Badgers edged out at Shifnal

Tuesday 3rd September

Midland Football League Premier Division

Shifnal 1 Brocton 0

A quick turnaround for the Badgers saw them travel to Shifnal Town with an unchanged lineup after a positive away win at Atherstone on Saturday. Shifnal came into the game on the back of a tremendous FA cup upset at Step 4 Wellingborough.

The game started lively with Brocton's first effort coming after just 3 minutes courtesy of Will Whieldon from a close range free kick that was tipped behind for a corner by George Scott in the Shifnal goal. Brocton continued with the chances just 2 minutes later when a strong high press on the Shifnal defence saw Lucas Green-Birch come close to a goal following his closing down and tackle of the home side's goalkeeper.Shifnal's first chance came in the 8th minute with Joe Thomas shooting from distance, only to see it go wide of the goal. A good one-two between Reg Smith and Whieldon then gave Brocton another good chance, with the latter's shot just ending up on the wrong side of the post. The first 45 minutes came to a relatively quiet end however with the only real chance of the remaining time coming in the 29th minute when Brocton's Tony Allsopp was brought into action for the first time, comfortably saving a long distance Shifnal shot.

HALF TIME: Shifnal 0 Brocton 0

The second half got off to the worst possible start for the Badgers when a low cross across the front of the goal from Kane Lewis found Kevin Monteiro in the middle for Shifnal to put them in front after 47 minutes. Shifnal almost doubled their lead 6 minutes later when Lewis Jarman shot from just outside the box, narrowly missing the far bottom corner with Allsopp rooted to the spot. In the 59th minute, Shifnal were given a free kick after the linesman judged a well-timed tackle from Allsopp as a foul. A header in the box from the resulting set piece only ended in a corner for the home side. Shifnal substitute Tyrone Ofori found himself with a good chance in the 74th minute as he shielded the ball well from his man and turned to shoot, ultimately just over the bar. The second half, whilst end to end, ultimately didn't bring many chances for either side, with Shifnal's 47th minute goal all that could separate the two sides.Brocton are back at home this Saturday when Uttoxeter Town are the visitors as the Badgers look to get back to winning ways.

Full-Time: Shifnal Town 1 Brocton 0 Attendance:181

Brocton: Tony Allsopp, Alex Curtis, (Dan Evans 56), Josh Simcox (Ben Hackett 90), Ben Haddaway, Tom Vaughan, Charlie King, Will Whieldon, Lucas Green-Birch (Jude King 73), Reg Smith, Connor Haddaway, Christian Blanchette. Subs (Not Used): Kenny Devoir, Cooper Marsh

Shifnal Town: George Scott, Aaron Simms, Kane Lewis, Jack Rowley, Bradley Maslen-Jones, Kyle Bennett, Lewis Jarman, Kevin Monteiro, Joseph Thomas (Daniel Beddows 83), Nathan Oyemade (Tyrone Ofori 54), Joe Cuff (George Taylor 78). Subs (Not Used): Ashley Fallon, Jack Fishman

Brocton Yellows: Simcox - 23'  Charlie King - 58'  Vaughan - 64'

Shifnal Yellows: Lewis - 89'

 Report from Lucas Ward