MIDLAND FOOTBALL ALLIANCE
PREMIER DIVISION

Shifnal Town 3, West Midlands Police 0

After a three match unbeaten run West Mids slumped to an unexpected defeat at lowly Shifnal Town, who had only managed four league wins so far this season. Police started well and a long clearance from Darren Carmell ran through to Mark Bellingham who had his shot pushed round the post by Shifnal keeper Philip Luke. A long through ball sent Martin Slattery clear for a one-on-one with keeper Luke but his attempt to turn the keeper failed and the chance had gone.

On 31 minutes, Shifnal went close when a Stuart Woodman corner was met by Michael Kiernan and his header looked goal bound until Carmell pulled off a brilliant reaction save to tip the ball over for another corner.

West Mids problems started soon after, when centre back Paul Probert was left limping after a fierce challenge. Shifnal took advantage and went ahead on 35 minutes, when a long ball from Mick Flavell beat the West Mids offside trap and found Duncan Gazzillo who crossed the ball onto the head of David Taylor and his glancing header seemed to be going wide until Woodman popped up on the far post to power home a close range header.

West Mids suffered a big blow when the injured Probert had to hobble off, he was replaced by Stephen Patrick. On the stroke of half time, mark Bellingham worked his way through into the Shifnal box, but his shot was well saved by Luke.

Hopes of an early Police revival in the second half were dashed (not for the first time this season) when they conceded a goal after just 2 minutes of the re-start. Carmell brought off a double save from Woodman and Gazzillo, but the ball fell again to Gazzillo who forced the ball home from three yards out. Shifnal sealed victory on 76 minutes when Flavell pumped a 40 yard free kick into the Police penalty area and slack marking let in Kiernan who scored with a looping header that bounced before going in off the post.