Oldbury United 1 v 1 Coleshill Town

[Alan Beckett]

Saturday 2nd April 1977
Midland Combination Division One
Oldbury United 1 v 1 Coleshill Town
Scorers:
United: Bastable.
Town: Barrie Canning.


Team: ? Blackwell GK, Barrie Canning, Roy Phelps, Bery Brayley, Pat Foley (Manager but played) Colin Holder, Ray Nabbs, Eddie Hanlon, Alan Wykes, John Newey, Mick Patrick. Confirmed. (No Dight or Allcock)


CASTLE BROMWICH NEWS WROTE
Canning On Target As Coleshill Draw At Oldbury
Coleshill were hoping for success at Oldbury after suffering two successive defeats at the hands of Bridgnorth and Highgate, but they could only manage a point in a scrappy encounter. There was a bright enough start for Coleshill, when Roy Phelps headed over from a cross by Holder in the first minute but the proceedings developed into a midfield slog. A corner came Coleshill's way in the 29th minute when Nabbs floted the ball over, Newey headed on and both Holder and Canning saw shots cleared off the line. The first real clear cut shooting chance fell to Nabbs but he blasted the ball wide and just on half time Holder wasted a free kick, putting the ball high over the bar. Within a minute of the second half Oldbury gained a corner and Bastable planted a powerful header onto the corner of the net, well out of keeper Blackwell's reach. Canning and Phelps got in shots for Coleshill as they tried to level matters and in the 63rd minute they were rewarded when Canning capped a smart left wing move to crack the ball home. In the 75th minute Blackwell saved Coleshill turning a great shot by Tilser round the post and in the closing stages Oldbury's Wootton prevented Patrick from snatching victory for the visitors, saving a hard shot at the foot of the post.
Out of their remaining six Midland Combination First Division games, Coleshill have only two more home matches, against Malvern Town and Cinderford Town.

Coleshill Town have applied for another status which if successful would enable them to enter the F.A.Cup and Birmingham County F.A. Senior Cup. The club is also hoping to field two senior teams next season.

Laeving the club owing to busines committments is Press Officer Martyn Richards and while his successor is not yet known the duties will be carried out by Geoff Cupples.