Branston Res. 1-0 AFC West End

Wind Swept and Disappointing

A frustrating afternoon for West End as they played Branston Reserves in a ridiculously strong gale that swept across the page forcing play to remain down one flank in both halves. The home side eventually got the ball into the centre of the field long enough to open the scoring and it was to prove the only goal of the match to stand. West End thought they had equalised as they threw bodies forward late in the game, however the Branston linesman flagged for an inexplicable offside (a player on the opposite side of the pitch to play) and the strike was ruled out. Frustration all round, particularly for Joe Harper who took his frustration out on the pitch… and broke his hand.

Starting Line-up (4-4-2): Matt Hinton; Stephen Pearce, Shaun Hepple, Mayur Patel, Lee Matsell; Jonny Dyas, Glen Wilson, Joe Harper, Phil Lodge; Sam McDonnell, Rich Dungworth
Substitutes: John Moore, Dave Capps

AFC West End 3-3 Branston Res.

West End Fail to Wring Out the Branston

West End continue their unbeaten start to the season with a hard fought 3-3 draw with Branston Reserves. Phil Lodge netted his first of the season whilst Rich Dungworth also grabbed two, but ‘the Beers’ were pegged back by a young Branston side who secured a draw with an equaliser midway through the second half.

Starting Line-up (4-4-2): Alec Waby; Jez Ashberry, Glen Wilson, Mike Smith, Chris Dorling; Stephen Pearce, Gav Sumner, Andy Kirk, Phil Lodge; Sam McDonnell, Rich Dungworth
Substitutes: Joe Harper, James Flintham

Branston Res. 1-3 AFC West End (a.e.t.)

West End Go Giantkilling

AFC West End went giant killing, dumping Branston Reserves out of the cup in superb fashion with a 3-1 victory after extra-time in a tie that constantly swung back and forth. Adam Bierton saved a first half penalty to keep the scores at 0-0 but West End soon fell behind after failing to clear their lines following a period of constant Branston pressure. The visitors kept their heads up though and after some good work between James Dewhurst and Sam McDonnell, Mike Northern got on the end of a cross to level the scores at 1-1. West End could even have gone in ahead but Branston’s keeper made himself very big to stop another effort from Northern who took a knock in the process ending his game at the half-way point.