Coleshill Town 3 v 1 Oldbury United Reserves

[Alan Beckett]

Saturday 12th December 1970
Midland Combination Division Two
Coleshill Town 3 v 1 Oldbury United Reserves
Scorers:
Coleshill: Roy Phelps 2, Roy Sanders.
Oldbury: Lockley.


Team: Peter Garnell GK, Keith Midgley, Geoff Statham, Oscar Deeming, Clive Lyons, Tim Rawlings, Roy Sanders, Colin Davis, Roy Phelps, Eddie Hanlon. Confirmed.


COLESHILL CHRONICLE WROTE
Coleshill Send Leaders Crashing
Midland Combination Second Division champions Coleshill Town, sent current leaders, Oldbury United, crashing to their second defeat of the season on Saturday. It was a first-class performance by Coleshill, who dominated the game from start to finish. From the word go, Coleshill looked sound, solid and confident, with strong man, Geoff Statham marshalling the middle of the park. Of the forwards, it was the Roys, Phelps and Sanders, who hit the Oldbury rigging, while Colin Davis had cruel luck with a brilliant header and shot. This was Coleshill at their best, and they must be kicking themselves when recalling their black patch, that in all intent and purpose has ruined their chances of retaining the championship crown. Oldbury commenced with the advantage of a strong wind and it was not long before Garnell was called upon to field a snap drive from Oldbury's leader, Darby. Coleshill were still not able to penetrate the visitors back line and it was a quick dash by Oldbury that gave Randell a chance, but he shot tamely outside. Coleshill's best effort came with a right wing move that saw Sanders unleash a menacing cross that visiting keeper Evans took high up at the far post, this followed another fine centre by the wingman, the ball just eluding the boot of Hanlon. There was very little to choose between either side after the opening 25 minutes, and after Lycett had brought an easy save from Garnell, Coleshill won their first corner of the game in the 32nd minute. Oldbury came close to taking the lead when Cowles cracked in a fine shot that Garnell was well positioned to save and Evans had saved from Davis at the opposite endm Coleshill took the lead. the goal arrived in the 37th minute when Sanders swept over a perfect corner for Roy Phelps to rise "swan-like" to beat evans all the way with a fine header. The first half ended with Coleshill gaining successive corner kicks while Oldbury replied with a drive from Lockley that was well taken care of by Garnell. Heavy rain swept by a strong wind greeted the teams as they commenced the second half with Coleshill forcing the pace through Davis whose "power-laden" shot skimmed the visitors cross bar. Coleshill were giving the Oldbury defenders a harrasing time, and Mal Stokes shook both them and the cross bar with a powerful thirty yard shot. Garnell was forced to leave his charge when Oldbury broke clear and was able to dispossess Darby at the expense of a fruitless corner, while back a the Oldbury end, plenty of action came from Colin Davis. First, he missed by a hairs-breadth with a smashing header while in the next few minutes, a cracking drive whistled only inches wide. With ten minutes remaining, Coleshill's efforts were richly rewarded when a quick forward push up the left flank ended with Davis lifting the ball over to Sanders, who took careful aim to send his shot high and wide of the outstretched arms of Evans. Oldbury, seeing defeat, number two staring them in the face, hit back with a goal. The ball bobbed around the Coleshill goal, but when Garnell's fist showed up for a punch over the bar, all seemed safe, the ball dropped again to Lockley who accepted a simple chance. Any hopes Oldbury had, however, of snatching a late point, were pleasantly dispelled by Phelps, who, with barely a couple of minutes left, was positioned correctly to head home another delightful goal to seal a fine afternoon's work.


P19 W9 D5 L5 F40 A26 Pts23 Pos 4/18