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Sunday Division Three 2002/03 Results and Reports
Sedgley Town 3 Briars Phoenix 0 Briars faced a last game away at fierce rival Sedgley Town and they put in a fine rearguard action in the first half after losing Lee McDermott early on through injury. Sedgley started the 2nd half applying the pressure but Craig Gomersall in the visitors goal was having a fine game. Sedgley took the lead when Ian Benbow was caught in possession and Stuart Spence fired into the corner. One became two shortly after when Toby O'Brien brought down the winger for a penalty. Spence again converted. Briars started to pass the ball now and began to threaten, Deane Machin crashed a free kick against the bar and Craig Moule sent a header just wide. Briars then lost the influential Steve Clarke who suffered a broken nose in a clash with the keeper, typically of the Briars season his header was inches wide. Mark Payne picked the ball up on the right wing and cut inside to chip the keeper with again the ball coming off the cross bar. Sedgley made the game safe when John Doman converted before Denae Machin intercepted a ball on the half way line and sent the ball narrowly wide with the keeper nowhere. TEAM - Craig Gomersall, Tony Davis, Keith Bradley, Adam Tillsley, Steve Clarke, Davoud Takallo, Lee McDermott, Toby O'Brien, Deane Machin, Mark Payne, Craig Moule SUBS - Ian Benbow, Dan Farley Corngreaves Plough 4 Briars Phoenix 0 Briars just managed to scrape a team together for this clash with mid table Corngreaves and once again played well for the first half before things fell apart. Briars went 1 down early in the game when a clear push on Tony Davis was ignored by the referee and the Corngreaves forward headed home. A Corngreaves player managed to get himself sent off for allowing himself to be scythed down by Tony Davis in the other highlight of the first half. Briars fell apart in the second period as a lack of forwards resulted in almost constant pressure on the back line and Corngreaves added 3 more goals. TEAM - Craig Gomersall, Tony Davis, Adam Tillsley, Martyn Lowell, Dan Nash, Toby O'Brien, Chris Dalton, Graham Cousins, Ian Benbow, Mark Payne, Tripper Hancher SUBS - Martin Baker, Matt Greaves, Dan Farley Briars Phoenix 0 Colley Gate 3 This game was very similar to the last meeting between the clubs as Colley Gate made all of the early running and put the home defence under a great amount of pressure, coming close to taking the lead with a couple of shots narrowly over the bar and just wide of the posts. Briars were only dangerous on the break and tended to look for team mates instead of getting shots in. Just before half time Briars thought they had taken the lead when a cross from Lee McDermott was caught on the half volley by Deane Machin. The ball crashed against the bar and bounced down, but only onto the goalline. HALF TIME 0-0 The second half was much more even to start with neither side looking like scoring until a long ball over the top was headed over Tony Davis in the Briars' goal by WEAVER to put Colley Gate ahead. Briars were immediately on the attack and a DEANE MACHIN header went inches wide. Colley Gate increased their lead in controversial fashion when the forward appeared to handle the ball before being pulled back. LESTER duly put the spot kick away. The fight went out of the home side at this point and WAKEFIELD was able to wrap the points up in the final minutes. TEAM - Tony Davis, Adam Tillsley, Ian Benbow, Keith Bradley, Steve Clarke, Toby O'Brien, Graham Cousins, Lee McDermott, Steve Thomas, Craig Moule, Deane Machin SUBS - Davoud Takallo, Tripper Hancher, Jamie Thorpe Briars Phoenix 0 CBS Rotary 2 Briars are still in desperate trouble after losing a games that was literally a game of 2 halves with CBS in control in the first half and Briars on top in the second. CBS were gifted the lead when a miskick from the otherwise dependable Matt McWalter let in the visitors winger who squared the ball to a team mate to sidefoot into the net. CBS dominated the next half hour with some nice passing but the Briars back four held firm. The second half was a different story with Briars creating several good chances with Deane Machin and Toby O'Brien going close and Craig Moule hitting the bar, but the goal would not come and it was left to CBS to score again with the final kick of the match after a another misscue, this time from keeper Tony Davis. TEAM - Tony Davis, Adam Tillsley, Steve Clarke, Matt McWalter, Dan Nash, Toby O'Brien, Ian Benbow, Lee McDermott, Craig Moule, Mark Payne, Deane Machin SUB - Steve Thomas Briars Phoenix 1 Sedgley Town 5 Briars took an early lead when CRAIG MOULE swerved a free kick past the keeper and Briars more than matched their higher placed opponents in the first half in what was a typical Briars v Sedgley match with the referee having to be on his game to keep control. There was not much change at the start of the second half but after 15 minutes Sedgley equalised when the forward was allowed to run too far and he guided the ball into the corner past Tony Davis. Almost immediately Sedgley took the lead when the first scorer shot across goal only to see Tony Davis turn the ball onto the post, but a Sedgley player was in the right place to put the ball away. Briars had no chance to get back into the game as they started to get involved with bickering with the opponents and all of the focus from the first half disappeared allowing Sedgley to score 3 more goals before the final whistle. TEAM - Tony Davis, Toby O'Brien, Matt McWalter, Adam Tillsley, Dan Nash, Lee McDermott, Keith Bradley, Graham Cousins, Ian Benbow, Mark Payne, Craig Moule SUBS - Matt Greaves Blakedown 0 Briars Phoenix 6 Both teams went into this game knowing that a win was vital to avoid the drop from this division but it was the Briars who took the 3 points with a convincing performance. Briars controlled most of the first half but all too often the final ball was wayward or simply too long for the forwards to reach and the only chances in the first half hour were easily handled by the keeper. Briars took the lead after 30 minutes when Craig Moule was fouled on the edge of the box. DEANE MACHIN stepped up and curled the ball towards the left hand corner only for a deflection to send it into the right hand corner. Blakedown came right bacjk at the visitors and hit the bar from a freekick only for Tony Davis to parry the shot from the rebound and the ball was cleared. HALF TIME 0-1 Briars were told in no uncertain terms that they had not played well and started the second half with more purpose. Craig Moule and Deane Machin up front started making good runs off the ball and Lee McDermott pushed on to greater effect, Keith Bradley was brought on to the right hand side to good effect. Lee McDermott made a surging run down the left and was fouled on the touchline. Craig Moule sent over a powerful freekick that was headed into the corner by IAN BENBOW to give the visitors an all important 2 goal lead. Briars then took complete control against the home side and scored again soon after when DEANE MACHIN ran onto a through ball from Lee McDermott and coolly lobbed the keeper from just inside the box. Goal of the game came next as DAN NASH took the ball from his own half round defenders before jinking past the keeper and slotting the ball into the corner. CRAIG MOULE registered his first Briars' goal when Briars exploited the space down the left again and the youngster powered a drive into the corner of the net. KEITH BRADLEY finished the scoring with another long run where he rode his luck with some lucky breaks before bursting clear and side footing into the bottom corner, Keith then ran to the away crowd and whipped off his shirt. Being a sensible lad he had took the precaution of wearing 2 shirts to avoid both the cold and obviously a female invasion of the pitch. The final few minutes were lit up as Tony Davis in the Briars goal made 2 splendid saves to record his and the defences' third clean sheet in a row. TEAM - Tony Davis, Adam Tillsley, Steve Clarke, Matt McWalter, Dan Nash, Chris Dalton, Lee McDermott, Graham Cousins, Ian Benbow, Deane Machin, Craig Moule SUBS - Keith Bradley, Davoud Takallo, Dan Farley Crestwood Star 0 Briars Phoenix 2 Briars built on last weeks performance and gained 3 precious points against high flying Crestwood. Briars flew out of the traps, intent on harrying the opposition into mistakes and they took the lead in the early minutes when a fine run and cross from Craig Moule was coolly slotted home by CHRIS DALTON. Briars kept up the pressure and were rewarded with another goal when Craig Moule picked the ball up on the right wing, cut inside and unleashed a drive from 25 yards out which the keeper could not hold. DEANE MACHIN was on hand to finish the move. Dalton almost made it 3 shortly after, again running onto a cross field ball but shooting narrowly wide. HALF TIME 0-2 Briars knew they would have to withstand a fair bit of pressure in the second half and sure enough it came but the players are showing a greater resolve at the moment and held out comfortably, restricting Crestwood to a few near misses. Superb performances today from Jamie Thorpe (16) Dan Nash (18) and Craig Moule (16). TEAM - Tony Davis, Adam Tillsley, Dan Nash, Steve Clarke, Jamie Thorpe, Chris Dalton, Ian Benbow, Lee McDermott, Craig Moule, Deane Machin, Dave Gwinnell SUBS - Graham Cousins, Davoud Takallo Briars Phoenix 0 Cleobury Town 0 Briars gained a valuable point against high flying Cleobury Town with a gutsy, non stop display and were lucky not to snatch all 3 points at the death. Another week another new player as Andy Billings made his debut up front. Briars set out to be strong defencively and for the first half this plan was very effective, restricting Cleobury to long range efforts. On one of their rare attacks a long throw from Ian Benbow was nodded on and the Cleobury defender wrapped his arms round Lee McDermott resulting in a penalty for the home side. Craig Moule stepped up but his kick was easily saved by the visitors Keeper. HALF TIME 0-0 The second half began with the Briars attacking more and from a Lee McDermott corner a Cleobury defender sliced the ball narrowly over the bar. From then on Cleobury took control of the ball and passed it around nicely without threatening Tony Davis in the Briars' goal apart from one shot from the edge of the area that Davis turned onto the bar. In the final seconds a long through ball from Keith Bradley was latched onto by Mark Gomersall who beat the defender with a flick but could not see the ball as it fell in front of him and a good chance was lost. TEAM - Tony Davis, Jamie Thorpe, Keith Bradley, Steve Clarke, Matt McWalter, Lee McDermott, Adam Tillsley, Ian Benbow, Davoud Takallo, Andy Billings, Craig Moule SUBS - Chris Dalton, Mark Gomersall, Dave Beard Briars Phoenix 1 Crestwood Star 3 Manager Phil Saunders introduced 16 year old Craig Moule for his first game for the club and included 17 year old Greg Kneuss and experienced Matt Greaves amongst the substitutes again for their debuts. The home side got off to the worst possible start when, in the opening minute a clearance from Jamie Thorpe hit Adam Tillsley and rebounded to the Crestwood striker who had an easy chance to put his side one up. Briars settled well into the game with Graham Cousins back from injury and bossing the midfield and Dan Nash coming back with a much improved performance on the left. Craig Moule was also leading the line well linking up with the midfield. Briars' pressure told after 15 minutes when Dan Nash cut in from the left and curled a right footed cross past the keeper and DAVOUD TAKALLO had a simple tap in at the far post. The rest of the half was very even with Crestwood hitting the post and missing a couple of close range headers. HALF TIME 1-1 The second half started as the first had ended with both sides battling well but not really creating any chances of note, but the injury curse struck again for the home side with Takallo, Cousins and McWalter all limping out of the action. With 15 minutes left Crestwood took the lead when a free kick on the edge of the box was curled into the bottom corner. Briars heads dropped slightly after and Crestwood were able to wrap up the game when a quick long throw was headed home by the Crestwood No10. Despite all the changes over the last few weeks this was a good performance from the lads and things are starting to look up. TEAM - Tony Davis, Jamie Thorpe, Keith Bradley, Steve Clarke, Matt McWalter, Adam Tillsley, Graham Cousins, Davoud Takallo, Dan Nash, Lee McDermott, Craig Moule. SUBS - Mark Gomersall, Greg Kreuss, Matt Greaves Stourbridge Tenth Lock 6 Briars Phoenix 1 With the well reported injury problems still there Briars gave debuts to 5 new players this week. Things looked promising for the first half an hour as the Briars dominated the game and deservedly took the lead when Adam Tillsley fed Keith Bradley down the left wing, who in turn passed inside to LEE MCDERMOTT who fired into the corner from the edge of the box. Briars continued to press and Lee McDermott was unlucky with another long range drive that went just the wrong side of the post and Davoud Tikollo had to breaks from midfield but when one on one with the keeper put his shots narrowly wide. Tenth Lock needed a stroke of luck to get back into the match and an awkward bounce in the area hit Adam Tillsley's hand and a very controversial penalty was awarded, 1-1. A break away just before half time was put away by the scourge of the Briars, Craig Pickin to give Tenth Lock the lead at the break. HALF TIME 2-1 Briars again started the half in a promising way but just as they were getting back into the game Tenth Lock struck the killer blow when a snap shot from 25 yards flew into the corner. Tiredness then stepped in with the new players for the Briars and they started to lose their shape allowing Tenth Lock 3 more goals before the end. Team - Tony Davis, Jamie Thorpe, Matt Wright, Matt McWalter, Steve Clarke, Lee Reece, Adam Tillsley, Davoud Takallo, Keith Bradley, Mark Gomersall, Lee McDermott Subs - Martin Baker, Craig Gomersall, Ian Benbow Briars Phoenix 0 Bromley 8 Briars went into this cup game against the high flyers from the division above with chronic injury problems. The time before kick off was spent trying to persuade injured and ill players to make the field. The game didn't begin well for the home side who conceded goals to 4 of the visitors first 5 attacks all within the first 15 minutes. Effectively the game was over at this point and the Briars had to keep their heads up and not cave in. The rest of the first half was survived by the depleted Briars who even had to replace the injured Keith Bradley with Deane Machin who struggled out of his sick bed, only to be replaced later. HALF TIME 0-4 The second half was again a case of the Briars not losing face and to that extent, considering their problems they managed, conceding two penalties and two late goals against a quality side. On a happier note Padraig the new gaffer at the Briars was pleased so many of the Bromley people came back to the pub and we hope they enjoyed the excellent hospitality. Team - Craig Gomersall, Tony Davis, Ian Benbow, Steve Clarke, Martyn Lowell, Jamie Thorpe, Lee McDermott, Graham Cousins, Chris Dalton, Keith Bradley, Dave Gwinell Subs - Dan Nash, Deane Machin Briars Phoenix 5 Corngreaves Plough 2 Briars recorded their first league win of the season in a game that may not have been played due to the referee dropping out at the last minute. Fortunately, a club official stepped in and the game went ahead. Briars took an early lead when a cross field pass in the Corngeaves defence was intercepted by LEE MCDERMOTT who sprinted into the box and coolly finished into the corner. For the remainder of the half Briars were put under intense pressure from the visitors, who created chance after chance but the Briars back line held firm, the crossbar intervened from a couple of long range efforts and Craig Gomersall pulled off a couple of excellent blocks to keep the home side in the lead. HALF TIME 1-0 The second half was the Deane Machin show as the young striker ran riot. Briars tore their opponents apart for the first thirty minutes with some great attacking play. The second goal came from a long ball forward which Dave Gwinnell flicked on to DEANE MACHIN who pulled off an exquisite chip over the keeper into the top corner. The third goal arrived shortly after when a low cross from Dan Nash was side footed home by DEANE MACHIN from close range. Machin then found himself in space and tried to repeat his first goal but his chip was just tipped over by the keeper at full stretch. Briars went four up and DEANE MACHIN completed his hat trick when he was sent clear down the right and shot across the keeper into the far corner. Briars should have added a fifth goal when a lovely move down the right culminated in Tony Davis laying a quick ball to Deane Machin who didn't spot the banana skin and completely missed the ball and ended on his back. Corngreaves came back into the match and Craig Gomersall had to tip over a free kick before the visitors grabbed two quick goals through the divisions leading scorer ANDREW MILLINGTON. Shortly before full time Briars notched a fifth through DEANE MACHIN with another cool finish into the corner. Briars have played a lot better than this this season but for once the luck went our way and the effort we put in was rewarded at last. A special mention is due for Craig Gomersall who kept the team in the game and for Dave Gwinnell and Deane Machin who are forming quite a partnership up front. TEAM - Craig Gomersall, Tony Davis, Ian Benbow, Steve Clarke, Martyn Lowell, Lee McDermott (1), Graham Cousins, Adam Tillsley, Dan Nash, Dave Gwinnell, Deane Machin (4) SUBS - Keith Bradley, Chris Dalton Briars Phoenix 1 Moot Meet 2 Rock bottom Briars recalled experienced sweeper Martyn Lowell and extra extra experienced forward and Veterans Manager Dave Gwinnell for this clash against the league leaders. Moot Meet can count themselves lucky to pick up the three points in an open game that could have gone either way as the Briars belied their lowly position to test their opponents. As the game kicked off the Moot Meet manager was heard to shout that the home side were not up for the game, he soon realised how wrong he was as the Briars did not allow their higher ranked opponents to settle. The home side took the lead after 10 minutes when Jamie Thorpe pressured the keeper from a cross and the ball was fumbled to DAVE GWINNELL who used his decades of experience to coolly slot the ball into the corner. Briars could have extended the lead shortly after when a 25 yard free kick from Tony Davis hit the crossbar with the keeper beaten. On the half hour Moot Meet equalised when a run down the left by Nick Roche resulted in a far post cross to MARCUS DINGLEY who finished into the corner. Both sides continued to press and a snap shot from the visitors' Andy Kelbie went well wide and a fine through ball from Tony Davis was screwed just wide by Briars' Deane Machin. HALF TIME 1-1 Moot Meet stepped up the pressure in the second half but found the Briars defence solid and when they were breached Craig Gomersall made a couple of fine blocks to keep them out. With 20 minutes left a corner was not cleared by the home side and MARK HIPKISS hooked the ball into the net from 10 yards. Hipkiss was the main threat to the Briars with a couple of long range efforts. Briars then went on the attack and Deane Machin again went close from the edge of the area. Then veteran veteran Dave Gwinnell produced a spectacular overhead backheel that thudded against the bar. Moot Meet were still threatening from corners and Andy Kelbie smashed a header onto the face of the bar and to safety. With 4 minutes remaining Lee McDermott was pulled back in the area and unfortunately for the home team Tony Davis put the resulting penalty over the bar to deny the Briars a well deserved point. Team - Craig Gomersall, Tony Davis, Ian Benbow, Adam Tillsley, Martyn Lowell, Jamie Thorpe, Lee McDermott, Graham Cousins, Steve Clarke, Dave Gwinnell, Deane Machin Subs - Martin Baker, Dan Nash Rock Sports 4 Briars Phoenix 0 In their first game for a month Briars played well in the first half and conceded 4 and were overrun in the second and kept the home side scoreless. Stand in manager Graham Cousins was forced to use goalkeeper Tony Davis on pitch due to the clubs injuries and suspensions. Briars went two goals down from Rock's first two attacks of the game when Chris Hough put away a diving header and then Phil Thurston volleyed home from close range. Briars then started to adapt to the difficult conditions and Dan Nash should have pulled one back when sent clear through. Briars were then awarded a penalty when Deane Machin, who worked tirelessly all game was brought down. Unfortunately, Lee Rudd blasted the kick over the bar. Deane Machin soon went close from a flying header that skimmed the bar. Despite playing a full part in a close half Briars were undone by the home side when Thurston broke clear and despite a fine block from Craig Gomersall, Chris Hough tucked the ball away from what looked suspiciously like an offside position. Rock put the game safe when Grant Barlow burst from the half way line and Cooley slotted the ball home. HALF TIME 4-0 Briars found themselves totally overrun at times in the second period but a combination of poor finishing, superb saves from Craig Gomersall and last ditch defending kept the score the same. Cousy will be pleased with the performances and determination from his players especially Jamie Thorpe, Lee McDermott and Deane Machin but the most pleasing thing would have been the never say die attitude and the comfortable performance of keeper Tony Davis who slotted in at right back and looked totally at home. Team - Craig Gomersall, Tony Davis, Ian Benbow, Martin Baker, Lee Rudd, Adam Tillsley, Lee McDermott, Graham Cousins, Dan Nash, Deane Machin, Jamie Thorpe. Sub - Chris Dalton Belbroughton United 3 Briars Phoenix 0 Briars made it seven defeats on the trot after a very disappointing display against fellow strugglers Belbroughton. Briars went into the game missing no less than seven important players. Briars started brightly enough and played some nice football in a niggly opening. Belbroughton took the lead when a poor goalkick was pounced on by Phil Harris whose shot was deflected between Craig Gomersall's legs by Jamie Thorpe. Belbroughton went two up shortly after when a long ball looped onto the cross bar and Phil Harris reacted quickest to score. A third goal wasn't long coming when Robin Harris was sent clear to finish into the corner. HALF TIME 3-0 Briars competed better in the second half but their were few chances for either side. TEAM - Craig Gomersall, Jamie Thorpe, Ian Benbow, Steve Clarke, Bob Farley, Chris Dalton, Lee McDermott, Adam Tillsley, Dan Nash, Deane Machin, Lee Rudd SUB - Mick Macchia Briars Phoenix 1 Gornal Sports 2 For this weeks report please refer to last week. Briars entered this Hospital Cup clash with several players caught with a recurrence of "Gornal Flu". The game was delayed by half an hour by the late arrival of the visitors and it was they who started the better as Briars were caught cold for the first period of the game. Briars had the first chance of the game when a fine passing movement ended with Deane Machin's shot being tipped over. Briars were having plenty of joy through Dan Nash on the left and on a couple of occasions he broke into the box only for the final ball to be lacking quality. Gornal should have taken the lead when a hotly disputed penalty was superbly saved by Richard Hancher in the Briars goal. Against the run of play Gornal went one up through a header from the edge of the box and within five minutes they doubled the lead when the prolific Mark Stych pounced on a poor clearing header to fire home. Ian Benbow then went close with two headers from corners as the home side got back on top. HALF TIME 0-2 The second half was more or less one way traffic as Briars dominated the play but as with every other week this season poor finishing and sheer bad luck helped the visitors. One goal was pulled back when Ian Benbow went on a long run and before he collapsed he managed to square the ball to LEE RUDD who fired home from the edge of the area. The best chances still fell to the home side as Deane Machin shot wide when well placed and hit the post with a free kick and Keith Bradley had a stinging shot tipped over. TEAM - Richard Hancher, Jamie Thorpe, Keith Bradley, Steve Clarke, Ian Benbow, Toby O'Brien, Graham Cousins, Lee McDermott, Dan Nash, Deane Machin, Lee Rudd SUB - Martin Baker Briars Phoenix 3 Halesowen Town Supporters 4 As people relaxed in the players lounge at the Briars enjoying the hospitality both sets of the players were flabbergasted and wondered how the above result occurred. The home side, depleted by injury dominated the game from start to finish but still ended up losers, not this week, by poor finishing to a great extent but by bad luck in hitting the framework on four occasions and meeting a goalkeeper who pulled off several first class saves. Briars started brightly with the front three combining well and Toby O'Brien always available on the right. Early chances fell to Lee McDermott who smashed a shot against the post, Lee Rudd who shot wide and Deane Machin who headed wide. Briars fell behind against the run of play when a long throw was back headed over keeper Tripper into the top corner in Halesowens first attack on goal. Briars fell further behind shortly after when a snap shot from 20 yards hit the top corner. The Briars' supporters were still confident as the home side had up til now dominated the proceedings. Chances were still being created and the visitors keeper pulled off a world class save to deny Deane Machin on the volley. From the resulting corner Steve Clarke headed wide. The away goalkeeper was called into action to tip a Steve Clarke overhead kick wide shortly after before a great Lee McDermott through ball released Deane Machin whose cross was glanced home by LEE RUDD. Straight from the kick off Halesowen restored their 2 goal lead when a cross evaded everyone in the box before coming off the shin of a forward and looping over Tripper into the net. HALF TIME - 1-3 Briars were even more dominant in the second half with Lee Rudd and Deane Machin both hitting the post before Halesowen struck another blow with a midfield run resulting in a shot into the corner of the net. Steve Clarke then jinked his way past at least six players and with only the keeper to beat screwd his shot the wrong side of the post. Briars continued to press and GRAHAM COUSINS pulled a goal back when he found space in the area and fired past the onrushing Keeper. With 10 minutes left a superb through ball from Ian Benbow was controlled by LEE McDERMOTT then slid under the goalkeeper. In the final seconds the Halesowen Goalkeeper pulled of another superb save blocking Lee Rudd's close range effort and then reacting to the rebound. Team - Richard Hancher, Jamie Thorpe, Dan Nash, Keith Bradley, Steve Clarke, Graham Cousins, Toby O'Brien, Lee McDermott, Deane Machin, Jason Bowers, Lee Rudd Subs - Chris Dalton, Ian Benbow
Briars Phoenix 1 Stourbridge Tenth Lock 2 Another desperately disappointing display from the Briars who had lots of the play but were unable to create many significant chances and when they did were kept out by an exceptional display from Jonnie Lester ( Tenth Lock spokesman Jonnie Lester said so ). Briars started the morning without seven first teamers including Goalkeeper Tony Davis. The first half was fairly even with Tenth Lock nearly taking the lead from a point blank shot cleared the bar. Deane Machin then went close for the home side after a mazy dribble and shot but although Briars build up play was good there was no end result. Chris Dalton was the next to go close when shooting wide from close range. Stourbridge looked threatening on the break and from one such move the forward Craig Picken lobbed over the bar. HALF TIME 0-0 Briars took the lead early in the second half when Toby O'Brien cut in from the right wing only to be upended in the area. LEE RUDD slotted the penalty past superstar Lester. Briars were fairly comfortable at this point and were dominating the play, until they shot themselves in the foot. A long ball down the right channel was chased by the Stourbridge winger who, despite going nowhere was brought down by Adam Tillsley and Keith Bradley was sent of from the following dispute. Stand in goalkeeper Benny flung himself to his right and palmed the penalty onto the post only for the ball to creep over the line. Despite being down to 10 men Briars again took the initiative and pressed for the winner but were restricted to long range efforts, Graham Cousins narrowly shooting wide with the best effort. Stourbridge came on strong in the final quarter and poor marking on the edge of the box allowed a shot in which Adam Tillsley blocked but the rebound fell to Picken four yards out and he shot into the roof of the net to give Stourbridge a vital win and leave Briars stuck on the bottom of the table. Plus points for the Briars were the display of debutant, 15 year old Jamie Thorpe and his brother Lee McDermott. Team - Ian Benbow, Jamie Thorpe, Dan Nash, Adam Tillsley, Keith Bradley, Toby O'Brien, Graham Cousins, Lee McDermott, Chris Dalton, Deane Machin, Lee Rudd (1) Sub - Steve Clarke Club AC30 2 Briars Phoenix 1 Briars seem to reserve their worst performances for the county cup and today was no exception. Briars started well and created an early chance when Jason Bowers burst through the defence but shot wide. Within fifteen minutes Briars were two down when the Club AC30 forward looped a header over Tony Davis and then the same player showed persistence to fire a shot into the top corner. The referee was letting a few tackles go unpunished and this was starting to give the match a fiery edge which the Malvern side used to their advantage on a muddy pitch with their strong tackling. Briars fought their way back into the game when Graham Cousins fed Daniel Nash on the left and his pinpoint cross gave DEANE MACHIN a tap in. HALF TIME 2-1 Briars had the better of the second half but could not convert any chances and as the game became more niggly the visitors lost their discipline and seemed more concerned with refereeing decision than the game, resulting in a second yellow card for Deane Machin after a ball thrown in the face of Briars' Jason Bowers went unpunished. Team - Tony Davis, Adam Tillsley, Steve Clarke, Keith Bradley, Graham Cousins, Chris Jones, Toby O'Brien, Steve Thomas, Jason Bowers, Deane Machin, Dan Nash Subs - Dave Beard, Lee McDermott, Chris Dalton Moot
Meet 4 Briars Phoenix 0 Briars Phoenix 0 Hartlebury Taverners 1 Both sets of supporters agreed that the Briars dominated this game but a combination of superb defending and poor finishing gave Hartlebury the points. Briars started well and should have taken the lead in the first few minutes when Steve Thomas volleyed a Lee McDermott cross onto the bar. Thomas had another chance shortly after when he burst into the box and his shot was pushed onto the post by the visitors keeper. Hartlebury took the lead after fifteen minutes when a throw was flicked on and the winger was well placed to head home from close range. It is fair to say that after this point Briars were well on top for the rest of the game but were unable to break down the Hartlebury defence. The home side's dominance continued in the second half with Dan Nash, Toby O'Brien and Steve Clarke all going close but the best chance to draw level fell to Lee McDermott in the dying minutes, but he shot straight at the keeper when well placed. Team - Tony Davis, Adam Tillsley, Keith Bradley, Steve Clarke, Graham Cousins, Chris Jones, Toby O'Brien, Lee McDermott, Steve Thomas, Deane Machin, Dan Nash Subs - Lee Rudd, Jason Bowers, Chris Dalton Briars Phoenix 4 Wordsley Cat 1 Briars progressed through to the next round of the League Cup with an easy home victory against their opponents from a higher division. Manager Phil Saunders made the difficult decision of leaving top scorer Jason Bowers out as he was not in the right frame of mind to play after a week of transfer speculation. Deane Machin was selected to replace the goal getter. Briars began comfortably enough but the passing was going astray and when they did break through final balls were not good enough to present decent chances. Lee Rudd had an excellent chance when he deceived the keeper and chipped onto the post from close range. Briars eventually broke the deadlock when a Toby O'Brien pass split the defence and DEANE MACHIN poked the ball into the corner. Briars continued to dominate but were caught by a sucker punch just before half time when a long ball was picked up by the left winger whose cross shot looped over Tony Davis into the top corner of the net. HALF TIME - 1-1 Briars continued to dominate and only over confidence let them down or else the game would have been over early into the game. The lead was won back by the home side half way through the second period when STEVE THOMAS cut in from the left, evaded tackles before firing into the bottom left corner past the Wordsley keeper who was having an exceptional game. Briars continued to push forward without scoring and the home fans were hoping that they were not punished on the break. CHRIS DALTON put the game beyond Wordsley when he waltzed through the midfield before a low shot into the right hand corner put the result beyond doubt. The icing was put on the result when LEE RUDD curled a delightful shot into the top corner to complete the scoring Compared to the last few weeks it was a below par performance from the Briars but a better result for a change with Keith Bradley , Graham Cousins and Chris Jones especially impressive. Team - Tony Davis, Adam Tillsley, Keith Bradley, Steve Clarke, Grham Cousins, Chris Jones, Toby O'Brien, Lee Rudd, Lee McDermott, Deane Machin, Steve Thomas Subs - Daniel Nash, Chris Dalton Belbroughton United 0 Briars Phoenix 2 Briars progressed smoothly into the third round of the county cup with a comfortable win over their Division Three rivals. Briars began the game with a strong wind at their backs and once they got used to the advantage this was giving took control of the half with the forwards being guilty of missing several good chances. After thirty minutes a free kick twenty five yards out was fired into the corner of the net by LEE RUDD to give the visitors a deserved lead. Briars continued to dominate and had the bonus of a second goal just before half time when JASON BOWERS picked the ball up on the edge of the area and sidefooted past the keeper. The defender on the line was mesmerized by the amount of side, top, back, left, and right spin that Bowers put on the ball and was unable to clear before the ball crossed the line. HALF TIME 0-2 Briars were expecting an onslaught from their opponents in the second half against the wind but it never came and indeed Briars upped their game and gave an impressive passing display that could and should have led to more goals from Steve Thomas, Chris Jones, Jason Bowers ,Lee Rudd and Deane Machin. The back three of Tillsley, Bradley and Clarke were impressive as was Tony Davis in goal who wept up well behind the defence and pulled off a fine save from Belbroughton's one chance in the game. Team - Tony Davis, Adam Tillsley, Keith Bradley, Steve Clarke, Toby O'Brien, Steve Thomas, Graham Cousins, Chris Jones, Lee Rudd, Jason Bowers, Lee McDermott Subs - Chris Dalton, Luke Lancett, Deane Machin Colley Gate 0 Briars Phoenix 0 Briars traveled to second in the table Colley Gate with their injury ravaged squad fearing the worst. Colley Gate started very brightly, picked up all the loose balls and creating openings without really threatening Tony Davis in the Briars' goal. Towards the end of the half Briars started to put their passes together and became more solid at the back restricting the home side to long range efforts. The visitors had the best chance of the half just before the break when a poor free kick out was picked up by Lee Rudd but his chip drifted past the far post with the keeper stranded. Phil Saunders urged his players on at half time and Briars started the second half much better and created chances through Lee McDermott , Toby O'Brien and Dave Beard who went very close after pouncing on a goalkeeping slip. Colley Gate still pressed forward on the break and a deflection sent a shot into Tony Davis' hands instead of the corner where it was heading. Briars had a chance to win the game when a Steve Thomas cross was just put wide by Lee McDermott who was under pressure from the keeper. All in all a good point for the Briars with every player putting in supreme effort especially the back four of Davis, Tillsley, Clarke and Bradley. Team - Tony Davis, Adam Tillsley, Keith Bradley, Steve Clarke, Toby O'Brien, Graham Cousins, Chris Jones, Steve Thomas, Dave Beard, Lee McDermott, Lee Rudd Subs - Daniel Nash, Chris Dalton Briars Phoenix 2 Rednal Social 1 Briars recorded their first win of the season in a gutsy display against a strong team in Rednal Social from the Redditch League. As with last week Briars were down to the bare bones with injured players asked to play if needed. Briars started in their normal way and soon controlled the game and passed the ball well. Plenty of opportunities arose from moves down both wings and Steve Thomas was guilty of a glaring miss at the far post from a break down the right. Thomas soon redeemed himself when he threaded a superb ball from the left wing to the right to meet Chris Jones who produced an equally good pass through to JASON BOWERS who finished cooley. Briars should have gone two up shortly after when Lee Rudd cut in from the left and fired a curling shot past the far post. Rednal were not really in the first half but almost equalised near to half time when a half volley was tipped onto the post by Tony Davis. HALF TIME 1-0 The second half was a completely different story with Rednal dominating the half and the home side restricted to breakaways. Tony Davis was excelling himself in the Briars' goal and produced an inspired display as did the back three of Adam Tillsley, Steve Clarke and Keith Bradley. Rednal equalised after fifteen minutes with a good move down the left which produced a clinical finish from the right winger. To be fair Briars were holding on under extreme pressure from Rednal towards the end of the game but the difference with this weeks performance was that they did keep holding on and they were rewarded in the last few seconds when a corner was half cleared and JASON BOWERS dinked the ball over the keeper to give Briars a much needed win. Team - Tony Davis, Adam Tillsley, Keith Bradley, Steve Clarke, Tobias O'Brien, Steve Thomas, Graham Cousins, Chris Jones, Lee Rudd, Lee McDermott, Jason Bowers Briars Phoenix 1 Rock Sports 2 Briars bounced back from last weeks display with a great performance that they were desperately unlucky to lose. The day began with manager Phil Saunders counting the available players and indeed he had to include several unfit players to make up the numbers. Briars began confidently against the high flyers and more than matched their opponents. It was the home team that took the lead when a run down the right wing by Lee McDermott produced a pinpoint cross which CHRIS JONES hit into the corner on the half volley. Within a couple of minutes Rock were level when a free kick was diverted past Tony Davis in the home goal. The only other talking point of the first half was when Lee McDermott was brought down when clean through by Gareth Yarsley in the Rock goal. Whilst waiting for the inevitable red card the keeper felt it necessary to punch the Briars player full in the face to compound the ref's decision. HALF TIME 1-1 Against the ten men Briars huffed and puffed during the second half with plenty of chances but despite good chances for Lee McDermott and Dave Beard in particular they could not break through. As the Briars' luck is going this year they cruelly fell behind in the last minute of the game to a twenty five yard snap shot. Team - Tony Davis, Adam Tillsley, Ian Benbow, Steve Clarke, Tobias O'Brien, Keith Bradley, Chris Jones (1), Graham Cousins, Lee Rudd, Steve Thomas, Lee McDermott. Sub - Dave Beard CBS Rotary 8 Briars Phoenix 1 By far the worst performance of the season and to add to this all Briars' mistakes were punished. Briars started brightly passing the ball well but despite this they soon went a goal down when the CBS left winger burst into the area, Dave Williams pushed him wide but he still managed to squeeze ashot into the corner. CBS began to take the upper hand with superb movement off the ball from their midfield and forward line. Briars went further behind when the CBS linesman was caught daydreaming and failed to signal a throw in when the ball was clearly out, from the resultant cross CBS made it 2-0. The sense of injustice boosted the visitors and they began to break through down the wings and from a strong Lee McDermott run and cross DAVE BEARD nodded home from close range for his first goal for the club. Briars were unlucky when a Chris Jones header came back off the bar just before half time but they continued to look worried by CBS's quick breaks. HALF TIME 2-1 The second half started evenly enough and after fifteen minutes Briars should have equalised when Dave Beard was sent clean through, however, he rushed the shot and the ball was cleared. This missed chance turned the game and for the final quarter of the match Briars were torn apart by their opponents who hit the net a further six times. Team - Tony Davis, Dave Williams, Adam Tillsley, Jason Bowers, Keith Bradley, Tobias O'Brien, Graham Cousins, Chris Jones, Steve Thomas, Deane Machin, Lee McDermott Subs - Dave Beard (1), Chris Dalton, Ian Benbow Briars Phoenix 0 Belbroughton United 0 Different opponents but the same old story as Briars dominated the first half and did enough to have the game wrapped up before letting the visitors back in during the second period. Briars welcomed back Tony Davis in goal, Dave Beard started his first game up front and Keith Bradley returned from injury. Deane Machin had the first Briars chance racing onto a Chris Jones through ball only for the keeper to block the shot. A Lee McDermott cross was then headed over by Steve Thomas from six yards out and Deane Machin failed to convert another one on one. Briars almost let Belbroughton in against the run of play when a short back pass from the otherwise impressive Keith Bradley was dealt with by Tony Davis before anything developed. Chris Jones soon had the visitors keeper scrambling with a long range drive but still the home side couldn't get the lead their play deserved. HALF TIME 0-0 Belbroughton started the second half well but Tony Davis was coping well with all attacks. Deane Machin created space for himself and curled a shot towards the far corner only for the ball to hit the post with the rebound bouncing too high for Lee McDermott to control with the ball flying over the bar. The home team began to show their frailties against set pieces with a few efforts going high over the bar. The best chance of the match came from a Deane Machin cross which Lee McDermott headed wide from close range. Belbroughton forced a fine save from Tony Davis from a curling free kick in the final minutes to save a point for the home side. Team - Tony Davis, Toby O'Brien, Adam Tillsley, Jason Bowers, Keith Bradley, Lee McDermott, Graham Cousins, Chris Jones, Steve Thomas, Deane Machin, Dave Beard Sub - Ian Benbow
Halesowen Town Supporters 4 Briars Phoenix 1 Briars were dealt a pre match blow when Keeper Craig Gommersall was forced out due to work commitments, leaving the reluctant Ian Benbow to fill the void. Briars started well and soon took the lead. LEE MCDERMOTT picked up the ball on the half way line and skipped past challenges down the left before lobbing the keeper. From then on until half time there was only one team in the game with the home side controlling play and the Briars not getting a look in. The equaliser came from a corner where it look like the Briars' Keeper was impeded before the ball was drilled into the corner from the edge of the box. Halesowen continued to exert pressure and grabbed the lead before half time when the ball was lost outside the area to leave a Halesowen player the task of chipping the stranded keeper which he did effortlessly. HALF TIME 2-1 A resounding half time rollocking from stand in manager Dave Anderson picked the players up and in the early minutes of the half Toby O'Brien shaved the bar with a header. Lee McDermott bagan to cause trouble to the home defence down the left and shot tamely at the keeper when clean through. The task facing the Briars became harder when poor defending from a long throw allowed a flick on to an unmarked player who had the simple task of heading in from six yards. Halesowen made the game safe late on when hesitation let the left winger in who finished into the corner. Briars were awarded a last minute penalty which the home keeper saved from Lee McDermott. Team - Ian Benbow, Adam Tillsley, Luke Lancett, Jason Bowers, Dave Williams, Toby O'Brien, Chris Jones, Graham Cousins, Steve Thomas, Lee McDermott (1), Deane Machin Subs - Dave Beard, Andy Daly
Briars Phoenix 1 Blakedown 1 Briars should really have picked up all three points from this game against a new look Blakedown side. The home side dominated the first half with some excellent attacking play with Steve Thomas and Toby O'Brien causing trouble down the flanks and Deane Machin and Lee McDermott running the forward line well. Briars finally took the lead after half an hour when Chris Jones split the defence for Toby O'Brien to cross across the face of the goal to give DEANE MACHIN a simple tap in. Briars suffered another injury when Keith "Darren Anderton" Bradley severely fractured a toe nail. The chances kept coming for the home team with Steve Thomas and Chris Jones going very close to increasing the lead. HALF TIME 1-0 It was the same story at the start of the second half with Briars running the game through Graham Cousins and Chris Jones in midfield. The approach play continued to be good without the final product with Lee McDermott continuing to run at the away defence. As the half progressed Blakedown began to come into the game and equalised with probably their first chance of the game when winger SPOONER pounced on hesitation in the Briars defence, cut inside and curled a shot past Craig Gommersall into the net. Chances came at both ends afterwards, headers from Chris Jones and Ian Benbow going close and Blakedown almost taking the lead when a clearance was charged down. Andy Daly marked his Briars debut with a booking after five minutes on the pitch for a typically crunching tackle. Team - Craig Gommersall, Dave Williams, Keith Bradley, Jason Bowers, Luke Lancett, Tobias O'Brien, Graham Cousins, Chris Jones, Steve Thomas, Lee McDermott, Deane Machin (1) Subs - Ian Benbow, Andy Daly Hartlebury Taverners 3 Briars Phoenix 3 Briars were dealt a blow pre-match when Dave Beard failed a fitness test and things didn't get any better when they went a goal down early in the game. Briars began to exert pressure on the home team with Lee Rudd, Steve Thomas and Deane Machin all going close. The equaliser eventually came when a poor clearance from the goalkeeper went to the evergreen GRAHAM COUSINS who brought the ball forward before firing into the corner from the edge of the box. The play flowed from end to end for the rest of the half without any clear cut chances. HALF TIME 1-1 Briars made the perfect start to the second half when Lee McDermott ran up the right and his crossfield ball was cleverly dummied by Deane Machin allowing KEITH BRADLEY a clear run into the box where he finished clinically. Briars increased their lead with a superb finish into the corner of the net from LEE McDERMOTT. Briars then made the mistake of sitting back and a succession of corners for Hartlebury brought some close shaves. Hartlebury got back into the match when another corner was not cleared and the home forward scored from the six yard line. Craig Gommersall in the Briars goal pulled off a superb save from a free kick but the corners kept coming, the visitors must have thought their luck would hold with clearances off the line from successive corners but the last one of the game arrived at an unmarked player who volleyed home impressively from the penalty spot. On the balance of chances Briars' were lucky to get anything from the game but having lead 3-1 they were disappointed. Team - Craig Gommersall, Dave Williams, Keith Bradley (1), Jason Bowers, Adam Tillsley, Tobias O'Brien, Chris Jones, Graham Cousins (1), Deane Machin, Lee Rudd, Steve Thomas Subs - Lee McDermott (1), Ian Benbow
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