The County Files |
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Tom Gutteridge (Burton Albion) Manager - Martin Sweeney Midland Youth Championships 2003-04 (1.5.04) Birmingham County FA went one better than last year, beating Nottinghamshire in this season's Midland Youth Championships Play Off Final at County HQ this afternoon. Both sides had gone unbeaten to top their respective leagues, with neither wanting the run to end at the final hurdle! Birmingham struck early - Kyle Rhodes collecting a left wing cross midway into the penalty area. The Bedworth United youngster controlled and turned well to rifle his shot home in the 4th minute. An 8th minute penalty awarded to Nottinghamshire shook Birmingham's confidence. Dave Hartley was adjudged to have fouled Anthony Howell just inside the area; Kyle McDermott converting the spot kick. The remainder of the half saw Nottinghamshire turn up the heat, but fail to convert their chances. Not so for Birmingham who regained the lead in the 24th minute. Leamington's Ryan Howell firing a low shot past Mark Austin after taking on 2 of the Nottinghamshire defence. Dudley Sports' Gavin Winsper was replaced by Liam Teraud at halftime - Birmingham's confidence appeared to have returned too. Matthew Dodd made sure of Birmingham's 3rd despite brave efforts from Austin and his Defenders. Ryan Howell's shot may have crossed the line before his attempt was cleared, but the ball fell to Dodd put the decision beyond doubt in the 64th minute. A minute later, Richard Lonsdale made his final appearance for Birmingham FA as a substitute for Sutton's Shaun Findlay. The Burton Albion player has earned a 3 year contract with Mansfield Town but before bowing out of County football sealed the win. Having taken the ball almost to the by-line, Lonsdale struck a terrific shot from an extremely tight angle in the 68th minute. A new face to the County scene made his debut with 10 minutes remaining when Hednesford's Ross Dyer replaced Howell. As time ran out for Nottingham, a deflected free kick troubled Bret Clowes in the Birmingham Goal but after working hard to gain a clear advantage, Birmingham were not to relinquish their grip on the game. STARTING 11: 1 - Bret Clowes (Kidderminster Harriers), 2 - Shaun Thomas (Bedworth Utd), 3 - Sam Wilson (Tamworth), 4 - Gavin Winsper (Dudley Sports), 5 - Andy McKinley (Leamington), 6 - Dave Hartley (Rushall Olympic), 7 - Matthew Dodd (Sutton Coldfield Town), 8 - Adam Hughes CAPT (Sutton Coldfield Town), 9 - Kyle Rhodes (Bedworth Utd), 10 - Shuan Findlay (Sutton Coldfield Town), 11- Ryan Howell (Leamington) SUBS: 12 - Richard Lonsdale (Burton Albion) ON FOR 10, 13 - Tom Gutteridge (Burton Albion), 14 - Liam Teraud (Kidderminster Harriers) ON FOR 4 AT HT, 15 - Ross Dyer (Hednesford Town) ON FOR 11, 16 - Rob Bolas (Sutton Coldfield Town) |