Highgate United 0 v 0 Coleshill Town

[Alan Beckett]

Saturday 22nd March 1980
Midland Combination Division 1
Highgate United 0 v 0 Coleshill Town


Team: Steven Raybould GK, Martin McGreevey, Harry Burrows, George Kettrick, John Burrows, Chris Davies (Who went on to be Chairman taking over from his Dad H), Peter Dawkins, Barrie Canning, Paul Montague, Robert Starkey. Sub Daniel Conway. Also named in squad: Johnny Allen, Felicetto Nardiello.
Manager David Kite.
Kit Green/White/White.
Got Programme.

P29 W8 D9 L12 F29 A41 Pts25 Pos12/20


CASTLE BROMWICH NEWS WROTE
Coleshill Bring Home A Point
This was a hard earned point by Coleshill in a game which the homesters dominated for long periods. That Highgate did not score was due largely to the fact that Owens, who had caused the damage in Gate's 4-0 victory at Pack Meadow, was on this occasion played out of the match by the fast improving 19 year old Chris Davies. Although he had sustained an ankle injury the previous week and was doubtful of playing last Saturday, the former Sutton Town reserve defender had a splendid match and was ably supported by the rest of the back four. Micky Burrows, snapped up from Coventry Colliery, was also impressive in Coleshill's rearguard and when Highgate did manage to get on target keeper Steve Raybould had all the answers, pulling off a string of fine saves. Coleshill's Manager David Kite had decided to give a first game to 18 year old Andrew Canning, son of former Aston Villa player Larry Canning. While he showed some nice control Andrew, at times, found the going tough and needs to be physically stronger to make an impact in the Combination. Highgate's big pitch required players to pace their game and make the ball do the work. Far too much running with the ball was done by Coleshill's forwards and as a result Gate's keeper did not have one anxious moment. More midfield support would have helped Coleshill, because at times the Highgate defence was square and slow turning. Perhaps manager Kite now regrets leaving out the strong running Nardiello. This week David Kite said, "Considering Highgate had beaten us so decisively at home, I consider this as a good result. Some people say we were too defensively minded, but I was delighted with the performance of Davies and Raybould. Davies has improved tremendously in the last few weeks and Raybould really excelled. He made one save in the last 15 minutes which was outstanding." The Coleshill manager added "Five players in the side were 18, or under and next season, when we are running a second team, they will have the chance to develop into very good first team players." Meanwhile Coleshill have signed Moor Green's reserve striker Barry Canning and he is in line to make his debut against West Midlands Police at Tally Ho, this Saturday.



SOLIHULL NEWS WROTE
COLESHILL TRAP GATE OFFSIDE
Highgate surrendered a vital point to a young Coleshill outfit because of their inability to break down the visitors simple but effective "off-side trap" at the Coppice on Saturday. United badly needed to win this game with the league leaders losing at home, but failed to put their many chances away as Coleshill, who did not manage one serious attempt at goal throughout, defended furiously for the single point. Highgate dictated the run of play from the start, Thomas hitting the bar with a header from Curley's centre after 16 minutes and a long range shot from Curley bouncing narrowly wide of the post shortly afterwards. A shocking backpass by Davies was picked up by Houston who rolled the ball past keeper Raybould. Curley's centre intended for the unmarked Owens was cleared by Harry Burrows from infront of an open goal. Coleshill began to operate an offside trap in order to contain Highgate's ever manacing forward line of Thomas, Curley and Owens. The game was marred by the readiness of the match officials to stop play for what appeared to be the most marginal of off side infringements. It seemed just a matter of time before Highgate paved the way for a repeat performance of the four goal drubbing of Coleshill in December. Burrows lashed a beautiful centre from Thomas inches wide of his own goal before Owens could get a vital touch. Then Raybould did well to smother a Wisemen header at the foot of the post, whilst at the other end Rushton was called into a rare moment of action when he palmed a dipping cross from Upton over the angle. Raybould pulled off the save of the match when he fingertipped a header from Curley around the post on 79 minutes. Highgate saw a seemingly justifiable appeal for a penalty turned down when Curley was sandwiched between two defenders in the penalty box with eight minutes remaining but instead the referee awarded a free kick inside the area. Davis had a close range shot swept off the line in injury time in a final Highgate flurry. After the game Highgate Manager Frank O'Hare remarked, "Coleshill didn't come for a win. They operated an off side trap which we failed to beat in 90 minutes. We had our chances but didn't put them away."