With a low sun directly behind one goal, it looked as though Continental Star’s fortune with a toss of a coin could be crucial as they chose to start with the sun at their backs. They began the better of the two sides and a free kick taken quickly on just 7 minutes was allowed to go across goal where Wesley Gray collected the ball and picked his spot.

Lee Scott manufactured an overhead kick in Star’s box minutes later when a corner was allowed to bounce in the box, but the effort found the well positioned Chris Sparrow in Star’s goal. Long throws by Richard Reece caused some concern at the heart of the visitor’s defence, but two in quick succession were scrambled away and Star struck back with a huge kick from their keeper. The sun played its part as Kirk Maragh got enough on the ball from an Andy Chandler attempted clearance to guide into the net for Continental Star’s second on 23 minutes.

The visitors had to defend deep at times, but did so in numbers and looked to have seen off Brocton’s pressure until another long throw found Andy Harrison in the box. Shielding the ball well, he was pulled down and the referee signalled for a penalty. Sparrow did his best to unnerve Lee Scott, but Scott put the ball low to his left and in for Brocton’s first on 37 minutes.

Scott was on hand again almost on the half time whistle as this time Dave Langston headed on a long throw and Scott turned it in to send the home side in on level terms.

By the beginning of the second half the sun was lower and perhaps even more difficult as no cap could keep out the glare. Brocton started with great purpose and firstly a fine passing move had James Dyke sweep the ball out to Lee Scott on the right edge of the box and his swift low cross was met and converted by Gary Fife. That was quickly followed with a similar move started this time by Steve Bennett. He found Dyke and this time Dyke’s pass to Scott was lofted over an advancing keeper and in off the far post to give Brocton a cushion.

Gary Fife made the last goal with a surging run from the half way line evading attempted tackles before slipping the ball right to Scott, who once again hit the ball across the keeper and in off the far post.

Continental star rallied in the last quarter of the match, but the Badgers defended in numbers and kept their three goal cushion to the end of an entertaining match.

Brocton 5 v 2 Continental Star