City rounded off the season with a fifth consecutive odd-goal defeat, this time at the hands of Hinckley United at a wet and blustery Middlefield Lane. The visitors went into the game simply needing to avoid a hefty defeat and a freak result at Halesowen to avoid an embarrassing exit from the Premier Division.
It was, however, a disastrous start for City. Before many of the supporters had taken up their positions around the ground, Gary Roberts' men found themselves a goal behind. Lanky striker Justin Jenkins powered his way through the City back line straight from the kick off. The ball broke for Jamie Lenton to square for Tim Wilkes to stab it against the post. The rebound fell perfectly for Jenkins who thumped it high into the top of the net from six yards giving Martin Davies no hope.
Simpson puts his shoulder in
The visiting fans could hardly believe it for this was history repeating itself. City had been caught cold for the second game running. Danny Bloomfield nearly had City back on terms in the early minutes, he surged powerfully into the Hinckley penalty area, twisting and turning leaving one defender floored, but his attempted shot was charged down for a corner. In truth the opening exchanges were rather patternless, City were relying on long high balls to the front two whilst the home side preferred to build most of their attacks down the left hand side, left back Brad Piercewright causing some concern and Jenkins a constant threat.
The rain was by now lashing down and, with the wind at their backs, Hinckley continued to tear into the City rearguard who resembled rabbits caught in headlights at times. The shock of conceding such an early goal was compounded after ten minutes then Jenkins put the home side 2-0 ahead.
A neat four-man move resulted in Piercewright floating in a dangerous-looking cross which Jenkins rose majestically to head in off the post with Davies a mere spectator. Hinckley were good value for their lead as City floundered against the elements. Up front, Bloomfield and Robbie Simpson were being starved of any service.
The game became a midfield battle of attrition as City sought to reduce the arrears, but things were about to get worse for the visitors. On 37 minutes Lenton tried his luck from distance, the ball taking a wicked deflection off a City defender and curling fractionally wide of the post and out for a corner, with Davies firmly rooted.
A minute later a calamitous half an hour or so for City was complete as Hinckley put the game effectively out of their reach. Stuart Niven appeared to be fouled on the edge of the box as City frantically tried to repel another Hinckley attack, the referee waived play on and Neil Cartwright smashed an unstoppable effort which sailed high into the top left hand corner of the net, way beyond Davies' despairing dive. It was a hammer blow which left City gasping and desperate for the solace of the half-time dressing room. There was comforting news from Halesowen however, the Yeltz were trailing 1-0, surely the goal difference couldn't be turned over, or could it?
With a half-time pep talk from Gary Roberts fresh in their minds, City set about the second half with increased vigour as they sought to seize the initiative from the home side. The ball was stroked around in a manner not seen from City during the first-half.
Colin Vowden watches as his 90th
minute header flies goalwards
On 54 minutes, City at last grabbed a foot hold in the game. Stuart Niven's long throw was flicked on by Simpson, Bloomfield's hook shot was repelled by Tom Whittle in the home goal, the loose ball falling invitingly for Adie Hayes who gleefully buried the it from point blank range. Encouraged by this success, City began to exert pressure but couldn't find the quick second goal that would have made things rather interesting. Instead, play switched to the other end and Jenkins, the scourge of the first period, nearly completed his hat-trick.
Piercewright punted a long ball deep into City's half, Jenkins latched onto it and got the better of Shane Wardley but couldn't control his shot, slicing it wide of the post, much to the visitors relief.
City's players applaud the travelling
fans as they leave the pitch
City had by now replaced Jack Wignall with Tim Wooding, and a double substitution followed soon after. Kevin Wilkin was introduced for Hayes, Bloomfied switching to a wider role, as City opted for three up front. Matt Rice also replaced a tiring Steve Holden at the back.
City had a penalty claim waived away on 64 minutes. Niven's ball to the back post appeared to be controlled by Cartwright with his arm, but City were out of luck as the referee saw nothing wrong. For all their huff and puff, the men from Milton Road couldn't find the killer ball to unlock Hinckley's resolute defence. As the final whistle loomed Simpson headed weakly over the bar after Wilkin had flicked on another Niven throw-in.
The game was petering out as a spectacle and the hosts were holding on pretty comfortably, but it was to be City who produced the last meaningful action. Niven was the provider once again. His flighted free-kick to the back post was headed powerfully back across goal and into the net by Colin Vowden. The ball nestled nicely in the net beyond Whittle's token dive and the score took on a much more respectable look.
The final whistle sounded and although City had been beaten for the fifth consecutive time, news came through that Halesowen hadn't produced the miracle result and City's Premier Division status had been confirmed, by the narrowest of margins, goal difference. At the end, Kevin Wilkin and Gary Roberts led the team over to the travelling supporters who had stayed to applaud them.
