Coventry U18’s 2-4 Birmingham U18’s

The Alan Higgs Centre was the venue for the fixture that saw Coventry City’s U18 side, face Birmingham City’s U18 team. It was a league game so points were on the line and everyone at the Blues’ were hoping to take back the three points.

The main criticism of this side was that they have often started off slowly. But just four minutes in, the Blues’ warm up had certainly got their intensity off to a flyer. Belfast-born Hale showed great pace to get beyond the defence before calmly taking the ball around the onrushing goalkeeper. 1-0 to the Blues’ in what was a perfect start.

The first half had gotten a bit scrappy after the initial brilliance. Many of the Birmingham lads were holding back, trying to preserve the lead and this led to very few chances in terms of goalscoring opportunities that were clear. Therefore, it was only 1-0 when the half time whistle blew.

But straight after the restart, the ball was in the back of the net. Unfortunately, the Birmingham boys didn’t start this half like they had done the first and this allowed Kyle Finn, the Coventry City striker, to poke the ball home. It was a shame as the Blues’ had looked in control. 1-1.

Despite this, the maturity in the Birmingham side was never questioned and the best response they could wish for came just seconds later. After a good team move, Hale was again on hand to supply the finish. This time, he got more power in the shot and it fizzed into the top corner. A brilliant strike, but there were more goals to come. 1-2.

The game was very open now and it was obvious that more goals would come. But to which side? The Coventry youngsters who had been knocking at the door made this pressure pay around the 70 minute mark. Albini equalised with a good finish to bring his side to 2-2.

The next ten minutes resulted in two goals. Both coming for Birmingham City and the man of the moment, Hales. His hat-trick goal put the Blues’ in front and again showed how calm he is to pick his spot. The fourth goal of a very eventful game was a well taken penalty. A wise head on young shoulders and this allowed the youngsters to take all three points back to the West Midlands.

Spooner told the official bcfc.com site that ‘[Hales] He is just deadly in front of goal…we see it day in and day out in training.’ Hales now has 13 goals in 13 league and cup appearances which shows just how much of a prolific scorer he is.