Badgers Culled

Tividale came into this on the back of a disappointing showing against Stafford Town in the Isuzu FA Vase at the weekend. Manager Phil Rann knew that a display similar to Saturday’s could end up embarrassing against a side that beat us 4 times last season. Tividale switched to a back three with skipper Brad Maslen-Jones moving into a midfield role

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 13th 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 25th minute. A poor clearance from Sandel was picked up by Eddie Rann who fed the ball to Storer. Storer changed feet and with his right foot shot past Sandel. Brocton responded with two shots on target from Charlie King, Harrison equal to both. In the 29th 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 35th 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 55th minute. A corner was played into the feet of Storer. 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 Storer was shown a second yellow card for kicking the ball away.

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. ran at Sandel and somehow put his shot wide.