MATCH REPORT: JLR SOLIHULL 3-2 SERTEC
JLR Solihull held off a Sertec fightback to win the Birmingham County FA Business League 3-2 at St. George’s Park.
A brace from Reece Bacon and a fine effort from Ben Poutney had put JLR in a comfortable position. Sertec pulled a goal back before half time through Josh Simpson, and a spirited second-half performance saw the striker grab a second as they threatened a comeback.
Despite a positive start by Sertec, JLR took the lead after 10 minutes. A moment of madness between the goalkeeper and defender left Poutney with little to do. The pacey striker dinked the ball over the onrushing keeper.
JLR doubled their advantage minutes later. Shaun Horobin floated a free kick to the back post where captain Bacon rose highest to nod it past the onrushing keeper.
The home side soon made it three in five minutes to push further ahead. Sertec failed to clear a corner and Bacon grabbed his second of the game with a driven shot into the corner.
Sertec managed to pull a goal back midway through the first half. Steve Sadler used skill to beat his man before floating a ball onto the head of Simpson, who guided a delightful header out of the reach of Josh Lea.
The Greys were seeking a way back into the game and came close to pulling another goal back through Simpson. He again rose above his marker, but his header dropped wide of the far post.
Poutney, JLR’s brightest spark, came close to scoring his second of the night. Quick feet opened up space for a strike, but his left-footed effort was palmed away by Oliver Burrows.
Sertec added their second in the last 15 minutes as they looked to complete the comeback. George Hudson flicked a free kick onto the foot of Simpson, who had a simple finish for his second of the night.
Despite a spirited second-half performance from Sertec, JLR held on for the win to become the 2019 Birmingham County FA Business League champions.
After his brace, Bacon was pleased with how the side performed and his own performance to secure the win.
He said: “It was a tough game, but we played well. We went three-nil up, the last five minutes were difficult, but we managed to hold on.
“To score two goals is good for any player, especially two winning goals.”
Bacon and player/manager Shaun Horobin believed the benefits of the Business League were evident throughout.
Horobin said: “We are a good group now. We are like a family and feel more of a team now than we did at the start.”