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65s unbeaten but finish 3rd in a 65s League Friendly Tournament
Cyril Ray Lewis
Good performances all round against good teams in very hot conditions
Coventry 65s took part in an over 65s friendly tournament on 12 August at the New Irish Centre in Birmingham. See here:This will be the venue for the Birmingham County Walking Football League matches over the 2026/2027 season.
The tournament format split 8 teams into 2 groups of 4, with each team playing 3x20 minute games in their group before playing a 20-minute game against the team that finished in the same position from the other group. Unfortunately 1 team dropped out, so making 7 teams, but Coventry's group retained 4 teams. The teams that took part were: Alvechurch, Birmingham Strollers, Birmingham Whites, Bromsgrove Sporting, Coventry & District, Hartshill Strollers and Tamworth.
Coventry was unbeaten in the tournament, but finished 3rd overall, having come second in their group and beating the second-place team from the other group.
There were good performances all round against good teams in very hot conditions. A big thumbs up to Lewis who won a well-deserved man of the tournament and to Garry for putting in an awesome display between the sticks. Thanks to Colin for stepping in to manage the team whilst Ray was on the pitch and to Elaine and Bryce who travelled to support the team.
Coventry never lost a game, winning 2 and drawing 2. They were drawn against Bromsgrove, Birmingham Whites and Hartshill in their group. In the first game Bromsgrove took an early lead when a lofted shot beat Garry high into the net. Garry protested that the ball had gone over head height on its way to the goal, but the referee was having none of it. Coventry started to get their game together. A lot of running offences from the opposing team invoked a team penalty that Phil calmly put away. Coventry then played out a nervy final few minutes, with themselves being only one running offence away from giving away a penalty. Final score 1-1. The second game saw us play Birmingham, with Bruce coming in goal for Garry. A very tight game, with Bruce and their goalie pulling off some good saves, before the breakthrough came for Coventry. A well worked move saw Mick pass out to Phil onto the wing who back heeled it to Ray, who had drifted into space in front of goal, and calmly put it away. Final score 1-0 to Coventry. The final group game saw us play Hartshill, a very well organised and skilful team, who always looked threatening when in possession. However, Coventry made it very hard for them to play and when they did break through, they could not beat Garry, who pulled off some great saves. Coventry had a few chances themselves too. Final score 0-0.
Coming second in their group, meant Coventry played Tamworth, who came second in their group. Tamworth struck first with the final kick of the first half, Coventry pushed hard for a goal, which eventually came from a corner that was quickly taken by Ray. passing to Phil who turned and shot low into the goal from an cute angle. No more goals for the rest of the game, meant a penalty shoot-out to find a winner. Both teams took 3 penalties each – Garry saved 2 and their third hit the crossbar. Coventry missed 2, but Kev scored the decisive penalty to give Coventry the win and finish 3rd in the tournament overall. Then it was into the bar afterwards for a well-earned drink and pork pies. Well done 65s!
65s Team – Garry Bench (GK), Bruce Doe (GK), Tony Malone (captain), Mick O’Connor, Lewis Gent, Pete Skelsey, Kev Shannon, Ray Lewis, Phil Maund
Manager(s) – Ray Lewis & Colin Farmer
Report by Ray Lewis
The tournament format split 8 teams into 2 groups of 4, with each team playing 3x20 minute games in their group before playing a 20-minute game against the team that finished in the same position from the other group. Unfortunately 1 team dropped out, so making 7 teams, but Coventry's group retained 4 teams. The teams that took part were: Alvechurch, Birmingham Strollers, Birmingham Whites, Bromsgrove Sporting, Coventry & District, Hartshill Strollers and Tamworth.
Coventry was unbeaten in the tournament, but finished 3rd overall, having come second in their group and beating the second-place team from the other group.
There were good performances all round against good teams in very hot conditions. A big thumbs up to Lewis who won a well-deserved man of the tournament and to Garry for putting in an awesome display between the sticks. Thanks to Colin for stepping in to manage the team whilst Ray was on the pitch and to Elaine and Bryce who travelled to support the team.
Coventry never lost a game, winning 2 and drawing 2. They were drawn against Bromsgrove, Birmingham Whites and Hartshill in their group. In the first game Bromsgrove took an early lead when a lofted shot beat Garry high into the net. Garry protested that the ball had gone over head height on its way to the goal, but the referee was having none of it. Coventry started to get their game together. A lot of running offences from the opposing team invoked a team penalty that Phil calmly put away. Coventry then played out a nervy final few minutes, with themselves being only one running offence away from giving away a penalty. Final score 1-1. The second game saw us play Birmingham, with Bruce coming in goal for Garry. A very tight game, with Bruce and their goalie pulling off some good saves, before the breakthrough came for Coventry. A well worked move saw Mick pass out to Phil onto the wing who back heeled it to Ray, who had drifted into space in front of goal, and calmly put it away. Final score 1-0 to Coventry. The final group game saw us play Hartshill, a very well organised and skilful team, who always looked threatening when in possession. However, Coventry made it very hard for them to play and when they did break through, they could not beat Garry, who pulled off some great saves. Coventry had a few chances themselves too. Final score 0-0.
Coming second in their group, meant Coventry played Tamworth, who came second in their group. Tamworth struck first with the final kick of the first half, Coventry pushed hard for a goal, which eventually came from a corner that was quickly taken by Ray. passing to Phil who turned and shot low into the goal from an cute angle. No more goals for the rest of the game, meant a penalty shoot-out to find a winner. Both teams took 3 penalties each – Garry saved 2 and their third hit the crossbar. Coventry missed 2, but Kev scored the decisive penalty to give Coventry the win and finish 3rd in the tournament overall. Then it was into the bar afterwards for a well-earned drink and pork pies. Well done 65s!
65s Team – Garry Bench (GK), Bruce Doe (GK), Tony Malone (captain), Mick O’Connor, Lewis Gent, Pete Skelsey, Kev Shannon, Ray Lewis, Phil Maund
Manager(s) – Ray Lewis & Colin Farmer
Report by Ray Lewis
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