Tuesday 26th November
JW Hunt Cup Round 2
Brocton 2 Bustleholme 0
Brocton returned to action after a 10 day break with a home JW Hunt Cup tie against WMRL Bustleholme. The visitors were flying high at Step 7, pushing for promotion to the MFL. Brocton were at full strength as Alex Curtis looked to get a game in the legs before the league campaign recommenced on Saturday.
It was the visitors that were first to show, Ethan Masson’s shot being comfortably saved by Tony Allsopp. Reg Smith forced a corner for Brocton, putting pressure on Laurie Morris who had no option but to kick it out. In the 11th minute, the visitors again had a shot, Lewis Smith hitting the ball straight at Allsopp. Brocton took the lead in the 14th minute. Reg Smith beat Essam Mohamed and Sam Westwood to the ball. His knock forward found the onrushing Christian Blanchette who finished from a tight angle. It should have been two three minutes later. Reg Smith played the ball inside to Will Whieldon. He, in turn played the ball into the path of Blanchette but Westwood saved well with his legs. Reg Smith was being kept reasonably quiet but in the 21st minute, he won the ball off two defenders and skimmed the bar with his shot. Brocton were having the majority of the possession. Whieldon looked odds on to make it two until he was stopped by an excellent challenge from the impressive Mohamed. Brocton continued to create chances. Jake Thomas was played in and again the Bustleholme defence made a fine block. Whieldon was next to see a goal bound effort blocked before Bustleholme created a chance of their own. A free kick was whipped into the area by Anton Nesbeth and Ben Haddaway managed to head clear for a corner. Some sumptuous approach play from Brocton created an opening for Tom Vaughan in the penalty area, but his shot was inches wide of the far post. On the stroke of half-time both Thomas and Whieldon had shots blocked as Brocton went into the break with a narrow lead.
Half Time: Brocton 1 Bustleholme 0
Bustleholme started the second half well. Joe Clarke shot straight at Allsopp before the Brocton keeper pulled off a fine save to deny a curling effort from Masson. King was fouled on the edge of the area, Whieldon’s free-kick cannoning off the wall. In the 62nd minute, Blanchette was fouled in the area, a decision that looked somewhat harsh from the main stand. Whieldon stepped up and made no mistake with the penalty to double Brocton’s lead. Substitute Morgan Payne, making his 100th appearance for the club, had a shot to the near post saved by Westwood. Brocton went close to a third in the 84th minute. A cross from Osborne was met by the head of Blanchette but his header came back off the post and into the arms of Westwood. Brocton saw out the remaining time to take their place in the quarter finals. Bustleholme were given a fine reception as they left the park, a good performance from them belying the two division difference.
Full Time: Brocton 2 Bustleholme 0 Attendance: 84
Brocton: Tony Allsopp, Adam Weldon, Josh Simcox (Dan Evans 38), Ben Haddaway, Tom Vaughan (Kenny Devoir 74), Charlie King (Lucas Green-Birch 74), Will Whieldon (Cam Osborne 68), Jake Thomas, reg Smith (Morgan Payne 74), Connor Haddaway, Christian Blanchette
Bustleholme: Sam Westwood, Callum Lawton, Laurie Morris, Essam Mohamed (Harley Garrity 86), Morgan Day, George Bentley, Anton Nesbeth (Kymarni Reid 80), James Thompson, Ethan Masson (Alfie Lowe 68), Lewis Smith, Joe Clarke (Ibrahim Sillah 68). Sub (Not Used): Marcus Galli
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