And so to the Red Lion Ground at Brereton Sports & Social Club, in Brereton near Rugeley, for a North West Counties Division One South match between Brereton Social FC and AFC Bridgnorth.
Brereton Social FC was formed in 1899 and had three separate spells in West Midlands (Regional) League starting in 1968. Social was promoted to the Premier Division in 1971.
The club resigned three months into the 1987/88 season and entered the Staffordshire League in 1992. Brereton rejoined the West Midlands in 1995 before folding in 1999.
Reformed a year later Social went back to the West Midlands then moved to the Midland Combination in 2006, ultimately ending in resignation in August 2010. Following a brief hiatus Brereton rejoined the Staffordshire League and was promoted to North West Counties Division One South as champions last time. They are currently 16th, of 20, with 8 points from 7 matches.
Bridgnorth Town existed in the 19th century playing in the Shropshire & District League in 1899. A new club was formed in 1938 joining the Worcestershire Combination for one season only.
The team was refounded again in 1968 and the Meadow Men won the Midland Combination in 1980 and again in 1983. Town was promoted to the Southern League Midland in 1983 but folded due to financial problems in 2013.
A fourth iteration in the form of new club AFC Bridgnorth was established in the same year and the club badge depicts the iconic Town Hall. West Midlands Division One champions in their first season, moving to the Premier, then on to the Midland League in 2021 - finishing 10th last time and laterally moving to the NWCFL One South this season. The Meadow Men sit top at the minute: 6 wins and a draw from 7 games.
Today's numberplates are PH16LAV and PH16TUB - both Peter Higson vehicles. At the Manor 'Beer is Cheaper Than Petrol - So Drink & Don't Drive' and there's a return BJS Removal Van emblazoned with 'Taking Our Time in Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwlllantysiliogogogoch' 🤔
To the M6, and signs for Halloween Spooktacular and Wurkflow.ai, as rain gives way to sunny spells and a strong breeze. Then the A34, with Blue Iris Landscapes and into Trentham.
That's followed by Flip Out Trampoline Centre, Amerton Railway and Aston Marina. Rustique Living at Sandon and Burston then the Dog & Doublet, Hixon Airfield and Ed Weetman at Pasturefields.
The A51 sees travellers and horses tethered by the roadside plus a Solophina GSDs van - German Shepherd Dogs. Then we hit Wolseley Bridge and Rugeley with its Miners' Memorial and The Plaza - the town's Wetherspoons offering.
Bypassing Brereton Town FC, member of the Cannock Chase Football League, we come to the Red Lion. £6 to get in and a decent crowd of 204.
Inside is a lovely ground with the clubhouse and main stand down the popular side. Up top is a steep banking side with bar tables and benches at the summit, with Brereton Hill behind.
Opposite the main stand is a walkway and the team dugouts, this part one of three tree lined sides. The far end, technically out of bounds, hosts Hob Hill.
Advertising hoardings for The Plough & Harrow, Midland Mastics and Fuze are on display. Social are in red and white stripes, sponsored by MD Roofing and the Meadow Men are in blue with white trim, sponsored by Corporate Togs. We also have two tubby linesmen and an ineffective referee....
There are early chances for Nehemia Zazi for Bridgnorth and Kieran Cliff for Brereton, which brings a sprawling save from Craig Pain. Social's Jake Cartwright puts his shot beyond the Meadow Men's goal and Mitchell Evans has a fizzer off target for the away side on 20 minutes.
But the deadlock is broken six minutes later. A deep Brereton free kick is inadvertently flicked on by Bridgnorth centre back David Anani for an own goal, into the top corner past Pain.
Thereafter it's all Meadow Men: De Quarnai Williams has a powerful run on 31 but shoots wide and Trayvon Powell is wasteful after 40 minutes. Suar Dedja finds the side netting a minute before half time but Brereton lead 1-0 at the break.
The second half disappoints as the league leaders don't have the quality to break down a resolute Social defence - Rhys Williams is barely troubled in the home goal. Bridgnorth also fail to take advantage of Blake Ainger's sinbinning just before the hour.
Indeed Brereton have the best chance on 70 minutes, Samuel Mellor smashing over. Thereafter we see a destroyed boot, a handbags altercation and an injury time chance for DQ Williams, comfortably saved by his namesake, as Social beat the Meadow Men 1-0.
