DEJA VU FOR UNBEATEN BLUES

Birmingham’s over 50’s went out at the semi final stage on penalties for the second weekend on the bounce, after coming through the group stages comfortably with victories over Stone and Stoke City 1-0 and 3-0 respectively and a 1-1 draw against the impressive Sheffield United outfit where their only goal conceded being a penalty.

Dave Norton with 3 and Dave Wright with 2 had combined impressively whilst Andy Struthers creativity was proving a problem for the opposition. Birmingham had looked solid at the back with Kev Reid and Ian Gough being marshalled by Dave Castle, leaving Les Dawson with little to do.

A quarter final ensued against home Chesterton, a superb Dave Wright goal settled it as he stroked home a fine Struthers pass. A place in the final was up for grabs against rivals Sheffield United and Birmingham started well, Dave Norton latched onto a rebound to hit his shot into the top corner, the unbelievable two uncharacteristic errors in defensive saw their opponents take a surprise lead. As Birmingham pressed deep into their opponents half Andy Struthers smashed an unstoppable shot to take the tie into penalties. Thoughts must have gone to last weeks Peoples Cup exit and once again Birmingham went out 3-2 on penalties.

After the game Captain Dave Castle commented “ we acquitted ourselves really well today, I really can’t believe what’s happened again, we should never really have gone to penalties, once again we have left a tournament unbeaten but without the trophy. We need to take our concentration levels up a notch, the last two weeks we have switched off and its cost us dear.”