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FESTIVAL OF FOOTBALL IN BIRMINGHAM! (19.5.04) Last weekend Birmingham City successfully staged the Final of The FA Vase, and this weekend it is the turn of the city's other two Premier League clubs to get in on the act. Birmingham County FA Sunday Cup Final (16.5.04) A penalty shoot out decided the winner of the Birmingham FA Sunday Cup after a closely fought affair at County HQ ended 1 apiece, with Wolverhampton-based Ebstree FC ultimately retaining the title for another year. Austin were first to strike in the 9th minute. Penalty appeals were turned down by Referee Barratt, who instead signalled for a free kick on the edge of the area. It mattered not to Colin Jones whose free kick sailed into the top left corner of the goal. Instead of pushing for a second goal, it was Ebstree who began to gain the upper hand, but a brave performance from Rob Walker in the Austin goal kept the Longbridge-based side ahead. Even when Joe Williams thought he had scored in the 30th minute, the goal was disallowed and Williams was booked for using his hand. Simon Hardle eventually equalised five minutes before half time. After making space for himself just inside the Austin penalty area, Hardle shot low and hard leaving Walker stranded. Both teams failed to convert chances in the second half. Simon Welsh's 55th minute volley went just wide for Austin whilst Hardle saw his shot from the edge of the box rise just over the bar 6 minutes later. Paul Taylor could have won the game for Austin with 8 minutes left, but his volley went inches close of Dan Tipton's upright. Tipton kept his side in with a chance during extra time, his most vital with just 3 minutes left from a Matthew Bourne attempt - ensuring penalties would be needed. Mark Tipton and Colin Jones both scored the first, but Austin's Anthony Johnston could not match Andy Brabazon's effort, seeing his spot kick hit the post. Steve Holden and Graham Ashton both scored for Ebstree, as did Simon Welsh and Matthew Bourne for Austin. Austin's Richard Stocks could have saved the day after he saw Jim Skedgel's effort saved by an impressive Rob Walker, but could only find the woodwork with his fifth and final attempt. BCFA Midweek Youth Cup Final (14.5.04) Bedworth United completed a league and cup double on Friday night, overcoming a young Hednesford outfit to lift the Birmingham County FA Midweek Youth Cup. Lee Moore struck early after creating space for himself in the Hednesford penalty area, turning then shooting accurately into the bottom left corner of Gary Goodwin's goal during the 3rd minute. His second came just 14 minutes later - Moore dispossessing Jack Rogers in the centre circle and making a solo run before slotting the ball home. Hednesford struggled to keep up with their opposition who recently sealed the Midweek Floodlit Youth Premier League title, having not lost a game all season. However, the fact that they compete in a league below Bedworth did not deter them. Rogers put Bedworth 'keeper James Earl to the test in the 16th minute whilst Paul Kelly was unlucky to see his volley skim over the bar midway through the half. Eamon Fallow replaced Earl in the Bedworth Goal at halftime, whilst in the outfield Sean Gormley replaced Tom Bates. Whilst Hednesford seemed more settled in the second half, they were unable to reduce the advantage. Steve Nunn whipped in a cross from the left which skimmed several heads in the 54th minute, whilst Damian Jarrett forced a terrific reaction save from Fallow who tipped his 76th minute effort just over the bar. Normal service was resumed in the 81st minute when Luke Williams fired home Bedworth's third, followed two minutes later by a spectacular 35 yard strike from Captain, Kyle Rhodes. ENGLAND WOMEN UNDER-19S TO FACE SWEDEN AT SOLIHULL: England Under-19s will face Sweden in a women's international next Thursday May 20th at Solihull Borough FC, kick-off 6.00pm. The match will give National Coach Hope Powell OBE the chance to look at new young talent coming through the ranks as England prepare for next season's European Championship qualifiers, after just missing out on this season's Finals. England missed out on qualifying for this summer's Finals, coming second in their qualifying group last month to European champions France. Powell's England had reached the semi-finals of the past two seasons' tournaments. National Coach Powell commented: "We're delighted to be bringing this game to Solihull Borough FC and some of the girls have already played at this ground. Fans can expect to see some good quality football on display from both sides and we're hoping that local girls' and women's teams will turn out to cheer the team on." The squad will meet on Sunday 16th May in Leicestershire for the game and features local forward Karen Carney of Birmingham City and former Blues striker Eniola Aluko, who played for Charlton Athletic in The FA Women's Cup Final - broadcast live on BBC1 to an audience of 2.2 million last week. The FA staged The FA Women's Cup semi-final tie between Birmingham City and Charlton Athletic earlier this year, which had an attendance of 1,400. The FA was pleased with the facilities and support from the club, so are happy to bring this international to Damson Park. Solihull Borough FC Chairman Trevor Stevens said: "Solihull Borough are extremely proud to have been selected by The Football Association to stage an international match. We would encourage local fans to come along to Damson Park to check out some of the stars of the future for women's football." Tickets for the match, priced at £1 for all, will be on sale on the day of the game. There will be special group rates for local clubs and schools. For booking forms call 020 7745 4716. BCFA Sunday Junior Cup Final Bulkington New Inn made sure their first appearance in the Sunday Junior Cup Final was a success, firing 6 goals past Wolverhampton-based Orton Vale. Bulkington were on the lucky end of a double deflection for the opening goal in the 15th minute after applying all the pressure from kick off. Their second was more of a creative effort - Darren Whitmore turning in the 6 yard box after John Scrimshire's cross from the right 8 minutes later. Orton Vale took their one real chance in the first 45 minutes, pulling a goal back 10 minutes before halftime when Ian Nicholls fired home a header from close range. Bulkington extended their cushion further in a fruitful first 10 minutes of the second half. Ian Neale caught the Orton Vale defence napping in the 50th minute, then 5 minutes later, Stef Jones made the scoreline 4-1. To their credit, Orton Vale refused to accept defeat, and had the majority of possession throughout the remaining 40 minutes. Brian Flavell blasted a powerful half-volley home in the 59th minute after Adrian Bowen flicked a Chris Blunt free kick into his path. Blunt's set pieces caused chaos in the Bulkington penalty area on several occasions - his most dangerous coming with 20 minutes remaining but substitute David Hayhurst then Flavell saw their attempts bravely blocked by Nick Sephton. The main difference between the teams was that the chances that Bulkington created were converted - Jones got his second and his team's fifth in the 80th minute, and with just seconds to go Robbie Jones completed a convincing victory for the Nuneaton-based outfit. Midland Youth Championships 2003-04 (1.5.04) Birmingham County FA went one better than last year, beating Nottinghamshire in this season's Midland Youth Championships Play Off Final at County HQ this afternoon. Both sides had gone unbeaten to top their respective leagues, with neither wanting the run to end at the final hurdle! Birmingham struck early - Kyle Rhodes collecting a left wing cross midway into the penalty area. The Bedworth United youngster controlled and turned well to rifle his shot home in the 4th minute. An 8th minute penalty awarded to Nottinghamshire shook Birmingham's confidence. Dave Hartley was adjudged to have fouled Anthony Howell just inside the area; Kyle McDermott converting the spot kick. The remainder of the half saw Nottinghamshire turn up the heat, but fail to convert their chances. Not so for Birmingham who regained the lead in the 24th minute. Leamington's Ryan Howell firing a low shot past Mark Austin after taking on 2 of the Nottinghamshire defence. Dudley Sports' Gavin Winsper was replaced by Liam Teraud at halftime - Birmingham's confidence appeared to have returned too. Matthew Dodd made sure of Birmingham's 3rd despite brave efforts from Austin and his Defenders. Ryan Howell's shot may have crossed the line before his attempt was cleared, but the ball fell to Dodd put the decision beyond doubt in the 64th minute. A minute later, Richard Lonsdale made his final appearance for Birmingham FA as a substitute for Sutton's Shaun Findlay. The Burton Albion player has earned a 3 year contract with Mansfield Town but before bowing out of County football sealed the win. Having taken the ball almost to the by-line, Lonsdale struck a terrific shot from an extremely tight angle in the 68th minute. A new face to the County scene made his debut with 10 minutes remaining when Hednesford's Ross Dyer replaced Howell. As time ran out for Nottingham, a deflected free kick troubled Bret Clowes in the Birmingham Goal but after working hard to gain a clear advantage, Birmingham were not to relinquish their grip on the game. STARTING 11: 1 - Bret Clowes (Kidderminster Harriers), 2 - Shaun Thomas (Bedworth Utd), 3 - Sam Wilson (Tamworth), 4 - Gavin Winsper (Dudley Sports), 5 - Andy McKinley (Leamington), 6 - Dave Hartley (Rushall Olympic), 7 - Matthew Dodd (Sutton Coldfield Town), 8 - Adam Hughes CAPT (Sutton Coldfield Town), 9 - Kyle Rhodes (Bedworth Utd), 10 - Shuan Findlay (Sutton Coldfield Town), 11- Ryan Howell (Leamington) SUBS: 12 - Richard Lonsdale (Burton Albion) ON FOR 10, 13 - Tom Gutteridge (Burton Albion), 14 - Liam Teraud (Kidderminster Harriers) ON FOR 4 AT HT, 15 - Ross Dyer (Hednesford Town) ON FOR 11, 16 - Rob Bolas (Sutton Coldfield Town) |