BROCTON 2 SOUTHAM UTD 1
AN accomplished and spirited second half was just the tonic Brocton needed and it came against a very good Southam United side on Saturday.
The outcome was a muchneeded 2-1 success for the Badgers, who had failed to win in their previous five Midland Combination premier fixtures.
There was an early threat from Brocton as Dan Lomas won the ball in midfield and quickly passed to Mick Fox, who slipped the ball into Dave Harvey’s path as he ran into the box. Only a brave dive at Harvey’s feet by keeper Ollie Manuel kept out an effort on goal.
Southam struck back with penetrating run from left back Craig Watson whose cross caused consternation at the heart of Brocton’s defence, before being cleared.
In quick succession on the quarter hour, first Lomas had a shot saved and a Dave Berks cross looked a certainty for a Dave Ablewhite header at the far post. Ablewhite had done well to get his head on it, but it was smuggled away.
But it was the visitors who grabbed the lead when a deep corner was headed powerfully down by Pav Tomczac to put the visitors ahead.
Brocton wobbled in the aftermath of the goal and Southam had chances to increase their lead but the home side finished the half with a decent chance of their own when a Richard Jones throw allowed Lomas and Berks to swap passes and set up the ball for a Dave Harvey shot, which was smothered.
Brocton came out smartly in the second period, but could easily have gone further behind.
A free kick from Berks found the visiting keeper and his quick counter had Brocton reeling as Tomczac headed on and Simeon Smith sidestepped an attempted save by Adam Whitehouse and stroked the ball towards goal, only to see Jones calmly play it off the line.
Berks then won, lost and then won again a ball in midfield and took it to the bye line before crossing low and hard. Harvey met it at the near post, but put it wide.
Southam could once again have struck back as Tomczac needed to be held up by Andy Chandler while reinforcements arrived.
Brocton finally levelled when Jordan Bloor and Lomas combined once again to provide a far post cross which Fox headed down and in for the equaliser.
As Brocton pressed, Harvey’s shot was deflected for a corner. From the flag kick, Fox, produced a fine overhead strike and beat the Southam keeper for the winner.
On Saturday, Brocton are again in action at Silkmore Lane when they take on West Midlands Police in the Les James Challenge Cup (3pm).
