Solihull Town 1 v 1 Coleshill Town

[Alan Beckett]

Saturday 22nd August 1970
Midland Combination Division Two
Solihull Town 1 v 1 Coleshill Town
Scorers:
Solihull: Benton.
Coleshill: Roy Sanders.


Team: Peter Garnell GK, David Back, Clive Lyons, Roy Sanders, Malcolm Stokes, Colin Davis, Geoff Statham, Eddie Hanlon, Keith Midgely, Martin Curtis, Roy Phelps. Confirmed.


CASTLE BROMWICH NEWS WROTE
Champions Need A First Class Midfielder
Coleshill Town, the Midland Football Combination's Second Division title holders, are not having things all their own way this season. After sharing the spoils with newcomers Astwood Bank and Mile Oak Rovers last week, they also dropped a point against another new club, Solihull Town, on Saturday.
Without the services of centre-half Tony Seddon and skipper Oscar Deeming, Coleshill gave a disappointing display and their need for a first class mid-field player was exposed. The visitors began well, long passes from their defence giving Solihull's rearguard anxious moments. In the 5th minute Coleshill deservedly went ahead when Malcolm Stokes put Roy Sanders through, the experienced striker lobbing the ball over the head of advancing keeper Hewitt. A minute later, Sanders almost scored an identical goal, but the ball went just over the cross-bar and then a fine shot by Colin Davis had Hewitt beaten, but the ball was blocked by right back Nicholas and cleared. Coleshill maintained ascendancy and a powerful cross-shot by Davis was kicked away by centre half Duggan. Solihull enjoyed several attacking moves, but were never dangerous. Acting captain Geoff Statham was prominent in dispelling several of the homesters raids. Although having the advantage of the slope, after the interval, Coleshill allowed Solihull to gain the initiative. The visitors played possession style football, instead of the effective long passing game which had been a feature of their first half performance. Despite enjoying territorial advantage, Solihull rarely created goal-scoring chances. Davis, Sanders, Stokes and Eddie Hanlon all tried hard to put Coleshill on the attack, but received little support from midfield. With 12 minutes remaining Solihull levelled matters. The home side were awarded a direct free kick from 20yards out and inside forward Benton aimed a gentle shot at the Coleshill goal. A defender ducked, letting the ball go through to custodian Pete Garnell, who lost balance and dropped the ball, which rolled over the line for a tragic goal. Coleshill attacked strongly, but were held by a confident defence, despite a good effort from right back Keith Midgely, who fired the ball narrowly wide.


P3 W0 D3 L0 F3 A3 Pts3 Pos?/18