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Birmingham County FA Senior Cup Final (27.4.04) Experience paid off for Moor Green as they lifted the Birmingham County FA Senior Cup in front of more than 700 spectators at Molineux. Neil Davis was first to react to a loose ball in the 24th minute after Carl Ikeme could only punch away John Frain's free kick. Fellow Birmingham City Old-boy Jae Martin had looked to set up Moor Green's first 5 minutes earlier, but Peter Faulds could not stretch far enough and saw the ball go wide. Wolves' Mark Goodhead fired a low free kick through a crowded penalty area i nthe 23rd minute which Matt Harris saved. Neither his, nor Matthew Watson's attempt from a Gary Mulligan cross could change the young Wolves side's luck. A much improved second half from the home side gave new hope. Goodhead's free kicks continued to trouble Harris - his attempts saved in the 66th minute and deflected onto the Moor Green upright in the 73rd. However, experienced defending proved too much for the youngsters wh oshould be credited for reaching the latter stage of the competition. Ben Petty's brave tackle with 5 minutes remaining summing up Moor Green's determination to maintain their advantage and regain the trophy they last won 2 years ago. Birmingham County FA Minor Cup Final (25.4.04) Smithswood struck in extra time to take the Birmingham County FA Minor Cup this afternoon, overcoming Shenley Green by a single goal. Chances had been few and far between in the regulation 80 minutes thanks to some excellent defensive performances by both sides. Peter Darby's well executed tackles stemmed several dangerous runs from Smithswood's Darren Curley, whilst at the other end, Carl Thompson intercepted a neat move between Ryan Moore and Matthew Ward 10 minutes before half time. Smithswood's best chance in normal time came in the 58th minute when Curley rose highest to meet a corner but saw his header brush over the crossbar. Midway through the second half, Matthew Neal threatened for Shenley Green, but the final pass into the box lacked accuracy. With 2 minutes remaining, Ward found himself well tackled by a brave Thompson to take the game into extra time. The winning goal eventually came in the 9th minute of extra time when Substitute Edson Payton delivered a neat ball to Matthew Curley who chipped his shot over Ben Fowler. Shenley Green responded by throwing all they could at the Smithswood defence, and were unlucky to hit the post twice in the dying minutes. Both chances from Neal just millimetres away from bringing his side back into the game. The next County Final is the prestigious Senior Cup. Moor Green travel to Molineux as they take on Wolverhampton Wanderers this Tuesday, 27th April (kick off 7.30pm). Concession admission rates of just £2 are available to both clubs' Season Ticket holders. Birmingham County FA Saturday Vase Final (24.4.04) It took extra time and penalties to decide the winner of the Birmingham County FA Saturday Vase Final, with Polesworth's James Barker firing home the winning spot kick. Gareth Rooke opened The Poles account 2 minutes before half time. Until then, neither team had many chances both standing solid in defence. Andy Tiernan's volley in the 25th minute was fired straight at Russell Bannister, whilst Ian Kettle's rising shot skimmed just over the crossbar. Gornal turned up the pressure after the restart. They were rewarded for their effort in the 70th minute when Mark Habbershaw's flick on in the penalty area was met by Aiden Edmunds who delivered an unstoppable shot. Rooke had two chances to nick the win in normal time, but brave goalkeeping from Paul Smith meant an additional 30 minutes were needed. Dave Bate thought he had won the game for Gornal with his strike in the 20th minute of extra time which he converted after Habbershaw received the ball and delivered a neat pass to feet. Gornal's ecstasy turned to agony in the final seconds of the game. Mark Adey's persistence paying off for Polesworth as he forced the ball over the line and forced the tie to be decided on penalties. Nine perfectly executed penalties were followed by one terrific save – Matt Forrest could only watch as Bannister gained hero status with his stop. Gornal suffering their third consecutive cup defeat on penalties, The Poles going one better on their runners up place in last year's Saturday Vase Competition. Birmingham County FA Midweek Floodlit Cup Final In an all-Midland Combination Final, Romulus were the eventual winners of the Birmingham County FA Midweek Floodlit Cup after opponents, Nuneaton Griff had to play almost the entire second half with 10 men. Dennis Mulholland, Craig Hayward and Simon Gossage all plagued the Griff defence throughout the first half but an in-form Paul Grears pulled out save after save to keep the scoreline level. Grears' best stop came after Gossage had only the'keeper to beat, but a terrific reaction save ensured his shot was deflected wide. Michael Batchelor rose highest to connect onto the resulting corner, which would have beaten the keeper but lacked accuracy. Griff had fewer chances, but were perhaps disappointed at the fact they were not a goal to the good at half time. Ross Genner had a 29th minute shot which he lifted just over the bar, whilst Gareth Plant took the ball past 3 Romulus defenders, only to fire wide 7 minutes before the break. Further disappointment came 3 minutes into the second half, when Matthew Robinson was challenged by Jason Woodley. As he was the last defender, Referee Cooke was left with no option but to send the Griff Captain back to the dressing room. In a carbon-copy move, Brendan McCarthy released the ball to Jamie Shipway in the 52nd minute. This time there was no foul and even Grears could not stop the youngster's strike, which gave the Sutton Coldfield-based side the lead. Despite being a player down, Griff refused to crumble and found themselves level in the 79th minute after Garth Plant's thundering shot from the edge of the box. However, their energy-sapping efforts could not quite last the distance, with the winner coming from another Brendan McCarthy ball which split the tired Griff defence – this time met by Matthew Robinson who beat Grears and slotted home with 6 minutes remaining. BCFA Sunday Youth Cup Final (18.4.04) Erdington Star became the latest team to lift Birmingham FA silverware as they overcame Silhill Youth in the Sunday Youth Cup Final at County HQ. Silhill struck first when Taghasa Bertram released the ball early from the halfway line, allowing Steve Townsend to leave his marker and slot the ball home under a committed Tom Richards in the 12th minute. Stuart Rencher levelled the game in the 25th minute, finishing off a neat passing move by blasting the ball into the roof of Jack Somerville's goal. Two quick goals in the 43rd and 44th minute ensured that Erdington Star could return to the dressing rooms at half time with a comfortable lead. A curling shot from the right of the penalty box from Sean Findlay gave Erdington the advantage, whilst Craig Owen doubled made the scoreline 3-1 straight after the game restarted. Silhill struggled to create many chances during the second half as their duties were mainly defensive. James Coyle delivered a vital header as Shaun Walsh looked certain to add his name to the list of goalscorers in the 58th minute. Findlay's second strike - and Erdington's fourth - came in the 63rd minute in the form of a spectacular free kick which gave Somerville no chance. Despite time running out, Silhill kept their heads high, and were rewarded for their commitment with an 86th minute consolation goal - Martin Moran running in to connect with a Bertram cross, whipped in from the right. BCFA Girls Cup Final (17.4.04) Wolverhampton Wanderers Women U16's became the third team to lift the Birmingham FA Girls County Cup - Sponsored by The Squadrafile Company. A thrilling encounter at County HQ saw them overcome a strong Coventry City side who pushed The Black Country side all the way to the final whistle. Despite Wolves having the upper hand in the opening period, Coventry City struck against the run of play in the 7th minute, Karen Clough capitalising on a lose ball from close range. The goal settled the Sky Blues, with chances for both teams as the half progressed. Vital tackles from Gemma Turner and her fellow Wolves defenders, coupled with brave goalkeeping at the opposite end from Georgina Perry kept the scores level until the 30th minute. A 30th minute penalty was awarded to Wolves after Chloe Jones was tackled just inside the area - Sophie Wilde shot low and left, out of Perry's reach. Six minutes into the second half, Wolves gained the advantage - this time Jones found space in the area and slotted home a low shot. The lead was extended in the 59th minute when Levi Penny side-footed a cross from Jones at the far post. Coventry responded immediately to their opponent's double strike with two goals of their own. Clough found the back of the net for the second time, with a sweet free kick from well outside the area. Carly Nevin was rewarded for her persistence when 'keeper Steph Savvas was unable to control a smothered shot. Nevin pounced for Coventry's equaliser in the 62nd minute. Wolves' winner came with 6 minutes remaining after a flurry of chances for both sides - Chloe Jones curling a shot from wide on the left wing which was far enough away and fast enough for the diving Perry to reach. Coventry City Captain, Emma Lipman took the Squadrafile Fair Play Award in recognition of her commitment throughout the 80 minutes. "Emma had a good game, but perhaps more importantly she never stopped encouraging her teammates - it's that kind of spirit that makes games as close and exciting as this one!" said Peter Wilford, MD of The Squadrafile Company." Meanwhile, Wolves were able to celebrate their second trophy win this month, having added the County Cup to their League Cup victory over Aston Villa. Birmingham County FA Saturday Junior Cup Final (3.4.04) A second half hattrick from Mike Mountford combined with a nailbiting penalty shoot out ensured the 2003-04 Birmingham County FA Saturday Junior Cup Final was as dramatic as they get! Peugeot FC were favourites to take the title after strikes from Omar Green and Player/Coach Mark Rosegreen in the 9th and 42nd minutes had given the Coventry-based outfit a 2 goal advantage by half time. However, three minutes into the second period, Mountford scored the first of his three goals, Gary Cowley misjudging the bounce and seeing the ball hit the post before crossing the line. A neat second on 58 minutes and a fierce third 4 minutes later gave Mountford and his Shirley teammates a 3-2 lead. However, Peugeot drew level again after Carl Thomas' flick on from a Sam Thompson corner found Paul Anderson unmarked and ready to slot home the equaliser. Wade Manners thought he had sealed Shirley's win in the 73rd minute, but his strike was cancelled out by a late-late effort from Omar Green who gave Peugeot hope with a powerful shot that Houghton could not have saved in the 92nd minute. Green had chances to extend his side's lead in both periods of extra time, but this time failed to capitalise, a frenetic game which perhaps unsurprisingly required 6 penalties from each team to decide who took the title! In the end, the two number 14's who decided the matter - Watson desperately unlucky to miss for Peugeot whilst Sheridan made sure for Shirley. Football Funday For All! (23.4.04) Birmingham County FA are working hard to remove barriers that have prevented more people from enjoying an involvement in football in the past. A Football Funday for deaf and hearing impaired children is being held on Monday 5th April at UCE's Moor Lane Sportsground in Perry Barr, in conjunction with Birmingham FA, Bournville Warriors FC, and the National Deaf Childrens Society. Fun skills sessions for 8-15 year olds will be led by FA qualified staff who have been given extra training to ensure the needs of everyone participating can be met. Communication support is to be provided by the National Deaf Children's Society. "The event is linked into one of our Charter Standard Clubs," said BCFA Girls and Womens FDO, Heather Cowan. "Bournville Warriors FC are keen to welcome deaf and hearing impaired children within their club, so those taking part in the Funday will have somewhere to go if they want to carry on playing." Extra support will be on hand from coaches who qualified on Birmingham County FA's first Coach Education course specifically for deaf and hearing impaired candidates. The programme proved so popular, that another is set to start on the 4th September. "Coaches play a really important role in grassroots football," said Heather. "Not only are they responsible for what might be a child's first experience of football, but they become role models for the players they meet. Our deaf and hearing impaired coaches have proved that there is nothing to stop them getting involved, which I'm sure will be an inspiration to the youngsters who come along. "We want to show that football is a sport for everyone," she added. "Children taking part are welcome to bring their non-hearing impaired friends too. The emphasis is definitely on having fun!" To find out more or to reserve a place on the Funday or on the Level 1 Coach Education Course for Deaf and Hearing Impaired Candidates, please contact Heather Cowan by e-mailing heather.cowan@birminghamfa.com, calling 0121 682 2535 or writing to: 5 Gate Lane, Boldmere, Sutton Coldfield B73 5TR. |