| In the week that Brian Clough died, after all the success that he'd had with Nottingham Forest before being relegated with a side that were too good to go down, the question we're asking ourselves today is, "Are we?" |
| Following an horrendous run of form that has seen us go ten games without victory (seven of which were defeats) and the elimination from two cup competitions, the visit of bottom team Solihull Borough would've been highly anticipated. However, the Posh Brummies had different ideas. |
| It seems that every time that we play against Borough I mention that Mark Gayle once sat on the bench as Liverpool's substitute goalkeeper. So, for old time's sake, Solihull goalkeeper Mark Gayle was once loaned to Liverpool during a spell at Crewe Alexandra and sat on the bench as their sub keeper. |
| Up front, Scott Voice was actually signed by Redditch in the opening throes of last season with a view to leading their line in Conference Two this year. He never really settled at the Valley Stadium and has now found himself regularly plying his trade at this level. |
| In defence Martin Hier followed his goal at Meadow Park in last season's 2-2 draw with a topless celebration. Also featuring today for the Midlands team was Dean Peer, once a regular in the Birmingham City line-up. |
| Chris Burns had made moves to strengthen his backline with the signing of Lyndon Tompkins from Hellenic League side Bishops Cleeve. This came in the wake of revelations that Adam Howarth had opted to join up with Cirencester Town in favour of a move to the Tigers. |
Despite retiring the previous week Karl Bayliss was called into action again as the City team took on a very threadbare look.
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| The winning goal came just four minutes into the game. Chris Thompson had been drawn out into the right back position but misjudged a long diagonal ball and allowed the Solihull player in behind him. A quick change of feet was followed by an accurate cross and Mark Shepherd headed into a gaping hole to give Guy Russell's side the lead. |
| It could've been worse when Neil Mustoe tangled with a Solihull attacker and Voice sent a direct free kick just over the bar. |
| Karl Bayliss might've edged closer to the magic hundred goal mark when he volleyed towards the target, but the defender did enough to block the route from his foot to the back of the net. It all came about thanks to a superb Lee Smith cross that met Tom Webb on a run from midfield but was cleared before the City youngster could shoot. |
| After twenty minutes Mustoe earned himself a booking when he got involved in a tussle with Pete Barry. Both saw yellow but the Solihull man was unlucky to be carded following the City Captain's petulance. |
| Smith sent in another cross as City looked for a way back into the game but Jimmy Cox's connection was smothered by Gayle. However, he didn't claim the ball and it eventually fell to Mustoe on the edge of the box who tamely lobbed it into the experienced keeper's hands. |
| City continued to be their own worst enemy when Cox darted through one on one with the keeper but a heavy touch saw the Solihull man come out on top. |
| Marvin Thompson, playing as left wing back was enjoying a little freedom going forward and a pacy run ended with a shot from Bayliss that, as he slid in touched the post and went out for a goal kick. |
It had been a frustrating half for Chris Burns' men, even more so for Lee Smith, who having been cynically impeeded three times in a matter of minutes said so to the referee and was carded for his trouble. Quite where the justice is there I don't know.
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| The second period started brightly for City, well, there was only really one side in it as the Damson Parkway side fought to hold their slender advantage. A Neil Mustoe corner was headed up before falling to Marvin on the edge of the box, from where he volleyed poorly over the bar. |
| Lee Smith might've seen red after a second yellow card as he went down under a challenge as he made inroads into the box. The referee waved play on, much to the City man's disdain but the three or four opponents who called on the man in black to book him should hang their heads in shame. Fans near the incident suggested that Smith was hard done by. |
| More City domination saw a cross from Marv 'saved' at the near post by Gayle then a centre from the opposite side was cleared with Baylo lurking. |
| If City were to find a way back into the game they made it harder than ever for themselves when Keith Knight came on for Marvin Thompson. It was easy to understand why Knight wanted to come on but Thompson was a real threat and the choice of player to replace angered many fans. |
| With one Thompson gone from the left, his namesake Chris filled his role on the flank. A more advanced position mean't he could get forward more often and was unlucky when he just got under a cross from Smith and missed a chance of a goalbound header. |
| Shepherd was replaced by young forward Micheal Swan. I know nothing of Swan other that if you read his name quickly it looks like Micheal Owen. |
A move involving Jimmy Cox, Baylo and Lee Smith came to nothing but Solihull broke and could've doubled their advantage when Voice held the ball well for Owen (Swan) to shoot wide.
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| If the decision to take off Marvin Thompson swung the balance in Solihull's favour then replacing Jimmy Cox with Lee Davis handed the Birmingham side all three points on a plate. Davis isn't noted for his physical presence and against a well organised and robust back four had no chance. |
| Complaints that keeper Gayle was timewasting were met by a jovial response from the big Brummie that "We're bottom of the league and 1-0 up away from home. You'd do the same if you were in our position oilroight." |
| Karl Bayliss should've done better from a Chris Thompson cross but he jumped too late and sent the ball spinning wide. It was a similar story at the other end as Solihull hit City on the counter attack. |
| Solihull boss Russell, the ex-Moor Green player, bolstered his midfield with the introduction of Dean Tilley for Matt Hawker. This was quickly followed by the Brummies earning their second booking when Morton Titterton was cautioned for chopping down Lee Smith. |
| City could've had a penalty following a all too rare burst into the area from Mustoe. The combative midfielder got to the touchline before angling a ball back towards the six yard box which looked to be cut out by a defender's midriff / arm. The appeals were just from the fans though. |
| It wasn't to be though and Solihull, like too many other teams so far this season left Meadow Park with all three points. |
| Solihull's time wasting had helped them to the points though and even though whenever there was a significant break the referee would motion that he'd stopped his watch, at the end of either half he seemed to add no extra time. The first half finished at 15.44 and the second at 16.45, cheers ref. |
| Following last week's FA Cup defeat Chris Burns now has two weeks to regroup and hope that one or two injuries clear up and that Andy Hoskins can get fit enough to reclaim his number ten shirt. City fans will be appeased with the news that the Gaffer has put in approaches for two players. Wayne Rooney and Jermaine Defoe will do. |
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| Tiger Roar Man of the Match - Lyndon Tompkins |
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Lyndon Tompkins
Star Man |
In a poor team performance it made a nice change to see a defender playing in defence. Lyndon has been playing regularly in the Hellenic League with Bishops Cleeve and may've found the step up to be a big one but he did well in his second spell as a Tigers' player. He seemed to mistime a few headers but as time goes on he'll improve and put in more of what City need at the back.
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