Over 35’s Manager: Gary Smith beats the Banker in Channel 4’s hit show.
Gary with his lucky box. Humbled by the Banker The offer is on the table…
The tale of the two Daniels
Star entertained Castle Vale today at home in the league. Watching on from the bench, it looked a fairly even game until Relly put us 1-0 up with a Henry type finish, after about 10-15 minutes. From then on Castle Vale dropped their heads and allowed us to dominate the possession and chances; with Daniel Moses scoring a wonder goal straight out of FIFA: with a two on one situation in our favour, he decided it was appropriate to float the ball into the top corner from almost 40 yards out; it was literally, the best goal I’ve seen at this level lol. Relly then made it 3-0 before the half ended (it looked like it was game over already). Not satisfied, we carried on threatening, with Anton hitting the bar from 35 yards out!
The second half brought no change in terms of a threat from the opposition, and we started to make use of Wes’ half time advice: to be more direct in our chance creation. It seemed to work wonders, with Bones soon making it four with an Arsenal type cut back into the box from out wide, and Tre getting there before Lemar to score an identical finish to make it 5-0 (Lamar didn’t seem too pleased lol).
Deno then decided it was time for me to make a 25 minute cameo after a couple months out. Similarly to Tre and Bones’ goals, JR cut the ball back to me for me to score with my 1st touch to make it 6. Moments later Anton cut it back again to me to make it 7! After a couple of missed opportunities, (including Lamar’s attempt to round the keeper, who was on his line; his shot hit the post from only half yard out) we started to ‘play with the handbrake on’ and we became complacent. This didn’t last for long, as we soon got back into our normal game. However, after good work on the left, Sol crossed the ball to me on the edge of the area, and I swivelled and volleyed it into the bottom corner to make it 8-0. Great game to start off the year with, and hopefully we can carry on in the same form.
Report by Daniel ‘The-Man’ Chisanga
Orville Broomfield is Mr Continental Star, one of the founding members of this proud family club; he now resides in sunny Florida; here he is on a recent visit to England with other stalwarts: Denville Moses, Keith John and Lincoln Moses.
Here Orville is proudly showing off his Continental “StarWear” top
Following last weeks trip to Nottinghamshire Stars ounce again found themselves on the road this time travelling to Leicestershire to face Heather St Johns in the beautifull surroundings of St Johns Row in this Midland Football Alliance clash the first chance went the way of the hosts on 4 minutes when Star keeper Richard Gethin miss kicked a clearence straight to Shane Gibbs but his shot was well held by Gethin 2 minutes later Franklin Hazell who was playing the game at fullback for Star went on a lung busting 40 yard run down the wing and cut an exellent ball back across the penalty area to Tony Green who hit his shot just wide of the Heather right hand goal post with Maguire the Heather keeper rooted to his line With the pitch in exellent shape despite heavy over night rain Star began to impose there trademark fast free flowing attacking football on St Johns but credit to St Johns they held firm and kept Star at bay with 31 minutes on the watch St
Johns skipper Josh Mcpherson slipped a ball through to Shane Gibbs on the edge of the Star area Gibbs turned sharply and hit a low volley that was heading into the bottom right hand corner of the Star net but at full stretch Gethin superbly finger tipped the ball round the post for a corner a first class save by the young Star keeper on the stroke of half time Ryan Nash rattled the right hand post of the Star goal with a vicious dipping volley from just inside the area Gethin scrambled the rebound away to safety a real let off for Star 2 minutes into the second half Star skipper Davion Hamilton saw his low hard drive drift inches wide of the St Johns left hand post with Maguire well beaten with there tails up Star began to turn the screw on 56 minutes Hamilton picked up a ball from Ezekiel Tomlinson just inside the St Johns half and showed an exellent change of pace to run 30 yards and unleash a thunderbolt shot that was to hot to handle for Maguire who
spilled the ball but unlucky for Star nobody was following up and Maguire greatfully fell on the loose ball on the hour mark St Johns had a penalty appeal turned down by referee Mr Hathaway who awarded Star a freekick following a tussle between Star defender Josh O’Garro and St Johns forward Joe Price the game then became very stretched and end to end with both teams seeking the opening goal of the game but credit to both defences who held firm with 15 minutes remaining Star forward Daniel Holgates shot proved to hot to handle for Maguire who ounce again spilled the ball Tony Green was quick to pounce on the loose ball and tap the ball into the St Johns net but Stars celebrations were cut short by the linesmans flag who ruled that Green was two yards offside that let off sparked St Johns into life on 80 minutes Scott Smith saw his shot fly inches over the Star crossbar a minute later Star were awarded a freekick Hamilton swept a ball out to the left
hand side to Aaron Garvey whos shot was well saved by Maguire Matt Hunt was on the edge of the six yard box to stab the ball into the bottom right hand corner of the net to give Star a deserved lead thats the big defenders second goal in three games for Star the remaining nine minutes saw St Johns press for the equaliser without really troubling Star who looked very solid and compact the final whistle saw Star collect three well earned points againgst a well organised St Johns team with that win Star move up two places to 15th with 20 points from 16 games Star return to league action next Saturday 22nd December when we host Boldmere St Michaels at Dales Lane in the Midland Football Alliance k.o. 3pm
Continental…Gethin,Wright,Hazell,Hunt
O’Garro,Green,Hamilton(c)
Tomlinson,Holgate,Garvey,
Benjamin
Subs not used… Gough,Paul,Davis,Ellis,
Robinson
Adam Duffy Continental Star f.c.
Wes Hughes hands Bobby the match ball, after he scores four goals in the cup; who would have guest that in their next match they would have something else in common?
Continental Star Reserves travelled to Atherstone for a much needed win, having only played 3 league games up to date due to cup games. Our game plan was to keep it tight, eliminate offensive space; an accident on the motorway meant an hour stand still and consequently, had an negative impact on our pre match preparation.
All verbal reasoning went missing as Star allowed Town’s wide player to home in & score from tight angle. As Star started to dominate possession, Bobby foolishly got himself sent off (JA verbal slang
directed at the ref). Worse was to come as the defence parted the waves, allowing town to increased their lead; down, but not dead, up popped Relly to reduce the score line.
An end to end game took another twist. Now Star were reduce to 9 men, Wes Hughes getting a straight red for retaliation after being molested by Town player who felt the need to check his “particulars”.
In over 30 yrs of being associated with Continental Star I have never been more proud of 9 men(+3 subs) battling /showing great inner strength, beyond the call of duty. Not only did they draw level, but they broke away for Relly to complete a fine hat trick. 9 STARS (+sub) were colossal, gaining a deserved 3 – 2 victory. Soup taste good right now!
Report by: Deno
Star ounce again found themselves on the road travelling to Nottinghamshire to face Dunkirk in this Midland Football Alliance clash. The hosts started stronger with Star not being able to get to grips with the heavy pitch and being penned back into their own half. The fírst real chance came on 7 minutes when Star defender Matt Hunt cleared a Tom Maddison corner to the edge of the Star area, the ball landed at the feet of Kevin Springs whose fierce shot was cleared off the Star goal line by Allando Davis, a real let off for Star. Three minutes later, Maddison, this time played a freekick into the Star box allowing Stuart Robinson to flick the ball across the Star six yard box with Kieran Wells sliding in and failing to connect with the ball at the far post. This should have served as a wake-up call to Star, but they couldn’t seem to get going at all with their usual trademark fast paced, attacking flowing football.
On 21 minutes the host’s dominance was rewarded, Kieran Wells ran into the Star box to powerfully head a Maddison corner into the top left hand corner of the net to give the host a deserved lead. The remainder of the half saw both teams trying to create chances, but lacking a real cutting edge.
The half time break seemed to galvanise Star as they started the second half strong moving the ball and the opposition around well. On 52 minutes a vicious 20 yard shot from Tony Green dipped just over the Dunkirk crossbar. Star keeper Karl Hunter was called into action on 66 minutes palming away a Kevin Springs pile driver for a corner. Maddison floated the resulting corner onto the edge of the six yard box allowing Wells to rise and head the ball into the bottom right hand corner of the net for his second of the match, a goal against the run of play; credit to Star they kept going and didn’t allow their heads to drop. Three minutes later James Mountain dived at full stretch to tip a Aaron Garvey 25 yard screamer round the post for a Star corner. The Dunkirk defence failed to deal with a Tony Green in swinging corner allowing Daniel Holgate to volley the ball low and hard into the bottom left of the net; that was the big striker’s second goal in as many games for Star. The last 20 minutes saw Star pressing for the equaliser, but Dunkirk held firm and held on for the three points. All in all a very disappointing result for Star who made far too many defensive errors, and just couldn’t get to grips wíth Dunkirk’s set piece play.
Star drop one place to 17th in the league with 17 points from 15 games. Star host Gornal Athletic at Dales Lane this Wednesday 12th December, in a Midland Football Alliance clash K.O 7:45 pm
Continental…Hunter, Wright (Gough 64), Davis, O’Garro, Hunt, Green, Hazell, Tomlinson(c) Holgate (Hamilton 81), Garvey, Reid. Subs not used: Paul, Hoyte, Gethin (gk)
Report by: Adam Duffy Continental Star FC 8/12/12
Bobby receiving Star’s match ball from Wes, for scoring all 4 goals in a 4 – 2 cup win at Wolves Utd.
The Reserves progressed into 2nd round of the Saturday vase with a difficult but commanding 4-2 victory at Wolverhampton United. Trying to play our usual passing game on a pitch suitable for farming, we adapted well. With Daniel Moses & Skitz forming centre backs partnership for 1st time showing a composed display. Evergreen Wes Hughes controlled ball retention, assisted well by Lemaar Rhule, showing great maturity at such a tender age.
An early goal from United put Star on the back foot, but not for long; enter Bobby from a great interlink play between Sol & Wes put him 1 on 1 with the keeper; his determination brought Star level on 20 mins. United began using the pitch to their advantage, and went ahead again by pressing high up the field, but we should have still dealt with, clearing our lines. 2-1 down at the interval, discussion was not to change the way we’re playing, just be more clinical with final ball. I was so pleased to see everyone moving to the next level, with Bobby completing a fine hat-trick & going on to score all 4 goals! ‘Bobby of old’ What pleased me most was the inclusion of our young players, 16/17 yrs old, showing great maturity in their football education. Well done Tray, Lemaar, Craigh; Lathi, Anton & our French international, Steve Feke, making his debut, “in continental we trust.”
Report by: Deno
Star made the long trip to Shropshire to face basement boys Ellesmere Rangers at Beech Road in this Midland Football Alliance clash; the host creating the first chance on 6 minutes when Jamie Haynes flashed a freekick just over the Star crossbar. With a very heavy pitch Star found the going tough and struggled to get there trademark fast paced, free flowing, attacking football going.
On 23 minutes Ezekiel Tomlinson played a superb cross field ball to Daniel Holgate, but the big striker slipped and miss hit his shot wide of the Rangers’ goal. The hosts took the lead on 31 minutes when James O’Reiley played a ball over the top of the Star backline, allowing Kevin Renshaw to race clear and a one on one with Karl Hunter in the Star goal; Renshaw kept his nerve to calmly slot the ball into the bottom right hand corner of the net a goal that came totally against the run of play
The second half started with Star beginning to get to grips with the pitch and string together a few passes, but only really creating a few half chances, but on 57 minutes the visitors equalised, Tony Green whipped a ball into the Rangers’ penalty area causing panic amongst the Rangers defence; Matt Hunt took advantage of this running into the area and glancing the ball into the bottom left hand corner of the net’ pass the outstretched hand of the diving Richards in the Rangers’ goal. That was the big defender’s first goal for Star since his move from Pelsall Villa. The goal seemed to stun the home side, who resorted to hitting long balls forward to the front men; Star were now in complete control of the game and turning the screw, but couldn’t find a way pass a very resilient Rangers team.
72 minutes in and the hosts had a penalty appeal waved away by the ref after claiming hand ball against full back Lewis Wright. The final 15 minutes saw both teams searching for the winner and the game becoming very stretched; becoming end to end. After, 78 minutes, Skipper Davion Hamilton and striker Rikardo Reid combined and played an excellent one two on the edge of the Rangers’ area, with Hamilton slipping an excellent reverse pass into the path of Reid, whose goal bound effort was blocked and put out of play by Louis Irving. With two minutes of normal time remaining and the game heading towards a draw Star launched one final attack; Hamilton swept a ball out to the left hand edge of the area, to Green, who curled a ball into the box allowing Holgate to rise up above the Rangers’ defence and powerfully head the ball into the top right hand corner of the net to seal three hard earned points for Star. The victory sees Star move up to 16th place in the table with 17 points from 14 games. Star are in action this wednesday 5th December when we welcome Bridgnorth Town to Dales Lane in the Midland Football Alliance k.o. 7.45pm.
Continental: Hunter; Wright; Davis (Hoyte 53) Hunt; O’Garro; Green; Hamilton(c); Tomlinson; Reíd; Holgate; Benjamin. Subs not used: Gough; Ellis (Gk)
Report by: Adam Duffy, Continental Star.
Our u10s were back in action this Sunday after having our games called off last week. You could see the reflection of the break in the boys’ sluggish start. Although they soon found their feet and after settling into the game the boys looked comfortable and began to maintain possession, with the ball at our feet it was only a matter of time before we found the back of the net. A well worked goal created by 7 passes from the back, through the team to our striker, Jayden who done well to hold the ball up and lay it off to our winger, Romario, saw us go 1 nil up. This was shortly followed by a fantastic run by Benji who calmly slotted the ball into the bottom left corner.
The game finished continental star 2 Silverdale falcons 0
Man of the match: Benji, a great performance and goal.
Our second game saw us up against Great Barr Harriers. After a mess up with the pitches and a 15 minute break the boys done extremely well to refocus when told 1 minute before kick off that the game was about to start.
As the game started we were all over them, creating opportunities left right and centre. We just couldn’t find the back of the net. Just before half time a lapse in concentration saw us concede a sloppy goal and we found ourselves chasing the game.
Second half; we again started strong, the opposition were happy with their one goal lead and all attacking play stopped as they parked a bus in front of their goal line. The boys proved that they were not going to settle for the defeat and scored from a corner converted by Torino, we were level 1-1. All through the game we created goal scoring opportunities, a game that could have easily been 6 or 7 – 1. Still that’s football for you. Very proud of the boys’ team performance. Well done!
Man of the match: Torino. Excellent performance, bossed the back line and great goal.
Still undefeated!!
Report by Carly Whitehouse 2/12/12