|
Joint Venture to Provide Football for All Birmingham and Staffordshire FA joined the Walsall Asian Sports Association at the 2nd Shaheedee Football Festival, held at Aston University's Sports Ground on Saturday and Sunday the 24th and 25th May. The Annual Tournament aims to promote football to a wider audience and to encourage participation amongst the Asian population. Around 80 teams took part, ranging from under-9's to over 35's. Experts from the two local County Football Associations were on hand to offer advice on Football Development and Education Courses, whilst around 15 girls joined in a fun skills session, led by Birmingham FA Coaches. County Development Teams are helping to increase participation by members of all ethnic communities, which until now had mainly taken place within schools throughout the region. "Kick Start" sessions organised in conjunction with the Active Sports initiative has helped increase the diversity of participants during school-time, with the Birmingham Girls Schools League providing a chance to play as a team. Joining forces with the Walsall Asian Sports Association is helping open up these opportunities to an even wider audience, proving that there are ways that everyone can play their part; as a player, coach or administrator. "Coaches often become role models for the players of the future," said Birmingham FA's Football Development Officer, Natalie Justice. "It's important that everyone knows that we can help, not just with the playing side but with all aspects of getting involved." A range of Coach Education Courses are on offer throughout the year, or instructors can be allocated to groups of 15 people or more. To find out more, call the Birmingham Development Team on 0121 682 2525. BCFA SUNDAY VASE FINAL Ford Sports FC 0-4 Yenton Cosmos The Festival League favourites came out on top in the Birmingham FA Sunday Vase, overcoming Nuneaton & District Sunday League outfit Ford Sports 4-0 at County HQ. A nervy start to the game saw few chances for either side, but as Yenton turned up the pressure, their opponents found themselves having to defend deeper into their own half. Conrad Winwood wasted no time in delivering a long ball after he had gathered from a Ford Sports corner, finding Dean Baker up front. His 32nd minute cross into the penalty box landed at the feet of Pater Fearn who made no mistake from 10 yards out. The first half ended with a flurry of corners for Yenton Cosmos. Ian Grubb almost heading the ball into his own net from the second, whilst Jay Gibson cleared his 'keepers line following Scott Hill's reaction parry. Substitute, Nathan Moran struck the second blow to Ford Sports' hopes, latching onto Dean Joynson's corner early in the second half. Neil Coleman slotted home his side's third goal in the 73rd minute after Peter Fearn pulled the ball back into the area; having made the goal with a terrific run down the right wing. The icing on the cake was provided by Dean Baker, who saw his shot/pass beat Scott Hill courtesy of a Mark Petch deflection in the 84th minute. Despite their hard work, Ford Sports could not find any way through a solid Yenton Cosmos defence - a convincing win rounding off the 13 Birmingham FA Cup Finals for the 2002-03 season. SUNDAY CUP FINAL RESULT Mackadown Lane Sports & Social 0-3 Ebstree Two goals from substitute Lee Ashton gave Wolverhampton Sunday League's Ebstree FC a convincing victory in the final of the Birmingham FA Sunday Cup. It was stalemate after the first 45 minutes with few chances for either team. Ebstree's Steve Holden hitting the post in the 15th minute and Glynn's quickly taken free kick sailing just over the bar for Mackadown Lane on the half hour mark. The second period saw Ebstree having the lion's share of possession. Holden thought he had put his side a goal up in the 64th minute, but Danny Smith got a touch on his shot which he then gathered - Referee Legg rightly adjudging it had not crossed the line. Simon Hardle broke the deadlock 4 minutes later, with a low shot ending his unchallenged run from midfield. Mackadown Lane found the back of the net shortly after, but Antony Elliott's effort was ruled out for being offside. Fresh legs were brought into their attack with Nicky Fell replacing Phil Heaton. Holden made way for Lee Ashton who made his presence for Ebstree felt almost immediately, an unstoppable curling shot into the top right corner of Smith's goal doubling their lead with 6 minutes remaining. A final substitution from the Wolverhampton-based side saw Carl Fellows replaced by Stuart Walters. However, the final word went to Ashton, when he capitalised on a loose ball and shot low - leaving Mackadown Lane stranded, and Ebstree worthy victors. SUNDAY JUNIOR CUP FINAL Sponsored by Arena Pubs Goals in extra time from brothers Stuart and Paul McMillan secured Folly Lane's victory in the Sunday Junior Cup Final, sponsored by Arena Pubs. A highly competitive game between two teams desperate for the win provided plenty of goals for the both sets of supporters. Ryan Beale opened the scoring for Tipton, with a curling free kick which left Mann stranded in his goal in the 6th minute. The Folly Lane response took only 4 minutes to come, Paul McMillan seeing his free kick deflected off the wall and into the net. The lead was regained in the 29th minute, Phil Keeling probably pleased to see Tipton's Craig Rollinson celebrations despite the Folly Lane Captain getting the last touch. Coventry-based Lane turned up the pressure from the start of the second half, their efforts rewarded with a goal from Lee Beckett in the 48th minute of the game. Paul Proom turned the ball back into the area, Stuart McMillan's attempt was parried by Matt Hawthorne but Beckett was the first to react to the loose ball. Both sides pushed for a winner in normal time. Tipton's Stephen Witton took his side 3-2 up in the 75th minute, but Rollinson conceded a penalty two minutes later, despatched at the second time of asking by John Kelly, following encroachment into the box during his first attempt. Despite a double substitution late in the game by Tipton, their effort in normal time took its toll in the additional ½ hour. With 96 minutes played, Stuart McMillan took the ball around a tired Tipton defence, beating Hawthorne and giving Folly Lane the advantage for the first time in the game. Brother Paul stretched the advantage with 12 minutes remaining, and despite Tipton throwing all they could into attack, Folly Lane were strong enough to hang on to their lead and lift the Sunday Junior Cup. SATURDAY JUNIOR CUP FINAL Triumph Athletic 1-2 Whitnash Triumph Athletic lost out to fellow Coventry Alliance outfit Whitnash in the Birmingham FA Saturday Junior Cup Final, paying the price for their lack of shots on target. Ironically, they had the first chance of the game in the 6th minute, a low free kick on the edge of the box parried by Gavin Coope then cleared from defence. Whitnash responded immediately, Jim Canning putting Triumph 'keeper, Hasan Onen under pressure. His interference was just enough to prevent Canning getting power behind his shot, which trickled the wrong side of the upright. Neale Perry eventually broke the deadlock in the 34th minute, with a powerful header from a terrific cross courtesy of Jimmy Claridge. Claridge played his part in Whitnash's second strike which came ten minutes after the restart. Another perfectly delivered ball this time fell to Canning who left Onen with no chance. A double-substitution in the 74th minute from Triumph Athletic injected fresh legs into their attack; Demulder and Keene making way for Paul Jones Junior and Paul Jones Senior. Andy Dix replaced Tom Friend for Whitnash. Whilst Onen was working overtime, Coope had very little to test him during the second half; and was perhaps unprepared for Mark Pedley's header at the far post with 6 minutes remaining. The goal gave Triumph hope, but a further substitution from Whitnash saw Ian Billington replace Canning to sure up the defence and maintain their goal advantage in the dying minutes. |