Coleshill Town 0 v 1 Alvechurch Reserves - Mid Com Presidents Cup

[Alan Beckett]

Saturday 13th March 1971
Midland Combination Presidents Cup Third Round
Coleshill Town 0 v 1 Alvechurch Reserves
Scorer: Chandler.

Team: Peter Garnell GK, Keith Midgley, Clive Lyons, Tony Seddon, Geoff Statham, Oscar Deeming, Roy Sanders, Martin Curtis, Joe Bridgewater (Lyndon Bradley), Roy Phelps, Eddie Hanlon. Confirmed.

COLESHILL CHRONICLE WROTE
President’s Cup Knock Out For Coleshill

Coleshill Town are out of the Presidents Cup because they simply failed to take their chances. Since joining the Midland Combination, Coleshill Town have been concerned in two President Cup Finals, but in this third Round replay against Alvechurch they missed several good first half chances, which included a penalty, they gradually allowed the visitors to get on top and hit the only goal to give them a semi-final ticket and that was that. Coleshill, who claimed this replay after drawing 2-2 at Alvechurch, were fully expected to make sure of a semi-final place, but after looking the better side in the opening half fell away to lose by an only goal. Coleshill looked certain to take the lead in the 17th minute when awarded a penalty, but Phelps struck the bar and it was then left to the Alvechurch keeper, Cooper to prevent any further success with a number of first class saves. Alvechurch opened in good style and danger threatened Coleshill when Lines got clear to provide Swann with a good chance but the ball was finally shot wide. The visitor’s goal had a charmed life when Phelps forced his way through to leave Cooper out of position but his chip was cleared away off the line by Lines. Phelps was easily the game’s best attacker at this satage and he sent Roy Sanders clear to force a corner from which the ever alert Cooper was correctly poised to handle with cool confidence. Coleshill looked all set to take a deserved lead in the 17th minute when awarded a penalty after Sanders had been brought down by Moore. The Coleshill spot king shot against the woodwork, the ball returned to Bridgewater who headed back towards Phelps who shot over the top. Coleshill came back towards half time with Roy Sanders making the most of his few chances, but both shots from the outside right were taken care of by the confident looking keeper, Cooper, and half time arrived with a blank score line. The game resumed with Alvechurch making good progress which finally petered out and Coleshill replied through Sanders who saw a couple of strong shots blocked by a packed Alvechurch defence. The Coleshill goal was put in grave danger when Chandler, the visitor’s brightest forward, dashed in to bring a fine save from Garnell, but in the 55th minute it was the same player who scored the goal to warrant Alvechurch’s passage into the semi final. It was a through ball by Beard that caught the Coleshill defence flat footed and Chandler was in like a flash to give Garnell no chance. This goal tendered to give Alvechurch the confidence to test the home defence further and it was a great save by Garnell that prevented Chandler’s header from entering the net. Coleshill still looked good enough to save the game and when the ball was driven into the Alvechurch net in the 75th minute hopes were raised, but also quickly dashed as the referee signalled for offside. Coleshill won corners on the right but on each occasion the ball was headed a shade too high by Phelps and with ten minutes to go “Butch” Bradley replaced the limping Bridgewater. Town’s defence played well throughout and it was quite obvious that the goal famine will remain until Coleshill can find a player who is prepared to take on a defender and at the same time release a goal winning shot.