Tuesday 1st October
Midland Football League Premier Division
Stone Old Alleynians 2 Brocton 0
Brocton were unchanged for the local derby at Newcastle Town, the new home of Stone Old Alleynians. The only change was on the bench with Toby Smith replacing Charlie Marshall. Stone had stated the season well and sat just two places behind Brocton in 5th place.
Brocton started on the front foot and created the first chance in the 3rd minute. Will Whieldon curled a shot goalwards, and Raajan Gill was forced into a diving save. Three minutes later, Reg Smith teed up Jake Thomas and his fierce drive was well blocked by the Stone defence. An early chance for the home side came with a cross from the right from Charlie Batho which was well cut out by Tom Vaughan. Good approach play from Brocton saw Connor Haddaway send Christian Blanchette free on the left. His cross was just in front of Reg Smith who could not get any connection. A minute later, Brocton should have been in front. A long clearance from Tony Allsopp bounced over the Stone defence. Whieldon reacted the quickest, but his attempted lob beat Gill and cleared the crossbar. Reg Smith saw a shot blocked before a quick break from Stone ended with Kacper Mikulski striking the crossbar. Brocton were dealt a blow when Blanchette was forced off with an injury, and they took some time to regain their balance. Both sides were giving as good as they got with chances at a premium. Five minutes before the break, Ben Haddaway tried his luck from 35 yards, Gill saving low to his right.
Half Time: Stone Old Alleynians 0 Brocton 0
Stone began the second half with a little more momentum. A header from Jack Tomlinson was comfortably dealt with by Allsopp. The home side took the lead in the 56th minute. Mikulski took aim, and his shot took a massive deflection, completely wrongfooting Allsopp and looping into the far corner. Like the first half, the game was battle in midfield with two evenly matched sides. A free kick from Reg Smith cannoned off the defensive wall, in a rare opportunity for Brocton. Substitute Jude King went close in the 75th minute when his shot from tight angle was just over the bar. Tom Thorley hit a free kick over the bar for Stone before they doubled their lead in the 81st minute. A through ball was into the path of Ollie Griffiths. He skipped the challenge of Josh Simcox and curled the ball into the net past the advancing Allsopp. With three minutes left on the club, Brocton’s evening got worse. Reg Smith challenged Gill to a 50/50 ball. The Stone defenders gathered around Smith and the referee, and their protestations saw the referee brandish a second yellow card to Brocton’s leading scorer. The decision left a sour taste in the mouth as Stone comfortably saw out the remaining minutes.
Full-Time: Stone Old Alleynians 2 Brocton 0 Attendance:87
Stone Old Alleynians: Raajan Gill, Sam Bowater, Sam Minshall, Tom Thorley, Luke Askey, Josh Sedgley, Charlie Batho, Will Baily, Jack Tomlinson (Harry Minshull 86), Sam Wilson, Kacper Mikulski (Ollie Griffiths 77). Subs (Not Used): Henry Brereton, Charlie Winfer, Harrison Harper
Brocton: Tony Allsopp, Adam Weldon (Dan Evans 70), Josh Simcox, Ben Haddaway (Toby Smith 78), Tom Vaughan, Charlie King (Jude King 63), Will Whieldon, Jake Thomas, Reg Smith, Connor Haddaway (Kenny Devoir 63), Christian Blanchette (Lucas Green-Birch 22)
Yellow Cards: Askey (Stone); Reg Smith (Brocton)
Red Cards: Reg Smith (Brocton)
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