Lacklustre Badgers fall to defeat

Monday 25^th August

Capelli Sport MFL Premier Division

Tividale 3 Brocton 2

Brocton made two changes from the side that beat Studley on Saturday. Adam Weldon replaced the unavailable Levi Reid and Christian Blanchette made his first start with Toby Smith dropping to the bench. There was a place on the bench for Will Whieldon for the first time since the end of last season.

Brocton’s first attack came after just 30 seconds, Connor Haddaway’s cross being dropped by keeper Keiran Harrison before being gathered at the second attempt. Tividale’s first attempt came from Jack Storer, but his volley was just over Jack Sandel’s crossbar. Brocton went close to an opener in the 13^th minute. Reg Smith and Charlie King combined before Reg Smith took aim and forced a superb save from Harrison. Three minutes later, Brad Maslen-Jones spotted Sandel off his line and tried to lob him from the half-way line, the ball drifting wide of the posts. Tividale took the lead in the 25^th minute. A poor clearance from Sandel was picked up by Eddie Rann who fed the ball to Porter. Porter changed feet and with his right foot scuffed his shot past Sandel. Brocton responded with two shots on target from Charlie King, Harrison equal to both. In the 29^th minute Ezekiel Agyemang beat Kenny Devoir and forced a save from Sandel. Brocton’s best piece of football almost created a goal. Haddaway played a free kick into the path of Reg Smith, His low cross was meant for Blanchette, but Matt Holland kept him out with a fine defensive clearance. Brocton were level in the 35^th minute. Jake Thomas and Haddaway combined and Haddaway’s near post cross was turned home by Blanchette. Brocton were now having more of the play. A free kick from Reg Smith was well saved low down by Harrison with Blanchette unable to reach the rebound. Tividale were a constant threat going forward. A free-kick from Maslen-Jones took a wicked deflection but Sandel changed direction to save. Brocton continued to search for goals with Thomas and Blanchette off target with shots. Three minutes into stoppage time, Jude King won the ball, found Reg Smith but he dragged his shot wide.

Half-Time: Tividale 1 Brocton 1

Tividale regained the lead four minutes into the second half. Myles Durham played a free kick to the back post where the unmarked Holland volleyed home. It got worse for Brocton in the 55^th minute. A corner was played into the feet of Porter. He took his time and shot through bodies and Sandel into the corner of the net. Thomas cleared the bar with another effort before Agyemang was sent through by Porter only to shoot wide. Brocton had a couple of chances first from Jude King who shot wide and then for Haddaway whose shot was punched clear by Harrison. In the 68th minute Tividale were reduced to ten men when Porter was shown a second yellow card for kicking the ball away, a stupid way to end his afternoon. Two minutes later, Brocton reduced the deficit. Charlie played the ball to Reg Smith who played hit back to Charlie King. His finish was clinical and gave Brocton a real chance against the ten men. However, that wasn’t to be as Brocton failed to test Harrison at all. In fact, Tividale should have had a fourth when Callum North was sent clear. He looked yards offside but ran at Sandel and somehow put his shot wide. All in all, a very poor defensive performance from Brocton and an afternoon they would rather forget.

Full-Time: Tividale 3 Brocton 2 Attendance:143

Tividale: Keiran Harrison, Shakeel Brown, Kyle Field (Thomas Cottam 69), Joe Garrington, Matt Holland, Kyle Batchelor, Eddie Rann, Brad Maslen-Jones, Ezekiel Agyemang (Callum North 90), Jack Storer, Myles Durham. Subs (Not Used): Kyle Haynes, Lewis Derrick, Joe Fitzpatrick

Brocton: Jack Sandel, Adam Weldon (Liam Prendergast 76), Cooper Marsh (Dylan Millington 60), Kenny Devoir (Toby Smith 80), Tom Vaughan, Charlie King, Christian Blanchette (Will Whieldon 60), Jake Thomas, Reg Smith, Connor Haddaway, Jude King. Sub (Not Used): Kyle Langston

Yellow Cards: Rann, Storer (Tividale)

Red Cards: Storer (Tividale)