Report

In what was always going to be a tough match, we battled superbly and deserved far more than the 3 – 0 defeat.

We battled the much fancied South Birmingham Alliance and were the better side for the first half.  We can be pleased we extended our run of not conceding a goal to 4 matches by making it to half time at 0 – 0.

We played some lovely football during the first half and were unlucky not to be ahead at halftime after a superb flowing passing move involving a number of players.

Some of the damage had been done in the first half though, as George Fowke took a nasty knock after the ball had been played. This hampered his movement and he was to come off in the second half as a result of this tackle.

South Birmingham Alliance went ahead early in the second half with a scrappy goal. But our work rate continued to be high and we were comfortably in the game and indeed played the better football despite being down to six players following George’s injury.

Owen Hill picked up a knock midway through the second half from another tackle after the ball had gone. He had to come off to allow it to recover. The five players left on the pitch fought valiantly against the seven players from South Birmingham Alliance, and again at times you would not realise the difference in numbers.

Owen came back on to help and we held our own. Unfortunately, shortly before the end, another tackle after the ball had gone left Owen with another injury to the same foot but he kept going to the end.

This was the best performance I have seen from this team. Against tough opposition, we didn’t step back from the physical challenge and showed how the game should be played with some neat passing football.

I know I’ve said this before, but everyone should be really proud of their efforts today. Great stuff, let’s see it again in the last match.