HDFC 2-3 Brocton FC Res
Staffordshire FA Challenge Cup Rd2
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HDFC slipped out of the Staffordshire FA Challenge cup at the second round stage after a battling 2-3 defeat to Stafford based Brocton FC's Reserve side.

HDFC were without some key players for the game and manager Shaun Rogers had a bench that included injured players to make the numbers up for this game. HDFC in the first half were working against the wind and Brocton did not make enough use of the wind but HDFC were dominating play when the ball was in the middle of the pitch with the returning Sam Orme and Johan Kok linking up well to cause trouble for the Brocton midfield.
Hayden Wright pushed into a more central role alongside Danny Bentley was also causing problems with his pace in a new role for the player and it was this link up that give HDFC the lead, fantastic work from Sam who played in Hayden Wright who showed a set pair of heals to the Brocton defender and raced clear and crossed into the box for Danny Bentley to put away his 6th of the season with a good sharp header that the Brocton keeper had no chance with.
HDFC kept on top of the game until a silly freekick was given away and the Brocton lad caught the ball well into the wind and the ball floated into the box and neseled into the bottom corner of the net. Then a few minutes later a mistake from the HDFC backline allowed them in to slip the ball past the advancing HDFC keeper to then put Brocton up 1-2 against the run of play. HDFC continued to try and open up the badgers defence with both Johan, Danny and Hayden going close but they could just not find the net.

HALF TIME - HDFC 1-2 Brocton FC Res

After what a spectator said was said to have been choice words at half time from the HDFC management ! They come out looking to get back into the game and use the wind to there advantage but was not to be as the wind had died down but the football had improved from the team, but then disaster struck a Brocton corner was failed to be cleared and then knocked over the line to put Brocton 2 goals clear.
Matt Fern was brought on for Olly Meadowcroft and Fern went close with a good shot as he added some steal into the game for HDFC. Then with around 20 to play a quick thinking throw in routine from HDFC allowed Danny Bentley to break a run off into the box and slip the ball past the advancing keeper to bring the game tension to boiling point at 2-3, Brocton had a freekick that struck the bar but it was HDFC that pushed closer to get the equaliser and take the game to pen kicks but they just could not connect with the last ball Sam Orme now in a more advanced role was linking well with the front 2 but they could just not get the shot off in the end it was not to be and the game was called by the referee.

FULL TIME - HDFC 2-3 Brocton FC Reserves

Man of the Match - Sponsored by Applied Radiators

Cory Johnson

HDFC Manager Shaun Rogers -

"Mistakes have cost us today, and at crucial times, i felt we were the better side for large portions of the game and we dominated alot of the play but once again set pieces have killed us off"

"I was pleased to see Danny get on the score sheet again and he is starting to show the form i have known he can for some time"

"All the lads today have worn the shirt and done it proud they fought till the last whistle and that's what i expect and know they can do it was just not to be our day, its a hard game to swallow as we were better than them for large portions as i say but we need to make sure we get our selves sorted better on set piece work as once again we have been torn apart from them"

"We are now on a 3 game loosing streak but in 2 of them 3 we have dominated play so we now need to work on this and get it so we dominate the game and not just portions of play"

HDFC next week travel to Goldenhill in the SCSL Div 2 North fixture.

HDFC TEAM:

1) Matt Halliwell
2) Cory Johnson
3) Adam Bridgewood
4) Ryan Smith
5) Sam Orme
6) Adam Threadgold
7) Charlie Swift
8) Johan Kok
9) Danny Bentley
10) Hayden Wright (c)
11) Olly Meadowcroft

12)
14) Rob Wilson
15) Matt Fern (on for Olly Meadowcroft)
16) Hayden Smith (on for Adam Bridgewood)
17)

Booked:

Referee: Mr. Peter Hutchinson

NDFC

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