Solihull Youth Academy V Birmingham Tigers (Division Three)

​Solihull Youth Academy were looking to build on their encouraging start to life in division three with a result against Birmingham Tigers. The hosts are a new addition to step eight and joined over the summer having previously impressed in the MFL reserves division last season.   

It’s been an eye-catching start so far with wins against AFC Balsall and Arden Forest Sporting to cement themselves in the top six. They also ran division two side Fairfield Villa close in the LJ cup last weekend before bowing out on penalties.     

Birmingham Tigers were looking to bounce back from a 5-0 loss to Continental Star in the LJ cup last weekend. One of their main problems has been at the back with 14 goals conceded from their first four games going into yesterday’s match. The visitors can get a result at this level though and notably beat AFC Birmingham 1-0 a few weeks ago. 

​Starting line ups

Solihull’s starting line up included Stanley Puleo starting in goal and Luke Cowley-Bryenton captaining the side from holding midfield. The formation looked like a 3-5-2 with a front two of Callum Lea and Louis Weir being supported by Arnaldo Primera Basilo in the number ten role.

There were five changes from their match against Fairfield Villa last weekend with Callum Lygo coming into the team and playing as part of a back three alongside Diego Preston and Callum Byrne.

The starting line up for Birmingham Tigers included Daniel Abiona starting in goal and Haytham Sharif captaining the side from holding midfield. The formation looked like a 4-1-4-1 with Jomaldine Mabika playing up front and being supported by Ibrahim Barra and Bol Karbinho on the wings.

There were seven changes from their match against Continental Star last weekend with Femi Olaiya coming into the team and playing at centre back alongside Ravaldeep Bath. 

First Half

Birmingham Tigers started the match well inside the opening five minutes and created some notable chances in front of goal. Jomaldine Mabika made a well-timed run into the box before having a shot saved by Stanley Puleo in the 2nd minute.

​Solihull gradually settled into the match as the first half went on and produced a moment of quality to take the lead in the 5th minute. Callum Lea found some space down the right-hand side before squaring the ball to Louis Weir who produced a composed finish into the bottom left corner for 1-0.

The hosts were moving the ball about well following the goal and looked comfortable in possession. Luke Cowley-Bryenton helped to link up the play and start off attacks from midfield which helped them build some momentum throughout the first half.

Archie Greenway also impressed in holding midfield and was looking to make things happen for Solihull. He cut inside from the right before having a shot tipped over the post by Daniel Abiona on 14 minutes.

Birmingham Tigers looked a threat going forward with Jomaldine Mabika making some promising runs into the final third. He played well as the target man up front and helped the visitors get up the pitch. He ran into the box before having a shot well saved by Stanley Puleo in the 18th minute.

Callum Lea impressed for Solihull Academy up front and had a brilliant game yesterday. He was constantly holding up the ball and creating chances in the final third throughout the first half.    

The visitors stood up to the Solihull pressure well in the opening 45 minutes and were working hard off the ball to limit the chances in front of goal. Femi Olaiya was reading the danger well at centre back and helped to clear some quality balls into the box.   

They were also causing Solihull Academy some problems on the break but struggled with that final ball into the box to find the breakthrough.

Solihull were clinical up front and made it 2-0 when Brad Rollason beat a few players down the left before crossing it to Louis Weir who headed in at the front post on 38 minutes.

A mix up at the back allowed Solihull to press home their advantage in the 41st minute when Lloyd Blake was caught in possession on the edge of the box. Callum Lea won the ball before producing a classy finish into the bottom right corner for 3-0.

Birmingham Tigers showed some character in the closing stages of the first half to pull a goal back on 44 minutes. Mohammed Siddig reacted quickest to a second ball before producing a quality finish into the top left corner for 3-1.  

Second Half

Solihull kept their momentum going throughout the second half and were awarded an early penalty when Callum Lea was fouled in the box. He stepped up and produced a composed finish into the bottom right corner for 4-1 on 49 minutes.

It was all clicking up front for Solihull yesterday and they found a fifth goal a few minutes later. Harry Sargent found some space down the right-hand side before playing a brilliant cross to Louis Weir who produced a good header at the back post for 5-1.  

Solihull used wing-backs in this match and it worked well yesterday with both Harry Sargent and Brad Rollason impressing and causing Birmingham Tigers problems down the flanks.

The hosts kept going and continued to work hard off the ball in the latter stages of the second half.

They were pressing high up the pitch, and they looked sharp off the ball throughout. The back three of Diego Preston, Callum Byrne and Callum Lygo all impressed and grew into the game as it went on.

A well delivered corner by Archie Greenway found Louis Wear who showed brilliant movement in the box before heading into the bottom left corner for 6-1 on 79 minutes.  

Substitute Roan Hadley took a shot from distance that was instinctively saved by Daniel Abiona who managed to tip it round the post for a corner in the 80th minute.

Solihull scored another goal late on to make it 7-1 when Hadley Wright anticipated a loose ball in the box before finishing into the bottom left corner on 88 minutes.

Full Time

Solihull Academy impressed against Birmingham Tigers yesterday and put in a composed performance to get their third win of the season in division three.

They looked sharp on and off the ball and had a control of the match with Archie Greenway and Luke Cowley-Bryenton helping to build up the play from holding midfield. The attacking quality in the final third is promising with both Callum Lea and Louis Weir impressing up front. They could cause teams problems throughout the season.  

Birmingham Tigers showed a lot of effort and endeavour but were undone by the attacking quality of Solihull in the final third. Despite the result, there were players who stood out and impressed for the visitors yesterday.

Daniel Abiona had a good game in goal and made some brilliant saves to keep the score down. Femi Olaiya also defended well at centre back and Jomaldine Mabika looked a threat in the final third.

Upcoming fixtures

Solihull Academy are away to league leaders Coventry Colliery next Saturday before a run of home games against Leamington Hibernian (6th September) and Castle Vale Town (13th September) over the next few weeks.  

Birmingham Tigers play another new addition to division three with a home game against Diamond Academy next Saturday before league matches against Silhill (Away) and Arden Forest Sporting (Home) over the next few weeks.         

​FT score: Solihull Youth Academy 7-1 Birmingham Tigers

Man of the match: Callum Lea (Solihull Youth Academy)

Match report written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League