Saturday 18th Nov

High flying Highgate had conceded only 11 goals and lost just one match this season and the reason for that was easy to see as they played with high energy and good organisation all over the field. Brocton simply could not match their pace early on. Never the less it took a cruel mistake in Brocton’s box to present the visitors with their first chance at goal on 7 minutes. A corner had been hit too deep for everybody and looked set to run free when Ben Harrison caught the ball with his heel only to stop it dead on the edge of the box needing only to be struck into the goal.

On 17 minutes Steve Kneller struck a free kick over the defensive wall from 25 yards and the United keeper could only parry the shot at full stretch. Darren Gardner and Steve Bennett both followed the shot in but were not in time to prevent the keeper grabbing the ball at the second attempt.

The extra urgency in Highgate’s play showed again in the 23rd minute when twice they were quickest to the free ball after tackles in midfield and the ball was swung out to the right from where a head height cross was flicked on, beating everyone but drifting wide of the far post.

Andy Hume the got the better of a tackle on the left flank and poked the ball through for himself to chase only to see it beat him to the bye line for a goal kick. Keeping up their brief period of pressure, the Badgers won another dangerously placed free kick and Kneller again hit the target over a defensive wall, but the keeper, Cox was well behind it this time. Richard Jones hit yet another free kick on 36 minutes and Cox came, but failed to reach the ball. It fell to Steve Bennett and he hit a sharp return shot with Cox stranded, but missed the target.

Just a minute later a Brocton corner was collected and swiftly moved up field with Brocton out paced the elusive Duane Houston cleverly kept himself on side as the Badgers attempted to play him off, gently slipping the ball through for a second for Highgate.

In the second half Brocton pressed harder as the game wore on and could not be faulted for spirit as they created chance after chance only to founder on a well disciplined defence. Goal keeper Cox earned his side’s thanks for a brave save at the feet of Steve Bennett when Bennett chased through on to a pass beyond the visitors’ back line and met it on the half volley. Cox needed treatment, but was fully committed again moments later when a similar opportunity came to Andy Harrison and this time Cox was able to clear with his foot just as Harrison arrived.

Twice more as the minutes ticked away Brocton worked the ball into the Highgate penalty area, first at Darren Gardner’s feet and then at Andy Harrison’s but sheer weight of numbers and strength of bodies in the box smothered any attempt on goal and forced play away. When Harrison did get in on goal he was tackled from behind and went down, but the tackle had been perfectly judged and just enough of the ball taken to prevent a penalty decision.

Highgate could have sealed their victory with another before time as the Brocton all out attack found it difficult to cope with the visitor’s speed on the break, but whilst Highgate were worthy winners, a further goal would have been unfair after a spirited performance from the home side.