With both Bradley Stoke and Talbot being eliminated from the cup several weeks earlier, it was an opportunity to reschedule a later match before the rains of January cancelled it. After ten minutes or so of energy and luke warm excitement with some half chances not resulting in anything more than goal kicks, Bradley Stoke profoundly slipped out of gear and started to fall back and follow Talbot about the pitch. Some underwhelming tackling and tracking back was responsible for stretching the backs more and more. Eventually, the usual goal came after many similar opportunities. A ball threaded through the middle lead to a commonly seen foot chase between the forwards of the visitors, pulling away from the Stoke defence. Talbot finished with confidence. More shots were to follow but dogged defending and some good saves by Phil Harwood kept the score close.

The second half began with Bradley Stoke using all it substitutes as keeper Harwood had received a knock and had to be replaced by midfielder Roger Smith. Various others juggled into new positions in the hope that an equaliser would soon follow. Talbot quickly confirmed who was in control with hard tackling, communication and a desire to punish a lack-luster opposition. Early in the half Smith was forced to make a full stretch save from a shot 6 yards out, but it was only a matter of time before Talbot increased its lead. The first goal would come from a cross on Talbot’s right wing.
An unchallenged forward just outside the box headed the ball square to another striker. He headed the ball in a looping direction over the keeper, scrapping the cross bar as it fell. The third and final goal came from a through ball to the right. The winger attacked the box and fired towards the far corner. Smith got down and parried the ball, but the follow up of four Talbot players verses only one Stoke back, resulted in an easy knock in.

The team that was eager to play, won.
The team with its hands on its hips, lost.

Match report courtesy of James Palmer.