Coldfield Rangers entertained Handsorth GSOB at their Moor Lane ground on Saturday 13th September 2014 in their second league game of the season. The hosts had a disappointing start to their season in the previous week's fixture and were determined to demonstrate their title credentials and showcase their talented, attacking game against the early league leaders.
CRFC manager Mark Birmingham had several players missing, but still managed to field a strong eleven, displaying the importance of having a squad of twenty two players. This strength in depth will prove vital to success this season as squad rotation and different strengths will be needed over the course of the season.
There was a switch in goal, with Luke Hatfield getting his competitive debut replacing Aaron Timmis, as well as a new strike partnership of Daniel Croook and James Sheerin showing some promising combination play up front for the first twenty minutes. The defensive four consisted of Darren Hunter and Liam Townsend at full back, either side of Liam Cullen and Ruary Smith as the centre back partnership. There were two debutants alongside Hatfield, with Smith and the returning Kieran Deakin wearing Coldfield blue for the first time this season.
The midfield quartet was Ash Chapman and Deakin on the wings, with Alan Wilcox and Adam Read pulling the strings and providing the engine in midfield. It was one of the wide players who got Rangers off to the perfect start with an early goal, as Deakin showed blistering pace and individual skill to net the opener. Cullen broke up a Handsworth move deep in the CRFC half and fed the ball out wide to Deakin on the left hand side. The winger burst past his marker in midfield before isolating the full back and beating him in a one on one situation, approaching the box at full pelt. Deakin showed skill in cutting in and beating another player before placing a neat finish across the keeper into the far corner for his first goal of the season.
Handsworth had an extra man in midfield and it was testament to the hard work of Read and Wilcox in the centre of the pitch that restricted Handsworth to not being able to break CRFC down effectively. Despite having the lesser share of possession in the opening twenty minutes, Coldfield still threatened with Sheerin battling well and Crook getting onto a few flicks and through balls during this period. CRFC manager Birmingham had asked Chapman to make unselfish runs and hug the right hand wing, and it was Chapman's selfless play that led to the 'Gers finding the net for the second time midway through the half. Some neat passing in midfield led to Crook bursting free and bearing down on the Handsworth goal, Chapman had dragged his marker out of position and then took advantage of the gap in Handsworth's defence to latch onto a loose ball and rifle the ball home for a 2-0 lead.
Handsworth then had a period of pressure and a hopeful long ball found their striker midway inside the CRFC half. Smith battled bravely with the big forward but pulled his hamstring at the vital moment allowing the number nine to beat Hatfield with a slightly fortunate finish. Smith had to be replaced, and Darryl Higgins came on alongside Crook up top, with Sheerin dropping back alongside Cullen at centre back.
Coldfield showed the right attitude in responding quickly and some more pressure on the visitor's goal resulted in three corner kicks for the home team. Wilcox delivered a good cross from the third of these, and a Sheerin flick fell for Cullen who swept the ball home to restore the two goal advantage at 3-1. Handsworth finished the half stronger and good defensive work from Townsend, Cullen and Sheerin kept the visiting team out, the half ended 3-1 to Coldfield.
The break saw no further substitutions and CRFC started the second half brightly with crosses flashing across the Handsworth box from Deakin and Townsend without a Rangers' finish. However, some neat midfield play from Read and Wilcox allowed Wilcox to play Higgins into a bit of space on the right hand side of the Handsworth half, Higgins beat one player before curling a delightful lob over the keeper with the outside of his boot, the ball nestling tidily in the far corner.
Chapman and Townsend showed tenacity, intelligence and commitment in their respective roles and both were candidates for 'Man of the Match'. Deakin was a real threat down the left hand wing and Sheerin battled on despite a heavy blow to the head at the tail end of the first half. Despite a bright opening, Crook became somewhat isolated up front without Sheerin, with Tommy Nevitt coming on for him with twenty odd minutes to go.
Despite having more chances Coldfield didn't add to their tally and saw the game out to gain a morale boosting victory and inflicting a first defeat of the season upon Handsworth. Hatfield showed bravery and commitment in coming for crosses and through balls in a solid debut.
Coldfield wishes Smith a swift return from injury and look forward with optimism to their next fixture.
