Castle Vale Town V Gornal (Division Three)

​Castle Vale Town were looking to bounce back from their 1-0 loss to AFC Balsall at the weekend with a result against Gornal. The Spitfires were looking to build some momentum following a tough start to the season with one win from their first three matches. Injuries to key players such as midfielders Jordan Evans and Leadun Dunlevy have made it difficult in the first few weeks of the season.        

Gornal were looking to build on the positives of their 4-3 loss to Coventry Dunlop at the weekend. The visitors had scored four goals from their opening two matches in division three with winger Sameer Arshad scoring a brace on Saturday. Their main issue had been at the back with seven goals conceded and they were looking to tighten up against Castle Vale.  

​Starting line ups

The starting line up for Castle Vale Town included Joel Chadwick starting in goal and Luke Smith captaining the team at centre back. The formation looked like a 4-3-3 with Alex Henry playing up front and being supported by Emad Suliman and Harley Byrne on the wings.

There were five changes from their match against AFC Balsall at the weekend with Sean Tuckley coming into the team and playing in holding midfield alongside Ensa Jarju.

The starting line up for Gornal included Kieran Reynolds starting in goal and Raman Mohammed captaining the team up front. The formation looked like a 4-2-3-1 with Raman Mohammed playing as the number nine and being supported by Sameer Arshad and Abdullah Shamiri on the wings.

There were two changes from their match against Coventry Dunlop at the weekend with Adam Titmus coming into the team and playing in holding midfield alongside Jack Allen. 

​First Half

Castle Vale created an early chance when Luke Smith played a brilliant cross to Alex Henry who put his header over the bar in the 7th minute.

Gornal were moving the ball about well inside the opening twenty minutes and linking up the play from midfield. Adam Titmus helped to build up the play and start off attacks for the visitors.

​Raman Mohammed was a real focal point up front for Gornal and made some brilliant runs into the final third throughout the first half. He also did well to hold up the play and get them up the pitch.

The Spitfires stood up to the pressure from Gornal with Luke Smith impressing at centre back and reading the danger well to help them settle into the match.

Harley Byrne looked a threat for them down the right-hand side and was looking to make things happen. He found some space in the box before putting his header wide on 20 minutes.

The best chance for Gornal in the first half came when Raman Mohammed beat a few players down the right-hand side before playing a low cross to Sammer Arshad who couldn’t quite connect with it at the back post in the 32nd minute.  

The visitors looked well organised off the ball and worked hard to keep Castle Vale at bay. Adam Dale impressed at centre back and made some good clearances to keep it at 0-0.

There were a few half chances for both sides near the end of the first half. Castle Vale played a well worked free kick when Sean Tuckley passed the ball to Luke Smith in the box who put his effort wide of the far post.

Jack Allen found some space in the box at the other end before putting his header wide of the right-hand post for Gornal.  

Second Half

Castle Vale started the second half with momentum and were taking the game to Gornal early on in search of the breakthrough. Sean Tuckley played a good corner that found Alex Henry who headed over the bar on 50 minutes.

Sean Tuckley also found some space on the edge of the box before having a shot well saved by Kieran Reynolds a few minutes later.

​The Spitfires’ best chance to take the lead came when Harley Byrne was free in the box. His shot was blocked on the line to keep it 0-0 in the 64th minute and felt like a huge moment in the match.

Gornal looked dangerous on the break throughout the second half thanks to the pace of Raman Mohammed and Jantay Wellington. The latter beat a few players before playing a brilliant through ball to Raman Mohammed who fired wide of the left-hand post in the 70th minute.

The visitors had some momentum in front of goal in the latter stages of the second half and Raman Mohammed found some space in the box. His shot was blocked by Luke Smith before falling to Sameer Arshad who produced a composed finish into the bottom left corner for 1-0 on 75 minutes.

Gornal had to work hard to keep it 1-0 near the end of the second half with defender Elias Ibrahim having to go off with an injury. Jack Allen was moved to centre back and made some big clearances in the final ten minutes to keep the lead intact.

The visitors were able to see out the second half for a huge three points yesterday.

​Full Time

Castle Vale Town created some good chances in front of goal and looked a genuine threat in the final third. It was just that composure in the box which was lacking against Gornal.

None the less, they played well and were competitive throughout.

A lot of players stepped up for the Spitfires yesterday and impressed. Midfielder Sean Tuckley played some brilliant balls into the box from set pieces. Harley Byrne also looked a threat down the right-hand side. Konor Gardiner also had a good game at left-back and stood up to the attacking quality of Gornal.

The visitors put in a textbook away performance to get a result against Castle Vale. They defended well to stay in the match at 0-0 and were clinical in the box for a momentum building win.

A lot of players stood out for Gornal such as striker Raman Mohammed who led by example up front and looked a real focal point for them. Jantay Wellington and Sameer Arshad also looked a threat in the final third and have that quality to cause teams problems.

Adam Dale also impressed at centre back and got some key blocks in to record the clean sheet.

It was an encouraging performance from Gornal who picked up their first win of the season yesterday.

Upcoming fixtures

Castle Vale’s upcoming fixtures include Walsall Wood (Away) in the LJ Cup on Saturday before matches against Kenilworth Sporting (Away) and BNJS (Home) over the Bank Holiday Weekend.

Gornal’s upcoming fixtures include Central Ajax (Away) in the LJ Cup on Saturday before matches against Continental Star (Home, next Saturday) and Kenilworth Sporting (Away, Saturday 30th August) over the next few weeks.             

FT score: Castle Vale Town 0-1 Gornal

Man of the match: Raman Mohammed (Gornal)

Match report written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League