Saturday 1st March
Capelli Sport MFL Premier Division
Stourport Swifts 3 Brocton 1
Brocton travelled to Worcestershire to play Stourport Swifts who they beat at Silkmore Lane last weekend. Brocton were without Tom Vaughan and Will Whieldon. Charlie King returned from suspension in place of Cooper Marsh who dropped to the bench. Kenny Devoir came in for Vaughan. Stourport made four changes from the side that lost at Silkmore Lane with starts for Ashley Jackson, Jack Cresswell, Ethan Hanson, and Kai Adams.
In a repeat of last week’s game, Stourport took an early lead. An excellent cross from Adams on the right was cleared by Ben Haddaway for a corner. Ryan Snape delivered the corner to the near post where Joe Phillips powered home a header. It was almost two in the 11th minute. Jim Hanson’s shot was parried into the air by Tony Allsopp with Kenny Devoir hooking the ball off the line. Brocton first chance came courtesy of a through ball from Jake Thomas, it fell into the path of Reg Smith, but his volley was off target. Stourport continued to dominate. Snape hit a firm shot straight at Allsopp before shooting wide from a good position. In the 24th minute, Christian Blanchette tried his luck from distance with Dominic Richards making a meal of it, palming it over the bar. Brocton came close to an equaliser in the 33rd minute. The ever alert Smith chased a loose ball. He turned back towards goal, beat two defenders, and had his shot cleared off the line by Joe Hanson. Three minutes later, Stourport were in again. Ben Haddaway missed a challenge on the greasy surface. Aaron Birch raced through but he failed to make the pass and the chance went begging. Brocton were level in the 39th minute. A cross was headed back into the box by Devoir. There was confusion in the Stourport box and Ben Haddaway took advantage to turn and shoot into the net. Just before the break, Stourport had a penalty appeal waved away by the referee. The remonstrating from a group of home players led to Ethan Hanson being sin binned and skipper Birch yellow carded.
Half-Time: Stourport Swifts 1 Brocton 1
With a man advantage Brocton started the second half well. Smith shot on the turn forcing Richards into a decent save. Then an overlap from Blanchette and the perfect ball into the near post. Morgan Payne connected, and Richards made a fine point blank save. Brocton should have taken the lead in the 50th minute. A raking cross field ball from Connor Haddaway was brilliantly controlled by Blanchette to the right of the goal. Unfortunately, his finish failed to match the control, and his shot was well wide. Stourport, back to full strength, began to ask further questions. A free kick from the right was met by Phiilips and his header was brilliantly saved by Allsopp. The ball fell to Snape and Allsopp again kept the shot out. The game was end to end. Smith teed up Connor Haddaway, but he dragged his shot wide. Brocton were again saved by Allsopp in the 58th minute, as the keeper saved low down with Phillips’ shot heading for the corner. There was nothing Allsopp could do in the 69th minute as Stourport re took the lead. Sloppy defending from Brocton saw a loose ball picked up by Connor Deards. He picked his spot and sent an unstoppable shot into the top corner of the net. Brocton came back again, and a long ball over the top of the Stourport defence was met by Smith but his lob was wide of the goal. Smith continued to be the biggest danger to Stourport. A run across the face of goal by the striker ended with a shot inches wide. In stoppage time, Stourport made sure of all three points with a third goal. A poor pass inside from Josh Simcox was meant for Devoir but he slipped and let in Deards. The substitute unselfishly played the ball into the path of Matt Harland, and he fired past Allsopp.
Full-time: Stourport Swifts 3 Brocton 1 Attendance: 157
Stourport Swifts: Dominic Richards, Joe Hanson, Ashley Jackson, Ethan Hanson, Aaron Birch, Matt Harland (Matt Johnson 90+1), Kai Adams (Calum Harper 14 (Matt Hanson 75)), Jack Cresswell, Joe Phillips (Connor Deards 66), Jim Hanson, Ryan Snape (George Baker 60)
Brocton: Tony Allsopp, Charlie King, Josh Simcox, Ben Haddaway (Jude King 81), Kenny Devoir, Lucas Green-Birch (Cooper Marsh 66), Morgan Payne (Cam Osborne 70), Jake Thomas, Reg Smith, Connor Haddaway, Christian Blanchette. Subs (Not Used): Matty Bestall, Toby Smith
Sin Bin: Ethan Hanson (Stourport)
Yellow Cards: Birch, Snape (Stourport); Green-Birch (Brocton)
Commentaires