The County Files |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
SWEEN'S TEEN SENSATIONS GEAR-UP FOR THE FINAL
15th April 2002 Martin Sweeney has announced his squad for Birmingham County FA's third consecutive appearance in the prestigious FA County Youth Cup Final. The competition aims to provide top-level football for U18 players who have yet to sign contracts with a club, bringing together talented young players from throughout the region. Twelve months ago, Birmingham missed out on retaining the trophy after an uncharacteristic performance in the Final, but players later signed for Stoke City and Kidderminster Harriers having proven themselves in a County shirt. With this year's squad attracting even more interest, hopes are high that the silverware will return to the region. Due to the age limit on players, Sweeney faces a fresh challenge each season as a new group of players are brought together. Only five who played a part in last season's campaign are still eligible for selection, including Nuneaton Borough's Chris Woodhall who will make his 17th appearance for the side. Durham have had their fair share of success in the competition, having lifted the trophy on 6 occasions – most recently in 1993, 1996 and 1999. If the pattern continues, Durham should be hot favourites, but after a tremendous season, Sweeney his hoping his Birmingham side can bring home the silverware. The FA County Youth Cup is the ultimate achievement for the players selected - an experience to relish; but the occasion is also a terrific opportunity for local people to support local talent and enjoy the atmosphere of a Cup Final at Walsall's Bescot Stadium. Tickets can be purchased on the day, priced at £5 adults, £1 concessions.
FA County Youth Cup Final RESULT Birmingham County FA snatched back the prestigious FA County Youth Cup with a dramatic injury time winner, overcoming a determined Durham County FA at The Bescot Stadium on Saturday. The victory was even sweeter for Martin Sweeney's men after having played the majority of the game one man down. After incidents which saw Steven Brown and Stephen Howe booked for Durham early on, Andrew Wheeler made a terrific reaction save from close range, but whilst still on the ground attempting to gather the ball, was adjudged to have fouled one of the Durham strike force who were ready to pounce. The distraught Nuneaton Borough 'keeper was not the only one to have his cup dreams shattered, as Sweeney was forced to reshape his side. Phil Taylor took his place between the posts, replacing Great Barr Celtic's Paul Holden, who was enjoying a bright start to his game. Taylor could do nothing about Ben Gawthorpe's resulting spot kick, and the situation seemed bleaker still after Craig Ellison appeared to have scored Durham's second in the 20th minute - only for it to be disallowed for a foul on the Bloxwich United 'keeper. Birmingham managed to apply pressure as the half progressed, but without his fellow striker, Dean Perrow was left isolated up front. More significantly, Durham failed to capitalise on their 1-man advantage, despite looking dangerous on every attack. After the opportunity to regroup, Birmingham came out the brighter side in the second half and continued to press for an equaliser. Sutton Coldfield Town's Dean Perrow was the one to pounce on a parry from Durham's Michael Leighton, drawing the Midlanders level in the 54th minute. Frustration crept into the Northerner's play, with Howe's departure levelling the sides out after collecting his second yellow card just 3 minutes later. The neatly worked free kick which followed was shot just wide of the post after a terrific effort from North Birmingham College's Anthony Hall. Kidderminster Harriers' Richard Langford replaced Dean Allmark in the 65th minute, joining Perrow in the Birmingham FA attack. However, it was a brave Phil Taylor making a succession of saves that kept his side in the game. Even having a penalty appeal turned down in the 77th minute and the sight of the Fourth Official's electronic scoreboard signalling 3 minutes to extra time and dreaded penalties failed to dampen Birmingham's spirits as they continued to search for a winner. Halfway through the allotted injury time, it was Anthony Hall who rose to the occasion to secure Birmingham's second FA County Youth Cup title in three years. His strike left Leighton stranded in the Durham goal and was the cue for ecstatic celebrations on the pitch and in the Birmingham dugout. |