A convincing win in our last preseason game against a fellow Step 6 side. Goals from Rolston (2), Evans, Williams and Haddaway seal the win.
Saturday 24th July
Pre-season Friendly
Brocton 5 Khalsa Football Federation 2 at Silkmore Lane
Brocton’s final pre-season friendly was their first against Step 6 opposition with Khalsa Football Federation, formerly Smethwick Rangers, of MFL Division 1 the visitors.
The Visitors had an early opportunity when No. 10 (all the team were trialists) cleared the bar. An excellent ball down the line from Todd Pryor sent Brad Rolston down the right hand side, forcing a corner. In the 8th minute, Rolston had the ball in the Khalsa net, but it was ruled out for offside. A deep corner from the visitors was headed across the penalty are when an attempt on goal was the easier option. A mistake at the back by Jamie Weldon saw Khalsa force Corey Mallen into a good save. Dan Evans was well placed to head a cross off the line. Evans was involved at the other end when his cross was cut out before it reached Ben Powell. Brocton had a great chance in the 18th minute when Dean Williams’ corner was headed wide by Jamie Weldon. Brocton really should have scored in the 22nd minute as Jake Thomas was through, one-on-one with the keeper, but his shot was way over the bar. Brocton finally broke the deadlock in the 29th minute. Adam Weldon’s free kick was headed onto the bar by Williams. Thomas reacted quickest to knock the ball back into the box where Rolston was on hand to turn it home. Kenny Devoir almost made it two four minutes later when his shot on the turn had the keeper beaten but it rebounded off the crossbar. It was all Brocton now and Thomas and Rolston combined with the latter being foiled by the Khalsa keeper rushing off his line. Brocton made it two in the 38th minute. Thomas picked out the overlapping Powell and his cross reached Evans at the far post, and he finished confidently. We didn’t have to wait long for the next goal and within two minutes it was three, Rolston powering home a header from a Williams corner. The visitors reduced the deficit a minute later, no 8 getting to a header in front of Mallen. There was still time for Brocton to grab a fourth before half-time. A free-kick from Thomas was met by Williams whose looping header beat the keeper and nestled in the net.
Half-Time: Brocton 4 Khalsa Football Federation 1
Brocton made four changes at half-time and one of the substitutes, Cameron Jackson, should have made it five, three minutes into the half. A great through ball by Thomas, was perfectly weighted for Jackson but the keeper did enough to keep out his effort. A cross from Adam Weldon somehow stayed out of the Khalsa goal with three Brocton teammates unable to turn the ball home. On the hour mark, Jamie Weldon did well to get his body in the way to block the no. 10 who had got the wrong side of the Brocton defensive line. Brocton continued to push, and Rolston shot straight at the keeper with Ben Haddaway firing just wide. Khalsa reduced the deficit in the 65th minute, no.10 bundling the ball home at the far post from a corner. Brocton were soon back on the front foot and from a Thomas cross, Haddaway and Jackson went for the same ball, when either could have scored. Thomas was having a storming game and he had another shot deflected into the arms of the keeper. With five minutes remaining, Williams curled a shot goalwards and it was brilliantly tipped over by the Khalsa keeper. Brocton grabbed their 5th in stoppage time, and it was the best of the bunch. Great feet by Haddaway saw him create space and his finish was sublime, giving the keeper no chance. Williams could have made it six a minute later, but Brocton will be happy with their end to pre-season.
Full-time: Brocton 5 Khalsa Football Federation 2
Brocton: Corey Mallen, Ben Powell, Dan Evans, Adam Weldon, Jamie Weldon, Kenny Devoir, Brad Rolston, Todd Pryor, Dean Williams, Jake Thomas, Malaki Norford. Subs (all used): Josh Small, Cam Jackson, Ben Haddaway, Josh Mousley
Khalsa Football Federation: Team all trialists
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