In the end this was a routine victory for Highgate and one in which, certainly for the first half, they did not need to be any where near the sort of form which must have taken them 12 points clear at the top of the division before this game. Brocton were doing the early probing and had chances on goal, which the home side seemed simply to ignore, such is their evident confidence. The best of the chances came down the left flank and a Steve Bennett cross eluded the Highgate keeper before also passing over both Andy Harrison’s and Gary Fife’s heads and safely clear.

That was the culmination of 10 minutes pressure, but Highgate broke out and moved the ball quickly up field to the right flank, from where a speculative cross caught Mike Shelper a little out of position, but still looking favourite to simply touch it over the bar. He got a hand to it, but the ball fell invitingly almost onto his goal line and was touched home by Tom Thacker.

The game continued in the same vein with Brocton probing and Highgate seemingly content to watch them do so. Andy Hume found Ben Harrison and Ben moved the ball on to the feet of brother Andy, who took on the shot, hitting it just wide. Then Steve Bennett looked to have jinked into the clear only to be caught by a stray foot and James Dyke found an unmarked Dave Langston beyond the far post. Langston low half volley found a well positioned keeper. Bennett repeated the dose, dribbling even nearer before being tripped and this time Gary Fife went directly for goal, but hit over.

Langston was then in action deep in his own half, winning the ball at the back before setting Gary Fife off on the right. Fife found Bennett and Bennett shot again over the bar.

Then a long clearance from Highgate and high bounce took the ball into Brocton’s area. A moments indecision between Shelper and Langston and this time it was Neil Kitching of the home side who gratefully accepted the gift. There was almost a repeat on 35 minutes as once again a lob into the box threatened to cause problems, but although an advancing Shelper was pipped to the ball, he managed to reach high and tip it over the bar for a corner. The corner though took a deflection as it reached the box and it flew all across the goal and the touch at the far post could only put it wide of the net.

The bets move of the game came from the home side just as half time approached and a sweeping move culminated in a fine strike from the right edge of the box by Liam O’Shea, putting the home side out of sight.

Strangely Highgate only really began to show their evident quality in the second half, already three goals to the good and it took some good defending and all round team work by Brocton to keep the score to that level. But on the hour mark, just as Brocton seemed to have weathered that period, a corner went once again high into the box and under pressure, Mike Shelper’s attempted punch could once again only drop the ball in the box where this time Adam Rogers was on hand to tap it home.

Brocton never capitulated, but Highgate always appeared to get plenty of bodies around any attempt at an attack, until finally almost on full time Richard Miller kept excellent composure in the box, beat the Highgate keeper’s attempted dive at his feet and gave the visitors a consolation.

Highgate United 4 v 1 Brocton