W/C 21/2/22

+63’s BWFC BLUES 5 v 0 HARTSHILL

This game was played in bitterly cold conditions. A strong, blustery wind hampered any possibility of a free-flowing Walking Football game. 

Having had their previous match postponed, Birmingham Blues still found themselves weakened by several key players missing through injury and illness. Hartshill, too, had their preparations severely disrupted and they started the contest, unsurprisingly, as second favourites against a previously unbeaten opponent.

The game followed a predictable pattern with Birmingham able to dominate with lengthy periods of possession, but they still found it hard to fashion a goal in the opening exchanges. Hartshill marked closely and protected their stand-in goalkeeper successfully during this time.

Eventually Birmingham’s pressure would tell on Hartshill’s overworked defenders, and it was no surprise when Roy Williams produced a fine shot across the goalkeeper to open the scoring. This breakthrough proved decisive and two more goals before the break gave a much fairer reflection on how the game was panning out. Goal scorers were Clive Macey and Roger Purchase. Roger’s first goal of the season was greeted with great delight by his teammates.

The start of the second half mirrored the first period with Birmingham finding it difficult to force any further scoring opportunities. Hartshill fielded a replacement goalkeeper for the second half, and he proved to be very difficult to beat. Indeed, Hartshill were able to make several forays into Birmingham territory and they were disappointed to see a goal chalked off for an unfortunate running offence.

Just as in the first half Birmingham’s overall dominance proved too much for Hartshill. Two further goals were added to the scoresheet from Glenn Alexander and Clive Macey with his second goal of the game.

The 5 -0 victory was no more than Birmingham deserved and they will feel satisfied with the outcome.

 Hartshill, however, were never completely overrun and they will reflect on a hard-working performance that saw them, in some periods of the game, subdue one of the league’s front runners.

+63’s BWFC WHITES 1 v 5 BURNTWOOD – Goal scorer – P Duffin

+50’s BWFC 2 v 1 HARTSHILL – Goal scorers – A Licietis, G Sturdy