Saturday 15th October
The Macron Cup 1st Round
Foley Meir 2 Brocton 5
Brocton travelled to Foley Meir for their second meeting in five days following a defeat in the Staffs Senior Cup on Tuesday. Adam Weldon made his first start since August and Reg Smith returned to lead the line.
Foley created an early chance when a free kick from Aiden Lloyd flicked off the head of Jake Triggs, but Tommie Cooke failed to control the ball. Smith attempted a volley from 30 yards however there was little venom in the effort and keeper Callum Shuttlewood gathered comfortably. In the 5th minute, Cameron Osborne had a good chance to open the scoring, but his shot was well wide of the target. In the 10th minute, Jay Finney used his strength, up against Tom Vaughan, and forced a save from Tony Allsopp. From the corner, Brocton failed to defend the ball as it came across the area and Tom Wakefield rushed in to hammer the ball home. Within a minute Brocton were level. The ball came in from the left, Smith gathered and fired into the bottom corner, wrongfooting the keeper. Things got even better for Brocton two minutes later. Morgan Payne fed Smith and from a tight angle, his shot flew across the keeper and into the far corner of the net. Foley responded and went close to an equaliser within a minute, Jack Gumbley’s shot inches wide of the post. Brocton were hunting goals and a cross from Jake Thomas was headed over by Payne, arching his back to reach the ball. In the 23rd minute, a clever ball over the top from Connor Haddaway picked out Smith and his left-footed shot was saved at full stretch by Shuttlewood. Brocton should have made it three a minute later. A superb ball from Smith was played into the path of Osborne. One-on-one with the keeper, Osborne’s shot was straight at Shuttlewood, and the chance was wasted. Smith combined with Osborne, and on receiving a return pass, curled a shot just over. The third goal that Brocton were threatening came in the 27th minute. A raking pass from Vaughan found Payne. He pulled the ball back into the path of Smith who hammered into the top of the net for a fifteen minute hat-trick. Alex Cimino was just off target with a free kick for Foley following a foul on the edge of the area. Brocton made it four in the 34th minute. Smith and Ben Haddaway combined to send Osborne through. His shot rebounded off the post and Ben Haddaway was on hand to tuck it home off a defender. In the final minute of the half, a poor clearance from Allsopp gave possession to Foley and the ball was played through to Wakefield who finished superbly.
Half-Time: Foley Meir 2 Brocton 4
Brocton began the second half in command. An excellent run from Thomas ended with a low cross gathered by Shuttlewood. Courtney Franklyn had a half chance for Foley, but he couldn’t keep his shot down. Things got worse for the home side in the 57th minute. Payne was pulled back by Matthew Hope as he was running through on goal. As the last man denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity, the referee had no hesitation in sending off the Foley defender. Smith took the free kick, hit it with power but too high to trouble the keeper. Smith again ran through on goal and was foiled by some excellent defending from Sam Nicklin who shepherded him away from goal. The ball came back to Thomas and his shot was over the bar. There was a moment of confusion as Brocton replaced Ben Haddaway with Charlie King. With the number 6 board shown, Payne looked to leave the field, only realising his mistake when he was told he was wearing number 7! Brocton grabbed their fifth in the 64th minute. An excellent driving run from Triggs saw him play the ball into the feet of Smith. The Brocton striker took the ball onto his right foot and his low shot was far too good for the Foley stopper. The Impressive Connor Haddaway, running the midfield in exemplary fashion, was unlucky with a drive from 20 yards which flashed just wide. Foley were reduced to nine men in the 81st minute. Lloyd challenged Payne in midfield, the referee decreeing that the challenge warranted a yellow card. Unfortunately for Lloyd, this followed the card he had received just four minutes earlier and a red it was. Foley substitute Jayden Shepherd fired a shot across goal in the 83rd minute. The final attempt of the game fell to Thomas whose goal bound effort took a deflection away from goal.
Full-Time: Foley Meir 2 Brocton 5 Attendance:68
Foley Meir: Callum Shuttlewood, Matthew Hope, Courtney Franklyn, Jack Gumbley, Sam Nicklin, Elliott Reeve (David Pereira 45), Aiden Lloyd, Tommie Cooke (Tristen Barker 68), Thomas Wakefield, Alex Cimino (Callum Griffiths 59), Jay Finney (Jayden Shepherd 45). Sub (Not Used): Jay Lovatt
Brocton: Tony Allsopp, Adam Weldon, Jake Triggs (Christian Blanchette 73), Jack Bostock, Tom Vaughan, Ben Haddaway (Charlie King 63), Morgan Payne (Nario Novaku 82), Jake Tomas, Reg Smith, Connor Haddaway, Cam Osborne (Will Finlay 67). Sub (Not Used): Kenny Devoir
Yellow cards: Franklyn, Lloyd, Finney (Foley Meir)
Red Cards: Hope, Lloyd (Foley Meir)
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