As the drizzle gently tapped down on Rowheath Pavilion this afternoon, Birmingham’s skies were grey but the atmosphere on the ground was charged with energy. This Birmingham & District Football League clash promised fireworks, and it didn’t disappoint. Armada FC, brimming with momentum and growing confidence, stepped onto the pitch looking to make a statement against a technically sharp Flamengo FC side. With a passionate home crowd behind them and storm clouds hovering above, the conditions were cool at 9°C with scattered light rain – perfect for a gritty footballing spectacle. Match Preview ➤

A MASTERCLASS IN MOMENTUM
Howard Whitehouse took charge of the whistle for this eagerly anticipated match, overseeing what would become a fiercely competitive affair. Before the game started, both teams filled the centre circle to hold a minute's silence to remember the recent death of coach D'Ambrosio's father and also B Ahmadi's father.
Armada began with intent, pressing high and pinning Flamengo back with a flurry of early corners and attacking play. Within the first 12 minutes, Armada’s tactical sharpness paid off. After Shoaib Zahid was brought down, it was the irrepressible Arafat Mohammed who picked up the ball, glanced up, and sent a defence-splitting assist to Olaloko, who calmly slotted home to make it 1-0.

Relentless in their offensive press, Armada continued to test Flamengo’s defence. Pardale, who had threatened with earlier attempts, finally found his reward on the 30-minute mark. Erinfolami provided a pin-point assist, and the captain smashed it home, doubling the advantage. With the first half ending 2-0, Armada’s dominance was clear.

The second half began with Flamengo seeking to claw back momentum, but Armada’s midfield trio, supported by a resolute defence, managed transitions with elegance. Despite Hashir missing from the spot on 71 minutes (a fantastic save by Flamengo’s keeper D Collins), Armada didn’t allow the miss to dampen spirits.

In the 75th minute, Al-Hussain played a wonderfully weighted ball to substitute Konateh, who made no mistake with a composed finish – 3-0, and the crowd roared in celebration. Flamengo’s consolation came deep into injury time with a penalty converted by J Mendez, but it was too little, too late.

MATCH STATS UNLOCKED
Armada FC’s control of the match was not just visible in goals but in every area of the pitch. With 60% possession, Armada showcased their evolving style, controlling 23% in defence, 45% in midfield, and 32% in the attacking third. They completed 167 passes, highlighting a commitment to fluid build-up and structured transitions.

They recorded 20 shots overall, resulting in 3 goals, giving them a 15% shot-to-goal conversion rate. This marks a 5% improvement from previous fixtures. They also earned 6 corners and were fouled frequently, winning 5 free kicks, reflecting their dangerous presence going forward. Flamengo, though spirited, couldn’t match Armada’s technical sharpness.

PLAYER AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Star Player – Arafat Mohammed
His vision, drive, and relentless engine in midfield were on full display. Arafat’s perfectly weighted assist for the opening goal set the tone and his consistent presence lifted the entire squad. A truly deserving performance of the Star Player accolade – inspirational and unmissable!

Goal Scorers – Olaloko, Pardale, Konateh:
A striker’s instinct, a captain’s thunderbolt, and a substitute’s ice-cool finish. This trio gave us goals to remember. Each finish was a result of intelligent play and precise execution – more of this, and Armada’s scoring stats will soar even higher.

POST-MATCH THOUGHTS
MANAGER,
"This was a performance filled with courage, teamwork and tactical discipline. We started strong, capitalised early, and maintained the tempo. There was a slight dip in concentration at the end, but overall, the players executed the game plan brilliantly. Defensively, we were resilient, the goal scorers showed real composure, and Arafat’s contribution in midfield was outstanding. We must ensure that next time, we maintain focus until the very last whistle. But I’m proud – we’re showing growth, and this team is hungry for more." – Armada FC Coaching Team

CAPTAIN'S WORD
"We played with pride today. Every player gave their all, and you could feel the chemistry on the pitch. I was honoured to get on the scoresheet, but this was a team effort through and through. Let’s carry this energy forward and keep building on these results." – Lambros Pardale, Captain

REFEREE REPORT
Howard Whitehouse delivered a balanced, composed and consistent refereeing performance. His ability to remain calm under pressure and allow the game to flow without losing grip on key moments was commendable. Whitehouse demonstrated clear communication, let play develop when needed, and managed player discipline effectively. No controversial moments – a professional display all round.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
Special thanks to our partners and sponsors who make matchdays like this possible:

Dynamic Solutions for Social Communities (DSSC) – Building lives, transforming futures. Contact: dssc2024@outlook.com
MakHalal – Celebrate the win with Birmingham’s tastiest burgers! Visit: MakHalal.co.uk
The Kit Plug Teamwear – Making us stand out in football with custom kits!
Mitre – Our trusted matchball provider.
Sported UK – Helping us reach disadvantaged talent with opportunity and hope.

FUNDRAISING & GETTING INVOLVED
Every click helps! Support us for FREE while you shop via easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/armadafc. Want to join the Armada family as a player, volunteer or partner? Email us at info@armadafc.co.uk.

STAY CONNECTED
Download our team app: Pitchero Club for Android/iOS
Follow all our socials here: Linktree – Official Armada FC

#ARMADAFC #BDFL #KPTeamwear #SKILLS-Ltd #DSSC #SportedUK #Leaguefootball