WME Flickr Focus - June 2018

The start of the World Cup means football fever is threatening to sweep the nation (ok, that might be a slight exaggeration although excitement over England's chances is building after two opening wins), but here on the WME photostream there is an alternative tournament to report. My various galleries have been playing off against each other trying to make the later stages with barely a dodgy VAR decision in sight...

The first match pits WME Wolverhampton against WME Birmingham, whereby Brum takes a commanding half time lead thanks to Yardley Wood (a class 172 train, a tickets tempter and a look at Behan's Bar). Wolverhampton strikes back though, powering home some West Park blossoms with pub signs for the Grain Store (in the city centre) and Wednesfield's Village Inn. Just when a draw looks the likeliest outcome, Wolverhampton pounces with late goals depicting the 21 Locks and a Vicarage Road street sign. Final score: Wolverhampton 8-5 Birmingham.

Joining Wolverhampton in the next round is WME Sandwell following a scrappy narrow victory over WME Dudley. A dusky Thimblemill Road bus stop opener had been cancelled out by Stourbridge's Chequers Wetherspoons sign until Sandwell's saviour strode forth, Tipton Sports Academy proving to be the match-winner by stooping low with a diving header to seal the win. Final score: Sandwell 2-1 Dudley.

Another closely-fought game sees WME Staffordshire prevailing over WME Warwickshire. Staffordshire's star striker was the august figure of Josiah Wedgwood (goalhanging outside Stoke Station) whilst the Swan Inn at Stone played its part. Warwickshire replied through a ferocious feline rug at Warwick Castle but even its fearsome teeth could not ultimately prevent defeat. Final score: Staffordshire 2-1 Warwickshire.

Our final fixture is alas a one-sided affair, Exploration Extra comprehensively outplaying poor old WME Solihull. Extra maintained its impressive qualifying form by raining shots on target, Guildford (the Royal Oak), Felixstowe (the Spa Pavilion plus a Martello Tower) and Edinburgh (Caley Picture House) among the scorers. Solihull's solitary success - a train at Whitlock's End - was a mere consolation but at least they avoided the dreaded nil. Final score: Exploration Extra 12-1 Solihull.

That completes this set of fixtures and the overall victor is the WME photostream which collects 32 new photos (but not the Jules Rimet trophy). Good luck to England as the real World Cup continues into July...