Both sides had half-chances in the early stages, but they were wasted and neither goalkeeper was troubled. However in the 14th minute Willis scored from their first shot on target when Bramford failed to clear the ball, which fell to Willis’ number 7 Steve Crane who coolly slotted his shot past Bramford goalkeeper Nick Pleasances and into the far corner.
Just a minute later, Willis left back Mike Beatom picked up a Dean Offord through ball just inside the Bramford half. Using his pace to get away from the defence, Beatom took the ball wide and finished from a tight angle to give Willis a comfortable two-goal buffer. Willis went from strength to strength and dominated play with some good interchanges between Crane and Captain Offord.
Against the run of play, Bramford’s Ashley Pegg rose the highest from a pinpoint Chris Solomon corner to header home and give Bramford a good chance to get back into the tie. Just before half time, player-manager Solomon was denied a Bramford equaliser when his shot was well-saved when one-on-one with Willis keeper Peter Stephens. Deep into added time, Solomon again was unlucky to see his header rattle the Willis crossbar and bounce on the line before Stephens pounced on the loose ball to settle Willis’ nerves.
Willis looked more comfortable after the break, with centre-backs Adam Horner and James Crosby nullifying any Bramford threat. The home side created numerous opportunities to regain the 2-goal lead; Steve Crane failed to make the most of two chances and substitute Courtney David almost scored but Bramford’s Nick Pleasances saved well again. Willis defender Lee Larpovlo then shot wide from 10 yards and Dean Offord saw his left-footed effort curl just wide of the far top corner following a great first touch.
In the 70th minute, Offord evaded the Bramford back-line and placed the ball past Pleasances only to see his goal ruled offside. With 10 minutes left, Bramford were looking a tired team and Offord missed two further chances to wrap up the tie. However Bramford mustered up a late chance in the 88th minute when Bramford’s Joe Ovenall was played through on goal. Willis left back Beatom managed to race back and expertly make a last-ditch challenge and clear the danger.
With the game dying out, Willis’ Larpovlo had a fine 25-yard strike tipped over by Pleasances. Shortly afterwards, Offord and strike-partner Jerome Ingham combined to setup midfielder Micky Haddock but he missed from close range.
All in all, Willis manager Dennis Tattoo would have been pleased to see his side dominate the second half to book their place in the Second Round. Bramford worked hard throughout but threatened rarely over the course of the game and the score line could have read a lot differently if Willis had converted the numerous chances they created.
Willis: Stephens, Crosby, Beatom, Horner, Larpovlo, Bales, Crane, Haddock, Ingham, Offord ©, Burgess. Subs used: David, Jemmings.
Bramford Utd: Pleasances, Brownlee ©, Pegg, Rutherford, Parker, Horn, Solomon, J. Ovenall, Hunt, Brkovic, Lapworth. Subs used: Sorhaindo, S. Ovenall.
Referee: B. Butcher (Ipswich)
Who will win through to Round 3? Join Suffolk FA on the Junior Cup trail when Willis entertain Achilles in Round Two – Saturday 18th October, 2:15pm kick off at Greshams Sports Club.