AFC Walton....3 Brimington Utd F.C....2.
AFC looked to put pressure on leaders Barrow Hill, in what looked an "easy" fixture on paper, BUT didnt recokon on the fighting display put on by the visitors Brimington Utd, who totally belied thier lowly league position at Eastwood Park today (sunday). The hosts carved out the first real chance of the game on 5 mins, a long ball by Walton, picked out the run of Wright, but he was crowded out by 2 defenders before he could get his shot away. He was put through again on 8 mins by a raking pass by Higginbottom, but he fired across the goal and the ball went for a goalkick. At the other end Bettney was outmuscled wide on the wing, with the visitors striker cutting infield, but his shot was poor. 2 mins later Utd scrambled the ball through the AFC's defence, but fired well over. Brown carved out a chance on 12 mins as the game went from end to end, but he shot well wide. Utd were playing some lovely stuff, with well worked passing moves causing the hosts problems at times.
Wright went close again on 22 mins after Bonsons well timed pass picked him out, but his neat flick was cleared off the line. Utd went deservedly into the lead on 25 mins, although a little fortunatly. A quickly taken throw saw the striker cut inside and shoot from just inside the box, and although Furniss had the effort well covered, it clipped Bettneys foot on the way through, wrong footing the unfortunate keeper. Utd thought they had stolen a 2 goal lead moments later, but the goal was ruled offside by the linesmans flag. The game continued to sway end to end, with AFC pushing forward in numbers to try and draw level. But were thwarted on numerous occassions by the bravery oif the visitors keeper who NEVER lost a 1 on 1 ALL DAY!! HALF TIME AFC Walton...0 Brimington Utd F.C...1
Benny totally shuffled his squad of players at the break, going for a more attacking 4-4-2 formation, the attacking coming from placing Bettney as an attacking winger, in order to cause the visitors problems. It almost drew instant reward within 2 mins, Bettney danced through the defence before firing inches over. He was involved again a couple of minutes later, this time his run and pass picking out Wright who shot just over when well placed. Brown was now posing more of a threat overlapping the run of Bettney who was now tying up 2 Utd defenders just trying to mark HIM!. AFC eventually drew level on 55 mins, Bettney raced onto a loose ball before picking out WRIGHT who sliced the Utd defence open with his run, clipped the ball past the keeper before firing into the net past a defender. Brown then linked with Bettney on the hour with the latters first time strike well saved. Utd were still dangerous on the break, with Higginbottom, Silcock and Megyesi, making well time interceptions as the visitors threatened.
Utd eventually regained the lead on 78 mins when a rasping 30 yard strike from nowhere screamed into the net past Furniss. Whitehead replaced Bonson almost immediatly and it brought instant dividends for AFC after a ball up the wing saw Brown put the ball into the box causing havoc with the ball eventually dropping to WRIGHT via Walton, who fired home his second of the match. It was then certainly a game of next goal wins as both sides pushed for a winner. Brown, Bettney, Wright and Walton all went close along with a number of Utd players as time began to run out. Utd won a corner after Higginbottom hacked the ball away on 89 mins, the cross came over, was cleared, and fell to a player just outside the box who struck it first time and Furniss stretched out a leg to make a fine save. From this AFC broke at speed, the ball was passed between a number of players before it fell to Walton who spotted MEGYESI sprinting up on his left, he rolled the ball to him and he crashed it left footed past the despairing keeper and into the net, for a last gasp winner prompting joyous scenes. FULL TIME AFC Walton...3 Brimington Utd F.C...2. Although its probably a bridge too far to catch Barrow Hill now, Promotion for the THIRD season running is NOW ASSURED and its important to get as many points on the board to give us a favourable placing in the divisions.
