On a pleasant autumn Sunday lunchtime, the over 58s hosted Coleshill in their only pre-season friendly. The referee had been asked to treat the match as a league fixture and explained the new 'professional foul' rule (more of that later!) to the 2 teams before kick-off. The visitors started very quickly using a very high press that saw the Birmingham players struggle to get the ball out of their own half. Coleshill were unable to take advantage though, with Roger and Martin, ably supported by stand-in keeper Bart, keeping chances to a minimum allowing the team to play its way back into the game. Several dangerous attacks by both teams were dealt with by the defences or the referee's whistle and half-time saw the score still at 0-0. Birmingham seemed much sharper after the break and it wasn't long before Mark Evans put the home side 1 up with a deflected shot. Coleshill responded well and a few minutes later got their reward when Peter was adjudged to have bumped a Coleshill player in the act of shooting. A 'professional foul' which saw Peter blue carded for 3 minutes and a penalty given which was converted for the Coleshill equaliser. The game ebbed and flowed, both sides playing with passion, before we were awarded a penalty for a 'professional foul' after a push in the back. Mark Evans hit the back of the net with the spot kick and it was 2-1. Birmingham were then able to see the game out without any major scares for a confidence booster ahead of next weekend's opening league fixture. Team: Bart O'Shea; Martin Barber, Roger Purchase, Peter Giddings, Mark Evans, Roy Williams, John Sparkes, Dave Whatmore, Clive Macey. Manager: Steve White
