Bolehall Swifts 2 Brocton 3 Brocton ended 2007 in style with a fine away win by the odd goal in five at Bolehall, a ground where they have often been on the receiving end in the past. It looked like the Badgers were in for a tough afternoon from the outset particularly when Mike Shelper was deceived by a long shot and could only parry it but just when Bolehall looked certain the score the big keeper threw up an arm to make a brilliant instinctive save. Bolehall defender Ryan Haddock went unpunished for a nasty looking tackle on Gary Fife and his colleague Neil Bennett also escaped a card for a two footed tackle on Andy Harrison. In the 16^th minute Bolehall took the lead when Craig Haywood struck a perfect volley from the edge of the box. It could have been 2-0 but Shelper blocked Matthew North’s effort and skipper Matt Skinner completed the clearance at the expense of a corner. Referee Pratt finally got his yellow card out ironically for a late tackle by Brocton’s Steve Bennett who had been having a frustrating first half as he was repeatedly caught offside  However on 34 minutes Bennett who had dropped deep to avoid the offside trap set off on a brilliant solo run beating 3 men before slotting the ball past keeper Phil Lowe to level the scores. On 41 minutes a good ball down the line from Skinner found Fife who beat his man and crossed into the danger zone but neither Bennett nor Andy Harrison could apply the finishing touch. At the other end Brett Larkins crossed and although Ian Purvey got in a header it lacked power and Shelper gathered the ball comfortably under the bar. The half ended with Brocton in the ascendancy and going close following a Fife free kick. When the 2^nd half got underway Brocton were quick out of the blocks and Swifts keeper Phil Lowe did well to deny Andy Harrison at the expense of a corner. However when Fife’s flag lick came in Dave Langston was unmarked at the far post and the big defender put the Badgers ahead. The lead lasted until the 64^th minute when Ian Purvey struck a left foot shot from 20 yards into the far corner of Shelper’s goal. Brocton were soon back on the attack and a great ball from Ben Harrison sent brother Andy bearing down on goal but Phil Lowe saved with his feet. On 71 minutes Andy Harrison received the ball on the edge of the Bolehall penalty area with his back to goal and turned brilliantly to fire the ball into the top corner. Steve Bennett had a chance to seal it for Brocton but Lowe again saved only to be hurt as he tried to punch the resultant corner away and was replaced by substitute keeper Daniel Cobb. In the closing stages it was Mike Shelper’s turn to show his mettle. On 82 minutes he made a brilliant double save and then in the 88^th minute he turned Ian Purvey’s effort over the bar to ensure Brocton picked up the 3 points that saw them end the year in 5^th place in the Midland Combination Premier Division.