Match reports - 2003/2004
Match reports - 2003/2004
Thes reports should be updated at the end of each playing month.
To see a breakdown of each team's players and squads for this month refer to the individuals teams in Club Squads
September 2003
AUGUST 30TH DIVISION 2 VILLAGE C 4 West Hagley 0 Just the start we needed. Goals from Allison, Penfold, Fryer and Titheridge DIVISION 8 VILLAGE E 9 Old Wulfs 2 Just the start for the Es. With no goalkeeper Forbes was rushed into action between the sticks. There proved no need for him as goals came from Newland and Marfleet. After one was conceded Village took a grip on the game and went in at the half, 4-2 to the good with further goals by Kyei and Newland again. After a dodgy Kyei penalty was converted Old Wulfs lost the plot and coceded more. Special goals scored by Chapman (on debut) and Marfleet. A further one for Newland to complete his hatrick and one for Khan left it comfortable for Village SEPTEMBER 6th PREMIER DIVISION AFA Premier Division Kynoch 1 VILLAGE F.C. 1
A typically gritty performance by Kynoch on a bobbly pitch may
this a tough season's baptism. However, we dominated the first half
and Laurie Carey headed home a Carson Tweedie corner on the
half hour to put us ahead. We had a slack period halfway through
the second half where Kynoch came into the game and with 20
minutes to go they got an equaliser on the break. Afterwards we hit
the underside of the bar and spurned other chances, finally
spending the last ten minutes in their penalty area without making
what you could call a certain chance. Never a danger of losing but
a disappointing outcome. DIVISION ONE Wake Green 2 VILLAGE 3 The first game of the season and it appeared as if there was a
hangover from the end of last season as the team was very
lethargic in their approach to the game. They were unable to create
anything, as the stand in keeper Bain struggled manfully to keep
the home side at bay. It was inevitable that after missing from 2
yards and a number of breakaways that Wake Green registered
before half time. A few harsh words and the revitalising energies of H²O led to a new
Village taking more control of the game. In the 10th minute of the
2nd half an inspired run down the wing and a cut back by Vaughan
resulted in one of the Wake Green defenders putting the ball in the
net. Not content with this 10 minutes later from a Revell corner
another defender gave us the lead. An unlikely lead but Village
looked on course for victory before goal of the season was stuck.
From a cleared corner a Wake green player unleashed a rocket of
a shot from fully 35 yards that flew into the corner of the net. Our
keeper was still looking for the ball as the opposition ran off to
celebrate. The last laugh however was on them as Revell cross
was laid into the path of substitute Nagle, who set it up perfectly for
an impressive Howard to rifle the ball into the net to clinch an
opening day victory. Man of the Match going to a hobbling Griffin on his return to the Bs. DIVISION EIGHT Royal Heath Rangers 1 VILLAGE F.C. 'E' 2 I know its early in the season but after a couple of years of struggle
the Es sit proudly at the top of their 16 team division this week.
This time we went one down early on but fought back to snatch it
through goals from Mark Fisher and Mark Chambers although hard
work all round and stout defending were instrumental in securing
the points.
VILLAGE SUNDAY Black Horse 1 VILLAGE SUNDAY 2 The Sunday team came from behind to secure a hard fought victory
on the opening weekend of the season over Black Horse. After beginning brightly, Village conceded after 20 minutes when
spurning the chance to clear and allowing the Horse forward to
dance through the defence to slot past Quinn. Five minutes before
half-time Village equalised with a quality move. Glattback attacked
down the left and laid the ball back to Coulson who crossed first
time with pace. Forbes stole in behind the defence to expertly
angle his header into the corner. Village came out stronger in the second half and took the lead mid
way through. Cypher took the ball down the right wing, cut inside
the last defender and arrowed a shot into the bottom corner.
Village then defended stoutly to hold on to their lead, but still had
opportunities on the break, notable when Carter forced a smart
save from the Horse keeper. Quinn was in inspirational form for
Village making 2 stupendous stop late on the ensure Village
collected the three points. SEPTEMBER 13th PREMIER DIVISION Cambridge United 2 VILLAGE FC 1 A disappointing result this. We seemed to remember last year's
home defeat too much and early on (to coin a cliche) gave them
too much respect. Still 1-0 down at half-time wasn't a disaster. The
second half we dominated but sadly a defensive slip-up saw their
lively forwards get in and stretch the lead. We pulled one back from
the spot and applied tons of pressure late on that had them rocking
but they held on. DIVISION ONE VILLAGE FC 'B' 1 Sutton United 'B' 1 A game with plenty of incident. The first of them being Village
having to play most of the game with another substitute keeper.
Dicicco got an early bang to the head which resulted in him
needing 4 stitches in a 'cut lip'. Forbes in goal was enough to give
any team a fright and Village duly took the lead in the 30th minute
when Allison raced onto a loose ball to secure a deserved one nil
half time score. Unfortunately Village failed to capitalise on many of their numerous
chances in the second half and allowed Sutton to creep back into
the game. Through goalkeeping errors Sutton hit a post and then
the bar and this seemed to revive their interest. In the last 10
minutes as the team fell asleep from a throw in Sutton headed the
equaliser. Two points definitely dropped. Some good solid performances from Rogers and Stoner, but Man
of the match goes to John Denley. Division Four Diamond Windows 0 VILLAGE F.C. 'D' 1 First game of the season for the Ds saw a hard fought away win.
Dave Csondor notched just before half-time. DIVISION 8 VILLAGE F.C. 'E' 3 St Francis 6 First defeat of the season for the league leading 'E' team. This time
the opposition were stronger and younger and although we led 3-2
at the break, they proved ruthless in the second taking all their
chances. Mark Titheridge scored all our goals! Festival League Major Cup Boars Head 3 VILLAGE SUNDAY 2 The Sunday team crashed out of the Major Cup at the first hurdle in
a lack-lustre display. Without any assistance from a particularly
young and nervous referee who struggled to handle Boars Head's
bullying tactics, Village went in 1-0 down at half-time thanks to a
dubious penalty award for an offence that took place 4 yards
outside the penalty area. Boars head scored twice more early in the second half, the second
goal scored by a player a full 20 yards offside. Village rallied late
on and goals from Cypher and a cool finish from youngster Matt
Atkins in the last minute gave the scoreline a more realistic look. SEPTEMBER 20th PREMIER DIVISION VILLAGE FC 1 Sutton United 3 I feel a bit like Arsene over this one but we really were robbed
horribly in this one. After 20 minutes we scored a great headed
goal from Laurie Carey (assisted by Nick Longley) and five minutes
later it should have been all over. Clean through on goal, Dan
Howard was scythed from behind. A clear penalty and sending off
but no action. Minutes later their centre-forward simply threw Matt
Baldwin out of the way and was allowed to go on and score. We
then rattled the bar and missed a clear two on one for a 1-1 half-
time score. It didn't get any better although we continued to out
football a rugged Sutton side throughout the game and they scored
twice more as we pressed on. We had one shot two feet over the
line and astonishingly the ref played on and the final insult was to
have a goal disallowed for 'offside' when three players were between
scorer and goal even when he shot!
DIVISION ONE Sparkbrook PPR 2 VILLAGE FC 'B' 0 A game of errors for the B boys. Allowing a soft corner which resulted in a soft easy header for Sparkbrook to take the lead after 2 minutes. Vilage never ever got into their stride and were on the back foot for the first 20 minutes and it was only through some good keeping from new keeper McCarrick, and some strange decision making by the official, that the score remained that way. Although Village got better they never quite were able to take any sort of control over the game. Another soft goal at the start of the 2nd half effectively sealed the match. A mix up with Kennedy and the keeper resulted in a Nayim style effort that sailed over the keeper's head for another great strike against B team keepers this season. The rest of the game was played out amongst some brutish like tackling and some unsavoury play. Not pleasant. Man of the match to Rogers who yet again turns in another powerful performance. Division 2 Solihull Gas 4 VILLAGE F.C. 'C' 0 The Cs finally got back into action and after their earlier 4-0 win are
now back at evens. The Gas are a good side and we had a few new
boys to fit in and we can have few complaints about the scoreline
but certainly never disgraced ourselves. Division 4 VILLAGE F.C. 'D' 2 Acocks Green 1 A better result this one to preserve the Ds 100% record. 1-0 down
after 25 minutes against the erstwhile league leaders, Matt Green
converted a penalty 2 minutes later. Five minutes further on he
rattled the bar with a 25 yard free-kick and 5 minutes into the
second half Mark Chambers muscled his way in to score from 12
yards. After that we missed the better of the chances but were
soaking up the pressure towards the end. hard work but three
points.
Division 8 Walsall Phoenix 'C' 6 VILLAGE F.C. 'E' 1
This was a disappointment to the 9 men who turned up
(communication difficulties to blame for this one) as they fought
hard against a rather stronger tide. Consensus was that Phoenix
weren't even that good but having played once with 8 (we held out
for 70 minutes but lost 4-0) I know it cant have been easy. Still the
Es remain in midtable with a 15-15 goal difference!
Festival League VILLAGE FC SUNDAY 4 David Lloyd 1 The Sunday team maintained their 100% league record against
David Lloyd. The first half was evenly fought, with David Lloyd were
somewhat fortunate to go in 1-0 up at half-time. The Sundays began the second half with purpose and Ali Gorrie
pounced on a goalkeeping error within 5 minutes of the restart and
put Village level. James Cypher poked home from close range soon
after and Mike Glattback converted a goalkeeping parry to make
the score 3-1 by the midpoint of the second half. Dan Whyborn
rounded off the scoring after the goalkeeper failed to hold a Forbes
free kick. Village had numerous chances throughout the game and
were deserved winners.
27th September Premier Division Cresconians 3 Village 0 Division One Village B 0 – Brittania 1 Another silly mistake leading to another Village defeat and the goal shy side are really suffering. A game where we attacked for most of the 90 minutes, but to no avail. Countless chances went begging and the team. The team worked tirelessly, but lacked the quality in the last 3rd of the pitch to take advantage of a poor Brittania side. We were made to pay such poor finishing when Brittania were correctly awarded a stupid penalty in the last 5 minutes Man of the match to Rob Kennedy. Division Two Handsworth GSOB B 0 Village 2 Division Four Billesley United 7 Village 0 A 7-0 pasting by league leaders Billesley United aside. Division Eight Village 0 Coton Green 3 Festival League Village 1 Mahal Sunday 2 First they threw away their 100% start to the season with a lacklustre 1-2 defeat against Mahal Sunday. Village were a goal down within 15 minutes after defensive confusion lead to an open goal for the Mahal forward. In the second half, Mike Glattback curled a free kick from wide right into the corner of the net. However with just 5 minutes remaining a big punt upfield caught the Village defence square and a point was snatched from our grasp. October 2003
4th October Premier Division Kynoch 3 Village 2 A bad defeat after their keeper was sent off with us 2-1 ahead! St Thomas Annex 4 – Village B 3 (County Junior Cup - AET) A game Village should never have lost. Against a team of less ability Village again conceded an early goal. Having to chase another game the luckless Village striker finally registered a goal as John Denley finished of a Rogers pass to go in at 1 a piece.
Phil Kyei finally got off the mark for the Bs when he struck a lovely 20-yard shot into the bottom of the net. Considering he’d just missed one from 3 yards on the stroke of half time it was a very pleasing score. Village was rarely troubled after that, and it was with much astonishment that with 10 minutes to go that Village conceded a very silly goal to allow the tie to go into extra time. Extra time rejuvenated St Thomas and they registered 2 more goals past part-time keeper Bain before debutante Marc Cunningham pulled one back from another substitute, Nagle’s through ball. A Penfold strike right on full-time nearly sent the tie to penalties, but it was not to be. Man of the match to Howard Rogers Division Two Walsall Phoenix 2 Village 1 Division Four Old Wulfs C 1 Village 0 Where perhaps a lack of confidence contributed to us getting late into a game we should have won. Division Eight Village 2 Sutton United D 4 Festival League Hamstead YFC 1 Village Sunday 1 A hard fought point away at Hamstead YFC A followed, Village taking the lead in the second minute when the Cypher brothers combined, Paul slipping a through ball to James who rifled in for his fourth goal in five games. Village conceded unfortunately mid way through the first half when a corner was not cleared and a speculative overhead hook back into the penalty area looped over the man jumping on the line and below the crossbar.In spite of good pressure in the second half and an excellent defensive display, there was no further scoring in the second half. Final Score: 1-1
11th October Premier Division Village 4 Lasermail 0 Scorers Newton, Tweedie pen, Howard and Jarmy Division One Old Wulfs B 3 – Village B 0 Although the scoreline suggests a good hiding this was a much- improved performance by Village against a very good Old Wulfs side. On a lovely pitch they put away 3 out of 4 chances, whereas Village did not even test the keeper with their 3 chances. The first goal coming from a lovely diagonal ball between the 2 centre-halves and slotted beyond the reach of Dicicco. On 30 minutes this lead was doubled by an equally well taken goal. At 2-0 in the half Village were not totally out of the game, but were made to rue missed chances by the forwards. The game was effectively killed by a third by Old Wulfs. Village played the last 10 minutes with 10 men, but the effort and commitment was a lot better in this defeat than it has been in the last few weeks. Man of the match to Graham Chapman playing in a new position of right back. Division Two Shirley Athletic 3 Village 2 (Minor cup) A 2-3 defeat to Shirley Athletic in the Minor Cup was disappointing, especially as we were 2-1 up with 5 minutes to go. Division Four Manchester Wanderers 0 Village 7 Confidence was restored by a 7-0 win against Manchester Wanderers in which John Vaughan hit 4, Mark Chambers 2 and Kirk Norford the final goal. Division Eight Village 1 Walsall Phonix C 6 Festival League Boars Head 0 Village 0 There were few chances for either side although John Delaney in the Village goal saved well at the feet of one of the Boars Head strikers near the end of the game. 18th October Premier Division Smethwick Hall OB 0 Village 3 Scorers Newton 2 and Conlon Hunt Cup Village 4 Brereton Social 7 So we won't be going to Molineux for the final for another year. It has to be said though that Brereton are a West Midlands League side and that we held them at 4-4 until late in the game. Mark Sumner (impressive) and John Vaughan both got two goals. Division Four Queslett Park Rangers 4 Village 0 By all accounts 1-0 might have been a fairer reflection of what happened. Division Eight Village 7 Handsworth GSOB D 0 Pride was restored with a 7-0 drubbing of Handsworth GSOB D. Phil Newland, Tom Candish and John Millard all netted two and Kirk Norford one in a high energy performance all round. Veterans Cup Sutton Vets B 1 – Village Vets 7 The first victory in living memory for the Vets team. Welcoming back from his 4-year sabbatical Trevor Shields added some stability to an excellent rear guard action. The result was never in doubt from the moment Dan Howard fluked in a free kick out of the reach of the despairing dive of the Sutton keeper. His second however was a well-executed volley from the edge of the box. Missed chances by the ‘forwards’ Forbes & Csonder were irrelevant as Syd Khan made it 3-0 at the half. Sutton obviously came out strong for the 2nd half but were unable to break down a resolute Village defence held together by Mark Fisher and Dave Bennett. Another Khan goal seemed to kill the game but after Sutton got one back the scoreline was made to look a little lob-sided by Village scoring 3 goals in the last 5 minutes all from Khan corners and Csonder flick ons. Scores being Bennett 2 and Campbell one. Man of the match to Dan Howard. Festival League Village 1 U-Fit Windows 3 Finally U-Fit windows took advantage of an extremely disappointing display last week that led to a 3-1 defeat. 25th October Premier Division Colinthians 0 Village 2 Under difficult conditions we thoroughly outplayed a competent Colinthians side for a 2-0 scoreline with Longley and Conlon the scorers. A third clean sheet was nice with the only disappointment being missing the chance to add further goals from our umpteen chances. Division One Village B 3 – BBGR 2 The best football the B team has played in well over a year. The first half was like watching a different team from the previous weeks. The rain may have poured down but the confidence seemed to have returned and the fast flowing passing game returned. This culminated in Phil Kyei running onto a 1-1 with the keeper and after being denied once by the keeper, and then a defender on the line he put the team and the manager out of his misery by putting the ball in the back of the net. This lead was doubled on 30 minutes by a well-taken Nagle penalty after the dangerous Kyei was felled in the box. At 2-0 Village were certainly not flattered. Table topping BBGR however were not going to be easily taken and a determined second half showing led to them getting one back from a free-kick strike. A clear-cut penalty was denied to the ever-threatening Kyei, and this was made even worse when BBGR went on to equalise. However the resole and the determination that was perhaps missing so far this season came to the fore and Richard Hadley stuck a sweetly taken goal in the last 10 minutes. An excellent performance and a good display of heart when needed from all 12 players, from stand in keeper Bain, Hadley and Williams at the back to Nagle and Kyei up front. Man of the match Rich Hadley. November 2003
Division Eight VILLAGE F.C. ‘E’ 3 Royal Heath Rangers 4 Scoring lost of goals but conceding more seems the way of it for the Es at present. This one as a tough battle and the winner came from a penalty following a blatant dive but we’re not complaining! 30th November Festival League Mahal Sunday 1 VILLAGE SUNDAY 0 December 2003
December 6th Premier Division VILLAGE F.C. 3 Ajax United 1 Not a bad result this one. The first twenty minutes, with Paddy nervous in goal on his season’s debut and our other defenders seemingly in dreamland, were a nightmare. As soon as we scored, however, through a nicely taken shot by Laurie Carey, there was only going to be one result. A defender put through his own goal from Dave Newton’s hard driven cross before long and by half time we were playing some nice passing football. Once we scored again – Paul Bennett from a long corner – we eased off and still created and yet missed further chances. Matt Baldwin was outstanding at the back. Bill Hill Cup Round Two – VILLAGE F.C. 'B' 0 Wake Green 'C' 2 Not the Bs most inspiring performance of the season. They went behind early on and by half time Wakes were two up. We had all the possession but looked nervous and panicked a little at times. Hopefully, though, only a blip in what has been a pretty impressive first half to the season. Bill Hill Cup Round Two – VILLAGE F.C. 'C' 2 Sutton United 'C' 1 (aet) A gutsy yet uninspiring win against a determined Sutton side. Excellent early interplay between the midfield and forwards culminated in a deserved penalty (despatched neatly by Rob Dunford). The sending off of a Sutton defender soon after was the catalyst for our easing off the pedal, and their increase in effort. On a bobbly Row Heath pitch Sutton gradually edged back into the game and got a deserved equaliser direct from a corner (second half). Extra time beckoned. In fading light Martin Bell tucked away the winner (assisted by the dependable Rich Fryer) after an increased extra time Village effort. Quarter-finals next. Top marks to Rob Kennedy who marshalled the troops excellently. Division Four Old Wulfrunians ‘D’ 2 VILLAGE F.C. ‘D’ 9 Well this is one Village team suddenly on fire and this win lifted them deservedly into the top half of the table. Excellent performances all round as we took a 3-1 half-time lead and then simply blew them away. Four goals for John Small, 2 more for Tom Candish, a scuffer from Phil Tompkins and one apiece for Mike Hardy and Dan Howard completed the rout. Only disappointment was seeing Steve Hughes chipped from the half-way line for their (thankfully not decisive) second goal. Jeffs Cup Round Two Wylde Green 1 VILAGE F.C. ‘E’ 0 Hard work for an under-strength E side against Division Six’s Wylde Green. We were never disgraced but in a tight game our lack of firepower told. December 7th County Junior Cup Rnd 3 VILLAGE SUNDAY 3 Hargate Arms 5 December 13th Only one match survived on this day: Division Two Airmark 2 VILLAGE F.C. 'C' 2 This one turned out to be a bit of a thriller after a turgid first half in which one piece of slack defending saw us go one down, despite edging the play. Things got worse after the break when the referee gave an absurd penalty that even their guys looked embarrassed about. Three substitutions were made and in the end we just threw caution to the winds and in truth were better for it. Andy Campbell latched onto a Rich Munro through ball and slotted home, Rich himself crashed a header against the bar and then debutant Andy Harvey scuffed in the equaliser. If that seemed fortunate fortunes were reversed when Andy Harvey’s immaculate volley cannoned off the post. We were disappointed not to win but in the end grateful for having scrapped back for a point. December 14th Festival League
VILLAGE SUNDAY 1 Harborne Rangers 3 January 2004
Division Eight Cresconinas 'C' 7 VILLAGE F.C. 'E' 2 The only other game to escape the weather and Nick Sutton's first appearance aged 50 plus. Sadly Crescs were quick and dangerous and the only thing we really enjoyed all day was the champagne afterwards. January 24th Premier Division Penncroft 2 VILLAGE F.C. 1 Now we know it really isn't our season. Okay we rather gave away their first with 20 minutes to go but we hammered at their goal for the last half hour with no luck at all. Even after we equalised with a few to go, they broke away (well he was standing 10 yards offside!!) and scored with what was their third attack of the half. Division Two VILLAGE F.C. 'C' 4 Silhill 'B' 3 At least the Cs are consistent and another competent win leaves them well placed to achieve the highest place finish of any third team in the AFA for years. Division Four VILLAGE F.C. 'D' 4 Smethwick Hall O.B 'B' 0 The Ds started this game lamely with Smethwick on top, although two John Small goals ensured we enjoyed a half-time lead. The second half was a different story despite a difficult pitch and Sid Khan from a Stuart Kelly knockdown at a corner and Graeme Prager completed the scoring. The Ds are now up to fifth and looking well-placed for a good final position. Division Eight Inter Quinton 4 VILLAGE F.C. 'E' 1 Another game against fast forwards and another defeat. No shame though - these are first teams they are playing against! – and morale remains high. January 25th Festival League VILLAGE SUNDAY 2 Hamstead YFC A 1 Thank goodness we managed to get our first league win since September this morning with a 2-1 victory proving that we have no plans to stay rooted to the foot of the table. February 2004
