Bret Clowes - Kidderminster Manager - Martin Sweeney Birmingham FA 5-0 Leicestershire & Rutland FA Birmingham sealed their place in the Midland Youth Championship Play Off by overpowering Group B opponents Leicestershire & Rutland County FA at BCFA HQ this afternoon. A convincing 5-0 win puts Birmingham far enough ahead in the league with one game remaining to look forward to the Championship decider in May. Hednesford’s Damian Jarrett was first on the scoresheet when he rose above the Leicester defence and headed home from a Sam Wilson free kick in the 23rd minute. The second strike had shades of the first – Simon Fitter’s free kick from a similar spot was launched high into the penalty area, Captain Adam Hughes heading down for Richard Lonsdale to slot home in the 31st minute. Lonsdale scored his second and Birmingham’s third 10 minutes before the break, collecting the ball from midway in Leicester’s half, before losing his marker and firing the ball over the outstretched Leicestershire ‘Keeper, Liam Warren. The Burton Albion striker completed his hattrick 13 minutes after the restart when persistence paid off – taking the ball past two defenders and a stranded Warren. To their credit, Leicestershire & Rutland continued to push for a goal. Half time substitute, Chris Spooner brought a spark to their attack and forced Birmingham FA’s Chris Butler to react quickly, turning his shot onto his crossbar and out for a corner. Lonsdale was denied his fourth goal in the 62nd minute after being adjudged offside, but Captain Adam Hughes used his height to score Birmingham FA’s fifth from close range with 21 minutes remaining. Their perfect record so far gives Birmingham County FA 12 points with one more Group fixture to play before the Championship Final. The winners of Group A – and Birmingham’s fellow Finalists - are yet to be decided. Nottinghamshire top the table with 5 points but second place East Riding have 4 points and what could be a vital game in hand. STARTING 11: 1 – Chris Butler (Boldmere St Michaels), 2 – Simon Fitter (Kidderminster Harriers), 3 – Sam Wilson (Tamworth), 4 – Gavin Winsper (Dudley Sports), 5 – Andrew McInley (Leamington), 6 – Dave Hartley (Rushall Olympic), 7 – Matthew Dodd (Sutton Coldfield Town), 8 (Capt) – Adam Hughes (Sutton Coldfield Town), 9 – Kyle Rhodes (Bedworth Utd), 10 – Richard Lonsdale (Burton Albion), 11 – Damian Jarrett (Hednesford Town) SUBS: 12 – Sean Findlay (Sutton Coldfield Town), 13 – Brett Clowes (Kidderminster Harriers), 14 - Rob Bolas (Sutton Coldfield Town), 15 – Adam Robinson (Sutton Coldfield Town), 16 – Carl Farquharson (Bedworth Utd) |