Lights stay on at Alveston but 1st's out of Birmingham Vase by odd goal (28.11.09)

Birmingham County Vase - 2nd Round

Alveston 3 Bourton & Frankton 2

Two goals from Justin Neal was not quite enough for Bourton to overcome Midland Combination opponents Alveston as it was the latter with two late goals that edged the tie to progres further in the Birmingham Vase.

After last week's original tie was abandoned due to floodlight failure, the 'replay' proved to be another equally close game, with Bourton a match for their higher league opponents all over the field.

The visitors started well but found themselves a goal down after 22 minutes, the goal coming from a spot kick after the hosts were awarded a dubious penalty. However, the lead lasted all of five minutes as Bourton equalised when Justin Neal fired home from 15 yards after a good move down the right hand side.

With the score remaining level at one piece at half-time, the second half again saw the visitors the better team and they deservedly went in front on the hour. Neal burst into the box and shot across goal into the far corner of the net for his and Bourton's second of the game. Bourton held the lead until 14 minutes to go, before two goals inside six minutes proved their eventual undoing. The equaliser came on 76 minutes with B & F being caught on the break for Alveston to net an equaliser, before a second penalty for the home side - this time for hand ball, on 80 minutes saw them go in front.

The final ten minutes saw Bourton camp themselves in the Alveston half  in search of the equaliser, but it wasn't to be and the hosts survived to go through.

Overall, a good all round performance from Bourton, in particular very pleasing to see the side so committed.against their higher league opposition.