SBA FC - The story so far...

I can't do a full match report on this one, 'cos I missed the first 20 minutes as a result of forgetting my boots. Doh!

The starting line-up, I think, was 4-4-2. Suthy in goal, Eric as left-back, "Ginger" Rory & Tim as centre-halves, and one of me ringer mates (prob Richard the Twin) at right back. This left a midfield of PC Smith (ringer), Wolverhampton Brent, Damian, and Mark the other Twin (ringer). Up front we had "Cruncher" Beidas, and Alastair (Tim's mate - who bears a passing resemblance to a very young Whelan!). Steve (another ringer) reffed the first-half, and the ever-sporting Damian did the honours in the second-half.

On the bench were Matt and yours truly, disciplined for arriving late or without vital equipment, probably. We managed to wangle our way on after a bit, thanks to the vagaries of rolling substitutions, but it didn't really make much of a difference...

By the time I got back to the pitch, after my rapid return trip out to the sticks, the score was already 3-1 to those pesky Blades. Despite playing into a fearsome gale SBA's own Dion Dublin, David Beidas, had scored with a sweet thirty-yard strike. Or so I am unreliably informed. This makes him SBA's leading scorer in the top flight, with errr.. a few.

We played very much like a team who weren't speaking to each other, which isn't entirely surprising 'cos we weren't! Blades main first-half plan seemed to be to launch the ball endlessly down the Park and run after it. Because there weren't any linesman, and we weren't really very organised anyway, this proved an excellent strategy. They've not forgotten what Dave Bassett taught 'em ;-)

For most of the rest of the first-half we toiled hard in difficult conditions, but never really threatened the Blades goal. The defence came under constant pressure from long clearances, and things always looked a bit shaky at the back.

Strangely, this is also how we played in the second half, although Wolverhampton Brent did score late on. The goal was a delightful chip over an onrushing keeper - a carbon copy of Goodman's later effort (if that isn't too Irish) in their QF...

Basically this was a story of three teams. Blades, who defended soundly and attacked with vigour. My Sunday league ringers, including me, who for the most part didn't seem to know what was going on around them (no change there then!). And the gallant SBA F.C. who deserve credit simply for never giving up. Tim and Rory battled hard from first 'til last, Matt provided some midfield guile, whilst David and Alastair chased down every hopeless cause. Suthy deserves special mention for a tremendous effort in goal, he will now be forever known as Suthy Crockett (c'mon, keep up - its a reference to the Alamo). He's also got a lovely souvenir in the form of a stud mark in the knee, the result of one particularly brave save. Thanks must also go to our ever-loyal fans, Polly and Diane, who endured a particularly nasty morning both in footballing and meterological terms!

Russ...

P.S. I can't mention Davy Crockett without using the old joke;

How many ears did Davy Crockett have?

Three. A left ear, a right ear, and a wild front ear!

In only their second game the SBA FC pulled off a comfortable win, cheered on by an away following of six on a muddy pitch at Derby University.

We lined up with Steve Sutherland in goal; a back four of Gareth, Russ, Doctor Pete from Nottingham and Eric; midfield of Tim, Rory, a ringer borrowed from them (well they had more than enough players) and Mark; Damien and myself up front. Within ten minutes we were two up, the first a low shot from Damien, the second when the ball was forced over the goalline after their keeper had fumbled a low cross.

Buoyed up by this bright start, we started stroking the ball around with confidence, linking up well and creating all sorts of problems for them. The defence was solid, Doctor Pete doing sterling service as a centre back, Mark and Tim exploited the wings well. We got three more goals before half time - one from a loose ball thumped inside the left hand post, one by the ringer (a lovely chip from outside the area which floated over the keeper and under the bar) and the third again a shot from ten yards out inside the right post to complete my hattrick. 5-0 at half time.

We knew they would come at us in the second half, when they lined up with a completely different eleven - and obviously their better players too. We were reinforced by John, Diane's brother in law. Still for twenty minutes we held out, thanks to a string of superb saves from Suthy and some desperate defending. We weren't making many chances ourselves anymore and the front runners weren't getting back quick enough to help out at the back. Finally we conceded a goal and then fell to pieces for a few minutes, conceding another two in quick succession. But then we steadied ourselves, pushed forward again - I had a header outside one post and then Damien got our sixth with another shot from inside the area. This gave us fresh heart and the defence rallied again. They got a fourth towards the end and then Russ put the icing on the cake with a superb (though it pains me to say it) free kick from twenty yards out lofted over the wall and into the corner of the net.

It was hard going to the end but eventually the whistle blew and off we trooped victorious for a shower. Although steam was seen emanating from their changing room, ours remained resolutely cold. Still.

Bring on the V***a. We're ready for them.

David B

SBA FC Not Too Bad In The End

Our match against the Birmingham City List (a.k.a Net.Baloos) took place last Saturday 23rd August. The Baloos, runners up in the recent Euronet 97 competition, deservedly won 4-2 but the SBA performed well enough given it was our first outing. They were obviously a lot more organised than us and seemed to have the semblance of a game plan. They also seemed to be able to cope with the slippery pitch a lot better than we could. We're going to have to put little blu-tac studs on our trainers next time.

The team (see below) assembled at the training ground and set out for Solihull in/on a variety of interesting vehicles and looking like a carnival procession. Donations for a team coach gratefully received. I couldn't stand another eventful journey like that. I won't go into details but it involved bits and pieces of motorbike, a screwdriver and petrol everywhere. Torrid.

Anyway back to the match. SBA kicked off playing in the new white away strip. It was a bit of a cagey start while we tried to get used to eachother. Consequently, the Baloos had most of the play. Fortunately, Damian our 'keeper was on top form and played like the real thing. Our back three did well but weren't quite quick enough. The Baloos opened the scoring mid-way through the first half and extended their lead not long after. Both goals came from the long through ball picked up by their sharp strikers.

SBA pulled one back early in the second half from a corner on the left. Russ will tell you he "lofted an exquisite corner-kick high beyond the keeper and into the net". Everyone else will tell you it was a wild hoick to the far post carried over the line by the wind. A wee bit excited by this, the SBA midfield began to push forward a little more and threatened an equaliser. In true Sky Blue fashion this led to conceding a third after being stretched at the back.

Again we pulled one back after a neat passing movement in midfield. John was put through for an easy chance by a superb, incisive pass from Rory that split the Baloos defence. A bit knackered by now we couldn't manage an equaliser and instead the match was sealed five minutes from time. A well taken goal after a mix up in the SBA defence.

A most enjoyable game and many thanks to the Baloos for taking us on and to Richard Hill in particular for organising it.

Rory

SBA FC
Damian, David, Brent, Gareth, Russ(Simon), Steve, Matt, Rory, Daniel, John, Steve

Net.Baloos
Brummie, Brummie, Brummie, Brummie, Brummie, Richard, Brummie, Brummie, Brummie, Brummie, Brummie
Plus loads of Brummie subs.