Brewer FC hit five goals in this grass root extravaganza at Takeley Park which finally ended 5 -5
These two teams, traded goals like heavyweight boxers going toe-to-toe, with Hatton, Field, Watts and Cox all finding the net in an astonishing eighteen-minute spell against premiership opposition and showing true grit and determination after a 3 goal blitz's.
The opening goal started with a perfectly placed cross from the right which eluded the Brewer defence for the Grange player to dispatch from round the back unattended. This was Grange United's first attack after a sprightly start from Brewer FC which the Manager demanded from the off. Not to be undone by the bright start, within 10 minutes Brewer FC were level, with the goal of the match.
A neat threaded ball to Reed from Bailey, saw him come inside the defender and unleash a ferocious 30 yard screamer which had the keeper scrambling and unable to stop the ferocity of the equaliser..
At 1 - 1 Brewer FC looked comfortable against there premiership counterparts.
Then disaster struck, two smart through balls left the Brewer FC defence exposed and the quality of the Grange strike force meant they had raced into a 3 - 1 lead just before half -time
Looking shell shocked and bewildered the Brewer FC needed to be raised from the ashes to stop the first loss in the pre-season friendlies. Whatever the Manager said looked to have worked at the restart.Starting the 2nd half like an express train, the Brewer side showed neat and composed passing but a loose ball allowed a free kick to be awarded to Grange United. Again the premiership side carved an opportunity to further extend their lead to 4 - 1.
Was there any way back for Brewer FC?
Good waved the wand making changes to the formation and instantly the style of play that the manager demands came back to the side. The fitness of Brewer FC was quite clearly evident and as they imposed their strength and belief then the comeback started.
A long throw from Sutton (who had his worst game to date in Brewer's colours) found Hatton, whose control was perfect slipping inside the full back, the 2nd goal for Brewer FC found the net with a delightful lob into to the top corner.
4 - 2 The comeback was on !
Grange United found the Brewer Midfield and Forwards to hot too handle and the constant pressure resulted in well worked move down the left hand side followed by a decent cross from Felstead, the cross was met by Field who powered a unstoppable header pass the keeper - 4 - 3
Brewer FC with the tails high looked the more likely to score yet again with the occasionally attack from Grange being snuffed out by the defence and holding player Reed. It was not long before Watts got on the score sheet with his 5th Goal in the pre season friendlies. A long throw from Reed saw Watts hit the bottom corner with a neat flick and the equaliser making up for the two earlier misses in the first half; 4 - 4
Not to be out done Cox picked the ball up midway through the Grange midfield and powered his way through the defence and tucking the ball into the bottom corner leaving the keeper a standing admirer; 5 - 4
The mentality of this Brewer FC side is 'You score we will score more' and whilst this is admorable but it does leave the defence exposed at times and in the last minute Grange United won a freekick which the defence failed to pick up their men from which resulted with the equalising goal: 5 - 5.
Good would of preferred the entire team to defend a freekick so late on after such an amazing fight back but he hopes the team will learn from this mistake - "that is what pre-season is all about after all" Good said "learning from your mistakes is the sign of any top draw side and I know we will learn from this". He then went on to say how "proud" he was of EVERY single player for their efforts in the pre-season. All in all he is one happy Gaffer.
On the final whistle and reflecting back this game ebbed and flowed but with 4 pre season games for Brewer FC with 19 Goals Scored, 8 Different Goalscorers, all against higher calibre opposition speaks volumes for the forthcoming season and the expectations of this well groomed and oiled side.
