The Badgers secure a win in the annual clash with Cassies with goals from Jackson, Weldon and Thomas.
Tuesday 13th July
Pre-Season Friendly
Wolverhampton Casuals 1 Brocton 3 at Brinsford Lane
On a glorious summer’s evening, Brocton locked horns with Wolverhampton Casuals in their annual pre-season friendly.
The Badgers shuffled the pack with six changes from the team that started on Saturday at home to Lye Town. Cassies, promoted to Step 5 in the non-league restructure, started on the front foot and could have taken the lead after just 19 seconds. Gelson Antonio crossed from the left and the ball just evaded Keenan Palmer. It didn’t take the home side to take the lead. In the 3rd minute, Reiss Corfield capitalised on some sloppy defending and wrongfooted Josh Moreton to fire home. Brocton’s first attempt on target came from the head of Malaki Norford but it failed to trouble the experienced Paolo Pinheiro in the Cassies goal. Former Heather St Johns frontman Palmer was giving the Badgers defence a tough time, but his finishing did not match his movement and two good chances were wasted. Brocton gradually began to establish a foothold in the game, and they had a great chance to drew level in the 28th minute. Jake Thomas played a perfectly weighted through ball to Cameron Jackson. The young striker’s first touch took the ball wide, narrowing the angle to goal, and his shot was off target. Cassies broke quickly and Moreton did well to save with his feet from Ben Easthope. Jackson continued to impress for The Badgers and just before the break he was off target from a decent position. On the stroke of half-time, Corfield should have hit the target but blazed way over the bar.
Half-Time: Wolverhampton Casuals1 Brocton 0
Cassies fielded made ten changes at half-time with only Pinheiro keeping his place. Brocton introduced Jamie Welson and Todd Pryor, and both made an immediate impression. The Badgers were level in the 52nd minute and it was a well deserved goal for Jackson who beat Pinheiro despite a gallant effort by the Cassies keeper. Three minutes later and the game had been turned on its head. Jamie Weldon was picked out in the inside left position, and his shot gave Pinheiro no chance as it flew in off the far post. Brocton were now dominating the game and Ben Powell, finding space down the right, was off target with another effort. Brocton introduced another of their Under 21 side, Joe Bancroft, on the hour and he looked completely at home on his first team debut. Jackson again got behind the Cassies defence, and he was thwarted by Pinheiro. Brocton’s third came in the 75th minute and it was an excellent worked goal. Bancroft threaded the ball through to Dean Williams, who in turn picked out Jake Thomas. The tall midfielder, saw Pinheiro off his line, and lifted the ball into the net. Cassies responded but found Moreton a difficult obstacle to pass and the keeper made two good saves Jaydn Graham and a spectacular effort to deny TJ Davies.
Full-Time: Wolverhampton Casuals 1 Brocton 3
Wolverhampton Casuals (1st Half): Paulo Pinheiro, Reece Mayhew, Matt Bestall, Remi Birch, George Overton, Natty Graham, Reiss Corfield, Ben Easthope, Keenan Palmer, Yanick, Gomez, Gelson Antonio.
Wolverhampton Casuals (2nd half): Paulo Pinheiro, Kyle Peters, Abdul ?, Jordan Spragg, Jaydn Graham, Grant Winwood, Callum Head, George Shaw, TJ Davies, Owen Bradbury, Harry Slater
Brocton: Josh Moreton, Ben Powell (Jack Thomas 82), Dan Evans (Malaki Norford 70), Josh Small, Kenny Devoir, Jack Thomas (Todd Pryor 45), Amari Richards (Jamie Weldon 45), Jake Thomas (Amari Richards 75), Dean Williams, Cameron Jackson, Malaki Norford (Joe Bancroft 60). Subs (Not Used): Ben Haddaway, Adam Weldon, Jack Weldon
