Saturday 13th October Brocton v Castle Vale

An attacking game from both sides right from the kick off had Brocton with three clear chances within the first five minutes. However, it was the visitors who took the early lead on the stroke of that fifth minute, when Kirk Mara hit a left foot shot beyond Mike Shelper in Brocton’s goal after first riding Matt Skinner’s attempted tackle.

Brocton were soon back in the action and concerted pressure forced Castle Vale to give away a penalty on 25 minutes. James Dyke struck it hard and low to the keeper’s left, but he made a full length save at the foot of his post. Dyke soon made amends though as he struck a shot with perfect technique, keeping knee and head carefully over an awkwardly bouncing ball in the box after Andy Harrison had flicked on a Richard Reeves throw. That was in the 30th minute.

The visitors were not put out of their stride either and proceeded to take back the lead through Mara again as a free kick was held at the edge of Brocton’s box allowing a hard shot on the turn. Shelper was fully behind it, but Mara nipped in with the slightest of touches to poke it beyond Shelper’s reach. Within the minute he had done it again. This time Mara collected the ball himself at the edge of Brocton’s area and turned and struck the best of his three strikes to give Castle Vale a two goal cushion.

At that time Brocton were under the cosh and must have wondered what they could have done differently. Still, believing in their approach soon paid off as Andy Harrison, who had troubled the Vale back line throughout the match, gambled that a high clearance would fall for him. He was right and, despite close marking, was able to thunder a shot low inside the near post to bring Brocton back into contention. Then followed the goal of an extraordinary match as Andre Campbell controlled a difficult pass, turned and struck on the volley a perfect shot past the visitors keeper whilst defenders and team mates alike could do nothing but watch.

The second half could simply not live up to this pace as both teams attempted to tighten up and it seemed clear that although both had half chances, neither could gain a clear opening. It looked as though the next goal would win it for either side.

The opening came to the home side as substitute Steve Bennett showed his poise when in front of goal and slipped the ball beneath an advancing keeper with just 16 minutes of the match remaining.

Castle Vale pressed again, but it seemed that Brocton would hold out. It was Mara’s day though and he popped up with just 7 minutes of the game left with his and his team’s fourth goal of the match. It all came from a Vale throw, taken quickly and making an overlap down the left flank. The cross was deep and beyond all defenders and the return from that flank fell in the area with Mara once again reacting quickest to the loose ball.

Brocton 4 v 4 Castle Vale