Bretforton 1, Littleton 2

FOR the second year running Littleton were drawn away at Bretforton in the first round of the Evesham Hospital Junior Cup, and came away with a victory.

The game was much like the weather, dull and dreary with little sparkle or bounce.

It was a game that both sides seemed determined not to lose and, consequently for long periods, play was confined to the middle of the park, as players were reluctant to push too far forward in case they got caught out.

Thankfully, however, it was played in an excellent spirit with neither side resorting to over physical challenges as can often happen in local derbies.

Littleton had the first attempt on goal in the second minute, Darren Reeves shooting over from 25 yards.

However, it was Bretforton who took the lead after 13 minutes. The ball found Dale Boulton wide on the left, he steadied himself and hit a fine cross shot past Adam Moss.

On the half-hour, Littleton nearly equalised when there was an almighty scramble in the Bretforton six-yard box, but the ball was hacked clear.

Littleton levelled after 41 minutes when Matt Cotton's centre found Reeves whose mishit shot completely fooled the keeper.

Littleton took the lead immediately after the restart when Phil Haines thumped in a header from a Reeves cross that the keeper parried but Barrie Williams was on hand to score from close-range.

From then on neither defences were troubled as Littleton held on for their eighth successive victory.