Back to winning ways

Saturday August 30th

Capelli Sport MFL Premier Division

Brocton 3 Uttoxeter Town 1

Brocton made three changes from the side that lost at Tividale on Bank Holiday Monday. Ben Haddaway, Levi Reid, and Kyle Langston replaced Jake Thomas, Cooper Marsh, and Jack Sandel in the starting line-up. Uttoxeter were looking for their first points of the season having lost their opening four games.

Brocton started positively. An excellent run from Christian Blanchette saw his cross cut out by the Uttoxeter defence. Brocton opened the scoring in the 6th minute. Jude King was played into space on the left and his low cross was tapped in by Reg Smith. It could have been two moments later as Blanchette was close to getting on the end of a floated pass over the Uttoxeter defence. In the 9th minute, Charlie King laid the ball into the path of Reg Smith, and his shot was blocked. Brocton went close again two minutes later. Reg Smith found Ben Haddaway and Charlie Wood made a fine save at point blank range. Brocton continued to ask all the questions and Charlie King forced a save from Wood following a pass from Tom Vaughan. In the 23rd minute, Jude King cut inside on the left and his shot was well blocked by the resolute Uttoxeter defence. A corner from Connor Haddaway was headed at the far post by Kenny Devoir, the header being blocked for a corner. Seconds later, Jude King attempted a curling shot which was inches over. Uttoxeter’s first attempt came from Marques Trowers, but his effort was dragged well wide. A superb interchange between Jude King and Reg Smith saw the latter inches wide with a side footed effort. Ben Haddaway was the next to try his luck, hitting the side netting with a shot. Brocton had a great chance to double their lead in the 38th minute when Devoir headed a corner from Connor Haddaway over the bar. As the half wound to a close, Reg Smith picked out Connor Haddaway and his shot was over the bar.

Half-time: Brocton 1 Uttoxeter Town 0

Brocton started the second half where they had left off. Reg Smith played the ball into the path of Jude King. The youngster controlled the ball well and forced another decent save from Wood. Brocton doubled their lead in the 49th minute, Charlie King played a weighted pass into the path of Jude King, and his finish was perfectly placed past Wood. Four minutes later, Connor Haddaway played the ball to Jude King and Wood did well, coming off his line to block. Uttoxeter were given a lifeline in the 66th minute. Rob Thorley was adjudged to have been brought down in a sandwich in the Brocton penalty area. Niall Rushton stepped up and put the penalty into the corner past the outstretched arms off Langston. The goal lifted the visitors. In the 73rd minute, Thorley raced clear from the halfway line, but he was stopped by a superb challenge from Vaughan. With two minutes left on the clock, Charlie King was inexplicably bundled over from behind by Wood and the referee again pointed to the spot. Will Whieldon despatched the penalty with ease for his first goal of the season. Whieldon saw a shot saved before Luke Kellas had a shot cleared off the line for Uttoxeter. Eight minutes of stoppage time didn’t help Uttoxeter on this occasion and Brocton picked up their first league win of the campaign.

Full-Time: Brocton 3 Uttoxeter Town 1 Attendance: 159

Brocton: Kyle Langston, Levi Reid (Cooper Marsh 77), Adam Weldon, Kenny Devoir, Tom Vaughan, Charlie King, Christian Blanchette (Will Whieldon 61), Ben Haddaway, Reg Smith (Liam Prendergast 90+1), Connor Haddaway, Jude King (Cam Osborne 77). Sub (Not Used): Toby Smith

Uttoxeter Town: Charlie Wood, Alex Harrison, Reuben Kenny (Ronnie Bonser 90+1), Charlie Goldstraw (Charlie Ratcliffe 76), Alex Morris, Rob Thorley, Luke Kellas, Niall Rushton, Lewis Dawson (Max Barlow 61), Marques Trowers, Jack Hassall. Subs (Not Used): Stephen Owusu, Will Minton

Yellow Cards: Osborne (Brocton); Rushton, Barlow (Uttoxeter)