The County Files

MIDLANDS YOUTH FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP 2002-03 Saturday 19th October, 2002 County HQ, Ray Hall Lane, Birmingham Birmingham FA 3-2 Herefordshire FA TEAM LINE-UP REACTION BACK TO MAIN COMPETITION PAGE NO NAME CLUB - Roscoe Hale Halesowen Town FC - Arron O'Malley Lye Town FC - Simon Fitter Kidderminster Harriers FC - Richard Huckfield - - Exodus Geoghaghan Sutton Coldfield - Adam Fletcher Tamworth FC - Rob Rencher Sutton Coldfield - Adam Hughes Sutton Coldfield - Nick Heath Kidderminster Harriers FC - Richard Langford Kidderminster Harriers FC - Danny Williams Nuneaton Borough FC - Tobiahs McIntosh Nuneaton Borough FC - Dean Allgood Oldbury - Ryan Murphy Boldmere S&S FC - Craig Thomas Rushall Olympic FC - Matthew Lamb Nuneaton Borough FC - David Barnes Kings Heath - James Anderson Kings Heath Birmingham 3-2 Herefordshire McIntosh (2), Heath Mortlock, Collins Birmingham County FA kicked off their 2002-03 season with a terrific contest against Herefordshire County FA in the Midlands Youth Championship on Saturday. First half goals from Tobias McIntosh gave Birmingham a comfortable lead at half time. Both of McIntosh's strikes were set up by his Nuneaton Borough teammate Danny Williams - his first in the 19th minute after a terrific run from midfield and the second from a neat pass across the edge of the box on the half hour mark. The third Nuneaton player in the Birmingham outfit was not so lucky - Matthew Lamb had to be replaced by Rushall Olympic's Craig Thomas just before the break after a crunching tackle left him with a badly bruised ankle. After creating few chances in the first half, Herefordshire came out determined to step up their play, and the pressure told in the 52nd minute. Hereford United's Simon Gwilliam delivered a teasing free kick into the area, which was met by the head of Chris Mortlock, beating Halesowen's Roscoe Hale in the Birmingham goal. Creative play from Sutton Coldfield's Exodus Geoghagan who made encouraging runs from the Birmingham defence should have helped the home team extend their lead on at least three occasions. Chances for in the 59th and 61st minutes for McIntosh and a scuffed shot by Kidderminster's Richard Langford were rued in the 76th minute when Paul Collins drew the visitors level. However, Birmingham refused to let their heads drop and continued to press whilst always cautious of the danger posed by the Herefordshire attack. Williams and Langford made way for fresh legs in the shape of Oldbury's Dean Allgood and Boldmere's Ryan Murphy. Kidderminster's Nick Heath found the winner with just 7 minutes to go, after Wellington's Tom Llwewllyn had already parried Allgood's strike out to the edge of the box. Heath fired his shot home having served his side well throughout the game, providing the link between defence and attack out on the right wing. "Herefordshire have that spirit to come back from anything you throw at them," said Team Spokesman, Steve Poole. "They always prove a stern test - we're just very relieved we were able to secure all three points today." Birmingham's next test is in Round 2 of the FA County Youth Cup on Saturday 9th November when local rivals Shropshire visit County HQ, Great Barr for a 2pm kick off. Top