Warley took on the colts at West Smethwick park on the back of two victories. Gornal, in contrast ,were riding low on the back of two straight defeats. The two teams had played some epic encounters over the years most notably at Gornal in 2007. This was their first ever encounter when they were U8's. Warley won 4-3 and the rivalry has built up ever since. Last season Warley took 4 points off Gornal drawing away and winning at home. The away game was Steve Forbes last attended game and a goal from Sam S. brought a point home to Warley. The home game was another tense affair with Warley deserving a 2-1 win. This season the two teams had already clashed with Gornal coming out as deserved 2-0 winners after Warley fielded a depleted team. So today's match threatens to be another feisty affair.........
Gornal won the toss and opted to play down the slope. The game sparked into life when on 6 minutes when a Sam S through ball found man of the match Dan W. whose shot rattled the cross bar followed by a mad scramble ending with Gornal clearing. This livened the visitors up and in the 8th minute a great run by a Colt forward ended with him weaving he's way through to the Warley left and threading the ball into the net. Warley B 0 Gornal Colts 1. This effected the Warley boys and the cohesion they'd showed in the early exchanges disappeared as Gornal struck again with a high ball landing at their forwards feet who made no mistake to make it Warley B 0 Gornal Colts 2. Luke B limped off after 20 minutes after a clash of legs with the colt attacker. Reece replaced and added a little calm to the defence who began to start winning their individual battles both on and off the pitch. Warley continued to press for a way back into the game and a great shot by Junior beat the keeper only to hit the far post just before the break. Warley B 0 Gornal Colts 2.
At half time the lads were subdued and angry. Some new that they were playing at 80% capacity and Matt told them to keep there discipline, their shape and that hard work would prevail and bring just rewards.
So a defiant Warley took to the pitch and it was evident from the kick off that the lads had a renewed emphasis. The two forwards were linking well together and were being supplied by junior and Luke who had overcome he's injury to marshall the midfield. The defence galvanised and possession was being controlled. The Warley breakthrough came on 50 minutes when an Azza ball found the impressive Dan W. who passed it into the net from an acute angle for he's 7th of the season and Warley's first. Warley B 1 Gornal Colts 2 The Gornal goal was threatened as warley looked foor the equaliser and then In the 68th minute Sam S received the ball in the Gornal box turned sharpely but was then upended by a Colt defender. Sam duly dispatched from 12 yrds to claim he's 8th of the season. Warley B 2 Gornal Colts 2 Gornal were rattled and had no reply as Warley took the game to them.. . The game still had 12 minutes to play but was really dead as a contest when 7 minutes from time Warley's Luke B. fired home from a corner only for the linesman to rule offside and spark controversy from both sides. Final Score Warley B 2 Gornal Colts 2.
'Belief' is a small word but historically has moved mountains. The lads didnt belive in themselves until the second half when they dominated from start to finish only to be denied victory by the linesmans flag. It was a hard game to ref and there was some tasty challenges but the lads stood tall and gave a great account of themselves. Well done to all especially the linking up of the forwards, the agression shown in midfield without Byron and the solidity of the defence in the second half. A special welcome goes out to Alex Jones who made he's debut as an emergency signing and did very well indeed.
