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

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 71^st 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.

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.

Brocton found the going tough against a well organised and strong outfit in Nuneaton Griff  who eventually took all the spoils, but had Brocton taken their early chances it could have been a different story.

Nuneaton started the game in attacking style taking the game to Brocton but it was Gary Fife, for the home side, who registered the first real chance on goal.  On a greasy surface the game was played at a good pace with Nuneaton Griff breaking quickly from defence into attack.  Langston and Harrison combined with the centre half heading just wide however Nuneaton Griff were the first to open the score when Dan Holloway scored a thundering header from a well taken corner.

Brocton’s immediate response was to head up field and launch their own attack, which resulted again in a Harrison and Langston combination with the ball ruled over the line by the assistant referee within one minute of Nuneaton Griff having scored.

This game always looked to be a high scoring affair but Brocton were destined to rue their missed chances particularly through the lively James Dyke who had two clear chances but missed on both occasions.

The second half started with Brocton showing the most likely to score and were rewarded with a penalty through a foul on Bennett and Dyke dispatched a penalty kick.  However in this end to end  game Nuneaton Griff had their own fortunate break when Jones was adjudged to have  fouled McMath just inside the area.  Fox scored from the penalty spot and it was Nuneaton who gained the  ascendancy and put Brocton under pressure and secured a further goal through James Fox on 75 minutes.

With tails up and Brocton now chasing the game Nuneaton Griff managed a 4th goal through Andy McMath from just 4 yards.  Brocton did not give up and launched a series of attacks in the dying minutes with  shots from Miller and Reeves just over the bar but with no further score.

Brocton are now making some headway into the leading pack of top teams in the Mid Comb Premier following this resounding win against highly placed Castle Vale. The match however was one of two halves with Castle Vale having much of the first half with good movement and were rewarded in the eighth minute through a goal mouth scramble where Christian Crisp finally pushed the ball over the Brocton goal line. Following the early goal Castle Vale picked up the pace although Brocton weathered the storm and created chances for Gary Fife and Lee Scott.

Most of the early Brocton attacks were through good work by Ben Harrison in mid-field linking with Fife and Steve Bennett.

Injury to Brocton keeper Mike Shelper delayed the completion of the first half by several minutes at it was in the added time that  Lee Scott drew level with a well taken left foot shot below the diving Vale keeper.

The second half started brightly for Brocton with good possession and passing between mid-field and forward players. Harrison and Scott were featuring in every attack and giving the Castle Vale defence much concern and following excellent work on the left touch line, Andy Harrison crossed the ball into the path of the advancing Steve Bennett for him to slot home from 15 yards high into the Castle Vale net with keeper McGuire totally stranded.

Castle Vale were not finished however and from one of their  infrequent attacks Tom Campbell shot low  calling for a excellent save by Shelper and a clearance of the line by Richard Jones.  The game was now being played at a pace and Brocton continued to look dangerous in their attacks and within 5 minutes of their second goal it was Andy Harrison who was on the receiving end of a well worked move by Bennett and Scott with an excellent pass for Harrison to slot home.

 Castle Vale continued to press and went close with a free kick from Steve Brown and in the latter stages of the game Brocton lost two players with Campbell being sent off and Bennett  injured, however Brocton survived with their win intact.

Castle Vale 1 v 3 Brocton

Andy Harrison almost set up a perfect start for Brocton in the 9th minute of this nail biter of a match when he held the ball on the  right of Cadbury’s box before turning and crossing high over the keeper. A fingertip at full stretch was just enough to take it away from goal and to safety.Harrison was found tracking back just 3 minutes later and he won the ball and immediately put in a fine pass in front of Neil Rolston free on the left, but it had too much pace on it for Rolston to catch. Rolston was again in the action on 18 minutes when he won a corner after Dave Langston had cleared from the back right into his path. Cadbury were by no means on the back foot though and broke quickly and threateningly, winning a corner for themselves, which was cleared by the home side, setting up their own break.Neither side could quite force a decisive opening, though it was the home side in this period who went closest when Andy Harrison worked himself free on the left and crossed low and hard to the far post, where James Dyke met the ball at full stretch, only to hit the side netting.Harrison finally got the ball into the net on 32 minutes when great work down the right by Neil Rolston gave him time and room to set up Richard Reeves for a penetrating cross, which Harrison met on the full and side footed into the net. He could not believe his misfortune to find that the linesman had flagged for offside.Despite continued pressure from the home side, Cadbury’s excellent teamwork in defence and quick breaks both kept their own clean sheet and provided enough for Brocton to worry about to suggest that the Badgers could rue their inability to convert their pressure into a goal.It was Cadbury who came out the stronger in the second half and forced a series of corners in the first 10 minutes, all bringing the best from Brocton’s rearguard. It was the fresh legs of substitute Lee Scott who eventually broke the deadlock following his own overlap on the right from an Andy Harrison through ball. Scott found Harrison in return and beating two defenders , Harrison crossed dangerously. That effort was beaten away, but the attempted clearance was intercepted and Harrison was once again found with room on the right. This time his early cross to the far post was met and buried by Lee Scott.Cadbury increased their intensity and Brocton found themselves under heavy pressure, conceding free kicks just in the area outside their goal area. As time inched slowly away, Cadbury piled more and more bodies into the danger area to try to make the most of their opportunities, finishing with their keeper adding height to their attack. The defence held firm and on the two occasions when the visitors did get into striking position, brave dives at the strikers’ feet by Mike Shelper kept Cadbury at bay. Brocton 1 v 0 Cadbury Athletic.