Great Western got todays game underway. It didnt start too well for Western as Beaufort immediately started playing attacking football. They played alot of long balls in hope their pacey strikers would latch on to them. Western rode their luck for the first 20 mins or so, with Beaufort on top and unlucky not to have scored. Western finally calmed down and tried to play football and managed to even the remainder of the first half out by getting their foot on the ball a bit. Half time 0 - 0. Western came in at half time feeling ok but knowing they can up their performance. Western came out a bit better at the start of the second half and they were the ones doing the attacking now with Paul Marsons running really troubling the Beaufort defence. Stu Elwell took control of the ball on the half way line and quickly saw Paul Marsons run, a great ball was played and Marson finished the ball well. 1 - 0. Western seemed to be comfortable now and another goal seemed to be on the cards for Western. Paul Marson never stopped running and Beaufort defence did well to control him. Beaufort still tried to play long balls and they played a long ball towards their forward who ran between two Western defenders and just seemed to jump in the air and catch the ball, he then called for a penalty and the referee gave it. Western could not understand this , but never the less the penalty was taken and scored. 1 - 1. After this, the referee admitted he may have got it wrong but had to give what he could see. Western kept their heads up and went for a second. After a few subs, and with roughly ten mins to go Neil Worley managed to get in a difficult cross and Paul Marson beat a defender and the keeper to get his toe on the end of it and poke it in the back of the net. Surely with so little time left Western had got the win. Beaufort had nothing to lose now and pushed on. The left winger was allowed to run with the ball and got a shot off which deflected off Danny James' head and left Rob Taylor standing as it looped over him and in the goal. 2 - 2. This was almost the last kick of normal time as the ref blew the whistle to take the game into extra time. Beaufort came out for the win now and pushed forward once again. A good run by the forward into the box forced Danny James to stick a leg out and he caught the player inside the area. Clear penalty, and finished well. 2 - 3 now. Beaufort dropped now and tried to defend and they managed to hold it for the first half of extra time. Second half kicked off and Western changed formation and went forward in their droves. Another great run from Paul Marson was picked out by Neil Worley. Marson struck well and beat the goalkeeper and it hit both posts before going across the line. Another equaliser. The game went to penalties now. Beaufort scored their first 3, Western only managing 1, with Stu Elwell and Scott Brownridge failing to score. Rob Taylor managed to save Beauforts 4th effort but it was too little too late as Beaufort scored their remainding penalties. Beafort win 4 - 3 on penalties. Hard fought game against another average team, and maybe an undeserved loss but Western know they can still play a hell of a lot better.
