Brocton battle to draw at unbeaten Hanley

Tuesday September 23rd

Capelli Sport MFL Premier Division

Hanley Town 1 Brocton 1

Brocton made one change from the side that beat Wellington in the FA Vase. Adam Weldon, returning from suspension, replaced Levi Reid. Hanley had scored 13 goals in their previous two home games and were unbeaten in the league at kick off.

The game began in a frantic mode with neither side being allowed to settle. In the 13th minute, Charlie King spotted a run beyond the defence from brother Jude but overhit his pass. Three minutes later, Hanley’s first chance fell to Eden Bailey with his volley over the bar. Hanley appealed for a goal in the 23rd minute when Kyle Langston stopped the ball on the line. They were even more upset seconds later when Langston’s clearance was missed by the Hanley central defensive pair. Charlie King couldn’t get on the ball but inexplicably Hanley keeper, Michael Shorthouse, let the ball through his hands and Charlie King tapped the ball home. The goal boosted Brocton and quietened down the vociferous Hanley bench. In the 27th minute, Will Whieldon played a ball into the path of Charlie King and his cross was well defended. A minute later, a shot from Charlie King took a deflection and trickled agonisingly wide of the post. Whieldon then had a volley blocked as Brocton looked for a second. The hard working Reg Smith played the ball inside to Connor Haddaway and his shot was blocked. Brocton had a great chance in the 40th minute. A cross from Jude King was perfectly weighted onto the head of Smith but his header was wide. A minute later, Lewis Porter headed over from underneath the Brocton bar.

Half-time: Hanley Town 0 Brocton 1

Brocton had the first opening of the second half, a surging run from Cooper Marsh but his pass caught Smith offside. Hanley should have been level in the 51st minute. Bailey, looking suspiciously offside, raced through one on one and Langston made a fine save with his feet. Hanley began to exert some real pressure. A good cross from Max Van Der Laan was hacked away by the Brocton defence. Porter wasted another good chance when a cross was met perfectly but his header was well wide. Hanley equalised in the 64th minute. A ball across the box from Max Van Der Laan was missed by Christian Blanchette. The ball ran to Finlay Pattison, and he gave Langston no chance with a fine finish. Langston made another excellent save to keep the scores level as Bailey raced through but the young Brocton keeper palmed the ball away from the edge of the area. Hanley continued their direct play with crosses raining in on the Brocton defence who stood up to the bombardment. Brocton had an excellent chance to regain the lead in the 72nd minute. A cross from Connor Haddaway was met by the head of Smith but it was blocked on the line and cleared. Despite intense pressure, Hanley created one clear cut chance which came two minutes into stoppage time. A corner from the right was headed over by Kyle Stubbs and both sides had to settle for a hard earned point.

Full-Time: Hanley Town 1 Brocton 1 Attendance:136

Hanley Town: Michael Shorthouse, Joe Minshall, Ben Maginess (Josh Bowden 88), Jack Van Der Laan (Corey Muirhead 83), Sam Finney, Tommy Van Der Laan (Kyle Stubbs 76), Max Van Der Laan, Jake Twyford, Eden Bailey, Lewis Porter (Kacper Mikulski 85), Finlay Pattison. Sub (Not Used): Brayden Barlow

Brocton: Kyle Langston, Christian Blanchette, Adam Weldon (Morgan Payne 70), Kenny Devoir, Tom Vaughan, Charlie king, Will Whieldon (Dylan Millington 85), Cooper Marsh, Reg Smith, Connor Haddaway, Jude King (Jake Thomas 70). Subs (Not Used): Liam Prendergast, Ben Haddaway

Yellow Cards: Marsh (Brocton)