Midland Combination Premier Division
Wed Nov 1st
Brocton 3 Brereton Social 4

Brocton began this game just two points adrift of Brereton with three games in hand, but with both teams struggling with a return of about one point per match to date. Brocton needed a morale boosting win, but were sufficiently nervous of a leaky run of games to field just one forward player in their starting line up, manager Steve Kneller naming an unchanged team from an encouraging display at the weekend.
The tactic seemed to be working as James Dyke worked himself a fine position in front of goal on the 7th minute after good work down the left flank, but he had to stretch to reach the pass in from Andy Hume and his shot was too weak to beat Brereton’s keeper.
Andy Harrison as lone striker, worked hard to try to close down all across the four man back line of Brereton, but still managed to break down the left himself on 12 minutes and reached the bye line before being crowded out as he was about to cross.
Then came what turned out to be the decisive moment of the match. Brereton had mounted a promising attack, but it had been repelled and the ball was safely at keeper Adam Lane’s feet with Brereton retreating ready to try to win back the ball from the clearance and the Brocton midfield and defence taking u positions of their own. The clearance powerful, but directed full into the back of defender Gary Tinkler from where it rebounded back and past stranded keeper Lane and into the Brocton net in a bizarre gift of a start for the visitors.
Despite evident deflation, Brocton rallied and on 17 minutes a move starting at the back through Andy Chandler, was worked neatly via Ben Harrison, James Dyke and into Andy Harrison, whose turn and shot needed Brereton’s keeper to be at his most alert.
Such are Brocton’s fortunes at present though, that just as they appeared to have overcome the initial setback, the ball was lazily given away in midfield and a quick foray via the right touchline and cut back to the edge of the box provided a decisive second goal for Brereton.
Once again Brocton attempted a rallying call and Andy Harrison won a corner through sheer persistence on the left hand side. The clearance which followed was controlled by Darren Gardner and he put a ball just over the top of the advancing defence for Andy Hume to run on to. Hume got in a sharp cross and Craig Millen arrived at the far post to head down, but wide.
Brereton swept forward again and it took an excellent save from Adam Lane as the ball bounced in front of him, to push it out for a corner. The subsequent clearance was intercepted though and hit back with interest to put the visitors 3 - 0 ahead, almost on the stroke of half time. There was just time for Richard Jones to force the ball into the net and to give Brocton a life line as the ball came in from Andy Hume.
Steve Bennett came on up front to give Andy Harrison some support in the second half and almost immediately turned and shot after a cross from his strike partner found him. The shot was blocked but the rebound was gathered in midfield and James Dyke raced into the box. Sheer determination won him a goal at the second attempt and Brocton were flying.
Suddenly tackles were being won all over the pitch and telling runs appearing. Brereton were on their heels at last as chance after chance came and pressure began to tell. Then once again the visitors were gifted a golden opportunity as a clearance of their own was unaccountably ducked by Gary Tinkler to leave a one on one and Adam Lane with no chance. Ben Harrison did pull yet another back with a thirty yard effort, but the game was over.