Town Make It Through Secound Round after Penalties

Beverley went into this game full of confidence after a recent run of good results. However Bransholme proved to be stiff opposition in a game that had many twists and turns.

The first half was mainly played in the Bransholme half, with Town playing down hill and down wind Bransholme struggled to get past the half way line and create any clear cut chances. Town took the lead mid way through the first half after some fine play by striker Jimmy Symes.

Symes received the ball at his feet on the half way line, laid the ball off to Dean Taylor and spun on a sixpence to leave the Bransholme defender for dead. Taylor calmly threaded the ball back to Symes, who took a touch to control and fired calmly past the on rushing keeper from the edge of the six yard box.

The second half saw a much improved performance from Bransholme, with Town failing to keep the ball and giving possession away far to easily. Bransholmes pressure finally told on 60 minutes when substitute Brendan Nixon took advantage of some hesitant defending to loop a volley over keeper Ben Thompson into the back of Towns goal.

Both teams searched for a winner but the deadlock never looked like being broken. With only 2 minutes remaining Town suffered a major blow when striker Jimmy Symes picked up a serious injury. After being put through on goal, Bransholme keeper came out to claim the ball, which he won cleanly but inadvertently collided with the on rushing Symes.

The physio was called onto the pitch immediately and it was soon clear that an ambulance was required to treat Symes for a dislocated shoulder. The game was delayed for around 30 minutes whilst Symes received treatment, and was ultimately taken to hospital for further observations. Manager Dave Walton had used all his substitutes so Town were set to play 30 minutes of extra time with 10 men!

The referee blew the whistle for full time and the teams changed ends for 30 minutes of extra time. Town got off to the worst possible start, after 5 minutes big Bransholme striker Mike Carling latched on to a long ball, he shifted the ball onto his left foot, and from the edge of the 18 yard box curled a shot into the top corner. This shocked Town into action but they could not find the breakthrough they were looking for.

The second half of extra time saw more drama in this intriguing game. Town were throwing caution to the wind, leaving players up front at every opportunity and risking defence for attack to get back into the game. They almost came unstuck when a stray back pass from full back Mark Bagshaw was latched onto by Bransholme striker Nixon.

With only the keeper to beat he chose to run the ball past him, but keeper Ben Thompson was wise to this and dived on the ball to save Town from certain defeat. This seemed to give Town an extra boost, and for the last 5 minutes they threw everything at Bransholme. With only 3 minutes remaining Town were awarded a corner from the right hand side.

Winger Mark Frampton drilled in a cross that was flicked on at the front post and looped across goal towards the edge of the 18 yard box. Mike Evins was positioned perfectly to hit the ball first time, and his right footed volley rocketed into the top right hand corner of the goal, giving the keeper no chance. It was a fantastic strike from Evins and up there with one of his best in the 30 years that he has been playing.

Town were buoyed by this, and with only 2 minutes left still felt they could win. However Bransholme had other ideas. A long ball down the left channel was chased by Bransholme striker Mike Carling. Keeper Ben Thompson came out to shepherd the ball out of play but Carling got the better of him. From around 20 yards out Carling fired the ball towards the empty net, the shot looked like a certain goal that would have definitely put Town out of the cup.

From nowhere Beverley defender Asa Pardoe dived towards the goal and tipped the ball over the bar with his hands. Pardoe did not even wait for the referee to produce his cards as he knew it was a definite red card and Town were reduced to 9 men. With the last kick of the game Bransholme had a penalty to win the match and take them into the next round. The pressure was intense, and the Bransholme midfielder taking the penalty had the hopes of his team resting on his shoulders.

He ran up confidently to take the spot kick, and his left footed strike curled towards the right hand corner of the goal, but the strike was not accurate enough and the ball rebounded off the post and away to safety. The referee immediately blew his whistle and penalties ensued. Beverley had been given an extra lifeline and were determined not to throw it away.

Beverley were calm and collected in the penalty shoot out, keeper Thompson saved 3 penalties, then stepped up to fire the winning penalty into the back of the net, giving Town a 3-2 victory on penalties.

Manager Dave Walton was pleased with the result and praised Towns determination “We were not at our best today, there will be times this season when we play much better than that and get beat. However the lads showed real grit and determination not give in, and the end we came away with the win. Bransholme will feel like they should have won, but that’s football for you, and its our name in the hat for the next round”

Town face Crown at the Norwood Recreation Ground on Saturday, 2pm KO.

Beverley Town 2-2 Bransholme Athletic (Beverley win 3-2 on penalties)