Three wins on the spin for the Badgers

Saturday 8th November

Capelli Sport MFl Premier Division

Highgate United 0 Brocton 1

Brocton travelled to Shirley with an injury and suspension ravaged squad. The subs bench included manager Alex Curtis and Assistant Jake Triggs together with a first appearance of the season for young striker Jonah Scutt. Highgate were struggling in the bottom two and were in the middle of a run of losing by the odd goal.

Brocton made the perfect start taking the lead in the 3rd minute. A cross field ball from Connor Haddaway picked out the returning Will Whieldon on the right touchline. He drove to the by-line, crossed in low and Dylan Millington, on his first league start, hit the ball first time into the back of the net. Millington almost created a second in the 7th minute. A fierce challenge by the youngster on keeper Dan Hallahan, saw the ball loop into the air with Highgate clearing the danger. Highgate’s first chance fell to Jack Ward and his shot was off target after being played into space by Aaron Cameron. Brocton went close again in the 13th minute. A strong shot by Whieldon was parried by Hallahan, and Morgan Payne slipped before he could tap home the rebound. Ben Haddaway then had two clear cut chances, both saved by Hallahan. Ben Haddaway should have done better in the 28th minute when he headed wide from a Connor Haddaway corner. Highgate should have been level four minutes later. Ibrahim Almane, in front of goal, skewed his kick which went backwards, his teammates holding their heads in their hands at the miss. Brocton went close again in the 37th minute. Payne created an opening, and his curling shot hit the outside of the post. A long ball from Jack Sandel beat the Highgate back line, Payne lifted it over Hallahan and George Elwell managed to get back and clear the ball off the line. Highgate had had one glaring miss and another followed on the stroke of half time. Josh Newbold had to score with the goal at his mercy, but he somehow failed to hit the target. Brocton almost made them pay immediately as Whieldon crossed low to Millington, this time the young striker failed to connect. As the half finished, Payne headed the ball into the Highgate net, but he was adjudged to be offside.

Half time: Highgate United 0 Brocton 1

The talk at half-time was whether Brocton would rue their missed opportunities. Two minutes after the break, a free kick from Connor Haddaway was just wide of the goal. Millington went close to his second in the 54th minute. He chipped the advancing Spike Whitehouse, on for the injured Hallahan, and Elwell cleared off the line, eventually, his first attempt missing the ball completely. Connor Haddaway then drove forward and cleared the bar with an effort. Millington was played through in the 64th minute but delayed his shot and the chance went begging. Millington’s good day turned sour in the 71st minute when he was shown a straight red card for a poor challenge right in front of the dug outs. Highgate thought they had an equaliser within a minute but Kenny Devoir, superb at the back again, cleared off the line. Scutt was introduced off the bench, and he made his presence felt, cutting inside off the left and firing over the bar. In the 87th minute, Sandel was forced into a save as Highgate pressed for an equaliser. Brocton should have settled the nerves a minute later. Whieldon played the ball inside to Scutt, He lifted a pass over the defender to Ben Haddaway and his shot on the turn was inches wide. Brocton held on for the victory to make it nine point in a week,

Full-time: Highgate United 0 Brocton 1 Attendance:57

Highgate United: Dan Hallahan (Spike Whitehouse 47), Dan Kimpungui (Mason Stevens 53), Ibrahim Almane, Jack Ricketts, Harvey Chahal, George Elwell (Kareem Majzoub 73), Ben McSkeane, Shaun Watkins, Josh Newbold, Aaron Cameron, Jack Ward. Subs (Not Used): Ben Achili, Harvey Laws

Brocton: Jack Sandel, Levi Reid, Cooper Marsh, Kenny Devoir, Tom Vaughan, Ben Haddaway, Will Whieldon (Liam Prendergast 89), Jake Thomas (Jake Danan 45), Dylan Millington, Connor Haddaway, Morgan Payne (Jonah Scutt 67). Subs (Not Used): Alex Curtis, Jake Triggs

Yellow Cards: Ricketts, Chahal (Highgate)

Red Card: Millington (Brocton)