A late change to today's fixture meant that Breachwood Lion's were to play Bedwell from the Premier Division in the Invitation Cup.
Lions starting eleven: Sanchez, French, A.Jefferies, Collier, Dye(C) D.Jefferies, Crisp, Burnage, Pearson, Harvey, Collins.
Breachwood started very brightly and looked to make up for last weeks disaster. Captain Danny Dye combined well with Danny Jefferies ,Ali Collins and John Harvey in a sweeping passing move. Rob Pearson developed a good understanding with Ali Collins on the left. Collins had two early shots on goal. Crisp was again pivotal in the midfeld, pushing the ball out to Burnage who was causing Bedwell problems on the right wing.
The Lion's opened the scoring when Ali Collins pulled out wide on the left wing and whipped in the ball to John Harvey, who feinted to shoot and then squared the ball to the right where Adam Burnage arrived to drive the ball into the Bedwell net to put the Lion's one nil up.
The Lion's were takeing more shot on goal from range than they had done in recent matches. The Lion's second goal came when Burnage's pass came off a Bedwell defender into the path of John Harvey who was now one on one with the keeper and scored with a neat and composed strike past the keeper into the corner of the net.
Bedwell began to show signs of their pedigree with several attacks down the left wing but were thwarted by French heading clear critical crosses or Collier and Adam Jefferies intercepting and calmly playing the ball out of defence.
Two nil up half way through the first half, the Lion's had relaxed a little too much when the Bedwell left winger was allowed to break into the penalty box and fire a low strike past Sanchez at his near post. Ten minutes later a Bedwell throw in found the feet of a Bedwell forward inside the penalty area, he was able to turn cleverly and fire a shot past Sanchez to bring the game level for half time.
Pete Jordan replaced the injured Adam Jefferies at half time. Breachwood started brightly again in the second half with Burnage going on another run and Ali Collins firing balls into the Bedwell area.
Bedwell scored a controversial goal when the Lion's failed to clear and Sanchez dived to save with seemingly both hands on the ball, when a Bedwell attacker kicked the ball into the net. Referee Butler had judged that Sanchez didn't have the ball fully under control.
Breachwood were still in the game as Danny Jefferies, Crisp and Captain Dye tried to conjure attacking moves, bringing substitutes Ian Canning and Wayne Gardner into the game, although Crisp picked up his second yellow card of the season.
Bedwell were still in the ascendancy, although Sanchez had punched clear everything Bedwell threw at him in the Breachwood goal until a Bedwell forward turned on the ball just outside the edge of the area, and tried his luck with a high shot that looked like it was going over the bar until it dipped into the top corner of the net.
Having used all substitutes, Breachwood were reduced to ten men when Pete Jordan had to go off with an injured knee. At 4-2 down on the day but even at 4-4 in the tie, Breachwood were still able to fashion chances at the other end. Crisp came close to getting on the end of Burnage cross, Collins rifled a shot straight at the keeper, and Burnage's free kick sailed over the bar.
In the end both teams ran out of time trying to win the tie. The game finished 4-2 to Bedwell but the tie was level at 4-4.
Adam Burnage was the Managers Man of the Match and gets a meal for two in the Red Lion.
Substitutes not used: Harrison, D.Farr.
A big thank you a good turn out of home supporters including, Ash, Gary, Beeny, Laura, Ken, Pete, Steve, The Jefferies, Mr Collins, Stevie P & Lincoln.
