KINGSHURST PAVILIONS 1-4 CLAVERDON: THE MOWDOG'S INDEPENDENT MATCH REPORT & SCREENSHOTS OF THE GOALS...

 Ten-Man Claverdon Hang Tough At The Pavilions…

Kingshurst Pavilions 1-4 Claverdon…

The Mowdog’s thoughts…

This quarter-final of the Birmingham & District Football League’s Intermediate Cup was actually a decent watch, for the league-leading guests went a goal down after struggling somewhat for the opening half-hour or so. They had just about been the more offensive team but had been unable to penetrate and then, wouldn’t you just know it, as soon as they conceded, they capitalised upon a piece of good fortune to equalise and thus reached half-time with parity.

Two goals in a good start to period two saw Claverdon seemingly cruising into a semi-final but then their ‘keeper Aston Yurkwich raced from his 18 yard box, was beaten to the ball by ‘Hurst striker Jordan Perrins and the gloveman upended the forward to earn a red card.

Clearly this gave the hosts a boost and urged on by the left boot of stocky midfielder James Cartwright, ‘Hurst began to make more of a game of the tie. Visiting defender Paul Robinson, once of Birmingham City of course then made a hat-trick of important defensive plays and Pavilions were unable to beat replacement Claverdon goalie Mitch Colby, allowing the visitors to break once more and capitalise upon Kingshurst’s hesitancy for Alex Litwinko to settle the outcome.

The untidy opening half…

Home forward Lee Harris made it third time lucky during the first 45, for he had already driven two shots over the target before fastening onto the ball, left side of the 6-yard box, due to a successful scrap for possession by Perrins and from an angle he fired low into the net just inside the far upright. He had already struck a decent volley just too high, then following Paul Robinson’s attempted back-header, fired over the advancing Yurkwich but the ball scraped the right angle of crossbar and post. The same result was suffered by home left-back Dan Taggart, whose free-kick from the left-flank also flew just over the same angle.

PERRINS FIGHTS...

...HARRIS IS FREED...

...& SHOOTS FROM AN ANGLE...

...FOR 1-0...

A drive from way downtown by Cartwright was well dealt with by Yurkwich but really, visiting defenders Paul Robinson and skipper Josh Farr dealt with most of Kingshurst’s often long-ball threat.

Perrins had blocked a free-kick by tall Claverdon defender Owen Bennett, Litwinko had shot low at ‘Hurst goalminder Ryan Taggart, who then made two smart saves, first point-blank from Harry Bedford and then with a reactive dive to keep out a downward header by Litwinko.

Much of the danger created by the visitors however was from the rangy Jamie Robinson’s forays down the right-flank and he was given quite a physical buffeting by the Pavilions’ defence. He struggled on but was eventually replaced to allow Colby to substitute for his team’s dismissed ‘keeper.

The quick equaliser for the visitors came as a result of Joe Orme’s clearance striking fellow central defender Luke Cowley-Bryenton. The ball flew behind them and Claverdon’s grateful wide-forward Dan Sill converted neatly from an angle, left side of the penalty box. 

SILL FASTENS ONTO A DEFLECTION...

...TO REGAIN PARITY...

After the pitch-side half-time chats…

A strong second period start by the men in teal saw Jamie Robinson’s powerful shot from inside-right splendidly turned over his crossbeam by Ryan Taggart, before Claverdon scored twice. A short left-flank corner saw Sill’s centre take a touch off a defender and busy Clavvy forward Drew Hill leapt high, his header looped upwards and then dipped under the right angle of bar and post.

SILL PREPARES TO CROSS THE BALL...

...HILL RISES...

...& HEADS HIS TEAM 1-2 IN FRONT...

Goal three was made by a fine piece of play by Clavvy’s midfield creator Ben Roddy, who sent Jamie Robinson surging robustly in a rush along the right-wing. His thoughtful assist across the face of goal was stopped by Sill at the far stick and then stuck firmly into the net, as defenders scrambled to intercept… 

JAMIE ROBINSON SHRUGS OFF HIS MARKER...

...& MEASURES HIS ASSIST...

...FOR SILL...

...WHO SCORES FOR 1-3...

The celebration caused a playground argument to occur, with Jamie Robinson involved with ‘Hurst defender Matt Franks but the referee managed to settle the situation down by issuing a couple of cautions. Bedford was the policeman however, wagging a finger at the incensed Franks, who had clearly felt aggrieved by Robinson’s actions…

Hill struck the left upright from distance but Sill was flagged offside as he converted the rebound and later Bedford volleyed wide of the right stick. As time ran out, replacement Oscar Metcalf drove too high for the visitors but by then, Litwinko had already made the game safe for Clavvy.

He raced forward as a deep free-kick bounced between the advancing Ryan Taggart and the covering Cowley-Bryenton and Litwinko managed to nod the ball towards the left post. He chased it, reached it and slipped an angled shot into the far corner of the net, as Cowley-Bryenton attempted to intercept at the near post.

LITWINKO INTERCEPTS...

...CHASES THE BALL...

...& CONVERTS FOR 1-4...

THE 'HURST LOOK DEFLATED...

That goal had arrived at the right time for the guests, for Cartwright had engineered a hearty response from the hosts, following Yurkwich’s sending-off. Paul Robinson did well to block a free-kick from Cartwright in the defensive wall, the ball fell in a melee to Frazer Salathiel but somehow Robinson threw himself in the way of the drive and finally the experienced defender headed clear from the third phase of attack. 

Salathiel shot low against the left upright, Colby fumbled a Cartwright free-kick behind for a corner, like he was ushering a rat out of his garden shed and then Cartwright’s next effort beat Colby but was brilliantly headed off his own goal-line by the sensibly positioned Rich Heath.

Home substitute Jordan Wright struck a smart low volley just wide of the left upright but it wasn’t to be for ‘Hurst, who bowed out of the competition, despite their spirited late showing.

The final words… 

Having linespersons from the two clubs involved in matches can be difficult for obvious reasons and spectators often wonder at hastily raised flags against the opposition’s attack, which of course in turn makes the referee’s job rather tougher than usual. 

Certainly Jamie Robinson took some physical stick before the break but fair play to him, despite moving in a gingerly fashion at times, he was a real threat for his team. Sill netted a brace of course and subsequently became an outlet for his team in the latter stages. 

Both pairs of central defenders were heavily immersed in the battle and Franks was truly industrious on the right side of the home defence.

Three highlights of the game were certainly Ryan Taggart’s saves from Bedford, Litwinko and Jamie Robinson but surely Cartwright will wonder how he didn’t end up on the scoresheet for Kingshurst… 

Roddy emerged as a busy inventor for Clavvy and his pass to release Jamie Robinson in the build-up to goal three was likely the best feed of the encounter…

Thanks to Pavilions for the kind welcome and to both teams for providing names and numbers to help with my commentary…