Division 1 runners-up. Promotion to Premier Division
       League Cup runners-up
1996...changed name to Belgrave WMC
1997...Leicester City League Champions, Steve Jones Cup Winners
       League Cup runners-up
1998...Leicester City League runners-up, Steve Jones Cup runners-up
1999...Leicester City League runners-up
       transferred to the Leicester & District League Division 1
2000...Leicester & District League Division 1 Winners.
       Promotion to the Premier Division
       Leicestershire Saturday Shield Winners
       Changed name to Belgrave Jungle
2001...Leicester & District League runners-up
2003...changed name to Belgrave Blackbird
2006...changed name to Belgrave
2009...Leicester & District League runners-up

Belgrave currently play at the Co-op Sports Ground in Birstall on the outskirts of Leicester. The ground was home to former Leicestershire Senior League side Fosse Imps and is also home to Birstall Watermead Tennis Club and St. Margarets Co-op Bowls Club. There are two full size football pitches on the site, both of which are railed off and have dugouts. The one Belgrave use is the one furthest way close to Watermead Way.

Basic Directions
If coming from the A46 Western Bypass take the A6 exit towards Leicester, cross the set of lights in Birstall and you come to Redhill Island. Take you first exit onto Birstall Road and the ground is on the right hand side after half a mile or so.

With much at stake both sides started the game nervously and it was the visitors who had the first chance but Marc Aston shot into the side netting. Belgrave had a few half chances but it was again Kingsway who came close when their keeper made a good save with his feet. As the half wore on Belgrave started to take control and it was no surprise when they took the lead. A ball across from the left was hit first time back across the keeper by Dave Coleman on 33 minutes. The crucial second goal came on 55 minutes when Neil Ball having been put clean through slotted the ball past the Kingsway keeper. Just six minutes later and it was game over when following a mistake in the visiting defence Dave Coleman went through unapposed and put the ball past a stationary keeper. The remainder of the game saw the home side try and hit Kingsway on the counter attack but in the end neither side added to the score and Belgrave ran out comfortable winners.

Now they just need four points from their remaining three games to secure the title on the basis that Kingsway win their remaining four games. Such is a vastly superior goal difference that realistically just three points will be required.

Admission / programme: none
Attendance: around 30
Google maps driving time / distance: 15 minutes and 5.3 miles

websites:

Belgrave: http://www.belgravefc.org.uk/