Report

Brampton produced a well-below-par peformance as they crashed out of the Derbyshire Cup, going down 4-1 to an in-form Blazing Rag side.

Without a whole host of first team players, Brampton manager John Stuart could only name a playing squad of 14, including himself. Brampton's extensive squad was evident as there were first appearances for Liam Roberts who deputised in goal and Adam Campbell who started on the right wing. Tom Peach and Ben Bassett joined Stuart on the bench, both poised to make their first appearance of the season.

Brampton got off to a tentative start. The Cote Heath pitch was, as expected, not at its best and it was soon evident that the home side would gain a big advantage having played on it all season and that Brampton had not played on such a surface to date. Blazing Rag's play was direct and effective. Long balls were hauled forward only to repelled by the Brampton defensive backline, Zach Law and Richard Pedley marshalled well in the opening stages. Any time Brampton tried to put an attack together, their play was fractious, not helped by the surface and not helping themselves as they tried to play football in the wrong areas, given the conditions.

Therefore, given their pressure, Rag got their inevitable opener on the 20 minute mark. A long ball was once cleared by Mosley and, as the ball came back in, it wasn't properly cleared until it fell to the Rag 9 who finished well on the half volley. The lead was deserved.

Brampton, like in weeks previous, sparked in to life after going one down. Their play improved somewhat as they now looked to match Rag at their own game and play in a more direct fashion. The equaliser almost came as Brampton had a couple of chances. Sam Gilthorpe sent a shot just wide whilst Zach Law failed to connect to a Marples cross as the sides went in to the break.

Brampton knew a massive improvement was necessary going in to the second half but it never came.

Rag continued much in the same fashion and got their second not long after the break. A long ball over the top was not dealt with and the Rag attacker nodded over the out rushing Roberts to double his side's lead. Two then became three in what was turning in to a very bad day for Brampton.

Tom Peach and Ben Bassett were introduced in to the action for Adam Campbell and Chris Graham.

Rag got their fourth as a long cross from left to right was headed home by 'Tibbles'.

Sam Gilthorpe, one of Brampton's better performers on the day got a goal back late on to continue his good goal scoring form. An unpunished dangerous tackle on Joe Dudley ended his involvement in the game and John Stuart came on for the last 10 minutes to try and help prevent further goals. The game finished 4-1 to the home side.

Blazing Rag played well on the day. The knew exactly how to play the Rec pitch whereas their Chesterfield opponents didn't. It would be all to easy for Brampton to curse the players missing and try to use this as some excuse. The truth of the matter is that any Brampton team should be good enough to compete with a team in the league below. However, on the day Rag fully deserved to progress to the next round after a professional and workmanlike performance. Very well done to them and Brampton wish them luck in the competition.

Brampton must now put this off day behind them, dust themselves down and go again as they face Bradwell on Saturday in what is a crucial game going in to the Christmas run-in.