MIDLAND FOOTBALL ALLIANCE
PREMIER DIVISION

West Midlands Police 3 Castle Vale K.H. 3

Visitors Castle Vale K.H. started the game well and went into an early two goal lead. On 22 minutes, Gary Ray crossed to Malcolm Power who's first time shot from 15 yards flew into the bottom corner. Two minutes later a Power cross to the near post found Police captain Paul Shaw, who, under pressure from Ray turned the ball past keeper Ross Bate.

West Mids fought back, on 29 minutes, when they were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box. Bellingham spotted Vale keeper, Scott Curtis on his right hand post, organising a defensive wall and promptly fired the ball into an unguarded part of the net. Despite vehement protests from Vale player that the referee had not signalled for the kick to be taken, the goal was allowed.

On 33 minutes, West Mids equalised. Bellingham went on a run from the half way line, brushing away several tackles before setting up Michael Mason who neatly slotted home from 12 yards.

The second half flowed end to end before Police took the lead on 81 minutes, when Paul Shaw played a good ball out of defence to Martin Slattery who's pre cross found Bellingham who stooped low to head home into the roof of the net from close range.

Vale bounced back and equalised with five minutes left on the clock, when a long ball from Dave Jackson split the Police defence and Power pounced to fire home an unstoppable first time shot from the edge of the box.

The game finished at 3-3, a fair result between two well matched sides.