Saturday 8th March
Capelli Sport MFL Premier Division
Brocton 1 Shifnal Town 2
Brocton made three changes from the side that lost at Stourport Swifts last weekend. With Tony Allsopp unavailable, Henry Smith made a rare appearance between the sticks. Tom Vaughan and Dan Evans strengthened the defence with Kenny Devoir and Morgan Payne taking their place on the subs bench. Second placed Shifnal came into the game on the back of seven wins in their last nine games.
Shifnal had the first attempt on goal, Sam Fitzgerald’s shot being hopeful and easily stopped by Henry Smith. With the first piece of incisive play in the game, Brocton took the lead in the 12th minute. Charlie King played the ball inside to Reg Smith. He turned his defender and shot past Andrew Wycherley for his 32nd goal of the season. Decent approach play down the left saw Lucas Green-Birch find Jake Thomas and his side footed effort was just above the bar. Shifnal were level in the 25th minute and what a goal it was. A ball over the top of the Brocton defence beat Ben Haddaway. Josh Beamond controlled the ball and shot in one fluid movement, giving Henry Smith no chance. Shifnal had the ball in the net again two minutes later. Beamond’s shot was palmed away by Henry Smith and although Kyle Byrne tucked home the rebound it was ruled out for offside. In the 29th minute, King shrugged off a challenge, drove forward and hit a superb shot which Wycherley did well to tip over the bar.
Half-Time: Brocton 1 Shifnal Town 1
Brocton started the second half well. A one-two between Green-Birch and Connor Haddaway was stooped with good defending from the visitors. In the 59th minute, a curling cross from Ben Haddaway was inches away from dropping in. There was very little in the second half with both sides cancelling each other out. In the 81st minute, a shot to the near post by Cam Osborne was comfortably saved by Wycherley. Shifnal took the lead seconds later and it was a disaster for the Brocton defence. Kenny Devoir played the ball into the path of Taylor Need. He took aim and his shot crept under the body of Henry Smith into the net. Two minutes later, Brocton had the ball in the net, Cam Osborne finishing superbly, but that too was ruled out for offside. With a minute left, a knockdown from Osborne fell to Smith and his half volley was wide of the target. Six minutes into time added on, Osborne had a shot saved by Wycherley. At the final whistle, Shifnal celebrated taking all three points in what could be a huge result in both clubs play-off aspirations.
Full-Time: Brocton 1 Shifnal Town 2 Attendance: 236
Brocton: Henry Smith, Josh Simcox, Dan Evans, Ben Haddaway (Kenny Devoir 64), Tom Vaughan, Charlie King, Lucas Green-Birch (Morgan Payne 71), Jake Thomas, Reg Smith, Connor Haddaway, Christian Blanchette (Cam Osborne 77). Subs (Not Used): Jacob Danan, Cooper Marsh
Shifnal Town: Andrew Wycherley, Jack Fishman, Kane Lewis, Lewis Jarman, Bradley Maslen-Jones, Kyle Bennett, Theo Knight (Nathan Kabeya 63), Kevin Monteiro, Josh Beamond (Dilano Reid 77), Sam Fitzgerald (Taylor Need 63), Kyle Byrne. Subs (Not Used): Ash Brown, Braden Webb
Yellow Cards: Lewis, Maslen-Jones, Monteiro (all Shifnal Town)
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