Men's 2nd Team Vs Lichfield 6ths

CoBHC Seconds 0 v 0 Lichfield Men’s 6ths

A great defensive display earns City a point

Last time out when we played Lichfield, we were just starting out on this journey which is season 2021/22. We have grown as a team both in numbers but also in experience and skill since then. This game also proved how strong the group is at defending. This game, just like last time out was a defensive minded one for CoBHC. Lichfield sitting in a strong second place in the Central West 10 Division, proved a very tough challenge for the home team. Having 85% of possession the visitors pushed high and kept the home team pegged back in their own half for long periods. This didn't sway the home team and they worked 100% to defend at all costs. Jack in goal had a very busy first half, but eventually as the game wore on, he got more periods of respite. This was mainly due to the team holding their shape better in the middle of the pitch. Also, in the first half the passing was poor and possession was lost too easily, giving the defence more work to do. The home team had chances in the game but they came sporadically. Their best chance in the first half came from a good shot by Jordan, which the keeper saved, then Anthony pounced on the loose ball and shot twice at the keeper, (each saved), then it spun over to Ben but his shot went narrowly wide! Another chance soon materialised from a short corner. Ian pushed out to Stan who got a great shot away and it went in, but it was narrowly too high across the line going above the back board regulated height. As the game came to the final fifteen minutes one of our players got a facial injury but fortunately a cut lip was thankful the only outcome. After the injury, many City of Birmingham players were positively determined that nothing was going into their goal!

A defensive set formation did protect against conceding too many goals, but unfortunately it also meant the attack only had minimal chances. In the final ten minutes (with the team in gritted teeth mode,) several breakaways occurred with clever slick passes in the middle of a congested midfield. This led to Jordan, Lindani and Jahed having runs at the visitors back line. This took the pressure off the overworked back line of Ian, Stan, Edan and Matt/Paul

So as the final whistle went with a goalless draw and a point, CoBHC 2s crept into third place just behind Lichfield and only trail them by four points.

Stan praised all the team’s efforts and commitment at the warm down debrief and then everyone voted for their Man of the match. Ian came close but another McGuigan got the honours. Congratulations Sean.

Next week 11am start at Aldersley Leisure Village against. Wolverhampton & Tettenhall 4s.