Badgers out of the Cup at 1st attempt

Saturday 2^nd August

FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round

Bedworth United 2 Brocton 1

Brocton began their season with a trip to Step 4 Bedworth in the FA Cup. The starting line-up was devoid of regulars Reg Smith, Will Whieldon, Christian Blanchette and Tom Vaughan with Charlie King only fit enough to take a place on the bench. Bedworth had just avoided relegation last season and spent the summer rebuilding their squad.

Brocton began the game in a 3-5-2 formation with Morgan Payne partnering Jude King up front. Bedworth had the ball in the net inside 3 minutes, but the linesman ruled that Louis Monaghan was offside. In the 11^th minute a cross from Ashley Sammons was knocked over the bar by Monaghan. Bedworth continued in the ascendancy with Adam Weldon clearing another dangerous cross. From a corner, Elliott Parrott headed wide. Maxwell Ngbeken-Itota was off target with another effort before Brocton created their first half chance, a Connor Haddaway shot deflected for a corner. Brocton’s young keeper, Kyle Langston made a fine save in the 23^rd minute to keep out a fierce drive from George Dunkley. He could do nothing 13 minutes later as Bedworth took the lead. Ngbeken-Itota did well to pick out Dunkley down the right. His low shot flew across Langston and into the far corner. Bedworth were searching for more goals and Ngbeken-Itota hit a shot straight at Langston. Brocton’s first shot on target came from Payne in the 43^rd minute but it was easily held by Will Highland. A minute later, Langston made another fine save palming away a drive from Mackenzie Lamb.

Half-time: Bedworth United 1 Brocton 0

Bedworth started the second half on the front foot with Harvey Westwood hitting the side netting from a tight angle. Lamb was then narrowly off target from the centre of the goal. Jude King hit a shot which bounced in front of Highland but was comfortably held. In the 56^th minute, Dunkley wriggled free, but his effort was blocked by Josh Simcox. Bedworth continued the attack down their right and a neat interchange sent Parrott on the overlap. His low ball in was tapped home from within the 6-yard box by Ngbeken-Itota to double the Bedworth lead. Bedworth had more chances with Lamb forcing another save from Langston and Sammons looping a shot wide. The introduction of youngsters Dylan Millington and Toby Smith, along with Charlie King added much needed energy to Brocton. With 10 minutes remaining, Cam Osborne cut inside rather than going straight for goal and he was blocked by Joe Anthony. In the first minute of stoppage time, a wonderful ball from Smith picked out Osborne at the far post but his control let him down and the ball ran away for a goal kick. A minute later, Jude King rattled the side netting with a fine effort. In the fourth minute of stoppage time, the King brothers combined for Jude to pick his post and wrongfoot the keeper. The last effort of the game went to Luke Curtlin who cleared the Brocton crossbar. The final whistle went to send Bedworth through to face Atherstone Town in the next round. The goal came a little too late for Brocton who could not get the equaliser.

Full-time: Bedworth United 2 Brocton 1

Bedworth United: Will Highland, Elliott Parrott (Joe Anthony 67), Ben Richards, Ashley Sammons, Nathaniel Kelly, Ben Blakely, George Dunkley (Callum Morris 68), Mackenzie Lamb, Louis Monaghan (Luke Curtlin 84), Maxwell Ngbeken-Itota (Callum Martin 83), Harvey Westwood. Subs (Not Used): Sam Muggleton, Oliver Sayer

Brocton: Kyle Langston, Jake Danan, Josh Simcox (Cam Osborne 57), Ben Haddaway, Kenny Devoir, Cooper Marsh (Toby Smith 84), Adam Weldon, Jake Thomas (Charlie King 69), Jude King, Connor Haddaway, Morgan Payne (Dylan Millington 83). Subs (Not Used): Jacob Kennett, Reg Smith, Jack Sandel

Yellow Cards: Blakely (Bedworth); Weldon (Brocton)