Adult Sunday result 20/05/07. League
Rubery FC      14        Fleece FC      1

With both sides nothing to play for and Rubery already winning the treble today’s game became a fun day for both sides and with the Rubery side picking their positions out of the hat they started quite well with the players playing out of their favoured places gave the management food for thought for next season. Neil Davis (5mins) opened the account and his first of the season as he slid in and a clearance smashed against him and ended up in the top corner. Colin Tandy was next (25 min) who was on his own personal crusade to reach the 40 total for the season with a good individual effort and goal of the day went to Nathan Dawson (42min) who received the ball thirty yards out and unleashed a wicked drive that gave the keeper no chance and smashed into the net for Rubery’s third. H/T 3-0

Rubery with 94 goals already this term in the league were now closing in on another mile stone of 100 goals for the season so as already arranged before the game the side reverted to their regular line up and with the players now in their usual positions proceeded to chase down the milestone and started to take Fleece apart. Colin Tandy helped Rubery to draw close to the total on (49 min) and was even more pleased as he reached 40 for the season a minute later (50 min) but the first big cheer of the day went to Marc Holland (51min) who drove the ball through a crowd of players and passed the keeper for the teams 100. The team were now just flying along and enjoying the day so the management handed over control to the players who could not play through injury or non selection and they started to make changes to the shape and positions and gave games to the fringe players, and to their credit did an excellent job in control so maybe a few jobs may be at risk. Colin Tandy now free of his nerves to get to his total started to play with more freedom and on 54 mins scored his 4th. James Gasson (55min) was next who had so much time to control the ball at the back post he almost missed controlled it but regained his composure to push it home. The Fleece did keep trying to get an effort on target and gained a consolation goal after a lack of concentration in the Rubery ranks and missed tackle let in the forward to round the keeper to fire home. Jason Brown (65 min) who has been a great squad player this season but not really had much chance came off the bench and got the biggest cheer of the day as he rose at the front post following a corner and steered the ball into the top corner to the joy of his team mates. Colin Tandy got his fifth on 68 minutes and Phil Mckeever (76min) centre half moved up the field to play centre forward received the ball from a poor kick out from the fleece keeper. His control took him one on one on the keeper, he rounded him but fell over but managed to regain his composure to get up and fire home with his left foot. Adam Goodwin also off the bench had earlier hit the post with an effort but on 82 minutes made amends with a fine strike from the edge of the box. Colin Tandy finished off the day on 85 minutes with his 6th and Rubery’s 14th

A fun day it turned out to be and a great season overall for the side and a very proud and grateful manager thanks for all the team for their efforts over the past months to gain a well deserved treble. Special thanks go to Shirley who has put up with me and the lads keeping the sides finances in order.

Once again well done lads. Best regards MAC

Sunday adult result (midweek) 15/05/07. League

Rubery FC    4      Rednal Social FC    2

With the league title now secured this game could have passed us by and with players injured on holidays and work commitments it was now down to how good we were in depth and the players that stepped up to the plate showed how good we really are with their ability to go out and get a great result.
Rubery started where they left off on Sunday but against a better outfit but still they had the beating of what was in front of them. Rubery kept probing down both flanks by switching play well but it was a great strike on 30 minutes from Adam Holland who picked up the ball on the left by the half way line and cut inside, a run by Carl Martin pulled the defender with him clearing the way to goal and about 25yards out Adam unleashed a wicked dipping drive that beat the keeper and struck the top of the net to open the scoring. Rednal had no answer to the way Rubery were playing and were desperate to get to half time without any more damage to try and curtail their advances, but Rubery had better ideas and caught Rednal late on after another move starting in midfield by Shane Goodwin, he played the ball out to the left and continued his run into the box. The Rednal defenders could not stop the attack down the flank and as the low hard cross came across the box it was Shane Goodwin who was on the end to steer the ball home (45mins). H/T 2-0
Rednal came out in the second with a reshaped side and made an immediate impact and caught Rubery cold on 47 minutes as they penetrated the defence and struck an unstoppable shot into the top corner. This set back for Rubery was short lived as they quickly got hold of the game again and another speculative shot from 20 yards by Adam Holland (53 mins) found the keeper to his embarrassment diving over the top of the ball and trickling into the net. Marc Holland got onto the score sheet on 61 minutes after an attack saw the ball break to him on the edge of the box and he coolly side footed the ball back towards goal to increase Rubery’s lead. Rubery could not increase their lead further not for the want of trying as several shot went high or wide and as the game drew to a close and substitutions were made Rednal managed to snatch another goal with only 3 minutes left but it was too little to late and Rubery saw out the remaining time with ease.
This was the 4th meeting of these two sides this season and Rednal have been on the wrong end of the result on each occasion scoring 8 goals and conceding 20.

Adult Sunday Match result 13/05/07

League game. Lodge Park FC     0        Rubery FC       10

Rubery had one agenda today and that was to gain the result to keep the pressure on second place Mayfly O B who their self had a tough match against Alvechurch S&S in third. Alvechurch who if they won, could challenge for the runners up spot and in doing so could win the league title for Rubery. But there was a small matter for Rubery of winning today’s game to keep that dream alive and with their injuries could have found this game tough. But the players knew that they had to perform to the best of their ability and did so with great character to run out convincing winners. The game came to life early on as Rubery started to pound the lodge park goal but without success until 17th minute when Adam Holland strode passed his marker and fired low into the bottom corner. This was the signal for the flood gates to open and on 22 minutes Colin Tandy was put through to fire passed the despairing keeper. Adam Holland was on the mark again on 25 minutes as a high ball over the defence from right back Phil Ward was allowed to drop in the box and Adam bravely went up with the keeper and the defender to head the ball over both and into the net. A lull in the play meant that Rubery had to wait until the 41st minute until James Gasson was in on goal to pass the ball across the keeper and in to the far corner. With half time approaching Andy Wilkins on 44 minutes desperate to end his season on a high before his ban starts for the last 2 games found himself with the ball 20 yards out and with players all around him screaming for the ball twisted inside the defender and smashed his shot into the top corner to his own personal relief. H/T 0-5.

With the result almost assured, Rubery set about enjoying themselves and started to produce some excellent moves and started to carve up the Lodge Park team who had no answer to the style of football Rubery were dishing up. It was Marc Holland on 60 minutes who had been struggling to score in his previous appearances who latched onto a cross to score his first of the season, 6 minutes later (on 66minutes) Colin Tandy scored his second of the day to increase Rubery’s lead further. Goal of the day on 75 minutes came from James Gasson whose astute volley 20yards out beat a demoralised keeper and bulged the net for his second of the day. Shane Goodwin in control in midfield all day with his hard work was not to be left out as he started and finished a sweeping move down the left to slot home from close range on 77minutes. Marc Holland finished off the day with a fine individual effort as he received a ball with his back to goal turned and cut inside the defender and fired home for his second and Rubery’s 10th.

08/05/2007. B.S.A. Cup Final

Rubery FC        1     Sporting Harborne    1 (after extra time)

Rubery FC won 5-4 on penalties.

Yet again Rubery did it the hard way to keep the dream of a treble alive. Rubery started the better but Sporting fought hard to battle their way back into the game and on 24 minutes a silly free kick given away by Rubery about twenty yards out was curled over the wall and into the top corner out of the reach of the keeper. Rubery was shook by this set back and struggled to regain their composure. Rubery were failing to put any good moves together and started to let Sporting get the upper hand and half time could not come quick enough so they could re group in the dressing room. H/T 0-1

The words in half time break seemed to do the trick as Rubery came out in the second half and started to raise their level of play and started to peg Sporting back in their own half, and within 12 minutes their persistence paid dividends as confusion in the Sporting box after several blocked shots, the ball broke out to the back post where Gary Mcgrillen who had come in unnoticed from the right back position met the ball and calmly side footed the ball into the top corner to level the score. Rubery were now well on top but stout resilient defending by the Sporting back line prevented any half chance Rubery had of converting and managed to hold out to the end of the half to take the final into extra time. F/T 1-1

Rubery again started well pegging Sporting back restricting any attack they had to few and far between but for all the amount of possession they had they could just not find the target to kill off the game in the first period.
The second period found both sides starting to tire but as the game was in its last 5 minutes Colin Tandy found himself time to turn in the box and fired a shot towards goal only to see it smash against the post and rebound out to the dismay off all Rubery players and supporters alike. The game just after that was marred by a terrible clash of heads as Gary Davis went in bravely leaving him with a trip to the local hospital and a fractured skull and fractured eye socket.

The result was now down to the lottery of the penalty shoot out Sporting took the first but Rubery missed theirs giving the advantage to Sporting but Rubery held their nerve the better and a miss and a fine save by Keeran Johnston put Rubery back in the driving seat but Rubery missed their last spot kick taking it into sudden death. The sporting player stepped up to the ball but nerves got the better of him and he fired high and wide. Jon Commander now had the chance to finish the game for Rubery and his shot sent the keeper the wrong way and bellowed the net and he was subsequently drowned under the onrushing Rubery team. It is a bad way to lose the cup but Sporting were gracious in defeat and probably the best team did win in the end.

Adult Sunday result 6/05/07. League
Sporting Harborne       2          Rubery FC       0

Today’s game became just the potential banana skin that Rubery could have done without, but it at least brings them back to earth with the cup final in 2 days time against the same opponents so they can re focus there minds to the game in hand.
All seamed to be going well from the start as Rubery applied the pressure but just not converting there chances and after 20minutes with Sporting’s first real attack in the half a push in the back of the forward produced their first shot at goal from the penalty spot which they fired home to take the lead. The width of the pitch restricted Rubery’s play and with sporting now in front they packed players behind the ball making it difficult to penetrate the defence but to Rubery’s credit they tried all they could to breach the back line but were unable to find the net with the Sporting keeper who was their man of the match flinging himself at every shot and making some fine saves to keep them in the game. H/T 1-0

Rubery started the second the way they left off in the first by pushing Sporting back towards their own goal. It was very frustrating for the Rubery side and you could see it in their play as they tried even harder to get a foothold in the game but again it was a break forward by Sporting from a Rubery attack and a missed challenge that let in the forward to fire home. It was just not Rubery’s day and they could have been there until tomorrow and still not scored. With 3 games left and even with this result it is still in their own hands as to where the title will end up.
Sunday Adult result 3/05/07 midweek game, League

Alvechurch Darts       0            Rubery FC      7
Tonight’s game found both teams with players missing in vital areas but Rubery seamed to have the depth of squad to deal with the situation better which proves that mid-week games cause all sorts of problems.
Rubery started well enough but could not put any good passing moves together but on 18 minutes Colin Tandy found the net for Rubery to take the lead to give them a foothold in the game. Although winning Rubery still did not look good enough to go on and win and a Darts having to chase the game did put some moves together and forced a few corners to apply pressure on the Rubery goal but they managed to deal with the situations. Rubery got to the break in front but did not look convincing in their attempt to win the game. H/T 0-1

A few words at half time in Rubery ranks made everyone realise that the performance could be stepped up and straight from the re start they started to produce the quality they were capable of. On 48 minutes Gary Davis broke clear and beat the keeper and a minute later Adam Holland beat his full back and fired into the bottom corner for Rubery to take a three goal lead. All the tension left the team now and the confidence shone through as they started to take Darts apart, every time Rubery attacked they looked like they would score but Darts held out for another ten minutes and were defending well until on 63 minutes James Gasson picked the ball up about twenty yards out and curled a excellent shot over the keeper into the top corner of the net. An even better taken goal by Colin Tandy on 78 minutes as his shot powered passed a helpless keeper extended Rubery’s lead further and Colin Tandy on 82 minutes completed his Hat-trick for the night. Steven Prosser up off the bench for only his 4th appearance in the line up finished off the nights rout as he picked the ball up on the right cut into the box and fired a shot across the keeper into the far corner on 85 minutes. The second half performance was far better than the first and proved that when required Rubery are capable of turning on the style to get the result they need.
Adult Sunday Result 29/04/07. League
B.A.I.              1            Rubery FC       3
Every game from here on in seems to be a possible banana skin with no easy game and everyone looking to take the scalp of the Rubery side that up to now has played well throughout the season, with just a few hiccups along the way, and today’s game looked like a problem from the start. With major players missing or playing with injuries that could see them off the team sheet for the remaining games, Rubery had to field a weakened side for this clash but their character shone through at the end of the game. Rubery were dealt a bitter blow just 10 minutes in as captain Aaron Goodwin chased a ball into the box, but as he fell the hard ground jarred his knee and he had to leave the field making him a possible doubt for the next few games. A quick reshuffle and with the slope in their favour Rubery needed to make the break through and they did this by the help of Gary Davis on 23 minutes as his turn and shot beat the keeper as the BAI defence looked in disarray from a corner. Adam Holland on 40 minutes extended Rubery’s lead as he beat the defence for pace as he did all game causing all sorts of problems for the BAI defence. H/T 0-2

Centre half Jon Commander struggling with severe knee problem all game had talked his way onto the referee’s book early on in the first half and as BAI broke through in the second to make it a 2 on 1 break he attempted to chase back to recover the situation was blatantly felled from behind with a kick to his bad leg, luckily the forward fired wide but Jon seething from the challenge confronted the player and the referee not seeing the incident only saw the confrontation booked the two players which meant he was dismissed from the field with still 25 minutes on the clock. This put Rubery in all sorts of problems as Colin Tandy reverted from centre forward to centre half along side stand in Captain Phil Mckeever who had marshalled the back row well all game leaving Gary Davis on his own up front. BAI pushed forward in an attempt to retrieve the situation with the extra man but Rubery with the new pairing at the back stood firm against the pressure. With the game drawing to a close it was Rubery that took advantage as Adam Holland broke down the left squared the ball into the path of Shane Goodwin (98 mins) who fired home to put the game beyond BAI. From the restart Rubery were caught with a quick break by BAI who scrambled a consolation goal but it was too late to retrieve the game and Rubery saw out the remaining minutes to get the result they required.

The end of the season can not come quick enough now for the Rubery side as they start to look tired after the long haul but they just need to keep it going to the bitter end to reap their rewards.

Adult match result 22-04-07.....League
Rubery FC             5             Mount FC          1

A Poor performance this week by Rubery, but at this stage of the season its results that matter and at the end of the day it was what Rubery got and maybe deserved overall.

Rubery started well enough and applied the pressure but could not again find the net but not for the want of trying as twice Rubery hit the woodwork and any other shots taken fell into the arms of the Mount keeper but late on in the half Rubery managed to take the lead from a great defensive splitting ball from left back Andy Wilkins who set free Colin Tandy (40mins) with a run on goal and his shot by passed the keeper to nestle in the back of the net. H/T 1-0

With the second half just a minute old and Rubery knowing that they needed to keep their concentration the worst thing that could happen did happen as the Mount were allowed to pour forward unchecked. They were gifted a goal after a error of judgment by the keeper, but this was his only real error all game. Rubery now had to reset themselves as the Mount tried to claw their way back into the game, but solid defending again produced a basis for Rubery to build off and push on.
Some players on the Rubery side were just not having the luck today especially Adam Holland. Several chances he created in both haves just did not end up where he required, twice hitting the bar or shots just going wide or over, his own personal tally of shots were well into double figures. No matter how Rubery tried it looked like they were not supposed to score but it was Aaron Goodwin that saved their blushes as on 74 minutes he latched onto a ball and found the net for them to take a lead. From here on in there was only one outcome, an Adam Holland break down the left squared the ball across the goal for Colin Tandy to slot home on 80 minutes and 3 minutes later (83mins) Colin Tandy returned the favour and slipped in Adam Holland for him to slot home to his own personal relief. Colin Tandy helped himself to a hat trick on 87 minutes, his third of the season, to finish off Mount and keep Rubery top of the table.
17th April 2007

The first real big test of the season where all of Rubery’s fighting spirit was called into play. They went behind as early as the 8th minute when Sporting broke down the left and a cross to the back post was met with a good header to take the lead and shortly after, a corner swung into the box by-passed everybody and as heading into the far top corner and was unfortunately touched in as it was attempted to be cleared. It was on the 20th minute before Rubery mounted a real good attack and for the first time Sporting looked vulnerable as Rubery started to take control of the game. On 27 minutes Rubery took a foothold on the game when Andy Wilkins received a pass and jinked passed the defender and fired a shot hard and low into the bottom corner. Rubery picked the pace up and started to create more chances as their belief in their ability started to shine through but could not make any further break through before the break. H/T 2-1

Rubery came out in the second half and continued where they left off in the first and took the game to Sporting and on 55 minutes a corner to Rubery was swung in and was cleared by the defence, but the ball only fell to a Rubery player who returned it first time and as the ball dropped it was met by Jon Commander who had stayed up in the attack, but as he attempted to head the ball goal wards it dropped out of the flood lights and caught him on the shoulder and looped over the keeper into the net to level the score. All the fight Sporting had, seemed to have now left them and Rubery started to dominate the proceedings and 2 minutes later (57 minutes) Colin Tandy broke clear and fired home for Rubery to take the lead for the first time. Sporting could now only make substitutions and throw three men up front but this only left space for Rubery to exploit and they used this to there advantage. The game became a bit scrappy as both sides fought for dominance in midfield and the pairing of Aaron and Shane Goodwin in the Rubery heart became the winners overall with their aggressive display and solid tackling and heading. But the contest was finally put to bed when Colin Tandy on 83 minutes again found the net and finished off any Sporting resistance and Rubery saw out the remaining time with ease.

This was Rubery’s first step on the quest for the treble but it has already turned out to be a good season for the lads.

Rubery reorganised at half time and went to 3-4-2 formation intent on trying to snatch the winner. Although the Fleece now had more chances the Rubery defence still kept them at bay and on 62 minutes launched an attack of there own which put through Marc Holland to take on the defence and a square ball into the path of Shane Goodwin who then gratefully pushed the ball into the net. Rubery now made changes to hold this lead and went to a 4-4-1 formation but even by doing this still managed to create even more chances and by rights probably should have scored more .Rubery held out for the three points but with a cup final looming in 2 days it took a lot out of the players.

Adult Sunday result midweek league game Thursday 12/04/07

Rednal Social FC     1      Rubery FC    7

Rubery had a full squad to pick from for this evening fixture and they were out of the blocks and took the game to Rednal early on, it soon paid dividends as Adam Holland found the net with a sweetly struck volley on 11 minutes after a sweeping move found the Rednal defence struggling to cope with the Rubery movement. Rednal then stepped up a gear and applied a little pressure of their own and a free kick on 23 minutes was left to drop in the box, and as the keeper fumbled to pick the ball up the Rednal forward stuck out a foot and managed to kick the ball out of the keepers grasp and trickle the ball into the net. Luckily for Rubery this was the only site of goal the Rednal forwards had all game and a mad 4 minutes at the end of the half saw Rubery stretch their lead and assert there superiority on the game as Aaron Goodwin (40 mins) and a Colin Tandy double strike in quick succession (43&44 mins) all but put paid to any resistance Rednal had left. H/T 1-4

Rubery now had time to relax and started to play some excellent football playing the ball from side to side making Rednal chase shadows all over the park but failing to further extend their lead until the 65th minute when Adam Holland got his second of the game firing a shot across the keeper into the far corner. As the end of the game approached and substitutions started to be made it was Carl Martin (78 mins) up from the bench again who pounced on to a loose ball and returned it with interest passed a despairing keeper. Gary Mcgrillen from right back (83 mins) rounded off the evening as he picked up the ball 30yards out dribbled passed three or four players and fired a low shot into the corner of the net.

Sunday Adult result 8/04/07 League

Rubery FC     2       Alvechurch Darts    1

A better performance this week with the only problem been the fact that Rubery could not convert their superiority into goals. From the off Rubery took the game to Darts and within the first minute forced a corner. Only some last ditch defending and several good saves kept Rubery at bay. But a silly unnecessary foul about 30yards out gave Rubery some defending to do, and the resultant free kick dropped to the Darts forward who dispatched the ball into the net on 29 minutes putting Rubery behind. It was the sucker punch that could have destroyed Rubery’s season but it only served as a wake up call, as again Rubery pushed Darts back but they just could make the breakthrough before half time.

The half time team talk on the Rubery bench only confirmed that the game was there for the taking as confidence seemed to come through. Rubery set out there stall again at the start pilling the pressure on to the Darts back four, all they could do was clear their lines with big kicks out of defence towards their forwards who were marshalled well by the Rubery defence and it was from one of these clearances that the ball arrived at Gary Mcgrillen’s feet and a slide rule pass through the on rushing defence found Gary Davis in on goal with only the keeper to beat which he did with ease with 55 minutes on the clock. Time would now tell before Rubery took complete control and on 70 minutes Adam Holland obliged as he took on the Darts right back (who he had tormented all game) and left him for dead and found the bottom corner as he fired a shot across the keeper. Gary Davis almost increased the lead as his long range effort came back off the crossbar and out before he left the field.

Rubery throughout the game produced chance after chance and must make sure they take these in the final run in to the end of the season.

Sunday adult result 01/04/07

The Mount FC       1      Rubery FC     3

A poor display today by Rubery who put themselves under pressure with this lack lustre performance from start to finish. They started the first 10 minutes well enough but could not sustain the level they have set themselves over the previous months and allowed Mount to get a grip on the game, and in this period they managed to take the lead on 24 minutes as a shot totally wrong footed the Rubery keeper. Rubery managed to rally themselves to apply some pressure and managed some close efforts but it was a great defence splitting pass from right back Gary Mcgrillen who played the ball into the path of Aaron Goodwin (33 mins) who ran on a swept the ball from a wide area, between defender and keeper to nestle the ball into the back of the net. H/T 1-1

With the wind now slightly in Rubery’s favour they did manage to look a bit better going forward and on 51 minutes Aaron Goodwin broke into the box to chase down a lost cause and beat the Mount keeper to the ball, and while going away from goal with the ball he was clumsily challenged from behind and the ref pointed to the spot. Andy Wilkins (52 mins) stepped up to the spot and slotted home for his third pen in as many weeks for Rubery to take the lead for the first time in the game. Both sides had chances to score from here on in but the best effort came from Colin Tandy who’s rasping shot from 20 yards out smashed into the bar and bounced down, it looked like it had crossed the line but the referee waved play on as he could not be sure of the outcome. Rubery put the game out of the Mount’s reach when (Carl Martin 89 mins) who is becoming a super sub at the moment came off the bench yet again to latch onto a poorly cleared defensive ball to place the ball back through the crowd into the corner of the net.

Sunday adult result 25/03/07
B.S.A. cup Semi-Final
Rubery FC     2     Meadow Farm     0

Second semi final in 2 weeks looked like the pressure was taking its toll on the Rubery side that started poorly and were under constant bombardment from the Meadow farm side intent to make a game of it. The fast meadow forwards pulled the Rubery defence and midfield from side to side not allowing Rubery to get a grip on the game and the forwards were starved of any ball played up to them. Eventually Rubery started to get a strangle hold and their first good move nearly paid dividends as a shot cleared the bar. Rubery started to find that they could cause panic in the Meadow back line and started to make them turn and face their own goal and one attack and shot, deflected off the post and out for a goal kick. A forced corner late on and hurried clearance fell to the foot of Jon Commander 30 yards out who hit it first time and it looked goal bound only to be saved well by the keeper. Gary Davis broke into the box only to be up ended by the Meadow keeper but the claims for a penalty were brushed aside by the referee to the disgust of the Rubery players and supporters alike. Rubery finished the half on top but with nothing to show for it. H/T 0-0

With the second half only 6 minutes old it was Gary Davis again who was put through on goal but this time as he entered the box he was touched from behind and as the on rushing keeper seemed to get a hand to the ball this time the referee pointed to the spot and awarded a penalty to the annoyance of the Meadow players. Andy Wilkins (7 minutes) stepped up to place his shot into the corner sending the keeper the wrong way to score his second penalty in 2 weeks. Meadow now threw 3 up front but still got little change from the Rubery defence, this in turn made more room for the Rubery midfield and forwards to exploit and kept the Meadow players pinned in their own half for long periods. A break by Adam Holland whose clever lob over the keeper went agonizingly close kept Rubery in command mid way in the half but it was not until the 85 minute when Colin Tandy put the game out of reach for the Meadow team as he took on the defence and fired a shot into the net. Meadow now with nothing to lose did make a fight of it at the end but it was too little to late as Rubery saw out the remainder of the game to reach the final on the 8th of May

Sunday Adult result 18/03/07
Steven Troth Cup Semi-Final
Rubery FC    6     Rednal Social FC    2  (AET)

Rubery were out of the blocks the better today and kept Rednal pegged back in the early stages of this cup semi final but were hit with a succour punch after 11 minutes with Rednal’s first attack when a slip let in the Rednal forward to open the scoring. Rubery still kept pilling forward in search of the equaliser, and on 35 minutes were awarded a penalty for their efforts, after a surge into the box by Adam Holland drew a rash challenge from the Rednal defender and the referee pointed to the spot. Andy Wilkins stepped to the plate and coolly slotted home into the bottom corner. H/T 1-1

Second half was as much like the first with Rubery on the attack from the off but they just could not turn their superiority into goals. The blustery wind made life difficult for both teams and as the game was drawing to a close in normal time and with extra time looming the worst thing happened as far as Rubery were concerned, when with 88 minutes on the clock Rednal snatched a goal out of the blue as the ball was played back into the Rubery box and the defence not pushing up they were caught out and as they screamed for a offside the forward slotted home. The Rubery home crowd were silenced by the outcome but the team were not about to give up a place in the final and a dream of a possible treble out of their grasp. It was with the next attack after the restart and with a lack of concentration in the Rednal defence that Carl Martin off the bench earlier in the half struck a shot that eluded the keeper to settle the ball in the back of the net on 90 minutes to the relief of all concerned and take the game into extra time. F/T 2-2

Rubery feeling they had been let out of jail set about the job in hand and again applied pressure on to the Rednal Defence and 10 Minutes into the first period (105) Colin Tandy pounced on a ball that dropped in the box and smashed home for Rubery to take the lead for the first time in the match. Suddenly Rednal social looked jaded as Rubery started to take complete control and got to the break in front

Right after the restart the result was put beyond doubt as Aaron Goodwin (116) latched onto a mistake, and with a quick strike of the ball, fired home. Rednal had to push on now and this allowed more room for Rubery too attack the spaces left, and with the Rubery defence now looking really solid gave them a base to work off and on 116 minutes Shane Goodwin helped himself to a goal as his shot totally fooled everybody to nestle into the net. Colin Tandy a minute later (117) poached his second of the game to take Rubery into the final on the 17th April.

Sunday Adult Result 11/03/07
League
Rubery F.C.     6      B.A.I.   0
The game today saw Rubery who had not played for 3 weeks take on B.A.I. coming into this game off an 8-1 result last week, but it was Rubery who took up the challenge right from the whistle. Their usual slow start to a game was non existent this week as they laid siege to the BAI goal and it was James Gasson that pounced on the ball as early as the 11th minute at the far post to fire home the 1st back into the bottom left hand corner after a hurried clearance by the BAI defence. It was James Gasson again who notched his second on 22 minutes when his in swinging corner to the near post found the keeper struggling to reach the ball and he only managed to help it into his own net. BAI pushed forward but only found a resolute Rubery defence who marshalled their forwards well and restricted them to long range efforts. This sound base helped Rubery forge forward and Carl Martin on 32 minutes helped himself to a goal after another move found him clear to find the net.....H/T 3-0

Rubery came out in the second half and started where they left off as BAI seemed to have no answer to the onslaught, and on 48 minutes Aaron Goodwin pounced onto a loose ball to score and put the game beyond BAI’s reach. Rubery seemed to relax now and played some good football at times and BAI started to give away silly fouls around the box. It was from one of these that James Gasson curled a sweet shot into the top corner leaving the goalkeeper stranded to score his third to claim his hat-trick on 67 minutes. Colin Tandy worked tirelessly up front with his strike partner Gary Davis and caused major headaches for the BAI defence with their movement and it was Colin Tandy (80mins) that beat a couple of defenders and fired a shot past a helpless, forlorn keeper to finish off the day and keep his goal scoring record going.

Adult Sunday result 18/02/07

BSA cup Quarter Final

Rednal Social FC  1   Rubery FC   3

An excellent game this turned out to be contested by 2 good teams who both played some excellent football throughout but it was Rubery that shaded the result by the end of the tie.

Rednal started the better helped as ever by Rubery’s normal slow start which will be there downfall if they are not careful but this was because of the week break due to the snow the previous weekend which had interrupted their good run. For 15 minutes Rubery could not get a foothold on the game as Rednal pegged them back. As Rubery cleared the ball it just seemed to come straight back putting them under increasing pressure but they weathered the storm and started to make their own pressure tell and managed to make the goal keeper work as he pulled off a couple of saves to keep them in the game. The best chance of the half fell to Colin Tandy mid way through as he found himself one on one with the keeper but as he lifted it passed the keeper he also put it passed the post. H/T 0-0

The second half found Rubery pushing Rednal back as they went in search of the opener and a corner and a substitution caused panic in the Rednal defence which they managed to clear but the ball was put straight back in and a knock on put the ball onto Jon Commander’s head to divert it passed the keeper for the first (60 mins).Rednal had to commit players now which meant there was more space now but it was not until the 86th minute that Rubery stretched their lead when a move got the ball through to Colin Tandy who turned and left the defender for dead and his shot ended up in the corner of the net passed a helpless goalkeeper. Rednal now had to commit extra players forward and this paid dividends as on 93 minutes as a free kick given away on the edge of the Rubery box was delivered well into the box and Rednal had a foot back in the tie. This was short lived though when straight from the kick off Rubery pushed forward a ball from the back into mid field and a first time touch on found the ball at Adam Holland’s feet who beat his marker and pushed the ball passed the keeper to restore their lead (95mins). Rubery managed to see the rest of the game out to progress into the semi finals.

04/02/07

Rubery FC    11     Mayfly Old Boys    1
Last week Rubery were given a lesson in football from a Premier league side in the cup and this week they had learnt well and took on board all they had been taught and proceeded to put Mayfly to the sword as their approach play ripped into the defence, and on 7 minutes Colin Tandy opened his account for the day. Jon Commander went up from the back for a corner (22 min) and a deft back heel as the ball dropped to his feet put Rubery further in front. But a slip by him a minute later as he attempted to clear a through ball allowed Mayfly to poach their only goal of the day but this was his only mistake all game as he put in a great performance. 3 minutes later (24) Adam Holland restored Rubery’s 2 goal cushion with a jinking run and finish. James Gasson Curled a free kick into the net 2minutes into injury time in the first half (47) to round off a good half by Rubery. H/T 4-1

Rubery had not really got out of second gear in the first period but they knew they still had more to give although Mayfly came out of the blocks the better and caused a bit of confusion in the Rubery back line but a ball out from defence fell at the feet of Colin Tandy (51min) who powered through to start the second half goal feast. Aaron Goodwin was next to find the net on 57 minutes as he side footed home from 18 yards. Mayfly were now in complete disarray as Rubery switched play from side to side and Colin Tandy found the net again on 59 minutes to complete his hat trick. Adam Holland ran past a static defence on 68 mins to keep his goal scoring record going before Colin Tandy added 2 more to his own personal tally for the day (72 & 78 mins) to make it a total of 5. As Rubery rang the changes new signing Carl Martin (80mins) stepped off the bench to open his account for the team. Rubery should have probably scored a few more as the game drew to a close but they became too cocky and squandered good chances but the game was well won by then.

Adult Sunday Match report 28/01/07
Terry cup rd 3
Austin Sports & Social     5         Rubery FC     1

A under strength side through injuries illness and absents left Rubery with a up hill task from the start against a 2nd placed premiership side Austin Social and they could not cope with the early pace set, and found themselves 2 down in the first 15 minutes. But credit to the lads from here on in as they started to put a few moves together to at least prove they were there by right but good defensive play and good goal keeping by Social proved to much for Rubery, who could not get a break through to try and get a foothold on proceedings and after all their efforts went into the break 2 down.

H/T 2-0

Rubery were again left wanting 3 minutes into the half and they found themselves further behind and effectively out of the tie as Social scored, after some poor refereeing allowed the goal to stand after a offside earlier in the move was allowed to proceed and without any consultation with the linesman. Rubery now demoralised did their best and did make a fight of it but any decision seemed to go in favour of the Premiership side and Rubery could only look on in horror as Social plundered a further 2 goals one a penalty after a great save at the feet of the forward by Keeran Johnston in the Rubery goal only for the referee to point to the spot.

Colin Tandy snatched a consolation late on (84 min) with a fine shot across the keeper which was passed him and in the net before he reacted but it was too little to late.

Poor refereeing in this game was part of Rubery’s downfall which they did not deserve but well done lads, unlucky.

Match report 21/01/07.......Steven Troth Cup Quarter Final

Rubery FC 5      The Fleece FC     2

On a very heavy pitch this quarter final that had been postponed twice previous went ahead and it was Rubery that started the better and pushed forward to try and take the advantage but it was the Fleece that took a surprise lead with a questionable penalty decision on 13 minutes when the forward was tripped out side the area but the referee pointed to the spot. The Fleece took advantage of the situation but the Rubery keeper nearly saved the day as he got a strong hand to the shot but was unable to stop the ball crossing the line. Rubery carried the game back to the Fleece after the restart and came close but 12 minutes later were themselves awarded a penalty as Adam Holland was brought down in the box but Colin Tandy was unlucky with the spot kick as the keeper dove to his left to save a well struck shot. Rubery just could not take advantage of their superiority and went into the break behind. H/T 0-1

A few calming words at half time provided the spark to the touch paper as straight from the kick off Rubery attacked down the right and found Gary Davis (46 mins) to fire Rubery level. It was now only a matter of time before Rubery took control and it was Aaron Goodwin (54mins) who supplied the goods with a strike on goal from close range after some fine approach work. James Gasson a minute later (54) took advantage of further confusion in the Fleece box when he poached a goal after a challenge by Gary Davis in the six yard box allowed the ball to pop up to side foot home. Rubery took their foot off the throttle and allowed the Fleece to play a little but managed to keep them at bay which reduced the Fleece to long range efforts and the high line the Rubery defence kept caught them off side regularly. It was not until the 70 minute that Rubery extended their lead when a back header by Colin Tandy towards goal left the keeper scrambling back only to just get a hand onto the ball but was unable to keep it out. And 2 minutes later Aaron Goodwin claimed his second of the game with a move through the heart of the defence and a 1-2 left him in on goal to fire past the keeper. A slip in the Rubery defence allowed the Fleece to get a further consolation goal on 75 minutes as they broke through the Rubery back line. Another move by Rubery as they approached the end of the game caused a Fleece defender to make a rash challenge in the box to which the referee pointed to the spot and Aaron Goodwin stepped up to try to convert his hat-trick but again the keeper made a fine save to save any further embarrassment. Rubery now take on Rednal social in the semi-final for a place in the final

Adult match report 14/01/2007

Alvechurch S & S     2       Rubery FC    7

Four weeks since the last game with the Christmas break and bad weather told in the opening 10 minutes, as Rubery tried to find their passing game and a different back four took time to bed in. Rubery were put under pressure by Church but the scares were well shepherded by the defence and a fine save by Keeran Johnston early on back in goal after a long spell out kept the opposition at bay, and it was Rubery’s real first foray into the 'church' area that produced a goal by Gary Davis with a tap in on 15 minutes after fine work down the left by Adam Holland. Seven minutes later on 22 minutes Aaron Goodwin found space in the box to poach Rubery’s second. Rubery was flying now and Gary Davis (25 minutes) broke through to get his second of the game. Alvechurch seemed to have no answer to the onslaught Rubery produced and again good work down the left allowed Colin Tandy (35 minutes) not having any luck up to this point to turn in the box and snatch Rubery’s 4th. Deserving Adam Holland struck on 37 mins to finish off the half leaving 'church' in disarray. H/T 0-5

Alvechurch started the second half the better and it was confusion in the Rubery defence on 52 minutes when nobody wanted to take control of the situation and a foot was swung at the ball to leave the keeper no chance that gave Alvechurch a foothold, but this was short lived as Rubery started to pick up the pace and again started to pressure the Alvechurch back line and it was more by luck then judgment that they held out until the 70th minute when a corner swung in from the left caused confusion in the defence and the ball dropped invitingly to the foot of Jon Commander who gratefully dispatched the ball into the net through a crowd of players for his first of the season. Six minutes later (76) Adam Holland pounced on the ball to get his second of the game. It was as the game drew to a close Rubery allowed speculative looping shot from 20 yards come in to give the keeper no chance to give Alvechurch a 2-2 second half score line but the damage had already been done in the first half.


Adult match report 17/12/06.......BSA cup 3rd round

Bournbrook United 0    Rubery FC    2

A 3 week lay off showed in the Rubery side today as the fluidity of play was definitely absent as Rubery struggled to get to grips with the game and the conditions and it was a full 25 minutes before they put something like a decent move together. But from here on in Rubery started to take a greater control of the game and started to push Bournbrook back towards their own goal and it was only some good saves from the keeper that stopped Rubery getting a foothold in the match. Bournbrook’s forward momentum was now been snuffed out by the Rubery’s defence and the half ended without the Rubery keeper having to make a save in anger. H/T 0-0

The Rubery team playing well under par and after some calming words in the break came out in the second half and playing up the slight slope (which held the ball up a little) and started to put Bournbrook to the test but it was the final touch in front of goal that was the Rubery problem as chance after chance was missed and the Bournbrook keeper keeping his side in the game with some more good saves. As the game entered the last 15 minutes the Rubery keeper was called into action maybe for the first time but his concentration held firm as a shot was well pushed away and behind, but maybe this was the wake up call Rubery required and left mid Adam Holland found himself on the right side of the Bournbrook box and fired a shot over the keeper into the roof of the net on 84 minutes. Straight from the kick off Rubery won the ball back and pushed forward but as the ball was cleared it stuck slightly in the mud but was met by Aaron Goodwin to fire another ball over the keeper into the back of the net (85 minutes). This finished off any resistance Bournbrook had and took Rubery into the quarter finals
 

Sunday result 19/11/06: Alcester  2  Rubery  1

How can a game be so different in each half but this game showed that to be the case? Rubery took control of the first half and looked comfortable all over the pitch with some great play that kept Rovers chasing shadows. Rubery wasted several chances before a move which started at the back with a long pass out to the left wing, which Adam Holland took on the run, rounding the full back and threading a ball through to Phil Mckeever to run on to, to score his first goal for two years on 30 minutes. Rubery should have really put the game to bed by half time and should have been out of sight but all they had to show for it was a single goal. H/T 0-1

It was Rubery’s over confidence that proved to be their downfall. Knowing Rovers would come out in the second half to put pressure on the Rubery defence it was a ball given away cheaply on 48 minutes that Rubery paid the penalty for as a long range effort totally wrong footed the keeper to find its way into the net. Rovers started to gain in confidence and started to take some of their chances and it was only Steve Smith in goal with some fine saves that kept them at bay. Rubery still had plenty of the ball, but was unable to penetrate the defence and it was another ball given away that gifted Rovers a second on 74 minutes. Rovers now with their noses in front packed their defence and made it difficult for Rubery to find a way through and hung out for the result. Rubery was as bad in the second period as they were as good in the first but a draw would have been a fair result.

Sunday Adult match report
13/08/06
MAYFLY OLD BOYS   2   RUBERY F.C. 1
Another season starts and considering it was the first game what a great game it turned out to be with both teams playing some great football throughout this encounter. Both sides produced a standard that would probably have not being out of place in the top league and can only bode well for the rest of the year.
Rubery started the brighter and came close with a early effort but with pre season still in the legs fired wide. Rubery gifted Mayfly with a goal on 23 minutes with a mistake which allowed them to fire home but this did not deter Rubery from there game plan but they did start to go a bit more direct instead of keeping the ball and the Mayfly goalkeeper swept up any danger. H/T 1-0
Both teams started well in the second half but it was Rubery that looked the more aggressive and should have tied the lead on a couple of occasions, but it was with 76 minutes on the clock and an excellent move from Rubery which was finished with a effort from Adam Holland who fired the ball passed a stranded keeper. But with only 5 minutes left  and with Mayfly only having a kick and chase game left in their legs a big kick from the keeper was missed timed and the resulting defensive header found the ball falling to the forward and his looping shot over an onrushing keeper dropped agonisingly into an open net.
A draw would have being a fair result for this game but it is something to build on and hopefully things can only improve from here.

 

BROWN.J  COMMANDER.J   DAVIS.G   DAVIS.N   DAWSON.N     DOUPE.A 

FRANCIS.J   GASSON.J    GOODWIN.A   GOODWIN.ADAM    GOODWIN.S

HOLLAND.A    JOHNSTON.K   LIVERSIDGE.P   McCOURT.P  MCGILLVERY.D   

MCGRILLEN.G  PROSSER.S    SCOTT.C    SMITH.S   TANDY.C.   WARD.P.  WILKINS.A