2nd Team Match Report
AFA Bill Hill Cup - Shirley Athletic 2nds 1 - 3 Handsworth GSOB 2nds - 05/12/09
AFA Junior Cup - Silhill 4 - 3 Shirley Athletic 2nds - 28/11/09
Shirley started this game on top winning the 50-50 balls and putting Sillhill on the back foot but lacking penetration in the last third . Silhill relied on counter attacking football to push Shirley back and managed a speculative shot which was not fully gathered by the keeper and bundled in by the attacker 1 - 0 . This didn't affect Shirley who still pressed Silhill back continually creating chances . Silhill then sent a hope full ball over the top and a slip from the defender let the attacker clear to slot home 2 - 0 . Silhill grew with confidence after this passing and moving Shirley then tried to play offside letting the attacker break through and score 3 - 0 . Half time came and a Shirley came out with added belief and began to get a foot hole in the game . Silhill were content to sit back and Shirley created chance after chance , with the clock ticking . Shirley then made the break with 20 minutes left , carving through the middle and finishing well 3 - 1 . This spurred Shirley on even more and a second goal came almost immediately 3 - 2 . Shirley pressed and created chance after chance without success . Silhill then got a corner crossed and was cleared Shirley broke through the middle , switched to the right crossed and scored the goal of the game . With the hard work done Shirley pressed with 5 minutes to go looking for the winner , but Silhill broke down the left crossed , the Shirley keeper spilled and it was prodded into the net 4 - 3 . Shirley pressed for the last couple of minutes but couldn't get the goal they needed . A spirited effort by Shirley Handsworth GSOB at home in the cup next week
AFA Division 3 - Shirley Athletic 2nds 3 - 3 Billesley - 07/11/09
'Shirley rescue a point'
With both teams looking to get something out of this game is was always going to be well contested game . Billesley started the brighter of the two teams pressing Shirley back and crowding out the midfield . Early exchanges resulted in a double substitution after a 50/50 clash left both sides having to withdraw a player injured . Then on the half hour Billesley broke down the left and the resulting cross alluded everybody to roll in at the back post 0-1 . This spurred on Billesley with Shirley lacking fluency in there play and another brake was finished off by the attacking midfielder 0-2 . This perked up Shirley who started to trouble the Billesley defence with the ball over the top , which was rewarded with a neat flick from the striker to make it 1-2 at half time . A lack of concentration again from the re-start gave Billesley a 1-3 lead . Shirley then took hold of the game pressing to get something out of the game ,after coming close on numerous occasions they were rewarded with 20 minutes to go 2 - 3 . The game opened up with Billesley counter attacking but the Shirley chances kept coming and with 5 minutes to go the equalizer came 3-3 . Shirley gave it everything for the last few minutes and but for an excellent save from the Billesley keeper would of won the game . A very good recovery from Shirley to keep their unbeaten home record in tact . Back on the road next week for Shirley at Shere Punjab
AFA Division 3 - Shirley Athletic 2nds 4 - 0 Wake Green 'C' - 31/10/09
'Wakes visit an unbeaten home Shirley side '
Shirley started this game pushing forward from the off causing Wakes problems down the channels . A break down the left and cross was nodded in to give Shirley the lead early on 1 - 0 . Wakes were not coping with the Shirley movement and another deep cross was flicked in at the near post 2 - 0 . Wakes could have found themselves 3 down in 20 minutes all but for a dubious hand ball call from the referee . Shirley still plugged away and from a corner scrambled home the third 3 - 0 . An early forced substitution for Shirley gave Wakes a brief glimmer of hope and they pressed looking for a goal . Wakes broke down the right and squared for the striker to control and shoot forcing a great one handed save from the Shirley keeper , half time came 3 - 0 . The game became much more open in second half with both sides looking for the next goal , Wakes had a couple of half chances but could not beat the Shirley keeper who was having an excellent game . This told when Shirley broke down the left crossed and scored 4 - 0 . A late chance again judged to be off side spared Wakes a heavy defeat with the game finishing 4 - 0 . A good all round performance to bounce back from last week .
AFA Division 3 - St Pauls 4 - 2 Shirley Athletic 2nds - 17/10/09
'Shirley visit the league leaders'
Shirley went into this game unbeaten for the last four weeks but were caught out within the first minute when a low drive was not gathered by the keeper and finished by the attacker 1 - 0 . Shirley still settled and started to carve out chances , first a couple of free headers then a couple of fierce shots neatly saved by the keeper . Then against the run of play St Pauls broke through the midfield and drove in a shot at the near post 2 - 0 . The remainder of the half became a midfield battle with neither team creating any clear chances . The second half started exactly the same as the first , St Pauls carried the ball across the park switched the play crossed and scored 3 - 0 . This deflated the Shirley side who were chasing shadows for the next 10 minutes and St Pauls capitalised on this by scoring a fourth 4 - 0 . Shirley then started to compete again dealing with the loose balls and hitting the channels , this paid off with a break down the left and neat finish 4 -1 . This rattled St Pauls who failed to deal with another break and another Shirley goal came 4 - 2 . The final whistle blew to soon for Shirley but St Pauls were worthy winners on the day . Shirley at home to Wake green next week
AFA Division 3 - Shirley Athletic 2nds 4 - 2 CPA B - 17/10/09
Shirley met high fliers CPA trying to keep an unbeaten home record in tact . The game started with Shirley having the edge and dealing with the CPA attackers quite comfortably . The breakthrough came mid way through the first half , a flowing Shirley move seemed to have been dealt with by the CPA defender but with the attacker bearing down he poked it passed his approaching keeper 1 - 0 . This spurred Shirley on and a free kick was swept in at the back post by the over lapping attacker 2 - 0 . CPA were getting increasingly frustrated but a winding run through the midfield then shot ran straight into the path of the CPA attacker who slotted it into the corner 2- 1 . Shirley didn't let this set back upset their rhythm and another sweeping move down the left was pushed away , but the approaching midfielder slotted home 3 - 1 . Halftime came and CPA came out with all guns blazing pushing on and battling for the ball but Shirley still looked comfortable . CPA then broke down the left quick feet deceived the Shirley defender and the outstretched leg resulted in a penalty 3 - 2 . This set up a good finish to this game with both teams ' battling ' for the ball chances came for both sides but it was Shirley who sewed up the game . Another break down the left was finished off by the newly introduced Shirley attacker 4 - 2 . Things got a bit heated near the end with all the individual battles coming to a head but Shirley saw out the remainder of the game . Another fine Shirley display who travel to league leaders St Pauls next week with no fear ..
AFA Division 3 - Shirley Athletic 2nds 1 - 1 Walsall Pheonix. B - 10/10/09
AFA Division 3 - AFC Hayes Harriers 1 - 1 Shirley Athletic 2ns - 03/10/09
Shirley moved into this game with high hopes after an impressive home win the previous week . The game started with Hayes the sharper of the two teams spoiling any Shirley moves they put together . Shirley became increasingly fustrated and resorted to punting the long ball at Hayes , this played into the hands of the home team who crowded out the midfield and broke swiftly causing the Shirley defence increasing problems . Then late into the half a free kick from the left was headed in by th Hayes midfielder 1-0 . At half time Shirley regrouped and stepped up the pace , this opened up the game giving both sides chances . Then a neat run through the midfield was crossed and finished with a glancing header 1 - 1 . Shirley pushed on for the remainder of the game and hit the post late on but Hayes hung on for a point . Shirley will look back on a disapointing display and see this game a s points dropped .
AFA Division 3 - Shirley B 6 - 1 Bittania OB - 26/09/09
This was Shiley's first home game of the season so they were eager to bounce back after a couple of away defeats . The game started with Brittania struggling to cope with the Shirley formation and before they could adjust found themselves 2-0 down . They then adjusted to 4-4-2 to try and cope with the Shirley waves of attack , this evened out the game and gave Brittania more attacking options . A couple of mistakes within the Shirley defence gifted Brittania a goal 2-1 . Shirley still pressed and saw out the half on top . Both teams came out in search of the next goal and created half chances , but it was Shirley who made the break through 3 - 1 . Brittania still pressed but the Shirley defence stood firm giving the attackers more oppertunities and they came 4 - 1 then 5 - 1 . In the end Shirley were shooting for fun so the 6 - 1 score could of been alot worse for Brittania . Shirley put in a very disiplined display with the whole squad playing there part
Birmingham AFA Division 3 - Erdington Albion 3 - 0 Shirley Athletic 2nds
Birmingham AFA Division 3 - Billesley Utd 7 - 2 Shirley Athletic 2nds
Shirley started the better of the two teams carving out the early chances . Billsley slowly got into the game and started to carve out half chances , then a long throw eluded the Shirley defence to bounce into the net 1-0 . Shirley feeling hard done by this set about getting back into the game but with the game opening up very early both teams had oppertunities to score , then a long ball from a Shirley set piece was finishing off at the back post 1-1 . With half time approaching both teams were counter attacking when a break down the right from Billsley was finished off at the near post 2-1 half time . Billsley pushed on second half sensing the had unsettled Shirley and with an early goal looked to have taken this game 3-1 . Shirley brought on fresh legs to try and get something from the game but Billsley had there tails up and the goals kept on coming , Shirley carried on pressing and were rewarded with a late goal 6-2 , a late slip by the Shirley keeper gave Billsley the final goal to cap a fine display by the home side 7
Birmingham AFA Division 3 - Cresconians 2 - 4 Shirley Athletic 2nds - 05/09/09
Shirley started the better of the two teams carving out all the early chances , but against the run of play a long ball by Cresconians was finished off first time 1 - 0 . This didn't deter Shirley who plugged away creating chance after chance and just before half time the break through . A neat move finished off by woolly 1 - 1 then half time . An early injury blow for Shirley didn't stop them getting the better of the early exchanges , then a dubious hand ball gave Cresconian the chance to take the lead . This was swung round the Shirley wall to give them the lead 2 - 1 . A change was then made by Shirley bringing on a new striker and this paid dividend straight away when a mix up in the Cresconians defence handed Dave a debut goal 2 - 2 . This pushed Shirley on and another through ball for Dave was rolled into the net 3 - 2 . Cresconians still pressed and thought they could get something from this game but a move down the left saw a loose ball 35 yards out fizzed into the net of the post by woolly 4 - 2 . Both teams created late chances but Shirley thoroughly deserved this win with a great all round team performance .
AFA Division 3 - Shirley Athletic 2nds - 2 - 6 Sutton Utd C - 09/05
AFA Division 3 - Desi 9 - 1 Shirley Athletic 2nds - 06/5/09
AFA Division 3 - Shirley Athletic 2nds 3 - 1 Britannia Old Boys - 02/05/09
AFA Division 3 - Shirley Athletic 2nds 0 - 1 Silhill C - 29/04/09
AFA Division 3 - Walsall Phoenix B 2 - 3 Shirley Athletic 2nds - 25/04/09
AFA Division 3 - Shirley Athletic 2nds 1 - 0 Walsall Phoenix B - 18/04
AFA Division 3 - Malremo Rangers 4 - 1 Shirley Athletic 2nds
AFA Division 3 - Resolution 3 - 1 Shirley Athletic 2nds - 28/03/09
AFA Division 3 = Shirley Athletic 2nds 4 - 2 Wake Green
A make or break game for Shirley and although there was a scare won convincingly 4-2. Score was 1-0 at half time with Shirley having most of the scoring chances with Mark McLaughlin the only one to net. It was 1-1 straight after the break as Wake Green piled on the pressure with a Shirley own goal. Shirley then went into the lead again with Leroy Robinson scoring with a volley. This did not last long when Wakes beat keeper Andy Wood with a wicked bobble off the pitch. Wakes attacked again and it looked like Manager John Haddon was staring defeat again. Credit to players when Chris (Baz) Jones scored with a well taken individual goal and Martin Hands followed up from a penalty that was saved so 3 valuable points for the home side.
AFA Division 3 - St Georges Warriors 3 - 0 Shirley Athletic 2nds - 31/01/09
A very changed Shirley Athletic B side went down 3-0 to a very strong and well organised St George's Warriors. It was a far better performance by a Shirley team who held the unbeaten potential Division 3 champions for 30 minutes until a slick move by the home side scored passed
AFA Division 3 - Shirley Athletic 2nds 2 - 1 Malremo - 17/01/09
The first game in 6 weeks saw Shirley Athletic take all 3 points in a very competitive game against Malremo Rangers. The first half saw Shirley dominate the first 20 minutes and Terry Hughes scored with a "Scorpion" like shot from outside the box. Malremo did not lie down and were playing some very good football until they gave a penalty away which was converted by Martin Hands. Malremo pulled one back and the Half Time score was 2-1 to Shirley. The second half was end to End stuff with both sides missing chances. Malremo did score but the goal was ruled out for offside. Both sides tired towards the end and the final score was 2-1. Shirley Athletic's next game is Away at Wake Green on Saturday 24th September.
AFA Junior Cup - Old Wulfs 'B' 1 - 0 Shirley Athletic 2nds - 22/11/08
Shirley Athletic's 2nd team had to travel to Division 2 side Old Wulfrunians to play in the Junior Cup for the second season on the trot. Unfortunately, it was another defeat but this time the players were outstanding and lost to a single disputed goal in the 75th minute. The first half was all Old Wulfs but the Shirley defence was solid and the only real chance of the half was saved magnificently by Andy Wood the Shirley keeper. The second half started the same but the Shirley team had the odd attack and given the rub of the green could have been in front. However, with 15 minutes to go a fast attack from the home side caught the Shirley defence cold and a cross was well finished by the Old Wulfs forward although th Shirley players complained that a name was not used in the final pass. Shirley not to be out done piled forward and had 3 quick chances in succession with one shot hitting the post. However, hey could not put the ball in the net so went down 1-0 but the Shirley manager John Haddon praised their determination to get a result. Sadly it is back to league action next Saturday when thay travel to Mosley to play Acocks Green F.C. for a 2pm kick off.
AFA Division 3 - Shirley Athletic 2nds 4 - 2 Urban Athletic - 15/11/08
This was Shirleys opportunity to take advantage of the visitors poor form of late , but with a warm up injury ruling out Jez roe Shirley struggled with the early exchanges . Then against the run of play Shirley broke down the right and crossed only for the ball to end up in the net off the Urban defender . This was cancelled out straight away when a neat Urban move down the right was finished off . This only proved to spur on Shirley who played a neat move which was finished off by Carl Hamilton at the second attempt . Half time Shirley ahead 2-1 . The second half started with both teams going for the win . Urban made the early break through with a cross from the right neatly finished off by the advancing striker . This set back didn't affect the Shirley team who defended strongly and allowed the attackers to carve out chances . A Shirley corner then wasn't cleared by Urban so another goal by Hamilton was notched up 3-2 Shirley . Urban continued to press by again a deep cross by Shirley was finished off by Duggan , with a wonderful looping header into the for post 4-2 . Shirley stood firm for the remainder of the game and deserved the win.
AFA Division 3 - Silhill 3rd 3 - 2 Shirley Athletic 2nds - 08/11/08
A very poor refereeing decision denied Shirley Athletic's 2nd team from earning a well deserved draw against high flying Silhill. A superb volley from 8 yards saw Carl Hamilton draw first blood after about 16 minutes but Silhill drew level with a free kick. Keeper Andy wood could only parry the ball into the top corner and it would have been a goal of the month had the Television cameras been there. Silhill scored again towards the end of the first half to go into the interval 2-1 in the lead although Shirley missed a number of chances to level it.. The second half was a superb display from both sides with end to end stuff and chances missed by both sides. Shirey drew level about half way into the half when Martin Hands received a pass on the left and put a well place shot passed the Silhill keeper from just inside the area. However, a bad mistake from the referee who saw Paul (Joe) Houghton pulled down by the attacker only to give a penalty to Silhill. This was cooly put away to put Silhill in front. The Shirley players did not let this upset them and there were more chances going begging for both sides as it was such an open game. Unfortunately, Shirley failed to get the equaliserbut it was a very good game spoilt by one moment of madness from the official.
Shirley 2nds entertain Urban Athletic @ The Glades - kick off 2pm
AFA Division 3 - Shirley Athletic 2nds 1 - 1 Desi - 01/11/08
This was 2 points lost and rather a frustrating afternoon for Shirley Athletic's 2nd team. Shirley were a goal down after about 20 minutes to the highly placed Desi side. However, this was a rare attack from them as Shirley piled the pressure on to get even. It was all Shirley with Desi having few chances but they failed to capitalise and went in at half time 1-0 down. It was the same story in the second half with chance after chance beng missed. However, the pressure finally told and Carl Hamilton scored with 15 minutes to go. Shirley should have won with at least more 3 chances not been finished and on the day had to settle with a draw. Next game away at Silhill.
AFA Division 3 - Sutton United 2 - 2 Shirley Athletic 2nds - 25/10/08
Sutton 2 - 2 Shirley A hard fought game in which Shirley started the slower of the two teams . Sutton managed to get the ball down in difficult conditions and were rewarded after 20 minutes , when a long ball over the top was finished first time by the Sutton striker. Shirley then settled and carved out a few half chances but still went in at the break 1-0 down . Shirley started the second half as they finished the first pushing on to the Sutton team in search of the equalizer , but once again a long ball by Sutton caused problems for the Shirley defence and another goal was conceeded 2-0 . This could have made the Shirley heads drop , but with two substitutes coming on they attacked the Sutton defence a will . Then came the break through , a Shirley free kick was deflected of the Sutton wall and neatly followed and finished by Joe . Shirley continued to push on in search of the equalizer and a spectulative shot by Bleacher from 35 yards hit the top corner 2-2 . The game opened up with both teams trying to win it , first Carter weaving his way through only to be foiled by the Sutton keeper , then the Sutton striker missing from 2 yards . The game finished 2-2 with both teams thinking they should have won it.
AFA Division 3 - Shirley Athletic 2nds 2 - 4 Resolution 'B' - 18/10/08
After a fine win in their previous game and a weeks lay off, Shirley Athletics' 2nd team were soundly beaten by a technically better side 4-2. They were destroyed by 2 defensive errors in the first 15 minutes and never looked like getting back on terms with the score at half time reading Shirley Athletic 0 Resolution 4. However, give the players credit, they never gave up the chase and won the 2nd half 2-0 with a well crafted goal and penalty from Kurt Gibson a bright young prospect for the future. They play at high flying Sutton United in the next game so hopefully will get back to winning ways.
AFA Division 3 - Shirley Athletic 3 - 0 Shere Punjab - 04/10/08
'Goals by Jon parker (Bleacher) and Martin Hands gave Shirly Athletic's 2nd team their first win of the season. A very even 1st half saw Parker scare early on with a headed flick from a left sided cross that ended up in the bottom left hand corner of the net. Shere Punjab were causing Shirley defence a number of problems but they manged to hang on until half time. In the 2nd half Shirley tightned up and further goals from Parker and a superb individual goal from Martin Hands secured the 3 points. It was a well deserved win secured by 14 very committed players.'
AFA Division 3 - Urban Athletic 3 - 2 Shirley Athletic 2nds - 27/09/08
Hot summer conditions made this game a difficult one to keep at a high tempo , but both teams started with plenty of pace and passion . Urban were first to make the break through , a long ball not dealt with by the Shirley defence and keeper was glanced in by the Urban striker . But Shirley kept chasing the ball down and broke down the left , the resulting cross was finished at the back post . With Shirley having the upper hand they pressed and from a corner managed to get a second . Half time came with Shirley leading 2-1 . Both teams started well in the second half , then Urban broke down the left and finished off the cross 2-2 . The game was still pretty even Shirley having a chance to win it but flashing a shot past the post . Urban then stepped up the pace a with the Shirley team tiring played through the midfield and managed a shot which was well saved , but Urban player was quickest to react to the rebound and scored . Shirley pressed to get something from the game but to no avail.
Shirley 1 - 3 Crusaders - 20/09/08 A newly promoted Crusaders side stated the liveliest , with the Shirley side finding it hard to get the ball down and string any passes together . This was rewarded on the half hour with a goal coming from a Shirley mistake but the striker still had plenty to do and finished well . At half time Shirley regrouped and started to pass and retain the ball , this was rewarded 10 minutes in with a smart move finished off by the Crusaders defender . As both teams pressed gaps started to appear and the game opened up .Shirley hit the upright of the bar and from the rebound Crusaders played a long ball over the top of the Shirley defence and with the linesman flagging the striker finished , after protests from the home side the referee overruled the linesman and the goal was given . The game was still open but straight away Crusaders played another long ball which the striker seemed to fall over , but with the referee blind sided a resulting penalty was finished .Another goal line clearance from Crusaders late on confirmed it would not be Shirleys day.