Beyond the Scoreboard: Midland Mencap FC – Ability Counts League Match Report – February 2024
Date: Sunday 25th February 2024
Venue: AVFC Dome, Tame Road, Witton, Birmingham
Weather: Dry, sunny but cold!! (It did warm up a little!)
Squad:
Dale Shore (GK in part), Liam Black, Scott Cox (GK in part), Katharine Hyslop, Ben Twells, James Lowe, Oliver Clayton
Unavailable: Jordan Chandler (some excuse about being in New Zealand!!) & Sam Robinson who had a chest infection.
Courtney Telfer & new boy, Daniel, were also present, but are not registered to play yet.
The MM fans had assembled in good numbers again and got ready for very vocal support from the stands. It was commented on very positively by Ref Roy who popped into our stand, mid game to say hi!
Nobody at all missed Ian Chandler !!!!!! Rather strangely the AVFC side did not take part and so the matches were all doubled up – playing each other twice
1st Match:
Versus BCFC 3-0 MMFC
Team: Scott Cox (GK), Kath Hyslop, Dale Shore, Ben Twells, James Lowe & Oliver Clayton
Early pressure from BCFC saw them going close but strong defending from MM kept them at bay. James Lowe cleared very well before two outstanding saves from GK Scott Cox.
Unfortunately, a breakaway from BCFC saw Scott exposed in a 2 versus 1 situation and they took the lead. Dale Shore was next on hand to clear away danger.
The pressure from BCFC paid off when they scored another goal. At the other end Dale went close after being supported well by both Kath Hyslop and Ben Twells.
Oliver Clayton was working well in midfield too.
Liam Black came on as a sub and his energy very nearly paid off as he went close to scoring. Despite another great attack from MM and a top stop from Scott Cox, BCFC ran out 3-0 winners.
2nd Match:
Midland Mencap FC Versus Sutton ‘Blues’. MMFC 0-1 Sutton Blues
Team: Scott Cox (GK), Dale Shore, Oliver Clayton, Kath Hyslop, Ben Twells, Liam Black & James Lowe.
This game started very positively for MM with their GK being called into action twice early on. Dale and Scott also had to be on their toes to clear danger away.
However, Sutton took advantage of some lax defending to score what turned out to be the only goal of the game.
MM continued to attack, but also had some good fortune at the back with a couple of shots that went very close to increasing the lead.
Liam and James tried hard to get MM back into the game but they couldn’t make any impact on the Sutton defence
3rd Match:
Midland Mencap FC Versus BCFC (game 2). MMFC 1-2 BCFC
Team:
Dale Shore (GK), Oliver Clayton, Ben Twells, Kath Hyslop, Scott Cox, James Lowe & Liam Black
Against a very strong BCFC side MM started brightly forcing two great saves from the BCFC goalie. The game looked quite even but suddenly BCFC broke upfield to open the scoring.
MM equalised soon after with a great strike from James Lowe after good work from Oliver Clayton and Ben Twells.
Liam Black also put in some strong challenges in midfield
Despite some super defending from both Kath Hyslop & Scott Cox, BCFC sneaked a
late winner.
There was still time for Scott Cox to go close, but MM just ran out of steam.
4th Match:
MMFC Versus Sutton Blues (2nd game). MMFC 0-4 Sutton
Team:
Dale Shore (GK), Ben Twells, Kath Hyslop, Scott Cox, Oliver Clayton, Liam Black & James Lowe
The second match against Sutton proved to be very tough. They had put out a slightly stronger side as MM battled hard to keep in the game.
James and Scott were both forced into make great blocks and clearances, before MM lost possession and Sutton broke away to score. Kath Hyslop went very close with a great shot and Oliver Clayton and Ben Twells battled away in midfield.
MM went close on 3 more occasions with top efforts from James, Kath and Liam Black
Sutton continued to press though and they opened up a 3 goal lead with some very strong strikes on goal.
Dale was putting on a great show in goal and James went close at the other end.
MM were awarded a penalty just before full time and despite Ben Twells hitting his penalty very well, their GK just managed to turn the ball away – it was just not Midland Mencap’s day!!!
The supporters were also very proud of the squad and wanted to thank coaches Suzanna & Charis for their contribution to another great Sunday Ability Counts League session.
Suzanne and Charis were both delighted with the effort from everyone.
The weather had warmed up a little by the end and the fans went home happy that their team had worked really hard against some top teams – well done everyone!
Author: John Hyslop
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