Men's 1st Team Vs Beacon 4

Beacon M4s 2-8 CoB M1s

Goal scorers: Alex Makepeace x4, Jeevan Chagger x3, Junaid Ali

A late afternoon game in Walsall saw a refreshed M1s play their only pre-season friendly, Vs Beacon. A minute's silence was observed prior to the start of the game in memory of Late Her Majesty the Queen.

CoB started off with some bright early exchanges, midfield trio Kyle, Zach and Ash linking well with fullbacks and wingers. Beacon offered their own threat of youth and experience finding balls between the defensive line which were cleaned up by Mat, Sohail, David and Ricky in the early stages. Junaid and Jeevan enjoyed some great possession out wide, targeting the full backs and baseline. After a quick substitution, a break from Abrar saw Ash slip the ball to Junaid who carried the ball some 20 yards before slotting home. That lead was nearly doubled as Jeevan deflected Abrar's wild tomahawk onto the post. CoB were rewarded with a goal from some neat play, Jeevan being fed into the circle by Zach, playing the ball into danger for Junaid whose shot was poached on the line by Alex. Beacon were rewarded for their pressure as their shot snuck past a diving Neal where it parried over the line. 2-1 at the break.

In the second half, it was the turn of CoB to stake their mark on the game with some great inter play in midfield seeing Alex score a breakaway goal, followed quickly by Jeevan slotting home his first. Ash, Kyle and Zach continued to dominate in the midfield string together create counter attacks as they soaked up pressure, Abrar finding Jeevan who made no mistake in the D 5-1. Beacon had a rare short corner and capitalised bringing the score to 5-2. Alex ventured in yet another run only to be taken out by the keeper and be awarded a flick, a scruffy finish took the lead to 6-2. Another series of shots on goal and another few saves from the home keeper kept CoB at bay until Alex drove into the D crashing home a sweet reverse into the back post making it 7-2. There was still time for one more goal with Kyle making a great 15 yard run before threading the ball into Jeevan who made no mistake on an empty goal, the final touch of the game.

Next week the 1stXI play against Bromsgrove 3s at home in the first league game of the season