This year’s HMS Birmingham Shield Final took place

at Coleshill Town F.C. on Monday 31 March 2003.

The Birmingham Primary Schools FA would like to thank…

the Lord Mayor of Birmingham and Mr Tony Howell for attending...

Coleshill Town FC, its committee, and Mr Des Green in particular, for

making it possible for us to use this venue...

Mr Neil Marsh and Mr Mark Cross for organising the competition...

Mr Will Davies, for refereeing, and his assistants Mr Mark Cross and Mr Andrew Wills...

all the parents who turned up to support their children, and who bought a programme

in support of BPSFA…

and not least all the teachers who give up their time to support primary schools’ football,

and especially those who work so hard on the committee of our association.

country, and is regarded among primary schools as being the ultimate achievement for

their school side in the city. The ship H.M.S. Birmingham has always sponsored the

competition over the years. At the moment the ship is out of commission, but our

reports will be saved until the newly-commissioned ship comes into service.

The Teams

Squad: Jason Nock (goalkeeper), Matthew Southam, Jack Stonebridge, Greg Hope, Jonathan Ursell, Chris Hole (captain), Alex Wilkes, Aron Chapman, Shannaon Naylor, Ben Parsons, Robert Dainty.

Subs: James Brydon, Chris Brydon, Simran Minhas.

Manager: Mr Clive Wall. Trainer: Mr Bill Hardeman.

Squad: Aaron Hall (goalkeeper), Max Black, Carl Yates, Oliver Dixon (captain), Joe Bradshaw, Ashley Evans, Mark Taylor, Thomas Palmer, Harry Lyttle, Jordan Jones, Joshua Bambury. Sub: Jason Hunt.

Manager: Mr Tony Thompson.

The Final

After the Lord Mayor was introduced to the teams, the game kicked off on a large, dry pitch. Both teams showed great respect for their local rivals, and although some good attacking moves were put together in the first half, with good quality passes and some clever running off the ball, the defenders looked comfortable, and the impression was given that it was going to be a tight match. New Oscott had the best shot of the first half, a long-range effort which curled just past the left angle of Hill West’s goal.

Straight after half-time, New Oscott were awarded a penalty when one of their attackers had his heels clipped as he ran through, but Jordan Jones pushed the ball wide of the left post. But New Oscott were in the ascendancy, exerting a lot of pressure, and halfway into the second half Joshua Bambury opened the scoring from the right-hand corner of the area with a long shot which went in off the far post. New Oscott continued to dominate, and although Hill West had a couple of breaks which presented half-chances, it was hard for them to keep the ball in their opponents’ half. Then, with a few minutes to go, New Oscott built a move on the left wing, pushed the ball across the area, and Thomas Palmer put it in at the far post.

Juran Jones, a New Oscott supporter, said; "It was a close game, with lots of chances, between two good teams. I enjoyed watching the game."