BELOW PAR BREWER STEAL WIN FROM HOCKERILL
So after scoring 17 goals and conceding 0 in their last 2 games Brewer FC looked to continue their magical form by picking up all the points against an inconsistent Hockerill side.
It was clear from the outset that this was going to be no walk over with Hockerill looking the better side winning every 1st and 2nd ball and showing more determination all over the park. They were clearly up for a physical battle. Despite this however it was Brewer who created some early chances, the best of which fell to Watts who smashed the ball against the post from a tight angle.
The half remained close until the 30th minute when Felton played a ball inside to Reed who squared for Cox who slotted home from 8 yards – 1-0 Brewer….but not really deserved.
Hockerill were not down beat by this and kept trying to score from range however just before the break the ball fell to Sutton who’s touch let him down and was rounded by the Hockerill striker who finished 1 on 1 to level it up at the break.
At half-time and you could not help but feel as though Brewer could quite easily win this game. All they needed to do was play their own free-flowing game and not get dragged in to this physical battle which Hockerill had imposed on them. Good made 1 change at halftime seeing Paulinho come on to the left wing in place of Felton.
Once again Brewer come out failing to produce the kind of football their supporters and management have become a-custom to and shortly after the restart they found themselves 2-1 behind with the defence being undone by a long ball which the Hockerill striker latched on to, controlled with his hand and rolled the ball passed the on-rushing keeper. Despite the blatant hand-ball Good will not have been happy with his defence for switching off and making the cardinal sin of not playing to the whistle.
This did come as a slight wakeup call and some of the Brewer players looked to switch on. The question was would it make a difference?
It did (even if only temporarily) when flying winger Jiggins ran on to Cox’s through ball and ripped the ball in to the top left hand corner for 2-2! Once again the question on everyone’s lips was “would Brewer switch on now and put the game beyond their opponents?”
Once again the answer was no and shortly after getting level Brewer were once again undone by another long ball which the Hockerill striker put home for his hat-trick! 3-2 to the away side!
The physical battle continued with Brewer FC’s oldest player (Garret) entering the fray along with central midfielder Bailey to try and turn things around. Shortly after coming on Garret found himself in a good position inside the 6 yard box but could not quite bring the ball under control to surely level the game. This did however give Brewer hope and despite their poor display they did not look done yet…
With 10mins to go Brewer superior fitness began to show with Hockerill defending deep in their own half. An equaliser looked on the cards and it finally came when Bush passed to Calder who whipped a ball to the back post which went through everyone and nestled in to the bottom corner! 3-3!
So 1 minute to go could Brewer grab a late winner? Many will believe that there was no way that they even deserved to be level at this point so surely to grab all the points would be completely unjust?
Well after a foul just inside the Hockerill half which was hotly contested by the entire away team (including the goalkeeper) this left Brewer with an empty net. The ref gave Watts permission to take the free-kick which he laid off to Bailey who knocked the ball in to an empty net from 35 yardsaway! O the controversy! The final whistle! THE WIN FOR BREWER FC!
How? Why? What? All that matters is Brewer have won every game so far this season. BUT for this run to continue next week they will need to improve on this performance to beat promotion/title rivals Saffron Hawks.
#COYB
