Saturday 22nd February
Capelli Sport Midland Football League Premier Division
Brocton 3 Stourport Swifts 1
Brocton made one change from the side that lost heavily at AFC Wulfrunians last weekend. Lucas Green-Birch came into midfield, with Ben Haddaway reverting to his centre back position. Kenny Devoir took his place on the bench alongside Matty Bestall for the first time this season. Stourport Swifts pushed leaders Lichfield City close last week and included plenty of Step 4 experience in their squad.
Stourport took the lead inside the first two minutes. A free kick from the left by Ryan Snape was headed home by Aaron Birch. Brocton had a great opportunity to level in the 6th minute when Reg Smith raced through the middle, but his shot was well stopped by Dom Richards. Stourport were awarded a free kick in a good position with Snape shooting straight at Tony Allsopp. Stourport went close to a 2nd in the 12th minute when a Snape corner was headed goalwards by Matt Hanson, Allsopp making the save. Brocton began to settle and Christian Blanchette headed over after Ben Haddaway had headed a corner back into the area. Morgan Payne found space on the right and his low ball flew across the face of goal and evaded the lurking Smith. Brocton were back on level terms in the 27th minute. Smith miscued a shot and Ben Haddaway worked hard to keep it in play. He then crossed to the far post where Smith was on hand to nod the ball home. Brocton by now had come to terms with the sticky Silkmore Lane pitch and began to string passes together. Four sharp passes created an opening for Ben Haddaway, but he was well shielded by the Stourport defence. In the last minute of the half, Brocton should have taken the lead. Smith was again sent clear through the middle of the Stourport defence. He rounded Richards, knocking the ball wider than he would have hoped. He shot goalwards but the ball was somehow stopped on the line by Matt Hanson.
Half time: Brocton 1 Stourport Swifts 1
The impetus was with Brocton at the end of the first half and that continued on the resumption. Blanchette and Smith combined well with Smith screwing a shot wide. In the 54th minute, Smith sent Blanchette into the Stourport area where he was clipped from behind by Cam East. The referee pointed to the spot and Smith placed the spot kick in the opposite corner to where Richards dived. Brocton pushed for the all-important third goal. Connor Haddaway brushed past a couple of challenges, picked out Smith whose shot was dragged wide. Connor Haddaway again turned provider in the 72nd minute, sliding the ball into the path of Blanchette. Blanchette raced clear of the defence but with only Richards to beat, his shot was inches wide. In the 80th minute, Stourport went close to an equaliser. A corner from the left was met by the head of Ash Jackson, forcing Allsopp into a fine save. The ball came out to Jack Cresswell and his shot shaved the outside of the post. Stourport sensed an equaliser and a corner from the right evaded the massed bodies in the penalty area and went out for a goal kick. In the 87th minute, Jake Thomas, in his 200th appearance for the club, hammered a shot goalwards and Matt Hanson again threw his body in the way to block. Brocton grabbed their 3rd goal in the 88th minute. Connor Haddaway picked out the overlapping Jude King on the right. He checked back, played the ball into the 6 yard box and Cam Osborne was on hand to tap home. Within a minute, the experienced Connor Deards forced a fine save from Allsopp. Stourport continued to push for a second goal and both Kenny Devoir and Allsopp had to clear their lines. In stoppage time, Smith was in on goal for his hat-trick, but his effort skimmed the crossbar.
Full time: Brocton 3 Stourport Swifts 1 Attendance:137
Brocton: Tony Allsopp, Cooper Marsh (Kenny Devoir 68), Josh Simcox, Ben Haddaway, Tom Vaughan, Lucas Green-Birch, Morgan Payne (Cam Osborne 61), Jake Thomas, Reg Smith (Matty Bestall 90+2), Connor Haddaway, Christian Blanchette (Jude King 81). Sub (Unused): Toby Smith
Stourport Swifts: Dom Richards, Joe Hanson, Cam East (Ash Jackson 55), Jim Hanson, Aaron Birch, Matt Hanson, George Baker (Jack Cresswell 45), Matt Harland, Connor Deards, Joe Phillips (Cal Harper 68), Ryan Snape (Dale Edwards 75). Unused Sub: Ben Jevons
Yellow Cards: Connor Haddaway (Brocton); Joe Hanson, Deards (Stourport Swifts)
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