Coleshill Town 1 v 3 Lye Rangers - B/ham Jun Cup

[Alan Beckett]

Saturday 6th November 1976
Birmingham Junior Cup Round 2
Coleshill Town 1 v 3 Lye Rangers
Scorers:
Town: ? Brayson
Rangers: Phipps, Carnihan, Unknown.


Team: Ray Nabbs in goal because John Capper turned up late, Roy Phelps, Paul Hannon, Mark Gardner, John Newey, ? Jarvis, ? Brayson, Eddie Hanlon, Paul Hannon, Paul Garnell (Barrie Canning)


COLESHILL CHRONICLE WROTE
Junior Cup Exit For Coleshill
Coleshill Town, who needed a replay to beat Kings Heath in the first round of the Birmingham Junior Cup, were afforded no such luxury on Saturday when they went down in the 2nd Round. Coleshill started the game having to put striker Ray Nabbs in goal in place of Capper, who turned up late, but Nabbs did well with some good saves, including two from Carnihan from danerous positions. Roy Phelps played a controlled role in defence, as did Paul Hannon and Mark Gardner overlapped equally as well. Walters, Bate and Drysdale looked dangerous for Lye at times, but John Newey caused problems to the visitors defence with some good tries. Jarvis twice came close, one in a fifty-fifty challenge on goalkeeper Allen, for which Coleshill were penalised with a free kick against them and once in the 20th minute when he placed the ball just past the post. Newey again came close when he headed inches over the bar from a free kick. Coleshill were now getting well on top and the Lye defence cleared uncertainly. Town took their due advantsge in the 27th minute. A good break with some equally good passing, gave Brayson the chance to turn, beat two defenders and fire past Allen from twenty yards for the opener. Only seconds before this, Nabbs had made two fine saves from Carnihan. Seconds after the goal, Peters tried with a free kick past the Coleshill post. Coleshill continued with some fine approach football and showed their confidence when Hannon and Hanlon shadowed and cleared a break which had come from a bad pass in midfield by Brayley, who made up for it with some intelligent knock-ons which were not taken up. Close on half time, Jarvis should have added to the scoreline when he lobbed over the keeper onto the bar but Allen turned round and collected the ball. Seconds later Lye had another narrow escape when a try from Newey came similarly close. If Coleshill thought their first half superiority would be enough to win the game, they were quickly disillusioned. Lye came at Town, Nabbs making a fine save at the feet of Drysdale, also saving the resulting corner. Nabbs cleared again and Phelps cleared off the line. Coleshill now looked incredibly ragged and it was no surprise when Phipps lobbed in an easy chance after the Town defence had allowed the attacking visitors far too much room to equalise in the 49th minute. Walters again set up attacks for the visitors, while Carnihan turned for a good chance which he put just past the Town post. Brayson retaliated with a shot passed the post, while Garnell was treplaced by Canning in the 64th minute. Nabbs made another save from Carnihan, but Brayson again looked set to score when a fine rising header, from a good run and cross by Paul Hannon, again rebounded of the bar. With the Coleshill heads down, Lye struck back, breaking strongly and Carnihan rounded one off in the 70th minute, turning and shooting home a first time effort to give the visitors the lead. It became increasingly clear, however, that Town were on their way out of the cup which mant feel they should never have been in. The current holders are GEC Coventry and there is little doubt that next season they should be in the Senior Cup. Lye must, however, be congratulated on a more positive second half approach will pulled them threw to the next round.