Horns Inn FC

Who needs Wembley when you’re graced with the pitches of Staffordshire? Fortunately, today’s game went ahead after the council decided to let us actually play football.

We started brightly and created some decent chances, eventually making one count when Wocka slid Chris through. His effort, tame at best, somehow trickled over the line. 1–0. Mere seconds later, Chris turned provider, lobbing an awkward ball through to Mander, who beat the keeper to it and headed home to make it 2–0.

Keeper Jack, still riding the high of last week’s penalty shootout heroics, then decided to add a bit of spice. Attempting to take it past an onrushing forward, he instead picked out a delightful pass to an opposition player, who squared it for his teammate to finish well. 2–1.

A tactical tweak saw Sanders introduced out wide and instantly make an impact, whipping a peach of a ball into the box for Mander to turn home and restore our two-goal cushion. 3–1.

Another lapse in concentration allowed Woodlands back into it once more, as an unmarked player collected the ball from a throw and finished well.

Half-time: 3–2.

Woodlands came out hungry, and their enthusiasm paid off when, yet again completely unmarked, a player smashed in a worldie to level things up at 3–3.

Then came the controversy. A Blewitt corner was clearly turned over the line — at least 23 of the 25 people on the pitch knew it had crossed — but the referee waved play on. After consulting the opposition lino, who “couldn’t see it”, the decision somehow stood.

No matter. We made amends soon after as Wocka delivered from the corner, which Baz met with a thundering header that definitely hit the back of the net. 4–3.

To top it, Jack Horton clipped a lovely ball for JT to run onto, and with only one outcome ever likely, he calmly slotted it into the corner. 5–3.

We saw the game out to secure a 5–3 win and open up a five-point lead at the top of the table. 💪⚽

MOTM .haldron
DOTD for his questionable decisions on and off the pitch as he’s 30 years old and thirst trapping on TikTok

Big cup game up next week....

Hopefully at the third time of trying our next game up is an away trip to Woodlands in the league. Hopefully we can take the momentum from last weeks cup win and establish an even bigger lead at the top of the table..... as long as the weather holds up 🙄

Sundays are sooooo back.
Cup football, crunching challenges, dodgy calls, and a penalty shootout — who needs the Premier League?

Before kick-off, a minute’s silence was held in memory of our skipper Tommy, a moment felt deeply by everyone involved.

Starting with almost a bare 11 is never ideal, but we began well and created several decent chances. Against the run of play, a long ball into the box was headed down by Bridges and volleyed home to give the hosts a 1–0 lead.

We responded immediately when Mander slipped Chris through, who finished well to level it 1–1. Then came dodgy decision 1 — a free kick from almost the byline crashed off the post, Chris reacted and turned it home, only for the referee to rule it out for offside despite no flag 🤷‍♂️

Blewitt pressed on, missing a string of chances — including a Chris effort that somehow ended up in someone’s back garden. The home side capitalised on a defensive mix-up to make it 2–1, moments before the ref overruled the linesman again to chalk off a third.

Half-time: 2–1

The second half brought changes and more questionable calls. Mander got goal-side of his man and was taken out in the box, but a goal kick was awarded. Then calamity struck as keeper Jack put an easy collection out for a corner, which sailed into the net. 3–1, and a mountain to climb.

But climb it we did. Dyl, after seeing his first effort saved, received the ball from Baz and calmly slotted home to make it 3–2. Game on.

A last-minute chance: the oppo keeper went through skipper Joey. Stonewall pen. Baz stepped up and buried it. 3–3. Penalties again.

Cleft first, slotting home. Dale misses, Jack saves. Dyl buries it. Baz scores, oppo blasts over. Mander’s timid effort saved. Jack guesses right and wins it.

Blewitt win 3–2 on penalties.

A huge result and a place in the last 16 secured. That one was for you, Skip — we know you’re looking over us ❤️

MOTM
DOTD .haldron (in the words of Bracknell, I've got a right back that smells like a brewery)

Sundays are sooooo back.
Cup football, crunching challenges, dodgy calls, and a penalty shootout — who needs the Premier League?

Before kick-off, a minute’s silence was held in memory of our skipper Tommy, a moment felt deeply by everyone involved.

Starting with almost a bare 11 is never ideal, but we began well and created several decent chances. Against the run of play, a long ball into the box was headed down by Bridges and volleyed home to give the hosts a 1–0 lead.

We responded immediately when Mander slipped Chris through, who finished well to level it 1–1. Then came dodgy decision 1 — a free kick from almost the byline crashed off the post, Chris reacted and turned it home, only for the referee to rule it out for offside despite no flag 🤷‍♂️

Blewitt pressed on, missing a string of chances — including a Chris effort that somehow ended up in someone’s back garden. The home side capitalised on a defensive mix-up to make it 2–1, moments before the ref overruled the linesman again to chalk off a third.

Half-time: 2–1

The second half brought changes and more questionable calls. Mander got goal-side of his man and was taken out in the box, but a goal kick was awarded. Then calamity struck as keeper Jack put an easy collection out for a corner, which sailed into the net. 3–1, and a mountain to climb.

But climb it we did. Dyl, after seeing his first effort saved, received the ball from Baz and calmly slotted home to make it 3–2. Game on.

A last-minute chance: the oppo keeper went through skipper Joey. Stonewall pen. Baz stepped up and buried it. 3–3. Penalties again.

Cleft first, slotting home. Dale misses, Jack saves. Dyl buries it. Baz scores, oppo blasts over. Mander’s timid effort saved. Then jack guesses right and wins us another shootout.

Blewitt win 3–2 on penalties.

A huge result and a place in the last 16 secured. That one was for you, Skip — we know you’re looking over us ❤️

MOTM
DOTD .haldron (in the words of Bracknell, I've got a right back who smells like a brewery)

Alas football finally returns after an extended break, as a trip to Stafford sees us take on Woodseaves in the J&F Transport Champions Shield.

However this Sunday shows us football is about much more than just kicking a ball, as we remember our skipper who has left us far too young. We dedicate this game to his memory. If anyone would like to donate in his honour they can do so at the following.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/thomas-johnson-legacy-fund/cl/s?utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link&lang=en_GB&attribution_id=sl%3Abbfef2e0-f4c2-4e74-9bb8-a4896dcdd0ba&ts=1768666166

It is with deepest regrets that we share the news that our beloved teammate and former skipper Tommy Johnson has sadly passed away.

We offer our sincerest condolences to his family and friends who have asked for privacy while they grieve during this incredibly difficult time.

Tommy was an amazing teammate who battled with tenacity and celebrated blocks and clearance like he'd scored from 30 yards. He was an even better friend to all, a lad who always bought a smile to all of our faces and he will be deeply missed by us all.

Rest easy Skip 🙏❤️

With no games scheduled to go ahead for this weekend with the forecast looking rather grim we find ourselves top at Christmas.

A challenging January sees us face second, third and fourth with our returning game at Home against title rivals Holmcroft (baring any fixture rearrangements or cancellations). A good chance for us to widen the gap at the top in our bid for the division title.

Otley run..... Completed it mate.

Blewitt boys took over the Otley run this weekend and put in one of the performances of the season so far... can we continue this fine form into the next session.

THE TESCO ARENA

Samson Blewitt 4–1 Trafalgar

While the rest of the league bottled it over a bit of drizzle, the Tesco Arena held firm, serving up a perfect surface for a massive game in Blewitt’s title push.

With the chance to go top, the Gaffer made a bold (and deeply questionable) fashion call, sending the lads out in the “China Special” purple kit to protect the white Carling strip. Delivery: 4–6 weeks. Performance quality: similar.

First Half: Chaos & Confusion
Blewitt started slowly, the polyester clearly weighing everyone down. Trafalgar battled well, while the ref battled his own eyesight. After a few shocking decisions, he finally snapped and ordered Blewitt to change kits mid-game.

The switch worked instantly. Sturgess split the defence, TJ ran through, and with the keeper assuming offside and stepping aside, he tapped home the easiest goal of his life. 1–0.

Trafalgar nearly levelled from a corner when Campbell caught the ball somewhere between his hands and the net, but the ref blew up for what we think was a foul.

Second Half: Blewitt Turn Up
Fresh legs made the difference. Allman fed Sturgess on the edge of the box, and he bent a beauty over the keeper for 2–0.

Then came a rapid double. Sanders and Allman both delivered quality balls for Bradley, who buried his first and volleyed his second off the post. 4–0 and cruising.

The Blooper Reel
Bradley missed a sitter (blamed a bobble), Sanders attempted an acrobatic masterpiece that became an NHS case study, and Donner leathered the keeper instead of the ball. At the back, Johnson saved a rocket with his head and celebrated like he’d scored.

A bit of handbags broke out, and Campbell charged out of his goal to defend the lads (and impress his new bird). Moments later, still buzzing, he forgot to go back to being a keeper and let in the resulting free kick. 4–1.

Final whistle: top of the league secured. China Special kit hopefully retired forever.

MOTM: The Fridge
DOTD:

Onto another big cup game next week at hednesfords theatre of dreams.

Despite the weathers best efforts (and ref permitting) there will be football at the Tesco Arena as we welcome local rivals The Trafalgar to Hednesford theatre of dreams.

What a rollercoaster of emotions that was. From going 1-0 down, to missing a penalty to win the game, to then having the absolute chaos of a penalty shootout… this one really had it all.

Blewitt were nowhere near at the races in the first half, with a strong Featherstone side getting the lion’s share of the chances—some through good play, others courtesy of our own gifts (Christmas is next month, lads, not today). It took until the second half for them to finally capitalise on some poor defending and take a 1-0 lead. With the prospect of a cup exit looming, Blewitt weren’t going down without a scrap. Chris Bradley smashed home a brilliantly worked set piece from Joel shortly after conceding to make it 1-1.

A sharp bit of play from Sanders forced the Featherstone keeper into giving away a penalty with about 10 minutes left. Up steps Joel… but unfortunately his effort is saved. We pushed for a winner but couldn’t quite find it, and so—penalties.

Blewitt step up first and see a tame effort saved. The second? Pretty much the same. Featherstone 2-0 up after two kicks and the hill suddenly looks a mountain. The third Blewitt penalty crashes off the woodwork and sails over. Hopes fading fast… until Keeper Jack steps up and saves their third to give us life. TJ coolly puts away our fourth, and Jack again pulls off a brilliant save to keep us alive. Baz slots his penalty calmly to pile the pressure right back on them. Their next taker steps up, Jack stands big and tips the effort onto the bar… sudden death.

Up steps Mander, having the season of his life, fully believing his own hype—and rightfully so—as he buries it to put us 2-3 ahead. All the pressure now on the Featherstone lad, who skies his effort, and Blewitt march on to the semis.

A cracking game of football and fair play to the Featherstone lads who gave us a real fight.

MOTM: Keeper Jack
DOTD: Dale (we’ll spare Joel the blushes for missing two pens and give it to Dale for his squabble with the management team)

On to the next as we welcome The Trafalgar at home in the league.

Last weeks game was called off due to the weather, so we start our divisional cup campaign tomorrow against Featherstone Casuals