Balsall and Berkswell were looking to build on their boxing day win against Birmingham Tigers with a result against Continental Star yesterday. It’s been an interesting few months for the Hornets who appointed Kev Kingham as their new manager last month who previously managed AFC Coventry Rangers in division two. Balsall will be looking to build a good side over the next few months with one eye on next season. The current league leaders Boldmere Falcons went through a rebuild in the second half of last season under manager Jordan Lengthorn. The Hornets are comfortably in mid table but could be a challenger next season if all clicks under the new set-up. Continental Star have been one of the surprise teams in division three this season and have been brilliant so far. The Perry Barr side are challenging for a top six finish and went on a six-game unbeaten run earlier in the season. The visitors have struggled of late though with three consecutive losses coming into yesterday’s match but there’s quality with Rumal Johnson impressing up front. The atmosphere at Lavender Hall Lane was friendly and welcoming prior to kick off. The people at Balsall were helpful with any media queries and the pitch looked in good condition given the weather over the last few days. It was cold and foggy throughout the afternoon but some of the fog started to clear prior to kick off. Lavender Hall Lane is worth visiting for groundhoppers across the West Midlands and is accessible to get to by public transport. Supporters can get on the train from Birmingham New Street to London Euston before getting off at the Berkswell stop for a fifteen-minute walk to the ground. Starting line ups Balsall’s starting line up included Zak Frost starting in goal and Daniel Povey captaining the team from left-back. The formation looked like a 4-3-3 with Leon Edmond playing up front and being supported by Corey Perkins and Ethan Galloway on the wings. Joe Savin and James Dunn were playing at centre back with Ryan Cranage playing in the holding midfield role. Ben Cobbett and Cole Cunningham made up the attacking midfield. The starting line up for Continental Star included Richard Gethin starting in goal and Rhys Hoyte captaining the team at centre back. The formation looked like a 4-2-3-1 with Rumal Johnson leading the line up front and being supported by Kyle Hackett and Khadim Fall on the wings. Rhys Hoyte and Henry Eze were at centre back with Kymani Hunter and Pharrell Grant playing in holding midfield. Marcel Simpson played in the number ten role. First Half Balsall got off to a quick start and took the lead inside the opening ten minutes when Cole Cunningham made a good run down the left-hand side before having a deflected shot go into the bottom left corner to make it 1-0. The Hornets made it 2-0 a few minutes later when an inviting cross from Corey Perkins found Leon Edmonds in the box who produced a quality finish into the bottom right corner for the Hornets’ second of the afternoon. It was all clicking for Balsall in the early stages of the first half and they were looking to make things happen in the final third. They made it 3-0 when a brilliant passing move saw the ball played to Ethan Galloway who found some space before finishing into the bottom right corner. Continental Star showed character from 3-0 down and gradually grew into the match as the first half went on. Rumal Johnson was making some threatening runs off the shoulder to stretch the Balsall defence and Rhys Hoyte and Henry Eze were working hard at the back to keep the visitors in the game. Balsall were playing a possession-based style in the first half with Ryan Cranage linking up well from holding midfield. Corey Perkins looked a threat down the right-hand side and Leon Edmonds was holding up the play well and bringing players into it. Rumal Johnson had a few half chances for Continental Star throughout the first half but couldn’t quite test Zak Frost in the Balsall goal. Joe Savin was doing an under the radar job of reading the danger at centre back and not giving the visitors that many chances in front of goal. Second Half Balsall got off to a good start in the early stages of the second half and had a huge chance to make it 4-0 when Leon Edmonds had a header go wide of the far post. Continental Star kept going in search of a way back into the match and were duly rewarded when substitute Kona Campbell was on hand to capitalise on a second ball from a well worked corner to make it 3-1. Daniel Povey was sin binned for ten minutes in the middle of the second half which reduced Balsall to ten men and gave Continental Star the chance to build some momentum on the ball. Kymani Hunter made an instinctive run off the shoulder before going through one on one with just Zak Frost to beat. The Balsall keeper stepped up and made a crucial save to keep it at 3-1. The visitors pulled a goal back when Kona Campbell was on hand to score on the rebound from a free kick to make it 3-2 with twenty minutes to go. Continental Star were working hard both on and off the ball to have a chance of getting something from this match in the latter stages of the second half. Kona Campbell came off the bench for Rhys Hoyte who picked up an injury and filled in admirably at centre back. Alex Reid also impressed at left-back and was tough to beat when crossing into the box. Balsall had a good chance to seal the match and make it 4-2 when Ben Cobbett had a shot from the edge of the box narrowly go over the bar. A few minutes later Rumal Johnson made an inspired run from midfield where he beat a few players before getting into the box. He beat Zak Frost before finishing into the bottom left corner to make it 3-3 with five minutes to go. He’s been one of the best strikers in the division this season and the equaliser yesterday showed why. Balsall responded well to the set-back of losing a 3-0 lead and showed character to search for the winner going into injury time. A late corner was played to the back post and found Joe Savin who headed into the net for a momentum building win late on. Full Time Balsall played well yesterday and are starting to build some momentum in division three under new manager Kev Kingham. They passed the ball around well in this match and created numerous chances in front of goal which is encouraging for Hornets supporters. It feels like the club is building something at step eight and are worth checking out over the next few months. They play promotion chasing Wake Green Amateur next Saturday at Lavender Hall Lane before games against Boldmere Falcons (Away), Meadow Park (Home) and Castle Vale Town (Home). Continental Star competed well with a good Balsall side and showed character to comeback in the second half. They couldn’t hold on for a point but there’s plenty to be positive about for the visitors who are challenging for a top six finish. It’s squad full of quality that can cause teams problems when it all clicks. Their upcoming fixtures include Kenilworth Sporting (Home), BNJS (Home) and Leamington Hibernian (Away). FT score: Balsall and Berkswell 4-3 Continental Star Man of the match: Joe Savin (Balsall and Berkswell) Attendance: 40 Match report written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League Comments are closed.
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February 2025
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