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15th
March
2004
Peacocks Make Cup Final - Gornal Athletic 1 Birmingham University 0 (Sat 13/3/03) Gornal are through to the final of the Birmingham Vase next month after a narrow but convincing win against a willing Birmingham University side. In a first half short on goalmouth action the Peacocks came out on top, though without a goal to show for their efforts. Top scorer Clint Hughes worked hard to make the most of rare opportunities up front, as two fit and committed teams largely cancelled each other out in midfield. Fellow sharpshooter Mark Babbershaw was a menacing presence, although an extra half yard of pace would be a welcome addition to his game, especially given that nobody appeared to have ever taught the linesman the offside rule (you know, it's when the ball is played, not when it's received!). After the break Gornal turned up the pressure a further notch and got their reward after 15 minutes when Jonathan Malsbury's solid shot from just outside the area took a wicked deflection to beat the Uni goalie. This signalled a distinct change of tactics by the home side, who had clearly calculated that this was the type of game where one goal would swing it. Gornal began to defend deep, with striker Hughes tackling back effectively. Babbershaw was instructed to hold the ball up in a lonely front position, but he was less effective in this role and was substituted for the last ten minutes in order to stiffen the defence. Despite a few grumbles from the terraces about the wisdom of these tactics, Managers Martin Thomas and Tony Wall were proved correct as Gornal shut out the visitors relatively comfortably to book their place in the Final, which will be played on the 24th April at the Birmingham FA's HQ at Ray Hall Lane, Great Barr (k.o. 2pm, admission £2). Tomorrow evening (Tue 16/3/03 k.o. 7.45pm) Gornal have a League Cup Quarter Final fixture against Darlaston Town, who were beaten by Birmingham Uni in the previous round of the Vase. The team really does deserve better support from us than they are currently receiving; there were less than thirty paying spectators on Saturday, despite a reduced admission charge of £1. Top of their division, in the final of one cup and the latter stages of two others - the Management must be wondering what they have to do to get the attention of local sporting fans. newsdesk@yampy.co.uk. --> |
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