Midland League Division 1
Tuesday 27th October 2020
Leicester Road 2 Brocton 1
Leicester Road were quick to put the Brocton goal under pressure but the reshaped back line held firm and bothKenny Devoir and Josh Mousley had vital tackles in and around the box which very much kept the Badgers in the game.
Due in large part to their efforts, Brocton were gradually able to work their way into the match all over the pitch and just after the quarter hour Regan Smith gave the hosts an uncomfortable moment when Jake Thomas’ shot was blocked and Smith followed up with a powerful effort which Nathan Astill took fully in the midriff.
By the half hour it was Brocton who put pressure on their hosts goal mouth and Dean Williams came close after a Smith corner. Brocton far up field in attack though was an invitation for Road to break out at pace and at the heart of Brocton’s goal Devoir had to hold off Sam Munton and although he did get off a shot it was weak and wide.
Brad Rolston showed good determination in robbing Astill close to the right flank and got off a quick cross, but it was far too heavy for anyone to benefit. Just before the half time break Leicester Road had another short period of superiority and the Badgers needed a fine tackle in the box by Devoir to prevent a strike but it was then Smith for Brocton who fought his way through an attempt by two defenders to keep him at bay and home keeper suffered as Smith got through only to collide with the keeper.
Brocton made a bright start to the second half and got three shots on target in quick succession only for the first two to be blocked and the last to go wide. But Rolston then left defenders Astill and Callum Earls in his wake as he darted down the right flank and turned into the box. He then held off the defenders and beat Will Highland with a well placed shot to give Brocton the lead.
For the home side it was the late introduction of Matt Langham who made the difference. The experienced forward was able to hold the ball and work sights of the target on several occasions before eventually receiving one from a corner with a quarter of an hour to go and hooking it past Henry Smith to bring the home side level.
Heartbreak soon followed for Brocton as another corner at first looked as though it had uncharacteristically bounced badly from Simon Allcott’s touch, but he made the most of it with a fine volley past Smith.
The Badgers were not finished and another triple effort on goal at the death saw Smith’s effort blocked, the Jake Thomas’ effort go the same way and finally substitute Matt Kimmins’ strike hit an arm and Brocton went up in unison for a penalty. The referee simply blew for time.
Brocton: Henry Smith, Kenny Devoir, Dan Evans, Jamie Weldon, Josh Mousley,
Ben Haddaway, Brad Rolston, Jake Thomas, Regan Smith, Dean Williams, Dan Lomas
Used Subs: Owen Nolan. Matt Kimmins, Jack Thomas
