Walsall Wood v Brocton Staffs FA Vase Saturday 26th January January 26, 2008
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This game finally got under way after two weekends of failed attempts due to the weather and both teams showed rustiness after the long lay off. Brocton had several early chances as Walsall Wood’s defenders struggled to cope with a swirling wind. Andy Harrison was gifted the ball on the edge of the box as early as the 2nd minute, but was quickly closed down enough to take the pace off his shot. Moments later Brocton broke quickly from the heart of their own defence and the ball got through to Lee Scott. He shot early, but just wide and then Gary Fife put Steve Bennett through on the right of the box and his shot also went wide.The home side produced their own best moment on 10 minutes when a great last ditch tackle won the ball from Lee Scott just as he looked set to shoot and a swift counter attack almost put them into the lead but for being beaten away by Mike Shelper at full stretch in Brocton’s goal. Still under pressure, a cross into the Brocton box was headed just wide as even the height of Dave Langston was not enough to prevent the strike.A short throw by Richard Reeves was flicked on by Lee Scott on 12 minutes as Steve Bennett took the ball on to the bye line. His cross was met on the volley, by Andy Harrison,, but this time the ball was lifted over the bar.It seemed only a matter of time before Brocton must score, but it was the home side who settled their own nerves with a crafty little nick by Ian Canning just as Mike Shelper looked set to collect a hopeful dink into the box. That was on 27 minutes and by the half hour Brocton were level. A long throw this time was flicked on by Andy Harrison and Lee Scott met it and swept it home.Walsall Wood then had their best period of the game to date and with speed on either flank looked set to run through at will. It took a deep corner beyond everyone in the Penalty box though to nudge the home side ahead as Stuart McNaught rose unchallenged to steer a looping header beyond the reach of Mike Shelper. The home side almost made it to the break with their lead intact, but a Gary Fife free kick was whipped into the danger area beyond the keeper and Kirk Lowe arrived to force it into the net almost as the half closed.The second half seemed to mirror the first as Brocton mad excellent chances, but failed to make the most of them and it looked as though once again they had been punished for it as a lightening quick break down the right flank left Brocton scrambling to cover and the accurate cross was converted only for the linesman to spot a hand having been used to control the ball. It was a let off which did not last long as a throw was collected by Simeon Smith, his back to goal and a deft turn and two skipped tackles later, he had tapped the ball into the net to give Walsall Wood the lead for the third time in the game.Once more the lead lasted barely three minutes as Ben Harrison, playing an increasingly influential game in midfield, won the ball and released Gary Fife, who beat the keeper with a fine volley.Tired legs and minds from both of these teams meant that the remainder of the half and the whole of extra time were full of endeavour but no more goalmouth action and penalties it would be.It is a credit to both sides that all of the penalties were good and it took a fine full length save from Mike Shelper with Brocton 4 - 3 up, to clinch the game. Walsall Wood 3 v 3 Brocton a.e.t. Brocton win 5 v 3 on penalties
Loughborough University v Brocton Sat 5th Jan January 5, 2008
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Loughborough were well worth their eventual victory in this game, but the manner in which the goals came could hardly have been more bizarre. As early as the second minute of the game Loughborough’s Moulds was shepherded apparently harmlessly across the field from right flank to middle seemingly simply with no one to pass to ahead of himself.
He decided to take on the shot and from that distance there appeared little threat, but it bobbled all along the ground and into the bottom right hand corner of the net to give the home side an early lead and belated Christmas present.
On 7 minutes Andy Chandler collected the ball at the heart of Brocton’s defence and slid it right into Richard Jones’ path. Jones lifted the ball over the advancing Loughborough back line and Andre Campbell was first to the ball, shooting quickly across the keeper, who was relieved to see it drift wide of his far post. Andy Harrison repeated the move on the quarter hour, but this time the keeper was alive to it and well positioned to field the shot.
The enforced substitution of Matt Skinner, having been caught on the ankle in a tackle, upset Brocton’s plans at the back and I that department Brocton never quite recovered, with the pace and movement of Loughborough causing problems for the remainder of the match.
By the half hour the second goal felt as though it was due, but it came via the softest gift of a penalty. Dave Langston had won his tackle and the ball was away from the danger area before an almost apologetic piece of acrobatics found his leg to tumble over. The referee hesitated before astounding everyone by pointing to the spot. Mesampa stepped up and took the gift. Langston and keeper Mike Shelper were still apoplectic an hour later at the finish of the game.
A further reshuffle brought on Ben Harrison for Kirk Lowe, pushing Richard Reeves back into the centre of the defence and Harrison’s chip into the box for brother Andy nearly brought rewards just before the close of the half, but his lunge into the box could only push the ball wide of the post.
It took a Gary Fife free kick and a typical Andy Harrison header to give Brocton a lift and an early second half goal and with a better period of passing and movement of their own, Brocton at least made a game of the second period. The best of their chances fell to Richard Reeves who crashed a shot from the edge of the box into the side netting.
But still in that period, Loughborough produced goal threats of their own amidst the assured passing and managed to scrape Brocton’s bar twice before the end.
Loughborough 2 v 1 Brocton
Heath Hayes v Brocton 1st Jnuary 2008 January 3, 2008
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Brocton v Heath Hayes – New Years Day - Derby
Brocton were totally undone in this Derby match by a well organised and determined Heath Hayes side looking for the points from as early as the first minute.
Heath Hayes were straight out of the blocks and took the game to Brocton and were rewarded in the first minute by Alan Haycock’s 10 yard shot off the up right. Brocton steadied and endeavoured to work the ball between players and looked good going forward, however, Heath Hayes were sharp on the break and Shaun Eatley scored an exceptionally well struck goal from 25 yards in the 9th minute. This gave Heath Hayes even more confidence and they showed pace on the wings and no nonsense in defence. Andy Harrison had and excellent shot from the edge of the penalty area, which was goal bound other than for the excellent diving save by keeper Stuart France.
Gary Fife converted for Brocton after 19 minutes following a header from Lee Scott which rebounded off the upright. Heath Hayes still looked dangerous going forward and particularly their efforts chipping the ball over the Brocton defence for their advancing forwards. Chris Deakin had a good chance on 30 minutes but was foiled by Mike Shelper in the Brocton goal.
Both Scott and Steve Bennett had chances to bring Brocton level from efforts within the 5 yard area on 40 and 42 minutes but with Brocton pushing forward they left themselves exposed for Ben Haseley to fire home a low drive leaving Shelper helpless in the Brocton goal. This being within a minute of half time and was a killer blow for the Brocton efforts.
Brocton started the second half at a higher pace but Heath Hayes would not let them settle on the ball and two chances came to Gary Fife early in this half but on both occasions keeper France was excellent in his anticipation.
The game was now end to end and Brocton had chances again but for the no nonsense defending by Hayes, but neither Dyke or Fife could capitalise on the free kicks just outside the area. Heath Hayes weathered the storm and put together come good moves themselves from which Chris Deakin scored in the 71st minute with an excellent header to the right of Shelper. Brocton were now being exploited at the back and it was no surprise that Heath Hayes added to their tally with Ben Haseley finishing off good work again by Hayward on the left.
The game was a closer affair than the score line reflects but Brocton can only blame themselves for missed chances and lapses in defence which allowed Heath Hayes to score at crucial times in the match.
