Men's 1st Team Vs Redditch 3rds

Redditch 3rds    3 - 4   City of Birmingham Men's 1stXI

Goal scorers: Noor Zaman, Scott Davies, Jeevan Chagger, Alex Makepeace

City of Birmingham travelled to Redditch on what was a cold and wet Saturday afternoon. With a squad of 12, the team looked to build on a three-game unbeaten run. Both teams had good early exchanges of possession with neither team really threatening the goal.  CoB had a few bright moments with Scott and Noor both shooting wide. Redditch, throwing some long aerials found a quick attack with their striker putting away a goal to put Redditch in the lead at half time.

During the second half, there was more joy for CoB.  Akib and Kyle combining with Scott and Noor, with the latter slotting past the keeper on a quick break to bring the scores level. Redditch started to press and again found an opening to take the lead again. Zach, Noah, and Jeevan threaded  together some good exchanges on the left and a quick recycle of the ball on the right found Scott in open space, striking the ball through the keeper's legs. 2-2. The team continued to press and within 2 minutes of the equaliser, Jeevan took advantage of a loose ball and slipping the ball to Noor who held up play and returned to Jeevan, who neatly slotted it past the Redditch keeper. CoB were firmly in the game with more confidence, despite an injury scare with Ed and Akib having a coming together with an aerial as the ball hit Akib's head. CoB now started to pass the ball well and were hungry for more goals, A through ball to Alex found him dance past defenders and slot home a fourth goal for CoB with a cracking reverse hit. Redditch would mount more pressure and ask questions of the CoB defence with Neal and Alex making some clinical goal line saves. Redditch would find a 3rd goal but this was not enough to share the spoils and the unbeaten run for our 1stXI continues.

Next week the team faces what promises to be a stern test at home against Bromsgrove 3rds who are also unbeaten so far.