Coleshill Town 1 v 0 Oldbury United

[Alan Beckett]

Saturday 08.01.1977 First game of 1977. Snowed OFF New Years Day but played soon after.
Midland Combination Division One
Coleshill Town 1 v 0 Oldbury United
Scorer: Carl Macdonald.


Team: Peter King GK, Chris Dight, Bert Brayley, Malcolm Phelps, Paul Garnell, John Newey, Eddie Hanlon, Ray Nabbs, Carl Macdonald (? Jarvis), Roy Phelps, John Allcock. Confirmed.


COLESHILL CHRONICLE WROTE
Bright Start For Coleshill
Coleshill Town started the New Year on a happy note with a welcome Midland Combination First Division victory over Oldbury at Pack Meadow on Saturday. Coleshill's line-up included Carl Macdonald, back after a long absence, and he marked it by scoring the all important goal just before half time. With Paul Garnell back in the side also, Roy Phelps reverted to his old striking role alongside his brother Malcolm and between them they caused the visitors some problems, mainly in the air. King continued in his usual manner, making some brilliant and sometimes very brave saves, full backs Dight and Brayley playing well and making many overlapping runs on the flanks. In the opening minutes both Roy and Malcolm Phelps had headers just shaving the posts, also first time crosses from Allcock and Hanlon. Oldbury's first chance came in the 10th minute, after Newey let in Tibbets just outside the box right in front of goal, but he shot wide with King racing off his line. For the next ten minutes Oldbury began to trouble the Town's rear-guard, their two most important players being Bradbury, who had two fierce shots saved by King, and full-back Scott who very often joined the attack. On the half-hour a low cross-cum-shot from Allcock had Wooton scurrying to save. In no time at all Allcock was in action again in his own goal area clearing a shot from Bradbury. Coleshill for the next few minutes fell into one of their panic periods and Oldbury came close when Davies smashed a shot wide, and Bradbury yet again made King go low to his right to save after a Hanson run up the right. The Town now came back with Chris Dight leading the way from the full-back position. Macdonald strode into the 18 yard box from the right and only a fly-kick by Deeley, son of the former Wolves favourite, saved the day. A shot from Malcolm Phelps was cleared by the now packed Oldbury defenders. A corner from the right found Macdonald under the bar but the keeper was fouled in the process. With Wooton now looking groggy in the Oldbury goal, Coleshill pressed forward in waves. In the 43rd minute an Allcock cross from the left was just touched on by Malcolm Phelps and Macdonald fastened on to it to hit the ball home from inside the six yard box. Coleshill started the second half in the same mood as they ended the first. Allcock was fouled in the back wide on the left and Hanlon's resulting free-kick was headed over by Roy Phelps. After this early flourish, Town fell away and Oldbury produced their best period of the match. Number seven, Bull shot wide from inside the penalty area after the Coleshill defence had moved over to give him a clear chance. King raced out of his area to kick away an Oldbury raid, a close overhead kick by Scott went just past and a clearance for a corner by Hanlon hit the post with King stranded between the posts, but Lady Luck smiled and the ball was cleared. Coleshill bounced back with Allcock and Brayley showing some really aggressive running. Shots from Allcock and Malcolm Phelps were just off-target. Brayley, again being encouraged by the home fans, set up another Town attack ending in a corner on the left. Coleshill's work rate was now giving them the upper hand, and a cross to the near post from Jarvis, substituting for the injured Macdonald, was pushed past by Roy Phelps. In the 85th minute King made a fine save on the right hand edge of the area, going down to save at the feet of Bull. Rose, the Oldbury substitute, was causing considerable panic due to his height and one after another long balls were aimed into the danger zone for him. With the game still in the balance, the referee made the end into a "Hitchcock Thriller" by playing six minutes overtime, with the crowd reminding him of every second.
Tomorrow, instead of visiting Cadbury Heath as originally planned, Coleshill travel to Evesham in a rearranged fixture. With the same workrate and enthusiasm shown in most of last week's match, their trip to the Vale could be very fruitful.


P16 W4 D3 L9 F19 A30 Pts11 Pos17/18