| Team | CoB Men’s 1stXI |
| Opponent | Bournville & Kings Heath 2 |
| Date | October 12, 2024 |
| Result | Loss |
| Score | 1 – 2 |
Goal Scorer: Noor Zaman
Missing several players, for various reasons, CoB managed to field a bare 11 players. So, no subs was going to make things a little difficult for the home team. The visitors made their intentions clear right from the start with several promising attacks, including one which forced Neal into an early save.
Generally though, the make-shift back line of Ash, (newcomer)Frank and Noah held firm as the home team gradually gained confidence in their game plan with Sohail, Kyle, Junaid and skipper Zach working hard in midfield. The visitors, with several lively youngsters, continued to press forward at every opportunity to keep the home team on their toes! One CoB defending clearance led to Jordan charging forward and gaining as short corner which unfortunately came to nothing. However, the home team continued to persist in creating pressure in and around their opponents’ D With the home defence still with plenty to do, it was not long before the visitors forced a short corner. The resulting shot on goal gave Neal no chance and gave Bournville the lead
which they held on to until half time.
With CoB not out of the game by any means, the second half began with both teams ‘going for it’ Kyles putting in some strong runs forward, reflecting some strong pressure from the home team and it was not long before their efforts were rewarded with a short corner from which Noor’s shot gained an equaliser, but not before the visitors had claimed that it should have been disallowed. Both teams were still gaining good periods of momentum going forward, but neither really gave the opposing keeper very much to do. However, Bournville forced another short corner from which a well organised routine saw them re-gain the lead.
Although CoB worked hard to stay in the game, they found it difficult to get through a well- organised defence. Neal was forced into a couple of excellent late saves to prevent his team falling behind. In the end Bournville grabbed the three points, but CoB can gain some satisfaction from having pushed them hard in what was a fairly-even game really. With a full-strength team it might well have been a different result. Next week, home again, to Bournville 3rds
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