Coleshill Town 2 v 1 Brocton - FA Cup Replay

[Alan Beckett]

Tuesday 17th August 2010
F.A. Cup Extra Preliminary Round Replay
Coleshill Town 2 v 1 Brocton
Scorers:
Coleshill: Jon Powis 29, Steven Hakner 82.
Brocton: Gary Fife 23.


ONE STEP CLOSER TO WEMBLEY !

Goals from Jon Powis and Steven Hakner sealed a hard earned victory in a largely scrappy FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round replay at Pack Meadow on Tuesday.
Those in attendance expecting another thrilling goal-fest between the two sides would have been disappointed by the cagey opening 20 minutes, in which Luke Edwards’ header across the face of goal from Loyiso Recci’s crossed free kick was the only real attempt of note. In that respect it seemed harsh that the visitors would take the lead on 22 minutes, especially due to the nature of the goal itself. Having scored two goals in the original tie, Gary Fife was full of confidence and wanted to add to his FA Cup tally. The frontman picked up the ball 20 yards out, taking a few touches before releasing a fairly ordinary shot at goal. His eyes lit up with joy and surprise as Craig Johnson let the ball bobble over his body and into the corner of the net as Brocton took an unwarranted lead.
It was vital that Coleshill recovered well, and that they did, equalling the scores 6 minutes later. Recci once again provided the cross, with Danny Carter’s effort testing Adam Whitehouse before Jon Powis tucked home the rebounds to lift the Colemen. Some last ditch defending from Recci and Edwards ensured that Coleshill would see through to half time, though Chris Gumery’s hooked effort on the turn almost put them ahead, Whitehouse once again impressing with a tipped save.
The second half picked up where the first left off, as more creativity from both teams made for a slightly better contest. Whitehouse once again kept the visitors in the game with a fine diving save to get fingertips onto Gumery’s latest effort. Next in line to see a shot saved was Matty Robinson, whose technique was superb to flick a header goalwards from Ben Porter’s cross. Rob Freeman also tried a headed attempt, looping just over from a corner as Coleshill turned the screw.
Chris Gumery once again came close, desperately unlucky to clip the foot of the post as he shot expertly across goal. It looked as if Coleshill were going to pay for their missed chances as Brocton themselves went for the victory, bringing on two young substitutes in Aiden Forrester and Jack Hall. The youngsters showed hunger and energy in abundance, but it was once again Gary Fife who would be involved in the decisive moment. Clean through on goal, Fife had a massive opportunity to send his side through to the next round of the cup, only for Johnson to save excellently, making amends for his first half error.
Just as the dreaded prospect of extra time seemed imminent, substitute Jason Ramsey saw his headed attempt blocked on the line, and a sense of deflation fell around the stadium. However, the ball dropped kindly for Steven Hakner, who steered a half volley into the far corner to end Brocton’s dreams of a longer cup run, sending the Colemen to the next round deservedly.
Report By Jack Arkell

Team: Craig Johnson, Leyosi Recci, Luke Edwards, Steve Hakner, Ben Porter, Liam Givans, Rob Freeman, Jon Powis, Danny Carter, Chris Gumery, Matty Robinson. Subs Jason Ramsey.


Another View
Taken from the Brocton web site...Brian Townsend Chairman: Brocton FC

This was never going to be such a high scoring game as Saturday’s eight goal thriller as both teams had tightened their defences for this evening encounter.
As expected, Coleshill took the game to Brocton in the early stages and tested the Brocton defence with several balls from right and left, but their neat one touch football did not succeed in breaching the Brocton defence although at this stage it was very much that Coleshill did not take their chances.
Brocton where left to counter attack and it was only in the 20th minute that Brocton’s first real attack was mounted with Christian Darby crossing the ball at speed across the Coleshill penalty area but neither Mick Fox nor Gary Fife could reach the ball.
Coleshill continued to create chances with good movement from both flanks but it was Brocton who scored first on 25 minutes as Gary Fife received the ball to the left of goal and side stepped two defenders to place his shot just inside the left post with the Coleshill keeper left stranded.
This spurred the home side and their just reward came in the 30th minute although it took two attempts to beat Adam Whitehouse in the Brocton goal.
The game continued in a similar pattern for the rest of the half leaving the half time score at 1 – 1.
After the break Brocton stepped up the pace, were more competitive in mid field and started to give the Coleshill defence something to think about.
The game was end to end and a typical cup tie was now underway with both sides having chances and both keepers kept busy with the fast flowing game.
Aiden Forrester, Jack Hall and Richard Miller were all bought on as substitutes in an attempt to win the game and it was Fife who had the best chance for Brocton with a route one clearance from Whitehouse and Fife had only the Coleshill keeper to beat, but the ball was easily collected.
Coleshill’s winning goal came in the 83rd minute and they were left to play out the remaining time, although Brocton launched several late rallies in an attempt to save the game.