Men's 2nd Team Vs Old Wulfrunians 4ths

Old Wulfrunians Men’s 4ths    3         v         4   City of Birmingham Men’s 2nds

CoBHC goalscorers: Anthony Truelove 2, Robin Stanley, Kamran Umar

City of Birmingham Men’s 2nds travelled away to Old Wulfrunians for a late morning match. The start of the game was delayed due to CoBHC’s goalkeeper being delayed by traffic. Old Wulfs had generously agreed a delay to give Jack time to arrive.

The game had to start, still minus the CoBHC goalkeeper. The away team set up with a defensive mindset whilst waiting for the keeper to arrive and get kitted up. The home team were buoyed by these facts and pressed high with a high tempo for the full ten minutes our keeper was delayed. The whole City of Birmingham team defended robustly and protected the goal diligently. Under a steady stream of pressure Troy, Paul Ian and Stan remained calm and got good tackles in the “D”. Unfortunately, the home team won a short and the away defence had five outfield players in the goal with no kicking backs. Jahed ran out fast and defended the first shot but conceded a second short. The five then reset and defended the second short with Stan stopping the short and clearing his lines. The only other real opportunity the home team had was steered away from goal by Paul, not long after that Jack was able to take his place in goal. The home team still pressed hard and within minutes of coming on, Jack made two quick saves.

Having a keeper gave CoBHC the confidence to take the game to Old Wulfs, and they pushed higher in midfield and Stan moved up front from centre back. This change unsettled the home team and almost instantly Lindani broke down the right. He played the ball to Stan at the head of the “D”, he shot straight at the keeper, but before he could clear the ball Anthony sped in front and deflected the ball between his pads giving the away team the lead.

CoB pressed again, involving Kamran and Parameth on both flanks, with Sean playing in Stan who made it 2 with a crashing strike. The hosts settled themselves more playing clever balls around the 25-yard line, winning a short corner, a drag flick bringing scores to 2-1. CoB quickly restored a 2 goal lead with Stan's initial shot being saved, only for the clearance to fall to Kamran on the left who swept the ball into the far top corner making it 3-1 into the break.

With coaching points from Stan, Paul on the field and observations from Jeevan off the field, CoB were renewed with positivity and energy into the second half, with an objective to move the ball quicker.  Troy was called upon early-on on the right side of defence, setting off Parameth on the wing. Link up play with Jahed, Lindani, Stan and Sean allowed CoB to move the ball from flank to flank.  The home team pressed hard and won possession quickly, they ran through CoGHC’s midfield, quickly exposing the defenders Ian and Paul. The forward got through the tackles and shot at goal. 3-2 and game on!  CoB regrouped and re-set, with Abbasi bossing the midfield trying to regain the team’s composure. Lindani also worked hard to break up the home team’s midfield build up play. Both wings of Kamran and Parameth worked their channels well, both putting in a shift to get the team into shape. Jahed became the more defensive midfielder and got good tackles as at crucial times. The game again became evenly balanced and thus began the end-to-end hockey just like the first half.   As ever, right place, right time, Anthony met with the ball on another great attack from the midfield, nutmegging the Keeper again for his second. Not long after the fourth goal, a high press gave a chance to Anthony, and as the support on the side-lines shouted “get your hat trick Anthony” his sweep shot hit the outside of the goal, close but not as close a Stan’s minutes later. He was linking up with Sean and put through on goal, with the keeper beat but losing his balance he tried to lift the ball into the corner and went inches wide.

The final minutes, a little tense, the visitors becoming tired and losing their shape, Old Wulfs capitalised and won another short corner, another drag flick reducing the deficit. CoB held on for what was a great win in a high-scoring end-to-end encounter.

 Next week the M2s are away to Ludlow

This report has been compiled from those separately sent in by Paul and Jeevan. Tnanks to both.