After an extra seven days of nail biting, the Birmingham County Youth Team are building themselves up for what is set to be their toughest challenge so far this season.
Their rescheduled FA County Youth Cup Quarter Final tie takes place this Saturday, 27th January at Ray Hall Lane, Great Barr - kicking off at 1.45pm.
The extra week has allowed Manager, Martin Sweeney the opportunity to fill two squad positions he had previously left vacant, resulting in a recall for Hednesford's Chris Salt after returning from suspension and a debut for Telford United's young Peter Carter.
Team Spokesman Steve Poole is glad the waiting is nearly over:
"Everyone was disappointed that the fixture had to be postponed last week, but with our visitors having to travel from such a long way, there was no way we could risk them making a wasted journey," he said.
"There are two ways the delay can have affected us; it will either add to the nerves or build the enthusiasm - I'm hoping for the latter! Having a full quota of players who are all fit and ready to play is the ideal preparation.
"Surrey were tough opponents in last year's Final and this is the first occasion this group of lads have been under such pressure. There is no doubting we have a very talented squad this time around and if they perform to their potential as they have done so far, we will hopefully be celebrating by Saturday evening."
Birmingham will be hoping for a similar scoreline to that of last season's Final too, after the Midlanders came out on top to lift the prestigious silverware in a 2-1 win at St Andrews.
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County Cup Game Called Off
Friday 19th January 2001
Saturday's FA County Youth Cup clash between Birmingham and Surrey has been postponed until 27th January after recent frost and last night's snow made the Birmingham pitch unplayable.
"I have to admit, this is a really nerve-wracking time for us," said Team Spokesman, Steve Poole. "Apart from our game against Northumberland which needed a replay to separate the two sides, I think we have been the better team in the previous rounds.
"But this tie puts us up against a very talented side who are obviously out to revenge our win over them last year. Despite all efforts, we have had to call the game off and put it back a week" he added.
The tie is a re-match between last year's finalists when Birmingham overcame the Southerners in a tight 2-1 victory.
"We will just have to make sure we keep our confidence high for another 7 days - it is a shame, but I know the lads will be up to the challenge."
Cautious County Stick With Talent
Tuesday 16th January, 2001
Martin Sweeney is sticking to proven talent as his Birmingham County Youth side face their biggest game of the season so far.
Birmingham take on Surrey in the Quarter Final of the FA County Youth Cup this Saturday, 20th January at County HQ, Ray Hall Lane, Great Barr. The showdown kicks off at 1.45pm.
Sweeney saw the Southerners overcome Lancashire last weekend to set up a repeat of last years' final. Birmingham's 2-1 victory is still fresh in the memory, but Team Spokesman, Steve Poole is being cautious:
"Having seen Surrey play I can tell that Saturday is going to bring us one hell of a game," he said. "We had a real battle against them last season, but I honestly believe both teams have improved since then, so who knows what the outcome will be!
"A couple of this year's team were part of last season's cup-winning side. I heard them telling the rest of the squad just how it feels to lift that silverware - there's no greater inspiration than that."
Despite sticking to familiar names, Sweeney has made sure he has options open and has delayed naming two of the team until he is sure that tactics are right.
"Martin has picked players who have shown us they have the ability, but now have to prove they have the nerve to perform when the pressure is on," added Poole. "We travelled down to watch Surrey last week and wanted to let their performance sink-in before making a final decision.
"We are lucky to have a few names to mull over - players who will add to an already strong side. I just hope once they take to the pitch, the lads forget their nerves and show just how good a team we are."
Thursday 10th January, 2001
There will be more than just pride on offer this weekend as Birmingham City Ladies host local rivals Aston Villa Ladies in the 4th Round of the AXA Women's FA Cup.
The Claret and Blue half of the City are sitting four places above their Bluenose opposition in the Northern Premier Division, and have kept up their terrific run of form after a disappointing start early on in the season. These two teams met back in September when honours were even.
However, after a tense game against Bangor which saw Villa score within the last 5 minutes to take them through to meet Birmingham, Club Secretary, Janet Hobbis is looking forward to the game:
"We have a completely different squad this year, with lots of young talent in the line-up," she said. "So understandably it took us a while to get our game together.
"The more the side play together, the better we look as a complete unit and the more confidence we gain from our performances," Hobbis added. "I know that the entire team can't wait to get out there and hopefully progress to the next round."
Sunday's game kicks off at Hollyfields Sports Centre, Erdington at 1.30pm. The winners will meet either Berkhamstead or Brighton who are bottom and top respectively of the Southern Premier Division.
Meanwhile, Wolverhampton Wanderers will wonder what they have done to deserve being drawn away to 2nd placed National Premier Division side Doncaster Belles. The team travel to take on last year's finalists on Sunday 28th September, after firing 8 past Derby in the 4th round of the competition.
COUNTY MUST WAIT AND SEE
Friday 5th January, 2001
Birmingham must wait to see who their FA County Youth Cup 4th Round opponents will be, after Saturday's 3rd Round tie between Surrey and Lancashire was postponed. Bad weather in the area means the Sutton United pitch is unplayable, and the two teams will have to try again next Saturday.
The delay means that if the two teams cannot produce a result on Sat 13th Jan, the Midlanders - who are set to play the winners of the fixture at Ray Hall Lane on Saturday 20th January - will also have to put their game back seven days.
The disruption comes as Birmingham continue their quest to hold on to the prestigious trophy they won in what was a triumphant 1999-00 Season.
The year saw them scoop three out of four available trophies, and Team Spokesperson, Steve Poole says that they are desperate to re-live the successes:
"There are only a couple of squad members from last time around, but they have a real sense of what it means to win - especially the FA County Cup," he commented.
"The lads have talked about that feeling with all the other players. Now they all want a taste of it! With a hunger like that, you know they are all going to give their best on the pitch, so we are really looking forward to the next round - whoever and whenever we end up playing!"
OLYMPIAN INSPIRES COUNTY GIRLS
Friday 5th January, 2001
Whilst most of us contemplate devouring another mince pie, former Commonwealth Champion and Olympic runner, Christina Boxer, will be joining the U16 Birmingham County FA Women's squad to lend her support to a day of training at Warwick University on Thursday.
Christina is founder of the Sport England programme, GirlSportTM, which is being developed nationally to encourage teenage girls to persevere in sport. She will discuss a variety of issues that affect their participation in football:
"There are many distractions and conflicts for teenage girls taking part in sport and sadly too many end up dropping out and then regretting it later in life," said Christina.
"As girls mature their body shape changes and they also have to deal with the increasing pressures of exams, work and friendships so it is really important to prepare them for these challenges."
GirlSportTM helps to raise awareness of how important it is to stay involved in sport by encouraging teenagers, and the adults who influence their sport, to discuss a variety of issues that affect their continued participation. As a follow up to Thursday's session, a full two-hour GirlSportTM interactive workshop will be delivered to the squads next year.
"I am delighted to be able to promote the GirlSportTM programme to the Birmingham County Womens Under 16 Football Squad as it is so important that we help ensure that these talented teenagers stay committed and go on to become top senior players," said Christina.
The Birmingham County Women have to wait until the New Year for their first fixture, after their season so far has fallen foul to the weather.
"We need to make sure the lack of games does not have an effect on our fitness and our confidence," said Team Spokesperson, Natalie Justice.
"We have some very talented players and the girls put in such hard work at training, it's a real shame they have not had the chance to test themselves in a competitive game yet," she added. "Spending the day together will focus everyone's concentration once again.
"Having Christina Boxer attend the session is a real bonus - she will be able to offer real motivation that will help the squad achieve - not only this season but further down their footballing careers."
FA COUNTY YOUTH CUP - Round 3
Saturday 9th December
Birmingham FA 4 - 1 East Riding FA
Birmingham County FA powered into the Quarter Final stages of the FA County Youth Cup with a 4-1 win against East Riding - and it should have been more.
In a lively start by both teams, East Riding had the Birmingham defence working overtime, showing they were determined to put a stop to the home side's dream of retaining the prestigious trophy.
It was an unlucky fumble by the East Riding 'keeper that broke the deadlock on 7 minutes after he failed to control a Joe Hanney shot.
Andrew Morris fired home the second with a powerful header that this time, East Riding could do nothing about. The header - from a Gareth Picknell free kick - did nothing to dampen the visitor's spirits who came back strongly in the final 10 minutes of the half, narrowly flashing a shot wide of the post.
The second half began with a near miss from Gary White's free kick - typical of the second half performance. Chances went begging throughout, so it was up to Matty Lewis to pop up and get his name on the scoresheet.
With time to control the ball in the box, Lewis lived up to his standard of scoring in every County game he has appeared in with a sweet left foot shot. And it was just in time, as East Riding found their second wind, with David McCaul beating Elliot Richards on the 70 minute mark.
The comeback was short-lived though. From the restart, Andy Cameron beat three East Riding defenders to restore the cushion in the scoreline. With five minutes to go, he nearly made it two after picking up a cross from Gary White.
Team spokesman, Steve Poole admitted there should have been more goals, but was delighted for the entire team:
"I cannot fault any of our side, and am loathed to single anyone out for special praise - they all put on such a fantastic performance," he said.
"We have set our standard now and have a lot to live up to, but we go into the final 8 with a great deal of confidence from today. Against a top quality side, we showed how strong we can be throughout the whole 90 minutes."
Birmingham play the winners of Surrey FA v Lancashire FA on January 20th, 2001 - once again on home turf at County HQ.
PRIEVEW: FA County Youth Cup - R3
Birmingham FA v East Riding FA
Saturday 9th December - 1.30pm
The Walter Goodman Stadium, Ray Hall Lane, Great Barr.
Martin Sweeney has the enviable prospect of a full squad available for their FA County Youth Cup this weekend.
A resounding victory against Shropshire was soon put to the back of the mind as thoughts turned to Saturday's clash against East Riding in the vital knockout fixture.
As current holders of the title Sweeney was keen to begin his Midland Counties Championship campaign strongly, but made several substitutions to ensure there were no injury worries in the build up to the game.
"With the team on such great form, there was no way we wanted an injury to upset our preparations for the Cup game," said team spokesman, Steve Poole. "It was very important that we got the win - but once the game was in the bag, I have to admit, we were all thinking about East Riding."
Whilst the team kept up their winning run, Coventry (Marconi) FC's Matty Lewis kept up his goal-run with another 2 strikes on his County tally to add to his previous hattrick.
Lewis was joined on the scoresheet by Christ the King's Andrew Morris, Nuneaton Borough's Gary White and Andy Cameron from Sutton Coldfield Town as the game ended in a resounding 5-0 victory to the home side.
Birmingham lifted the prestigious FA County Youth Cup last year and have a chance to reach the last 8 if they beat the Northerners where they would face either Surrey or Lancashire. The squad are back on home turf again as the game kicks off at the earlier time of 1.30pm at County HQ this Saturday, 9th December.
BIRMINGHAM ADD TO TALLY
Birmingham 5 - 0 Shropshire
2nd December 2000
Birmingham enjoyed a comprehensive win at the start of their defence of the Midland Counties Youth Championship, with in-form Matthew Lewis adding more goals to his County tally.
Both teams created chances throughout the first 15 minutes, but the link-up play displayed by Birmingham was too much for Shropshire to contend with. Matthew Lewis headed in his first on 18 minutes and his second just 3 minutes later.
The goal frenzy continued on 25 minutes with Andy Cameron meeting a Robbie Meacham cross to net Birmingham's third.
Despite all their efforts, Shropshire could only contain the home side, who continued to threaten throughout the first half.
Having built a comfortable scoreline, Martin Sweeney's side could be forgiven for beginning to plan for next Saturday's FA County Cup 3rd Round tie. However, the final 5 minutes saw another flurry of goals after Birmingham had maintained their pressure throughout.
Marconi (Coventry) FC's Matthew O'Rourke, Hednesford Town's Patrick Flaherty and Bedworth's Phil Garner all got a slice of the action replacing Andy Cameron, Ronnie Sayer and Robbie Meacham during the second half.
O'Rourke made his stake for a starting place in the team with defence-splitting crosses - Andy Morris and Gary White converting 2 in the space of 2 minutes.
Team Spokesman Steve Poole said: It's great to get such a resounding win under our belts - the players up front gave the Shropshire defence all kinds of problems. We didn't want to risk any injuries before next week, but I think we let things get a bit too untidy at times."
Birmingham take on East Riding in the prestigious FA County Youth Cup at Ray Hall Lane on Saturday (9th December) - kicking off at the earlier time of 1.30pm.
We can't afford to be sloppy next week," he added. "East Riding will punish us if we give them half a chance - so there's plenty to work on before then. Nevertheless, we have had a great start to this competition with vital points in the bag."