Brocton began this game like a whirlwind. Inside 2 minutes full back Matt Skinner had advanced almost to his opponents’ bye line and put in a perfect cross for Andy Harrison to meet with a glancing header across the keeper, but just wide of the far post. Gary Fife then found Harrison on the right and his cross was met by Steve Bennett, collecting, shifting and lobbing the keeper in one fluid movement. The keeper produced a fine finger tip save at full stretch. Richard Jones, full back on the right side, set off the next move with a ball all along the touch line for Steve Bennett, who had drifted right. Bennett crossed for Gary Fife to meet the ball and slot home at the near post after 9 exhilarating minutes.

James Dyke, on 12 minutes, lifted the ball over the Pilkington back four and Fife nipped through to meet the ball at full stretch on the volley. He got a touch, but no power on this occasion.

Pilkington at last got themselves into the game and a combination of a disciplined back four, catching most of Brocton’s attempts to get past them off side and good movement, particularly on their flanks, it was the visitors who were forced deep and had to defend well to maintain their lead.

As half time approached and the home side began to believe that they could draw level, Steve Bennett beat the off side line by taking the ball through it himself. He had to ride a strong tackle as he reached the penalty box, but got in a powerful shot which the keeper did well to parry. Bennett went left to retrieve the ball and turned to put in a second shot, which the keeper and covering defence managed to block again. Andy Harrison it was who met this rebound, but still it would not cross the line until, at the third attempt, Harrison by this time prone in the box, forced the ball over.

The second period saw both teams with chances and Mike Shelper in Brocton’s goal twice had to spread himself bravely to block attempts in the six yard area, before pulling off a great full length save to his right.

Gary Fife then got beyond Pilkington’s high back line with Steve Bennett in support to his right. The keeper closed down the angle and Fife unselfishly slipped the ball right for Bennett to slot the ball home only to be harshly given off side.

Andre Campbell then replaced Bennett and after a dart through on the right, his first touch was a shot at goal, on target but straight at the keeper. The clearance led to another attempt for Pilkington, which Shelper needed to save at full stretch and he threw the ball for Campbell to set off on another run.

With the surface becoming ever more slippery, both sides continued to attack and defences struggled to turn, but no more real chances came.

Pilkington XXX 0 v 2 Brocton