Last
updated: 05/03/08
THRILLER
In what has to go down as one of the most dramatic matches in
BUSA’s football history, the University of Birmingham edged past
Edinburgh University after eight goals, two dismissals, 120 minutes
and nine penalties.
The two sides were fighting for the right to progress to the quarter-finals
of the BUSA knockout Championship and the hunger was clear to see from
both as they rode a rollercoaster of ups and downs which saw the match
levelled four times.
The game kicked off with the kind of drama that would characterise the
whole contest. Under a minute had been played when Edinburgh goalkeeper
Ross Harkness made a mess of an attempted clearance, skewing his kick
into the path of striker Jack Leadbetter, who was left with a simple
finish into the unmanned net.
Birmingham’s midfield was very much on top in the opening exchanges
and two players from it combined for the second after just eight minutes.
Craig Connor battled for the ball on the right-hand side before getting
to the byline and fizzing a ball across the six yard box which was met
by a powerful John Cullen finish.
At this point Edinburgh, two goals down inside ten minutes and playing
away from home against one of the strongest teams in BUSA football,
could have crumbled. Instead the runners-up from Scotland’s top
BUSA conference got a grip in midfield and begun to fight for possession.
A dubious free-kick awarded against Dan Henton would give Edinburgh
their avenue back into the game. Jack Beesley whipped in the set-piece
and Jay Cordell’s attempted clearance fell straight to the feet
of Edinburgh striker Michael Hazeldine who made no mistake with the
finish.
Suddenly Birmingham’s playmakers Cameron Holt and Dan Henton found
the space they had so enjoyed in the first twenty minutes reduced. Edinburgh’s
work-rate increased, galvanized by their strike, and they didn’t
have to wait long for an equalizer.
A long throw from the right channel was launched into the Birmingham
area and, with target man Peder Beck-Friis making his presence felt,
Marcel Simpson headed into his own goal.
Birmingham’s dream start had eased them into a false sense of
security and their visitors had outworked them to draw level.
In dire need of inspiration, Birmingham found it in the work-rate of
support striker James Coulman. The home side had struggled for an outlet
as Edinburgh found their way back into the match but Coulman’s
intelligent movement between the defence and midfield gave the playmakers
a great option.
Able to get a foothold in the game again, Birmingham enjoyed more possession
in the Edinburgh half and their third goal of the half was the pick
of the bunch. A long throw in was flicked on and met by a stunning John
Cullen bicycle kick into the top corner from twelve yards out.
With just five minutes left it seemed as though Birmingham would enter
the break on a high having regained the lead but the first half action
was far from over.
Following a seemingly innocuous throw in, once again on the right-hand
side, Jack Beesley delivered a dangerous cross into the box and Stephen
Maxwell climbed above Jay Cordell and powered his header past Simon
Lynn in the Birmingham goal.
Birmingham’s usually stingy defence was making sloppy errors and
paying for them. The team’s frustration was encapsulated by James
Coulman just before half-time. As Coulman laid the ball off Jamie Redman
clipped his heels from behind and Coulman reacted angrily, pushing the
midfielder. Edinburgh’s Michael Hazeldine then waded in, shoving
Coulman and a scuffle broke out as players tried to calm the situation.
The incident was worthy of a yellow card and a slap on the wrist for
all concerned but the referee decided it was more serious and sent both
players off. Almost immediately after the decision the referee blew
for half time and the players, coaches and spectators were glad for
the break after a frantic half packed with incidents.
To adjust to the dismissal Birmingham replaced Jack Leadbetter with
Abraham Osho in the second half, hoping to stretch the Scottish side
with his pace.
The second 45 minutes opened brightly as both sides created chances
and the pick of them fell to Cameron Holt. The Birmingham midfielder
found himself with the ball in the area after a scrambled clearance
by the opposition defence but his shot was straight at Ross Harkness.
As the match entered the final fifteen minutes John Cullen had a great
chance to complete his hattrick and send Birmingham into the next round.
Craig Connor’s deflected cross bounced in front of Cullen in the
area and he threw himself into the ball with a diving header but couldn’t
find the target and the winger was left reeling on the turf.
by George Kotschy
