RESULT: Lincolnshire 1 Birmingham 0 For the second successive season, Birmingham FA were beaten in the deciding fixture of the U18 Midland Youth Football Championship, played at Lincoln's Moorlands Sports Ground on Sunday 11th May. The visitors had several early chances, but the longer the game went on, the more Lincolnshire grew in confidence. Ironically Lincolnshire had been beaten by the trophy holders Nottinghamshire in their final group game but by then their place in the play off had been secured. Birmingham FA were not sure of their Group's outcome until Northamptonshire had replayed - and drawn - their game against Shropshire. Three times in the opening ten minutes of the game Birmingham could have been in front. In their first attack Nick Heath beat goalkeeper Andrew Barclay to the ball and lobbed it goalwards but Matthew Hodgkin got back to clear off the line. Then four minutes later Hodgkin was again the savour once again clearing off the line from a Ryan Dowsing header only parried by his goalkeeper. Once Lincolnshire had settled, they began to create chances. Richard Stukins saw a shot deflected for a corner and the influential Matthew Hydes curled a free kick just over the bar. Full back Matthew Lamb had a close range shot blocked on the line as the home goal continued to be threatened. It was against the run of play six minutes before the break that Lincolnshire took the lead. Visiting goalkeeper Aaron O'Malley came out to the edge of his area to punch away a cross, which lacked the power to clear the danger. Matthew Hydes skilfully lobbed the ball over the retreating goalkeeper and just under the bar to give his side a half time lead. A good spell immediately after the break saw Lincolnshire grow in confidence; Tim Hotchin could have increased the lead but he shot wide. Birmingham began to look more desperate as they searched for an equaliser with Exodus Geohaghan playing a major part in their attack with a stream of long throws into the penalty area; convincing performances from Craig Dalton and Scott Helliwell in defence ensured Lincolnshire deservedly hung on to take the trophy. MATCH REPORT COURTESY OF: www.lincolnshirefa.com |