First league game ends in a thrilling draw with the lead changing hands but Copsewood equalising for the point.
In the first few seconds Copsewood’s Sam Ellis got to Brocton’s bye line on his right flank and it was déjà vu all over again after Tuesday Night’s first few minutes. But Brocton blocked the cross from Ellis and the resulting corner was well defended.
Matt Kimmins showed that the Badgers also had pace and teeth as he got beyond his full back on the right and tried to put in Christian Blanchette. The cross gave visiting keeper Dale O’Donnell too big a sight of the ball and the chance disappeared.
Moments later another Brocton attack ended with Kimmins stretching to head a pass into the box from Jack Weldon without success. Kimmins was just off side at the end of the next move when Dan Lomas and Blanchette combined on the edge of Copsewood’s box but Lomas could not put in Kimmins until he had gone beyond the back line.
Jamie Weldon was unceremoniously tripped in full flight as Brocton began to attack in numbers and it turned out to be a good foul as the home side threatened to outnumber their visitors. But it was Copsewood breaking out from defence who caught Brocton napping. Two long passes cut Brocton apart and Dave Freeman finished off to put Copsewood ahead before the quarter hour mark.
A free kick for Brocton fell to Blanchette and he struck a fine shot from outside the box which had O’Donnell grasping fresh air and relieved to see the effort pass the outside of the post.
Brocton pressed again in numbers but the Copsewood defence held firm and once again broke at speed when they did get the ball. It was a misplaced back pass which never threatened to reach Henry smith in Brocton’s goal and Sean Kavanagh had probably the easiest tap in he will have all season as he stretched Copsewood’s lead to two.
At that point Brocton needed a goal to keep them in the game and it came from a delightful chip from Lomas to find Jack Weldon’s dart into the box, which left all four of Copsewood’s defence stranded. He maintained his composure and slotted past O’Donnell.
The second half was a more cagey affair at the start and the equalising goal came from a long Brocton throw, which was ironic as this was a big part of their visitors’ armoury. The ball seemed to drift untouched across the box and Adam Weldon was alive to it and forced it home at the far post. That appeared to deflate Copsewood and when Jake Thomas slotted home for Brocton’s third there looked to be only one winner.
Old hand and Copsewood captain Craig Civzelis had other ideas though and struck a worldy from 35 yards to beat Henry Smith and seal a well earned draw.
Brocton: Henry Smith, Adam Weldon, Jamie Weldon, Alex Scott, Kenny Devoir, Jack Partridge, Matt Kimmins, Jake Thomas, Dan Lomas, Jack Weldon, Christian Blanchette.
Used Subs: Ryan Brooks, Will Heath.
