Derby Men’s 5th XI 2-6 Birmingham City Men’s 1st XI: Home Side on the Wrong End of an Eight-Goal Thriller

Words by Joel Roberts

Pictures by Katy Wordley-Smith

The Derby Men’s 5th XI were comfortably beaten by the Birmingham City Men’s 1st XI in the cup despite a spirited second-half performance.

The hosts came into this game after a heroic showing in the previous round against Aston 2nd XI but unfortunately were not able to replicate that performance again.

The game started off pretty evenly with Morgan Schuler going close for Derby in the opening minutes of the match. It was Birmingham who broke the deadlock shortly after when Matuse Gilmor’s strike from the edge of the area found the bottom corner. Ryan Plant got a hand to it but couldn’t keep it out.

Justin Nlangasa came within an inch of doubling his side’s lead when his header hit the post. However, two goals in five minutes extended Birmingham’s lead to 3-0 with Modestol Chalengela and then Gilmor getting on the scoresheet. Derby came close to getting one back just before the break when Tom McGrath had his fierce shot saved by Biggs and the rebound was put over the bar by Ross Barnett.

The home team got the goal they were looking for shortly after the half-time interval when they were awarded a penalty. McGrath stepped up and scored emphatically, sending the ball past the goalkeeper and into the bottom left corner.

Chalengelathen got his second and ultimately completed his hat-trick, putting the game out of sight for Derby. James Wilson got a consolation goal but it wasn’t enough, especially as there was still time for Rafael Codaccia to net a sixth goal for Birmingham.