Men's 2nd Team Vs Sutton Coldfield 9ths

Sutton Coldfield 9s   1 V 6   CoBHC men’s 2s

Goal scorers:- Robin Stanley, Anthony Truelove x2, Mohammed Ibrar Abbasi, Sean Brookes and Jordan McGuigan.

This week the team had a more controllable squad of 13. With two subs instead of five, rotation of players was much simpler compared to the last game. City of Birmingham again started off in professional fashion with Stan running our warm up drills, getting everyone ready for the challenge ahead.

The game started on a positive footing with the visitors dominating the midfield, forcing the home team into defensive mode for a solid five minutes. Our sweeper Ben pushed the midfielders into a high press. Every attack that broke down and cleared was swiftly turned over and another attack began. Stan eventually got the first goal from a wide left position far from goal. His reverse stick shot went over one defender’s stick, then bobbled through another defender’s legs and surprised the keeper getting so far he missed it too as it trickled over the line. The goals all count however they go in!

The home team started to get into the game more, mainly relying on counter attacking long balls to the high strikers. By-passing the midfield the well struck passes did put the back line of CoBHC under pressure. Unfortunately, very early on, Ian was defending one of these attacks but twisted his ankle badly. He bravely tried to “walk it off” but was unable to continue. Not long after scoring, Stan was called into the central defender roll to protect our lead. Our rotating substitutes were now down to a solitary one.

For twenty minutes the visitors struggled to get the shape and balance correct as players were unsure of positions. The Sutton team pounced on this opportunity and had long spells of possession and the visitors’ back three of Paul, Stan and Jack were under constant pressure but defended robustly. The midfield had to shuffle around to support the defenders and eventually the game became an even affair. Both teams had attacks from long driving runs out wide into dangerous areas and resulted in many short corners.

The visitors got the second goal when Stan went up to take a short, Jahed pushed out to Stan, who dribbled passed a few players, his shot them bounced off the saving keeper falling to Anthony waiting to place the rebound into the goal. But within minutes the home team also won a short and it was well hit beating Matt in goal and the player on the line Paul. The organisation of City gradually began falling into place, players started getting to string passes together and get “one-twos” which by-passed opposing players. Then a strange/simple goal for Anthony, a long cross causing no danger (which the home keeper should have left to go out) was passed by the keeper straight to Anthony on the “p spot”, he swiftly put it away for his second just before the half time whistle. 3-1 at half time to the visitors.

The team was getting tired in the midfield with only one sub and tactics came into play (at the suggestion of Jordan) with one midfielder rotating into the second striking position to get respite.

The CoBHC team worked hard to keep the pressure on the home team in the second half and the balance and shape of the side certainly helped develop many attempts at goal. The home side had many breakaway attacks and although Matt wasn’t tested the strikers did get shots away on the back post five times in this half! The play was all in the middle for long periods and the visitors failed to get the ball to the wide men on enough occasions. The wide play by Lindani, Sean and Kamran certainly was the difference in this half, when they could get the ball. Abbasi got a very powerfuly hit goal half way in this half from a good cross by Jordan. As Jordan put it into the crowded ”D” Abbasi barged through onto the ball quickly pinging it into the net. Sean got the team’s next goal, a classic late run onto the back post, timing his run to tap in the cross/shot from Lindani. No defender (from their reactions) even knew he was there.

The visitors. towards the end of the match were getting fatigued with only one sub to give players a break and a breather. The game became more spaced out with gaps appearing all over for both teams to capitalise on. Luckily the visiting team defensive trio thwarted the danger from many one=-on-one situations as the home team were getting the better of the spaces appearing. Eventually Ben set up the team’s final goal for Jordan to fire home making it another 6-1 win. Another 100% work rate and commitment from the team and there are sparks of the slick passing hockey we are striving for. Man of the match Jordan.

Sutton kindly offered our team teas after the game and at their club house 9 CoBHC players enjoyed a magnificent meal. Catering and table service! High quality stuff from Sutton, many thanks. It was great to see so many players together enjoying the chat and food together alongside the Sutton opposition.

Ian had to have help getting to the after-match teas as he couldn’t put weight onto his left ankle. Hopefully his injuries will improve ready for next week as it’s a top of the table clash with Kingswinford.