Birmingham’s Over 50’s made a solid if not spectacular start to the newly formed Birmingham FA league, ten local teams will fight it out over 4 separate mini tournament days over the next three months to be crowned Champions. Birmingham first fixture produced a 5-1 victory over Bedworth as Dave Norton’s early strike set them on their way. An Andy Struthers free kick and further goals from Darren Bradley, Ian Gough and Norton meant a comfortable victory with Bedworth scoring a late consolation in the last minute. The Blues second opponents were Hartshill, who once again decided that to sit back and defend a 0-0 was their best option of gaining anything from the game. Birmingham bombarded the Hartshill keeper who performed miracles in goal, with at times sublime goalkeeping. Bradley, Norton and David Castle all went close but to their credit the Hartshill tactics worked, after 20 minutes of continual pressure they held out for a credible draw.

After the game skipper Castle commented, four points is a decent start for us, I don’t think we could have done much more, their keeper was incredible, we have to give Hartshill credit, they have a game plan and stick to it, and it’s up to us to break them down. We know this league will be tight there were lots of draws today we just need to be a little bit more clinical.