Men's 1st Team Vs Bromsgrove 3

CoBHC 1sts  1       Bromsgrove 3rds 2

Goalcorer : Abrar Baig

This proved to be a harsh introduction to life in Division 9, after the joys of promotion last season.

City of Birmingham did not enjoy the best of starts to the game as the skipper, Alex was delayed by work commitments and David’s travel to the game held him up. Also, Zach and Neal were missing from the starting squad.

Nevertheless, the 10 men starting the game made a good start to the game. Once both teams had settled, CoB began to create some promising moves forward leading to some early chances on goal. When Alex and David arrived, the team began to gel even further. Bromsgrove were beginning to create their own promising attacks.

After being put through by Jeevan, Alex had shot on goal going just wide. New recruit, Sohail was proving to be steady in defence and promising in his efforts to push forward. Alex had another great surge forward after being put through by Noor. However, slightly against the run of play, Bromsgrove forced a couple of short corners, the second of which led to them opening the scoring after the initial shot on goal was only partially cleared. CoB continued to push on at every opportunity but could not find a clear way on goal. The midfield unit of Ash, Abrar, Alex, Kyle and Sohail were working hard to push on. However, late in the half, Bromsgrove began to enjoy some good possession and keeper Jack was called upon to make some good saves, but at the break, the visitors were holding on to their slender lead.

CoB started the second half in a higher gear and enjoyed some good efforts high up the pitch. Noor had a great shot well saved. Eventually CoB grabbed the equalizer albeit through  a somewhat scrambled effort. Sohail put a shot on goal from the edge of the D. His effort, partially saved was pounced on by Ash whose onward effort was finally helped over the line by Abrar.

From then on, both teams were striving for the winner. At times things got a little tetchy and the umpires eventually called the captains together and instructed them to talk to their teams to calm things down.

Jack was again called into action to keep out Bromsgrove’s attacks. CoB were still working hard to look for the winner, but the visitors were not making things easy for them. Right at the end, Bromsgrove again forced a series of short corners and almost on the full-time whistle they managed to scramble the ball over the line to grab the three points.

This was a disappointing result for CoB who really should not have lost this game, but did, chiefly through a seeming lack of self-discipline, Lessons must be learned very quickly. It would also seem appropriate for players to remind themselves of the Club’s Code of Conduct.

 The team’s next encounter is away at Redditch.