Middlesex march on

The FA County Youth Cup
Third Round
Saturday 8 December 2007

Birmingham were knocked out of The FA County Youth Cup in convincing style at the weekend, suffering their heaviest defeat in over a decade at the hands of Middlesex FA at County Headquarters.

The hosts were on the back foot straight from the kick-off as the visitors went a goal up within 12 seconds. It took just five more minutes for Jake Lovell to double the advantage, slotting home a Lyle Taylor cross from close range.

By the eighth minute, Middlesex had total control as despite Courtney Belford’s athletic dive, Luke Marshall struck the ball high and out of his reach to make it 3-0.Birmingham attempted to claw one back, but each time they were met by a solid defence. A hard working Simon Dumelow was just beaten to Jamielle Matt’s neat lob into the box in the 11th minute, whilst Kieran Clarke saw his shot go just wide of the post after Dumelow created a chance for the Sutton Coldfield Town youngster.

After absorbing any pressure that Birmingham could find, Middlesex scored their fourth on the 30 minute mark, through another Lovell finish at the far post from a neat left wing cross.

Despite rattling the post early in the second half, Birmingham failed to make any impression on the scoreline.

Three minutes later, Dumelow forced a save from Matty Foley in the Middlesex goal when the Nuneaton Borough youngster was prevented from following up his shot, which was deflected away by the visitor’s efficient defence.

Belford then stretched to save from substitute Richard Aygeman with just 10 minutes left on the clock.

Two minutes later, Middlesex sealed their second consecutive 5-0 victory in this season’s FA County Youth Cup with Lyle Taylor following up his parried shot with a strike low to Belford’s left.