Craig Megyesi was available for the first time this season, following his lengthy ban, but Benny kept faith with the team who had battled so well to a 6-2 away win last week, so he had to be content with a place on the bench. Masons Arms kicked off with a strong wind behind them, but almost found themselves a goal behind after 20 SECONDS, a great ball by Lee Walton found Widerman racing through, as the keeper came to meet him, he slipped but Wideman put his shot just wide. Bouyed by this a superb 1-2 between Bonson and Wright saw progress up the left but the shot was too weak and the keeper gathered easily. Masons went close after 6 mins, a mistake by Goodwin saw a cross put over but the Masons striker fired over.
A great team move by Scott Bennett found Widerman who in turn found Wright, but his cross evaded Bonson and the ball went to safety. Another Bonson effort on 10 mins was pulled just wide. Masons pushed forward again and found themselves almost in front on 11 mins, but the striker although through fluffed his chance, putting his shot well wide. A strong run and pass by Brown found Wright, but he was crowded out. A Shane Bennett corner caused panic in the visitors defence and several players had chances before Wright fired over.
Masons used the strong wind well, and in the 17th min a long ball over the top wasnt dealt with by Goodwin and the Masons striker raced free, he still had work to do, but steddied himself before crashing the ball into the net past Furniss. On 23 mins a throw in by Masons saw a cross into the box and the free header was well saved by Furniss Boythorpe went close on 27 mins, a shot by Scott Bennett was juggled by the visiting keeper, who was relieved to keep control of the ball with Wright racing in. A tricky run by Widerman saw him whip the ball across the face of goal, and Bennett was inches from connecting with a diving header. Goodwin went close on 31 mins, a corner was whipped in, and the big defender just failed to to prod the ball home at the back post.
Bonson saw yellow seconds later for kicking the ball away after giving away a free kick, but Boythorpe cleared away free kick. Scott Bennett went close again on 34 mins, Bonson found him with a smart pass, and the big strikers turn and shot went just wide. Masons were gifted a 2nd goal on 38 mins Higginbottom allowed the player to get on the inside of him and tripped him trying to get back, and the ref pointed to the spot. The penalty was well struck but the unlucky Furniss managed to get his hand to the ball . Masons nearly added to the lead on 43 mins, a free run saw the striker put his chance wide when well placed. HALF TIME Boythorpe...0 Masons Arms...2.
Benny reverted to a 4-4-2, pushing Widerman back onto the left wing, and called for his team to play football and beat the opponents with skill in the 2nd half, as it was obvious chances would come thier way. They made a hash of the kick off however, Wright and Bennett comically hitting each other with the kick, but soon began to push forward. They went close again within a minute, Brown found Walton who crossed for Scott Bennett, but he put his effort just over. Masons had to make a substitution moments later, Furniss collided with the Masons danger man while making a save and after lengthy treatment he had to leave the field with blurred vision. BROWN went close on 52 mins, having a fine header tipped over. He was however ony denied for 2 more mins as Widerman found him and he set off on a run working space for himself, before picking his spot and giving the keeper no chance. He went close on the hour mark with a rasping shot that went inches wide with the keeper well beaten. Megyesi made his long awaited return on 65 mins, in a straight swap for Widerman. A few rash tackles went in as the ref at times failed to control the game.
Walton began to cause problems down the right, well assisted by Higginbottom who began to get forward. Wright was full of running, going close on several occassions, but his touch just lettng him down at vital times. Megyesi carried on doing the same as Widerman had been, and just as time was begining to run out, with a lot of help from the visiting goalkeeper, who took every opportunity to go for a sunday stroll, Boythorpe GRABBED the elusive equalizer. A free kick was won way out on the left, and with the still strong wind behind him BROWN fancied his chance. He sent his kick arrowing into the box, beating everybody and decieving the keeper in flight and into the far corner of the net. At this point the keeper then noticed that footballs had been placed near the goals to keep play moving...LORD IT'S A MIRACLE !!! The keeper CAN SEE.
Benny then urged his team to go on and win it, they duly obliged within a minute Lee Walton found WRIGHT who made space in the box before keeping his composure and lifting the ball into the net past the keeper to make it 3-2. With just 2 mins remaining the game threatened to boil over, Walton was slightly late trying to win the ball in the Masons box, but the player reacted and was lucky not to see red as he raised his hands, but both escaped with a yellow apiece. Captain DEAN BROWN however had the last laugh in the FINAL minute grabbing his hat trick in fine style, a great ball by Walton found him running through before classilly rounding the keeper and prodding the ball home from a tight angle. FINAL SCORE Boythorpe...4 Masons Arms...2
