The first district level game of yet another and hopefully the last re-start is upon us. The all-important first hard-fought battle of the day commences. The winners of the battle to be the one parent per child are revealed as they arrive. A sunny but cold morning greets them for a clash with Erdington and Satley and one of our favourite coaches, Phil.

Both sides show that they are a little rusty and the game is a scrappy affair. The first third produces little in the way of goal mouth action as neither side are able to string many passes together. Gloucester fashion the first presentable chance when Giddy and Clarke combine but the Erdington defence manage to block the effort. Aitchenson parries a home side attempt around the post for a corner where they come even closer from the flag kick by hitting the base of the post before being cleared. Good pressing from Hill, Gladding and Hardcastle in midfield ensured the home side were not able gain any kind of control of the central area.

The second period saw a little more football break out and Gloucester’s better organization saw them have more of the ball. The first piece of quality saw the visitors take the lead. Neate pressurized the defender won the ball and a nice little shimmy gave him the space to fire into the near post top corner. Liggett, Saunders and particularly Harvey, defended well while Jonny did his best to extend the lead but his left-foot shot just went wide. The whole team then seemed to switch off and the home-side were able to play out from the edge of their own area all the way to the other end and slot the ball home without a single tackle being made.

In the third period Erdington were a little more organized as coach Phil had finished his A-team responsibilities and was able to help set the B Team up more effectively. As a consequence, the game reverted to a bit of a stalemate with both sides cancelling each other out for most of the time. The only difference being another moment of quality from the visitors. Clarke seeing the ‘keeper off his line, lobbed him from 20 yards out. Harvey and Lucas made timely interceptions to help keep the away side’s advantage intact and ensure that they ended the game winning by two goals to one.

Coach Phil, who has done so much for primary school football in the Midlands, surprised the visiting parents by letting them know his family situation, his need to get home and suggesting they clear everything away. With dropped jaws and to their credit the parents did as asked. I am sure Phil mistook our parents for home supporters with whom Phil has to work really hard to get them to lend any support at all. Many thanks to all those who helped Phil get home to his wife in a timely manner.