BROCTON 2 SHAWBURY UNITED 3
THERE will be no FA Vase glory for Brocton this season.
The Badgers enjoyed a good run in the national competion last term, but fell at the first hurdle in this season’s contest.
It was a bright start by Brocton with Jordan Bloor on the left setting up Gary Fife, whose shot on goal drifted just wide.
The same pair were involved again moments later, but this time Bloor elected to take the ball on a little before crossing and went down amid claims for a penalty.
In the event a goal kick was awarded and from the following counter attack the visitors grabbed the lead through Matt Ballard.
Bloor again reached the bye line in the following move. This time his cross was turned out for a corner. Shawbury defended the corner and went almost as far as Brocton's box before being halted.
Fife then got through a well disciplined Shawbury back line after a Richard Jones head on and his quickly taken half volley struck the side netting.
A throw for the visitors nearly put Brocton further behind as Dave Harvey was needed at his near post to intercept as the throw was neatly headed on.
Bloor continued to figure for the Badgers and found his way past the defence again. This time it was Dave Berks in support and it was his shot which Andy Heal in the Shawbury goal held well.
There was still time in the first half for one more Bloor foray and he made space for a shot for himself this time, but lacked the necessary power in the drive.
But Brocton did get back on level terms just before the break. Jones had pushed up and collected a weak clearance, passing to Berks, who twisted and turned in the box and seemed to have been held at bay until his shot squeezed between Heal’s legs.
An early Ballard corner at the start of the second period soon restored the visitors’lead as he worked his magic again, driving the ball into the net.
It was a corner for the home side which brought them back level again as Heal was unable to collect and Richard Tomlinson struck it home at the far post.
But Brocton’s celebrations were short lived as man of the match, Shawbury’s Stuart Ellis showed both determination and skill to power his way into Brocton's box and strike home, what proved to be the winner.
The resilient Brocton did not lie down, but with two shots cleared off the line and another chance ’scored’ only to find a linesman had already declared the ball out of play, it was simply not the Badgers’ day.
Brocton team - Whitehouse, Harvey, R Jones, Skinner, Tomlinson, C Jones, Ablewhite, Bloor, Berks, Fife, Lomas; Used subs, Fox, Doody. This Saturday, Brocton visit Coventry Copsewood, 3pm.
