Saturday 17th August 2024
The Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round
Brocton 0 Coleshill Town 1
With Tom Vaughan and Will Whieldon unavailable, Brocton brought in Kenny Devoir with Dan Evans on the bench. There were places too for youngsters Toby Smith, Archie Russell and Ben Hackett as well as manager Alex Curtis.
Brocton were quickly on the front foot, a win in midfield by Ben Haddaway and a pass to Christian Blanchette brought a fine low cross which was turned past the post. Then it was Devoir striking from just outside the box and bringing a good save from keeper Ben Newey.
Still only five minutes in and Nathan Kabeya had the first of many contests with Brocton’s Josh Simcox on Coleshill’s right flank. Simcox kept to his feet and saw the danger away. As Brocton raided up field again Reg Smith chested the ball into the path of Connor Haddaway and he brought another good save from Newey.
On just 10 minutes Blanchette found Newey well placed to foil another effort on goal and when Coleshill broke from Newey’s quick response, the Badgers were pleased to see the ball run out of play at their goal line with the defence chasing back. A free kick for Brocton was well worked with the ball aimed at the near post where Morgan Payne nipped in but could not turn the ball into the net from the tight angle.
Coleshill were setting up Kabeya whenever they mounted an attack, but Simcox marshalled his efforts well and was able to prevent any crosses.
The pace of the game eventually calmed, and the midfields began to find some control. Kabeya went on a solo run through the centre which looked dangerous, but his resulting shot lacked power after his energetic run and Allsopp held on.
There was still time for Charlie King to have a run with the ball and when he fed Reg Smith, the striker put through Payne for a shot which once again was well saved by Newey and just before the break Payne had another effort, which rebounded from the bar. Lucas Green-Birch shot from the rebound but could only find Newey.
Half Time: Brocton 0 Coleshill Town 0
The pace of the game simply could not be maintained, and the second half began more sedately as both sides looked to build and to get their breath back.
It was almost 15 minutes into the half before there was a shot of note and Ben Billingham had the chance, which went over the bar.
As if energised by this chance, Brocton struck back Reg Smith, fouled on the edge of Coleshill’s box and brought a good save by Newey. Payne had a second chance as the ball came quickly at him but could only bring a second more routine save from Newey.
A danger from a long throw by Ben Usher-Shipway into Brocton’s box, where the player height difference was most definitely in the visitors’ favour, was averted by a confident high take by Tony Allsopp and his long kick was latched on to by Payne. Payne found Reg Smith and Smith produced a thunderbolt of a shot which whistled past the outside of the post.
The game was ambling towards a nil-nil draw when a series of tackles perhaps badly timed due to tired legs led to the Badgers coming under late pressure. On two occasions Ben Haddaway had to produce heroic headers away deep in Brocton’s last third but right at the death a free kick was given a little outside the home box on the right.
It was a golden opportunity and supremely well taken by Sam Fitzgerald. Allsopp had no chance as the ball was whipped over the defensive wall and into the net via the post and bar. 1-0 to the visitors and barely time from the Badgers to respond.
A similarly placed free kick for Brocton would round off proceedings, but although Smith took it well, it did not alter the score line.
Full Time: Brocton 0 Coleshill Town 1
Brocton: Tony Allsopp, Adam Weldon (Jake Thomas), Josh Simcox, (Dan Evans) Ben Haddaway, Kenny Devoir, Charlie King, Christian Blanchette (Toby Smith), Lucas Green-Birch, Reg Smith, Connor Haddaway, Morgan Payne.
Coleshill: Ben Newey, Dan Brookes, Demico Burton, Alex Tomlinson (Sam Fitzgerald), Taylor Carter-Byrne, Nial Rowe, Sam Tye (Gio Dainty), Ben Usher-Shipway, Josh Hesson (Joe Palmer) Ben Billingham, Nathan Kabeya
Attendance: 159
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