Coleshill are an excellent side and yet Brocton played at a very high level in their previous encounter and came out worthy winners. The test tonight was as to whether the Badgers could rise to the challenge again, or whether Coleshill would exact revenge.

Both teams began with attacking intent and both had initial problems with the swirling wind which gave rise to a strange mixture of very good, neat play, interspersed with sliced passes into the trees from both teams.

It all made for an entertaining match and the influential Gary Fife fashioned the first opening for the Badgers when finding some time and space on the left flank and whipping in an early cross. The ball beat the retreating defence, but the eventual shot, also hit early, was weak.

Steve Bennett worked hard up front, both in finding space for himself to receive forward passes and also in harrying Coleshill’s defenders whenever they had possession. Bennett’s first opportunity to cross, again from the left, was cut short by a trip, but James Dyke hit a dangerous free kick, which could only be scrambled away. Fife found Bennett in a similar position moments later and Bennett slipped the ball back to a supporting Lee Northwood, who put in a great cross. It was almost too inviting as Lee Scott flung his head at it, only to take it off the head of the marginally better placed Gary Fife. Had either been there on their own a goal would surely have followed.

Coleshill meanwhile were ever dangerous on the break. They managed to combine a long ball from defence with great movement up front and the passes never looked merely hopeful. Time and time again Brocton’s defence were stretched, but for the most part came out on top, until a swift break from midfield, snapping up a hesitant pass, led to a wonderful low cross behind the retreating Brocton back line and in front of keeper Mike Shelper. A despairing lunge at the far post could not convert the move into a goal, but the danger signs were there.

Both sides had enough half chances to promise goals to come, but the half was almost done, when a James Dyke corner was allowed to drop in the Coleshill box and although the keeper blocked the initial shot, Gary Fife was there to head in the rebound.

Coleshill were stung and raised an already high tempo to put Brocton under immediate pressure. Steve Bennett tried to block a cross, but went to ground and the free kick conceded led to his booking and considerable delay. Brocton’s concentration wavered and that earlier move was repeated with the cross this time firmly put away at the far post by Matt Robinson, five minutes into additional time.

The second period seemed to have Coleshill slightly ahead, until a bizarre incident in the heart of Coleshill’s area. A Richard Reeves throw was headed high in the air as an attempted clearance under pressure went wrong, but it was inexplicably allowed to drop and bounce with no one from either side moving. Steve Bennett broke the spell to tap in from a yard as the ball reached the ground once again.

Another free kick brought the visitors back into the game fifteen minutes later as Lee Hunt found his way into the Brocton area unchallenged and able to guide his downward header beyond Mike Shelper. He repeated the dose later, but this time Brocton escaped as he headed well wide of the goal. The upbeat visitors laid siege to goal in the last quarter of the game, but excellent defending kept the scores level.

Brocton 2 v 2 Coleshill Town