Saturday July 10th
Pre-season Friendly
Brocton 1 Lye Town 2
Another excellent pre-season friendly at Silkmore Lane was edged by MFl Premier Division Lye Town.
Lye were gifted an early opportunity when a backpass from Josh Small was too short and keeper Corey Mallen had to race off his line to block George Taylor. Adam Weldon was forced into an excellent clearance following good work down the right by Sammy Prince. Brocton could have taken the lead in the 10th minute when Adam Weldon played a ball over the top of the Lye defence. Cameron Jackson outstripped the defenders, beat keeper Harry Sulley to the ball but his shot drifted wide. Mallen saved at full stretch when a cross from Lye skipper Joe Colley was deflected goalwards. Lye should have taken the lead in the 17th minute when Prince’s cross found Jordan Davies but, from close range, all he could was tap the ball to Mallen. Jackson was causing the Lye defence problems, and after a through ball from Jack Weldon, Sulley did well to save. Brocton were now looking the more likely and a quick break involving, Dean Williams, Jackson, and Jack Weldon, saw the latter off target with his effort. Jackson went close again when he met a Jack Weldon cross with a firm header. The Badgers opened the scoring in the 33rd minute in spectacular fashion. With everyone expecting a through ball, Jack Weldon spotted Sulley off his line and his 40 yard effort flew into the roof of the net. Lye’s response was immediate, and they were level within two minutes, Taylor finding the corner with a perfectly placed finish. Jack Weldon had the taste for goal, and he tried again from distance seeing his shot rebound off the chest of Sulley. On the stroke of half-time, the visitors took the lead. A corner from the eft was turned home at the near post by Davies, who beat Mallen to the ball.
Half Time: Brocton 1 Lye Town 2
It took barely 19 seconds of the second half for the next chance with Joe Lawley off target. Brocton created an opening in the 52nd minute when Jake Thomas played the ball inside to Williams, but his shot was straight at the keeper. Lye were reduced to 10 men a minute later when Bekir Halil was sent off for foul and abusive language. Referee Terry Holbrook had given Halil numerous warnings, but his patience ran out and Halil was persuaded to leave the itch, eventually. Williams was finding space behind the Lye defence, and he was blocked on the hour by excellent defending from Musa Ceesay. Jamie Weldon was unlucky in the 66th minute when his drive flashed just wide of the far post. Colin Smith wasted an excellent chance for Lye, as he hammered a loose ball out of the ground. Sam Tye went close for Lye, beating Mallen to the ball, but seeing his lob clear the crossbar. Kieran Miller had an effort cleared by Ben Powell, and in stoppage time, the big striker curled a shot over the Badgers bar.
Full Time: Brocton 1 Lye Town 2
Brocton: Corey Mallen, Adam Weldon, Jamie Weldon, Josh Small, Jack Arrowsmith, Jack Partridge, Kenny Devoir, Jack Weldon, Dean Williams, Cameron Jackson, Jake Thomas. Subs (All Used): Luke Haddaway, Ben Powell, Callum Williams, Ryan Douglas.
Lye Town: Harry Sulley, Joe Colley, Joel Cairns, Bekir Halil, Ryan Bridgewater, Musa Ceesay, Sammy Prince, Sam Tye, George Taylor, Joe Lawley, Jordan Davies. Subs (All Used): Kieran Miller, Colin Smith, Dan Danks, Stefan Cameron, Ollie West, Joe Fryatt
