League

The Gay Village
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Dominik English made the kick off which started today's match. In the 8th minute, Felix Beard hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Dominik English might have been able to make a better finish in the 13th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Garry Beavan. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Dominik English ran back to his position shaking his head. After a rather tough play, Birmingham's Fraser Rain got a free kick in the 17th minute. Dominik English received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 18th minute. Garry Beavan tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Franz Sheringham sent away a hard shot on goal in the 21st minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Dominik English sent away a hard shot on goal in the 23rd minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Felix Beard during the 32nd minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. The supporters of Birmingham booed when The Gay Village United was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 32 match minutes in a wonderful position. Felix Beard didn't get a good kick on the ball. 35 minutes into the match, The Gay Village United's goal looked a bit too open when Brendon Mawson came free, but Garth Lodge reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 37th minute, Albert Bilton hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Steven Webb fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 42nd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Garth Lodge having to interfere. Steven Webb sent away a hard shot on goal in the 44th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Beinn Blain received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 46th minute. Garth Lodge tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 48th minute, Steven Webb made a precise shot to the right of Garth Lodge. The Gay Village United's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 0-1. Even after changing tactics the home team jogged off the field with a 0-1 deficit. They would have to work harder if they wanted to turn things around in the second half.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Beinn Blain stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. Marlon Kennedy hit a great freekick 56 minutes into the match. After having played for 57 minutes, Steven Webb managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Birmingham's supporters crossed their fingers, but Steven Webb was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Beinn Blain fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 60th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Garth Lodge having to interfere. In the 62nd match minute, The Gay Village United was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Albert Bilton to maneuver through the defense. Fraser Rain was probably a little too eager to shoot when he, in the 63rd played minute, shot the ball from way out. The shot was hard, but the ball flew wide of the goal. Steven Webb's shot straight on target was not completely harmless. The ball had pretty good speed, but Garth Lodge firmly grabbed it by the left post. 73 minutes into the game, Birmingham's Steven Webb nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Garth Lodge made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 0-2. Steven Webb received a nice pass, split the defenders, and ran untouched towards the goal. Garth Lodge came out and tried to block the shot, but Steven Webb slotted it home off the left post making it 0-3 in the 76th minute. After some fancy dribbling in the 79th minute, Beinn Blain managed to get in a good position for a shot. Birmingham's supporters rose to their feet, but Beinn Blain was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Garth Lodge breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Beinn Blain blasted a shot towards the goal in the 81st minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Garth Lodge having to make a save. Felix Beard kicked well hit freekick during the 83rd minute of the match. Birmingham's Steven Webb got a good chance for a goal in the 86th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. In the 94th match minute, The Gay Village United was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Dominik English to maneuver through the defense. With an all-out effort, Birmingham's Garth Lodge threw himself towards the right post 99 minutes into the match and grabbed hold of the ball from Beinn Blain, which otherwise would have been placed in the net. The Birmingham supporters could be heard counting down the last seconds of the match. They errupted in celebration when the whistle blew, knowing Birmingham would go home with victory in their luggage after a match that easily could have ended differently.