Saturday 27th August
FA Vase 1st Qualifying Round
Brocton 4 Coton Green 2
Brocton welcomed Tamworth based Coton Green to Silkmore Lane. The visitors have started their league campaign exceptionally well, unbeaten after 6 games and in 2nd place in the MFL Division 1. The Badgers had to shuffle the pack with 5 players missing from the sixteen that won at Ellesmere Rangers last week. There were first appearances on the subs bench for Mario Novaku and Jonty Kearns from the Under 18 squad.
It was the visitors that started the brighter. A long throw from Brad Lindsey was headed goalwards by Luke Fox, the header failing to trouble Tony Allsopp. Coton Green wasted an opportunity in the 7th minute when a quick break ended with Henry Smith shielding the ball back to Allsopp. A minute later, Coton Green were ahead. Luke Haddaway was caught out on the Brocton right, Corey Powell played the ball into the box and prolific striker Matt Gardner, did the rest, tapping the ball into the gaping net. Cam Jackson shot on target by way of response, but it was easy for Coton Green keeper, Corey Samuels. Fox wasted another decent opportunity for the visitors, blasting way over the bar from a good position. Tom Vaughan created an opening for himself in the 17th minute, his shot too high to trouble the keeper. Another long throw from Lindsey, flicked off the head of Jake Triggs and somehow Kyle Hayden failed to convert at the far post. Gardner attempted an audacious effort from 40 yards, but it was over the bar. Coton Green doubled their led in the 25th minute. A rare mistake by Vaughan, allowed Gardner to have space in the area, and he turned it past Allsopp for his second. Gardner was hunting for his hat-trick, and he saw a shot deflected past the post for a corner. As half-time approached, a Jake Thomas effort was gathered at the second attempt by Samuels.
Half-Time: Brocton 0 Coton Green 2
Brocton came out for the second half determined to right the wrongs of the opening 45 minutes. It took ten minutes for the deficit to be halved. Connor Haddaway delivered a superb cross into the box, and the impressive Will Finlay reacted quickest to volley home at the far post. Five minutes later, Connor Haddaway caused consternation in the Coton Green box, his delivery giving chances for Finlay and Novaku with keeper Samuels grateful to smother the ball on the line. Brocton were level in the 63rd minute and what a goal it was. Connor Haddaway picked up a loose ball, picked his spot from 25 yards and hit a screamer into the top corner. The turnaround was complete in the 66th minute. Vaughan strode forward from defence and hit a low shot from distance into the bottom corner. Coton Green were still in the game and Tom Parker forced a decent save from Allsopp. A free kick from Harry Howard was straight at Allsopp as the visitors searched for an equaliser. In the 83rd minute, good feet from Parker ended with an excellent cross which cleared everyone and drifted to safety. Two minutes from time, Tom Cullen had an opportunity for Coton Green, but his clipped effort drifted wide. A minute later, Brocton should have sewn up the tie. Finlay played the ball into the path of Jackson. With only the keeper to beat, Jackson lifted the ball high over the bar. Brocton finally put the tie to bed two minutes into time added on. A long clearance from Allsopp, was missed by Samuels, under pressure from Finlay, and with the ball heading towards the empty net, Finlay made sure for his second and Brocton’s fourth. The final whistle went, and Brocton booked a trip to Cradley Town in the next round.
Full-time: Brocton 4 Coton Green 2 Attendance:90
Brocton: Tony Allsopp, Luke Haddaway, Jake Triggs, Henry Smith, Tom Vaughan, Kenny Devoir, Will Finlay, Jake Thomas, Cam Jackson (Ethan Harris 90), Connor Haddaway (Lewis Rowley 90+2), Tom Croft (Mario Novaku 58). Subs (Not Used): Jonah Scutt, Brad Rolston, Ben Haddaway, Jonty Kearns
Coton Green: Corey Samuels, Conor Wright (Tom Parker 68), Joe Smith, Charlie Noakes, Luke Fox, Finlay Ballantyne, Corey Powell, Tom Cullen, Matt Gardner, Brad Lindsey (Harry Howard 68), Kyle Hayden (Toby Holland 74). Subs (Not Used): Harry Reece, Matt O’Beirne, Jay Payne, Jack Henry
Yellow Cards: Allsopp (Brocton, Fox (Coton Green)
