Birmingham Sky Blues 55’s travelled to Burton on Friday 23rd September for a charity tournament organised by Burton Community Trust.

Played in fantastic conditions the team faced opposition from Burton x2, Stoke, Wolverhampton, Ashbourne and Hartshill.

Six games were played in a mini league formatt before the top four played off in semi’s and then a final.

Sky blues started against Burton P, and were ahead very early when Shand converted a Mark Evans through ball. Sky blues completely dominated the game and there were further chances for Shand, Evans, Hall and Mathieson, but the Burton keeper was on fire. Burton P then equalised right at the death with their only clear chance.

Game two saw the Sky blues face Ashbourne the eventual winners. In a close edgy game Ashbourne had the better of the chances but came up against an inspired Dave Taylor in goal and they eventually nicked it from a cruel deflected goal in the dying minutes.

Next came the challenge of Wolves, there was nothing in this game, some robust challenges and then Wolves sneaked it 1-0.

Forth came Hartshill, who were beaten by Ashbourne in the final. Sky Blues stroked the ball about well and went ahead with a tidy goal from Mark Evans. Hartshill fought hard but the Sky blues defence held on for a deserved victory.

By this stage in the tournament wins were needed to progress and in the final two games against Burton A and Stoke a rather aggressive attacking approach was adopted.  Sky blues were done 1-0 by Burton A when a double deflection landed at the feet of their striker who calmly finished. In the final game against Stoke , there was nothing between the teams, Stoke ran out 1-0 winners courtesy of a wonder strike off the underside of the bar. 

Congratulations to Ashbourne on winning, and to Burton Albion Community Trust for organising the event.

Walking Football is the real winner!

Sky Blues team l-r

Mark Evans,Pete Hall,Tom Lilley, Tony Fisher, Dave Taylor, Ashley Mathieson, Phil Kenny, Neil Shand.