Birmingham FA continued their excellent run of form with a 4-0 win over Worcestershire in the Midland Counties Youth Cup. The victory confirms them as favourites to lift the title for the second year running. After just 8 minutes, a telling touch from Nuneaton’s Roy Dunkley provided Ronnie Sayer with a chance, only to see his shot saved by Kidderminster’s Matthew Harris. Dunkley was in action again with his own shot on goal deflected off the post as Birmingham dominated throughout the first half. The deadlock was broken on 18 minutes as a 22 yard free kick from Marconi’s Matty Lewis swerved around the Worcestershire wall leaving the ‘keeper stranded. Dunkley’s hard work paid off in the 25th minute when he capitalised on a rebound from Lewis shot to put his side 2-up. The strike brings his tally to four goals in just 3 games for the County. Birmingham’s third came five minutes later from a scorching shot on the edge of the box from Nuneaton’s Joe Hanney, rounding off a terrific 45 minutes of football from the home side. Birthday Boy, Steve Harman replaced Elliott Richards in the Birmingham goal mid-way through a less frantic second half. Birmingham needed more fresh legs as the pace dropped – Bedworth’s Chris Woodhall and Hednesford’s Pat Flaherty replacing Paul Marshall and Matty Lewis. The game seemed all but over when the icing on the cake came with a terrific 23 yard shot from Gary White flew into the back of the Worcestershire net. “Once again, I can have nothing but praise for the whole team today,” said Team Spokesman, Steve Poole. “As a unit we are so effective at cutting off any attack, dominating the play for the majority of the game. “The team have had a very busy few weeks with some terrific wins,” added Poole. “There was a risk that thoughts of our Cup Final appearance in a few weeks time could have crept into the lads’ minds and become a distraction, but they just put their heads down and went for it.” |