Saturday 14th December
Midland Football League Premier Division
Brocton 2 Lichfield City 2
The game of the day in the MFL saw 2nd host 1st with just a point between them. Brocton had Tony Allsopp and Reg Smith back in the starting line-up. Dan Evans replaced the injured Adam Weldon with Toby Smith replacing the injured Morgan Payne on the bench. The league leaders, Lichfield City, sprung a surprise with former Brocton skipper Dan Lomas not in the starting line-up. Lichfield decided to go with five at the back to counteract the Brocton threat.
The game started with both sides eager to strike the first blow, In the 4th minute, Brocton skipper Connor Haddaway earned himself an early yellow card after a poor challenge on Luke Childs. Two minutes later, Brocton made the first attacking impression, a cross from Will Whieldon being cleared for a corner by Callum Rudd. In the 9th minute, the Lichfield skipper Joe Haines joined his Brocton counterpart in the referee’s notebook following an equally poor challenge on Jake Thomas. Lichfield’s first attempt on goal saw James Wilcock shoot well wide. Good footwork by Christian Blanchette created an opening but his shot flew across the face of the goal. Lichfield’s main threat was from long throws from Rudd, but the Brocton defence stood firm. In the 34th minute, Charlie King went down in the box under a challenge from Leighton McMenemy with the referee not interested. A dangerous cross from the Lichfield left, was acrobatically punched away by Allsopp, under pressure. Brocton took the lead in the 40th minute. Thomas lifted the ball over the Lichfield defence and Whieldon was on hand to finish with a first time volley. Brocton thought they had added a second a few minutes later. A corner from the right was headed goalwards by Thomas and cleared off the line however the home side were convinced that the ball was clearly over the line. In the 43rd minute, King shot goalwards, a deflection taking it for a corner. It was all Brocton as the half wound down. In the final minute of the half, James Beeson was caught in possession by Blanchette, with the Lichfield keeper fortunate to see the ball squirm to safety.
Half-time: Brocton 1 Lichfield City 0
Lichfield were level, five minutes into the second half. Jack Edwards curled a free kick into the box and Ben Haddaway diverted the ball past Allsopp for an unfortunate own goal. Brocton responded with Josh Simcox crossing from the right, but it was away from any attackers. Brocton retook the lead in the 68th minute. Lucas Green-Birch saw a shot blocked by the defence, the ball fell to Smith and his shot was perfectly placed in the bottom corner. Five minutes later, it should have been three. Splendid work from Blanchette on the left, saw him cross to Smith and his first time effort was inches over. Lichfield went close with Liam Kirton’s shot on the turn, over the bar. The visitors were level in the 75th minute. Another high ball into the box saw Brocton twice fail to clear their lines. The ball fell invitingly to Wilcock on the edge of the area, and he hit a superb shot through the crowded area and into the top corner. Lichfield pushed for a winner with Wilcock seeing his shot blocked by Simcox. The best chance fell to Callum Griffin. After his initial shot was blocked, he hit the rebound agonisingly wide. The game finished with neither side able to claim the victory and the spoils were shared.
Full-time: Brocton 2 Lichfield City 2 Attendance:248
Brocton: Tonty Allsop, Josh Simcox, Dan Evans (Kenny Devoir 73), Ben Haddaway, Tom Vaughan, Charlie King, Will Whieldon, Jake Thomas (Lucas Green-Birch 64), Reg Smith, Connor Haddaway, Christian Blanchette (Cam Osborne 85). Subs (Not Used): Toby Smith, Jude King
Lichfield City: James Beeson, Josh Mansell, Joe Haines, Jamie Elkes (Callum Griffin 45), Callum Rudd, Leighton McMenemy, Jack Edwards, James Wilcock, Jude Taylor (Keiran Francis 72), Liam Kirton, Luke Childs (Tom Brown 45). Subs (Not Used): Dan Lomas, Sonny Sheasby
Yellow Cards: Simcox, Connor Haddaway, Reg Smith (Brocton); Haines (Lichfield City)
Comments