Play Off sealed with comfortable win

Saturday April 5th

Capelli Sport MFL Premier Division

Brocton 4 Highgate United 1

Brocton welcomed back Jake Thomas and Charlie King to the starting line-up as they went in search of the three points which would confirm their pay-off place. Highgate were in need of a win at the other end of the table as they battled with Tividale to avoid the drop.

Brocton started on the front foot and went close to an opener inside the first two minutes. Jude King was played through one-on-one with Highgate keeper Jack Sandel who saved with his legs. Two minutes later, a free kick from Connor Haddaway was headed over by Reg Smith. Brocton were finding the Silkmore Lane surface to their liking. A cross from Jake Thomas was well caught by Sandel. In the 13th minute, Jude King was challenged in the area by Dan Kitching, the ball falling to Smith who forced another save from Sandel. Both players required treatment with the referee seeing nothing untoward and restarting the game with a drop ball. Brocton’s pressure finally bore fruit in the 21st minute when Smith was tripped in the penalty area. Will Whieldon stepped up and despatched the penalty into the corner. It was two in the 26th minute. Jude King cut inside from the left and curled a superb shot past Sandel into the far corner of the net. Brocton continued to stream forward, and Josh Simcox tried his luck from thirty yards, the shot just wide. Highgate’s first attempt came courtesy of Ihsan Rehman who was narrowly wide on the half hour mark. Brocton went close again when Jude King played the ball inside to Smith and his first time shot grazed the outside of the post. A free kick from Haddaway picked out Smith and his shot was deflected for a corner. Haddaway delivered to the far post where Kenny Devoir headed wide. Brocton made it three five minutes before half-time. Jude King, belying his 16 years, lobbed Sandel for his second of the game. On the stroke of half-time, a curler from Jake Thomas beat Sandel and the far post. There was still time for Haddaway to create an opening with excellent control, and force a save from Sandel.

Half-time: Brocton 3 Highgate United 0

Highgate re-organised at half-time and reverted to a back four. They began to make inroads with a shot from Rehman deflected for a corner. From the corner, Kyle Hayden volleyed over the bar. Brocton soon regained their momentum and Haddaway was off target with a snap shot. In the 61st minute, Jude King thought he had his first senior hat-trick, but the linesman ruled it out for offside. Highgate grabbed a lifeline in the 72nd minute. A corner from the right saw bodies hit the deck in the penalty area. The referee decided that it was a push by a Brocton defender and awarded a penalty. Hayden took the spot kick which was brilliantly saved by Tony Allsopp. Hayden reached the rebound first and slid the ball home. If Highgate thought they were getting back into the game, Brocton had other ideas. A cross from Smith was met perfectly by Thomas but his header hit the post, Thomas volleying the rebound over the bar. In the 80th minute, a run and shot from Ethan Bracher was turned past the post by Allsopp. It was Bracher’s final involvement as two minutes later he received a second yellow card and was sent off. Brocton sealed the victory in the 83rd minute. Smith forced a fine save from Sandel with Thomas on hand to tap home the rebound. On the final whistle, Brocton heard the news that they had a confirmed play-off spot – a superb achievement by everyone at the club.

Full-time: Brocton 4 Highgate United 1 Attendance:208

Brocton: Tony Allsopp, Jake Danan, Josh Simcox (Cooper Marsh 67), Kenny Devoir, Tom Vaughan, Charlie King, Will Whieldon (Morgan Payne 73), Jake Thomas, Reg Smith, Connor Haddaway (Liam Prendergast 87), Jude King (Cam Osborne 73 (Seb Conaghan 81)

Highgate United: Jack Sandel, James Richardson, Ethan Bracher, Daniel Kitching (Urio Hijambazapo 45), Jack Ricketts, Nathan Pulisciano (Linton Chakki 62), Devon O’Sullivan, Shaun Watkins, Randy Osei, Ihsan Rehman (Jack Cund 84), Ben McSkeane (Kyle Hayden 45). Sub (Not Used): Jahmari Hyatt

Sin Bin: Pulisciano (Highgate 51)

Yellow Cards: Richardson, Bracher, Hayden (Highgate)

Red Card: Bracher (Highgate – 2nd yellow)