Brocton vs Gresley FC
Gresley Reserves travelled to Stafford to face Brocton Reserves, earlier this season Gresley had won 2-0 comfortably at the Badgers' Silkmore Lane Ground in the Challenge Trophy, on this occasion it proved to be anything other than comfortable.
Byron Musgrove was back in goal after Max Atkin had been called up by the first team, Ryan Clemson and Joe Bale came into defence. Zachary Hill returned to the starting line-up in midfield, Zaki Evans moved forward to the front line in place of the unavailable Sam Hammerton.
On Silkmore Lane's good surface Gresley were soon passing the ball around well but were let down by the final ball on a number of occasions.
Dutton failed to get a shot away when he wriggled away inside the penalty box after good work.
The hosts had a glorious opportunity to open their account when a move down the left resulted in the ball being pulled back from the byline but Hemingway was on hand to block the shot from Badgers frontman Kieran Smith.
Zaki Evans was then released in the left side channel, streaking clear he waited for the keeper to come before lifting it over the advancing stopper only to be clattered by him, the ball bobbled wide of the posts but no penalty was awarded.
The opening goal of the game came three minutes before the break, when a deep corner from Leandro Cobas Ladrero was headed in off the bar at the back post by Kane Lee.
Brocton were handed a golden opportunity to draw level when the lively and tricky Josh Wilson was tripped inside the box after cutting in from the left. Kieran Smith slammed the following penalty straight down the middle beating Byron Musgrove.
The hosts were only on level terms for three minutes though as in the 59th minute, Cobas Ladrero's freekick this time was met at the back post again by Kane Lee who somehow volleyed home from an acute angle.
Gresley had further chances to extend their lead with Lee and Ward forcing saves, Dutton then was tripped in the area but no foul was given, anywhere else on the pitch it would of been a definite freekick.
In stoppage time Brocton were given a second penalty of the game when Luke Clamp was adjudged to of tripped Wilson just inside the box, it was Smith who stepped up again, using the same method as his first, young Gresley keeper Byron Musgrove stood big and was able to make a brilliant save tipping the ball round the post. Gresley hung onto all three points with only seconds remaining when play restarted.
Goals: Lee 42, 59
1. Byron Musgrove
2. Ryan Clemson
3. Leandro Cobas Ladrero
4. Luke Clamp (C)
5. James Hemingway
6. Joe Bale
7. Zaki Evans
8. Zachary Hill
9. Kane Lee
10. Josh Dutton
11. Connor Ward
Subs:
12. Callum Porter (Not Used)
14. Josh Garland (for 8 - 71 mins)
15. Brad Payne (for 7 - 86 mins)
16. Aaron Harvey (for 11 - 79 mins)
