League Cup Exit

Tuesday 30th September

Capelli Sport Midland Football League Cup Round 1

Brocton 1 Hanley Town 3

Brocton and Hanley met at Silkmore Lane a week after a hard earned draw between the sides in the league at Hanley. Both sides made numerous changes from the league sides as they rested players and gave much needed minutes to those on the fringes.

It was the visitors that started on the front foot. In the 4th minute, a far post header from Sam Finney was scrambled away by the Brocton defence. Brocton’s first attempt was from a deep cross from Connor Haddaway which was well held by Michael Shorthouse. A good run from Charlie King was blocked by the Hanley defence. In the 21st minute, Finlay Pattison forced an excellent save from Jack Sandel at the near post. A minute later, Hanley took the lead. Sandel made two superb saves to keep out strong shots. The second save pushed the ball onto the post. The ball came back out to Pattison, and he hammered the ball into the net giving Sandel no chance. Hanley were well on top, and Tom Vaughan had to be at his best to block Lewis Porter as he ran through on goal. Hanely doubled their lead in the 33rd minute. Eden Bailey overlapped on the left, cut inside, and fired home from a narrow angle. Sandel made another excellent stop in the 37th minute with Hanley looking to kill the game off. In the 40th minute, another Hanley long throw from Kyle Stubbs was headed goalwards and Sandel made a stunning save to keep the ball out. From a rare Brocton attack, Charlie King played the ball to Morgan Payne, and his shot was just wide of the near post.

Half Time: Brocton 0 Hanley Town 2

Manager Alex Curtis made three substitutions at half-time bringing on Will Whieldon, Christian Blanchette and Kenny Devoir for Dylan Millington, Liam Prendergast, and Ben Haddaway. The replacements made an immediate impression with Brocton keeping possession forcing Hanley into more of a midfield battle. In the 56th minute, Reg Smith was inches wide with an effort while the impressive Pattison was off target for Hanley. In the 64th minute, a mistake by Shorthouse saw the ball fell to Smith and his shot was cleared off the line. It was now an even game with both sides giving as good as they got. A whipped cross from Pattison was headed away by Cooper Marsh under pressure. Good play by Porter, teed up Jake Twyford but his shot cleared Sandel’s bar. Whieldon was then off target for Brocton who were striving to claw their way back into the game. It should have been all over in the 77th minute. Corey Muirhead raced clear down the right, played the ball into the box where Porter inexplicably missed the ball in front of an open goal. The ball was crossed back in for Muirhead to head just wide. Brocton broke quickly, Jude King feeding Charlie King and he forced an excellent save from Shorthouse. Hanley scored their third in the 81st minute. Brayden Barlow found himself in space in the left hand edge of the area and slotted the ball past Sandel. Brocton were gifted a lifeline when Jude King went down in the area, the referee deciding it was enough to warrant a penalty. Whieldon stepped up and supplied his customary finish. Brocton sensed a late comeback. A shot from Smith was deflected for a corner. From Connor Haddaway’s delivery, Blanchette headed wide. Three minutes into stoppage, the energetic Jude King raced through with Shorthouse making another fine save.

Full-Time: Brocton 1 Hanley Town 3 Attendance:137

Brocton: Jack Sandel, Liam Prendergast (Christian Blanchette 45), Cooper Marsh, Ben Haddaway (Kenny Devoir 45), Tom Vaughan, Charlie King, Dylan Millington (Will Whieldon 45), Jake Thomas, Reg Smith, Connor Haddaway, Morgan Payne (Jude King 72). Sub (Not Used): Jake Triggs

Hanley Town: Michael Shorthouse, Kieran Lazenby, Kyle Stubbs, Corey Muirhead, Sam Finnet, Joe Minshall, Brayden Barloe, Jake Twuford, Eden Bailey (Max Van Der Laan 65), Lewis Porter (Joe Donaldson 90+4), Finlay Pattison. Sub (Not Used): Jack Van Der Laan

Yellow Cards: Marsh (Brocton); Stubbs, Bailey (Hanley Town)