MATCH OF THE DAY: Cup thrills as Greenfield Reserves beat Broughton’s second string on pens

NEWFA RESERVE LEAGUE CUP – NOVEMBER 29, 2025

Broughton United Reserves 3 (Evan Davies 7, 29, Paul Lovell 70)
Greenfield Reserves 3 (Lewis Hogan 9, Jack Gilmore 44, Ethan Hogan 81)
Greenfield Reserves won 4-1 on penalties

REPORT: SHAUN BEST

Never underestimate the magic of a domestic cup competition – especially the NEWFA Reserve League Cup!

Greenfield Reserves channelled their inner fighting spirit to peg back Broughton United Reserves on three occasions before prevailing in a penalty shootout. The result takes Greenfield’s second string into the last eight of the competition.

Broughton struck first early on when Greenfield goalkeeper Cameron Edwards failed to punch the ball sufficiently from danger and Evan Davies turned the ball in from close range.

Greenfield hit back just over five minutes later. Jack Gilmore’s pull back was met by a first time effort from Lewis Hogan which flew into the net. Manager Mark Presford couldn’t hide his delight on the touchline and revealed that was the first time Hogan had replicated in a match what he does in training every week. There’s a first time for everything!

Broughton re-took the lead when Edwards spilt a shot from distance and Davies knocked in the rebound from close range to net his second of the game.

Right on half time, Greenfield pulled level again. A long throw from Harley Braddock-Cooper picked out Gilmore at the far post. Despite having his back to goal, the Greenfield captain found a way to meet the ball and flick it past Broughton goalkeeper Cayo Jones.

After Broughton’s Dylan Thompson tested the glass of a parked Audi with a wayward free kick, at the other end, Gilmore teed up Morgan Evans, but his effort whistled over the bar.

Broughton substitute Paul Lovell struck the crossbar straight from a corner kick. He then cleverly hit his next shot into a divot on the pitch, but Edwards was equal to the effort and caught the ball.

Lovell struck gold with his third attempt. Edwards palmed away a dangerous cross, only for the ball to fall straight into the Broughton man’s path and he made no mistake with his strike.

Greenfield thought they had equalised when Dylan Radcliffe’s effort from distance hit the upright. Cayo Jones was rooted to the spot and was relieved when the ball ricocheted away to safety.

A third equaliser did come towards the end of the game. Jones failed to deal with a teasing cross allowing substitute Ethan Hogan – just like his brother did earlier, to get on the scoresheet. Nobody could argue with the result, but the draw meant that the tie went straight to penalties.

Greenfield’s Dylan Evans netted first, before Cyprian Kulasza blazed over Broughton’s opening spot kick. Radcliffe put Greenfield two up, then Edwards saved Evan Davies’ effort, but the referee judged Edwards was off his line and ordered a re-take.

Davies blazed over his second attempt, Gilmore made it 3-0 and Greenfield sensed victory. Sam Wall got Broughton off the mark, but it proved to be a consolation, as Corey Kennedy held his nerve and slotted in to seal a hard earned win for the visitors.

Attendance: 25