The Greens were made to pay for, in particular, a sloppy 20 minutes before the half-time break in which the away side pulled the tie level after finding themselves two goals down inside the opening 20 minutes. Player-of-the-match Akeel Francis had given the home side the lead when he powered home after 13 minutes, before Ryan Rushen doubled the advantage just four minutes later, heading home at the near post. The Greens were comfortably in control until Fraser Papprill headed Brigg back into the contest after 34 minutes, then, right on half-time Scott Phillips drew the Zebra’s level from the spot after Mitch Griffiths had fouled his man.

Player/Manager Tom Ward made four changes from the side that swept past Holwell Sports in the League Cup last weekend, including putting himself back in the starting line-up after taking a rest at Welby Road. Elsewhere, Joe Butler and Max Ward dropped to the bench while Kyle Watkins (unavailable) and Ollie Skinner dropped out altogether – Skinner as a result of his loan move to United Counties League Division One side West Bridgford. In came the aforementioned Ward, Rodrigo Goncalves and Ryan Rushen, while Charlie Ward made his return to the starting line-up after serving his three match ban for a sending off at Newark and Sherwood United last month. The away side meanwhile were hoping for a pick-me-up after three games without a win and made only two changes from the side that were pegged back to 2-2 in the 90th minute by Rossington Main last weekend - James Petronzio and Lawrence Heward replacing Kevan Kahoussi and Luke Sellars.

The Greens were quick out of the blocks and took the game to their step six opponents in the opening 20 minutes. The first real opening arrived after good work from Akeel Francis down the right hand side, and he crossed for Rodrigo Goncalves who could only hit his volley straight into the ground and comfortably into Tom Collins hands in the Brigg goal. The Greens did soon lead though and it was shining light Francis who grabbed it. Ryan Rushen was at the heart of the action, turning two Brigg defenders in one move before setting up Francis who took a touch, set himself and fired into the top corner via a feint hand from Collins to give the Greens a deserved advantage.

It was 2-0 only four minutes later, this time excellent interplay between Charlie Ward and Mitch Griffiths saw the latter’s looped cross finally fall to the head of Ryan Rushen on the goal line and he was too quick and strong for Collins, heading beyond the keeper at the near post. At the other end, Brigg had begun to settle down and called Liam Flitton into action for the first time when Martin Pembleton’s freekick was brilliantly palmed away by the young stopper.

Brigg were soon back in the tie though when a freekick was headed in by Fraser Papprill – his looping header too high for Flitton in the Greens goal. The Greens responded, first with Charlie Ward putting an effort well wide, before Akeel Francis showed great control and skill to dance around multiple Brigg challenges on the edge of the box before unleashing a strike that just dipped too late and over the bar. Then, right on half-time Dayle Hutson was sent through on goal and after a coming together with Mitch Griffiths earned his side a penalty. After waiting over three minutes for multiple issues to be straightened out, Scott Phillips stepped up and made no mistake, hauling the away side level with the final kick of the first half.

The Greens went about trying to restore their advantage in the second half and went close just three minutes into the second period when Jacob Fenton stole in but could only place his effort into the side netting. The home side were far more dominant in possession but were caught on the break for what would not be the only time during the second half in the 51st minute when Harvey Carew was sent through one-on-one with Flitton, but he somehow managed to put his effort just wide of the post when he should have scored.

Attacking pair Ryan Rushen and Jacob Fenton continued to cause the away side problems – Rushen tried to work himself some space on the edge of the box but his eventual shot was easily collected by Collins. Fenton was next to cause problems when his powerful cross was hooked off the line, before Tom Collins produced an excellent stop to block Rushen’s volley with the follow-up unable to be poked home by Akeel Francis.

The Greens were caught high again just after the hour, this time Dayle Hutson found himself in acres of space but he, like Carew, dragged his effort wide of the post when he looked all but set to score. The games flow was then very much interrupted after a flurry of substitutions, including that of the returning Liam Tunstall, but despite his attacking presence the Greens couldn’t find a way through their battling opponents and thus were taken to penalties for a second time in cup competitions this season. Despite Liam Flitton saving well from James Petronzio’s spot kick, the Greens were made to pay for Liam Tunstall hitting the post and Carl Adiku seeing his effort saved by Collins as they crashed out of a cup competition at the first hurdle for the third time this season.

A visibly frustrated Tom Ward was critical of his side at full time saying that despite a good opening half and hour, the Greens just weren’t good enough on the day;

“For 25/30 minutes, I thought we were superb, we passed them off the park, the rotations were perfect and I think maybe we got a bit complacent” Ward said.

“At two all, maybe we’re a bit grumpy about that and maybe we’ve allowed that to beat us today rather than the opposition.”

“There was nothing in the second half, it was two average sides really second half, I don’t think either side showed much quality. Ultimately I think we were more bothered about why we hadn’t won the game 5-0 rather than just getting a result today.”

Ward was disappointed to see his side defeated yet again on penalties so soon after being dumped out of the FA Vase by Newark and Sherwood United in similar fashion;

“I’m disappointed not to win the game in 90 minutes. We then get another opportunity at penalties and I think our ratio at penalties must be the worst any clubs ever had scoring from the spot at the moment – but it is what it is – we must take it on.”

The Greens will now look to move on quickly from this disappointment with a top-of-the-table clash with Melton Town at Melton Sports Village to look forward to. Kick-off in this United Counties League Premier Division North match is 3PM next Saturday.

Words: Oliver Atkin