Coleshill Town 3 v 3 Moor Green

[Alan Beckett]

CASTLE BROMWICH NEWS WROTE
AMBITIOUS COLESHILL
Coleshill Town are bidding to consolidate their position in the top half of the Midland Combination First Division. Manager David Kite said this week “With all this talk that there could be a merger between the Midland Combination and the West Midlands League, it is imperative that we finish as high as possible. It has been proposed that the top teams in both leagues will form a Midland Premier League with the prospects of entry into the Southern League.” Mr Kite is ambitious enough to steer Coleshill into the top flight and he is eagerly looking forward to this Saturday’s big clash with Combination title contenders Moor Green at Pack Meadow. “While I am not happy with our home performances this season, I am sure the lads will raise their game and prove they can be in with a shout at the end of the season.” Said Mr Kite. Coleshill have Nigel Montague injured and Tom Hardie awaiting a cartilage operation, but newcomers to the Coleshill camp include 19 year old goalkeeper Steve Raybould from Coventry Sphinx. Steve was formerly with Nuneaton. Chris Davies, who has been a regular centre half in Sutton Town Reserves side has also joined Coleshill. Brian Upton has been appointed Coleshill’s new assistant manager and coach in succession to Colin Turnbull who has resigned.


Saturday 26th January 1980
Midland Combination First Division
Coleshill Town 3 v 3 Moor Green
Scorers:
Town: Paul Montague, Felicetto Nardiello, Robert Starkey.
Moors: Steve Howkins 2, Carlo Rossi.

Team: Steve Raybould GK, Martin McGreevey, Brendon Casey, Chris Davies, John Burrows, Robert Starkey, Felicetto Nardiello, George Ketterick, Paul Montague, Peter Dawkins. Sub Daniel Conway.


SOLIHULL NEWS WROTE
BOSS UNHAPPY WITH HIGH SCORING DRAW
Earlier in the season Moors manager Harry Shepherd would have been happy with a point at Coleshill. But on Saturday he was obviously disappointed that his side let the game slip from their grasp and had to settle for a share of the spoils. But he cannot blame his players too much for the result. When many teams would have closed the game up leading 3-2 away from home with five minutes to go, his side still attacked with force and were caught on the break by Coleshill. Moor Green took the lead when Steve Howkins scored his third goal in three games since his arrival at Moorlands. Ray Howell sent a long deep cross from the left that eluded the Coleshill keeper and the winger was there to plant the ball into the back of the net. However, Moor Green skipper George Clamp was injured in the break that led to the goal and Town stormed back to take advantage of the handicap to equalise straight away. After the interval Moor Green created more chances with their skilful play, but it was Coleshill who took the lead in front of their biggest crowd for two years. They broke from defence and hit the bar but their centre forward rammed home the rebound. Moors levelled when Ignatius McDermott, who had a tremendous game, broke down the right hand side and pulled the ball back for Carlo Rossi to pounce and score. Soon after Moor green scored the goal of the game when a corner flew to centre half Malcolm Kavanagh on the edge of the box and he slammed a right foot volley into the net. After that goal Moor Green continued to press until five minutes from time when the home side snatched an equaliser. Manager Harry Shepherd said "We showed all the skill but they battled well. Malcolm Kavanagh's was excellent. He hit it with his wrong foot. All the lads thought his right foot was just for standing on, but he proved them wrong."


CASTLE BROMWICH NEWS WROTE

The biggest crowd of the season at Pack Meadow saw Coleshill almost snatch victory over Midland Combinationtitle “favourites” Moor Green. Coleshill fought back from twice being in arrears, to level matters at three all and in the last minute Paul Montague almost grabbed a dramatic winner. Certainly Coleshill created more scoring chances than Moors, but once again they were unlucky to see efforts saved by the woodwork – Johnny Allen, in particular, having one brilliant shot hit the post. Coleshill’s manager David Kite said: “Possibly Moor Green had that little more experience to curb our enthusiasm, but I was pleased with the performances of the newcomers, goalkeeper Steve Raybould and centre half Chris Davies.” This Saturday, Coleshill are without a League game but have fixed up a “friendly” at Alvechurch. Coleshill’s squad will be: Raybould, McGreevy, Casey, Burrows, Davies, Allen, Kettrick, Starkey, Conway, Dawkins, Montague P, Nardiello and Francis. Midfield player Tom Hardie went into hospital this week for a cartilage operation and Coleshill are still without the injured Nigel Montague.

CASTLE BROMWICH NEWS ALSO WROTE
Great Effort By Coleshill

Ideal playing conditions at Pack Meadow set the scene for this thriller, with both sides playing at a fast and furious pace. Within seven minutes Nardiello, after a brilliant run down the left, hit the Moors post with a fine shot and the ball ran across the goal line. Moor Green’s quick one touch inter-passing had Coleshill’s defence at full stretch, but the visitors were confined to long range shooting. It was 25 minutes before new signing Raybould, in the home goal, was troubled, when he failed to gather a cross and Howkins easily accepted the chance to put Moors in front. Coleshill hit back immediately. Another solo run by Nardiello and an accurate cross enabled Paul Montague to head in the equaliser. The second half began with Coleshill applying pressure and Montague supplied Nardiello with an inch perfect pass for the winger to drive home. It became Moors turn to lift themselves and seven minutes later they drew level, again through Howkins. They proceeded to dominate the exchanges and in the 71st minute deservedly jumped back in front with the best goal of the match – a 30 yard first time volley by Kavanagh, that left Raybould stranded. With the substitution of Ketterick by Conway, Coleshill got back into the running and with four minutes to go drew level. Montague, going up with the keeper, saw the ball run loose to Dawkins who made no mistake with a cracking shot. A fitting result to a great game and the signs are there that Coleshill are beginning to put it together. This was a real team effort against worthy opponents.


P23 W7 D7 L9 F26 A33 Pts21 Pos9/20