"Gaffer Ivey started Sunday morning in a state of panic over the clubs injury crisis, but finished Sunday morning doing Peter Beardsley impressions on the
half-way line while coasting at 4-1 up."
Missing several regulars through beer, injury and beer-related injury, Kings Heath took the now traditional 'depleted squad' for this tricky cup tie in sunny Patishall.
Heath were in complete control from the first kick, the passing was
simple, movement good and no-one in blue & black stripes broke a sweat for the
first 20 minutes.
Davies and Sampson were un-lucky not to open the scoring, but it
was the industrious Allen who went closest, and definatley should have broken the
deadlock. After Sampson was hauled down in the box, Allen saw his penalty come
back off both posts. Allen did tuck away the rebound, but as the ball hadn't
touched anything apart from the woodwork, the goal did not stand. Allens misery
continued as he was later shot by a sniper waiting in the bushes after 32mins.
The physio room has obtained another first-team star.
Ivey entered the fray.
Thankfully, Heath didn't have to wait too much longer for an opening goal. It came in the shape of a Chris Davies strike from the edge of the box.
Nerves settled.... now surely, this week, the floodgates would open!? Nope. Davies
missed the only other clear-cut chance Heath created in the first-half.
Once again, Ivey, now in player/manager mode, was forced to lash out a
half-time wake-up call. It did the trick as Heath started the second-half in
exhillerating fashion.
The beat of the samba drums was evident, Craig Sampson
leading the rhythmic attacking with 2 goals in as many minutes. His first was an
opertunist moment of individual grace and flair. A run through on goal, cut
inside and a curling shot that flew into the top corner. His second was supplied
courtesy of another Billingham 50-yard spray. Sampson took it in his path,
rounded the keeper and tucked the ball into an empty net.
Patishall never
recovered from this and in-between some show-boating from Ivey, some general
keep-ball and some Urquhart magic... Patishall conceeded a fourth. This time a
highly-deserved goal from Andy Blenco, a crisp finish after good work from
man-of-the-moment Sampson.
What with all the 'total football', in was inevitable
that a consolation for Patishall was on the cards... and it was. The ball rammed
home after a corner by a balding, tubby man in a red shirt...
Glenn 'Nick Collins' Billingham
Sky Sports
Patishall Community Centre.
Kings Heath United (4-4-2):
O.Urquhart
B.Tansley, G.Billingham, N.Blenco, R.Page
C.Davies, J.Anger, A.Blenco, J.Urquhart
M.Allen (S.Ivey), C.Sampson