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Crunch Time for County
16th February 2001
Surrey and Birmingham go head to head again tomorrow as the Midlanders continue their quest to retain the prestigious FA County Youth Cup against the side they beat in the Final last time around.
Birmingham head due south for the Quarter Final replay after the two teams’ first meeting resulted in a 2-2 draw. The tie must be decided on the day – Sheffield & Hallamshire already lie in wait for the winners in the Semi-Final stages.
Last Saturday the side returned to their winning ways, beating Staffordshire 3-1 in the Midland Counties Youth Championship.
Team Spokesman, Steve Poole says the win may have helped revive their cup campaign:
“Everyone knows we didn’t play to our usual standard against Surrey,” commented Poole. “It’s an awful feeling and nobody wants to experience it again. There is an inevitable amount of pressure within the side to try and repeat our success from last year, which I hope can have a positive effect on our performance.
“After being so focused, it was nice to play in a competition which doesn’t all rest on one result!” he added. “The Championship fixture did the trick and lifted the squad ready for the challenge that faces us on Saturday.”
Injury problems hit the team hard against Staffordshire, but Poole hopes the squad will be at full strength for this vital fixture:
“We want to be back to our best at a time which could be a real turning point in our season,” he said. “We have been in contact with those who may have been doubtful this weekend, but all seem fit to play and more importantly, determined to win!”
| NO |
NAME |
CLUB |
| 1 |
Elliot RICHARDS |
Hednesford Town |
| 2 |
Scott LOWER |
Marconi (Coventry) FC |
| 3 |
Gary WHITE |
Nuneaton Borough FC |
| 4 |
Adam COOPER (Captain) |
Nuneaton Borough/R Club Warwick |
| 5 |
Gareth PICKNELL |
Hednesford Town |
| 6 |
Andrew MORRIS |
Christ The King FC |
| 7 |
Ronnie SAYER |
Hednesford Town FC |
| 8 |
Joe HANNEY |
Nuneaton Borough FC |
| 9 |
Patrick FLAHERTY |
Hednesford Town FC |
| 10 |
Matty LEWIS |
Marconi (Coventry) FC |
| 11 |
Roy DUNKLEY |
Nuneaton Borough FC |
| 12 |
Neil BEASLEY |
- |
| GK |
Steve HARMAN |
Nuneaton Borough FC |
| 15 |
Chris WOODHALL |
Bedworth United FC |
| 16 |
Andy CAMERON |
Sutton Coldfield Town FC |
| 18 |
Scott MOORE |
Darlaston Town |
Surrey FA 1
Ruggles (Pen)
Birmingham FA 3
Cooper, Dunkley (2)
Birmingham FA finally won the right to progress to the Semi-Final stage of the FA County Youth Cup after beating Surrey 3-1 on Saturday in their Quarter Final replay.
After a 2-2 draw at Birmingham back in January, the replay had been postponed twice – so the Brummies wasted no time in pilling on the pressure. Hednesford’s Ronnie Sayer saw his defence splitting cross scrambled away as early as the 4th minute, whilst Surrey’s attempted reply came soon after from Striker, Ruggles, but he could only lob the ball wide.
The breakthrough came midway through the first half when Captain Adam Cooper gave Birmingham the lead with a low drive from 20 yards out. With the Southerners on the back-foot, Gary White tried his luck at a shot, only to see his goal bound effort deflected over the bar.
Hednesford’s Elliot Richards was called into action in the Birmingham goal as Surrey tried to claw their way back into the tie. Richards’ spectacular saves and the crossbar came to the rescue before a Gary White clearance found Nuneaton teammate, Roy Dunkley up front, who beat the Surrey defence to lob the ball home from just outside the box, giving his side a 2-0 lead at the half.
Dunkley made it three goals in just two County appearances soon after the restart and despite Surrey converting a 60th minute penalty, Birmingham were not ready to relinquish their grip on the trophy. The back three of Cooper, Morris and Picknell stood strong whilst the Birmingham attack continued to test the Surrey defence.
Birmingham’s Cup Run continues this weekend as they travel to Worksop to take on Sheffield & Hallamshire FA in the Semi-Final Stage of the competition.
“We went to Surrey with a positive attitude and a tremendous team spirit,” said Spokesman Steve Poole. “We are delighted we can continue the chase for our dream of retaining the cup.
“We have watched Sheffield play – and know they will be tough opposition,” he added. “However, we will prepare well and do all we can to make sure we get the right result.”
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