Berks County v Brislington
FA Vase Second Round Qualifying
Another wet day with more rain promised so yet another late change to my scheduled games. I think I’m not going to plan so far ahead in the future as the rainy weather seems to be constantly forcing changes and we’re not even in winter yet! I had hoped to take in a double header Oxford way but with the state of the forecast, decided to stay closer to home with a trip to the Racecourse and a chance to catch up with Berks County for their FA Vase second qualifying round match with Brislington.
This was due to be a 12 noon kick off and, with Ascot United Ladies playing in the Women’s FA Cup at 4.30pm; I’d still get my double header in.
The hosts 24/25 campaign has been inconsistent with just one win in their first 8 games but they did have a confidence boosting 11-1 win in the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup recently. The visitors have had a decent start to the season, sitting fourth in the Jewson Western Football League Premier with 7 wins from their first 11 matches.
The kick off was delayed but only by 15-20 minutes as Brislington were late arriving at the ground.
When the match actually kicked off it started at a ferocious pace, both teams eager to attack and looking to take the initiative. Berks County had the first chance after winning an early corner, a Will Frank inswinging set piece was initially well defended then recycled by the hosts and Frank found himself with a shooting chance on the edge of the box but could only send the ball wide of the post.
The visitors came straight back, a nice one touch move down the right led to a high cross towards the far post. Jordan Scadding managed to get on the end of it and sent a looping header which looked to be going over Liam Grant Harris but the keeper got his fingertips to the ball and managed to push it over.
County came close on their next attack of note; Connor Suckling chased after a lost cause and retrieved the ball near the corner flag before whipping a dangerous cross into the box. Frank managed to get a shot away which was saved well by Ryan Smallwood, the ball looped into the air where George Armstrong managed to get his head to it but couldn’t keep it down and the ball sailed over the bar.
Back came Brislington, Joe McClennan floating a free kick to the far post finding an unmarked diving Scadding but somehow he managed to get underneath it and his header flew over the bar.
In the 19th minute the deadlock was broken, Sam Hutchings forced the ball through the visitors backline with Suckling racing onto it. He opened his body up nicely and slid the ball across the helpless Smallwood and into the far corner for a quality finish. 1-0
Back came the Foxes, a nice passing move across the area involving Jay Malpas, Ben Withey and George Jones made space for Scadding on the left but he could only find the side netting.
The referee then gave a free kick which Hutchings hotly disputed, so much so he ended up being sent to the sin-bin for dissent. Brislington tried to take advantage of the extra man by keeping possession and passing the ball around in the following ten minutes but the home side defended well, the only chance coming from a Joel Smith shot from outside the box which whistled past the post.
Just before the break the visitors did have a chance to level. Another floated McClennan free kick was half cleared then hit high back into the area, Harris spilt the ball and the follow up shot was blocked well and hacked clear.
H-T: Berks County 1 Brislington 0
The second half started evenly with both sides still searching for a clear cut chance. The away side were trying to force the pace to get back into the game and the hosts defending resolutely.
In the 57th minute the referee whistled for a foul which looked to be an innocuous challenge and immediately pulled out a second yellow and a red card for Brislington’s Joel Smith. It was a harsh booking and summed up an erratic performance overall from the official.
This didn’t stop the visitors looking for the equaliser and they came close moments later. A nice move down the right gave Jude McCarthy the opportunity to fizz a cross into the six yard box where it was met at the far post by Withey but Harris, sliding across his line, blocked well with his legs and the ball was cleared.
An excellent run from Sam Day and a slide rule pass through the defensive line on the left played in Armstrong, he cut the ball back to Suckling inside the box but he could only fire over the bar under pressure.
Brislington then won a free kick in a good position around 25 yards out. Ali Sen stepped up to take it but saw his effort cannon straight into the wall and away.
A two goal salvo in two minutes from the hosts then put the game out of the visitors reach. In the 82nd minute Day again made a great run down the left, getting to the byline before passing to Suckling in space and this time he made no mistake, side footing the ball past Smallwood. 2-0
Two minutes later Armstrong picked up a loose ball midway in the visitors half and knocked it towards Yonis Moha. He beat the defender to the ball moved into space down the left before passing back to Armstrong who finished nicely. 3-0
F-T: Berks County 3 Brislington 0
It was a cracking attacking game of football which could have gone either way. Good luck to Berks County in the next round and all the best to both teams for the rest of the season.
Talented photographer Charlee Bradbury was at the game and you can check out her gallery from the match by clicking the button below.