Lichfield City V Brocton (Premier Division)

​Lichfield were looking to continue their eye-catching form against Brocton yesterday at the Trade Tyre Community Stadium. The Staffordshire side have been one of the form teams in step five and were coming off eleven consecutive wins in the premier division to sit top of the table.

It’s been a brilliant start for Lichfield who have built on the success of last season where they just missed out on promotion in the play-off final to Darlaston Town.

Brocton have carried on the momentum of last season where they won the NWCL Division One South title and have adapted well to step five so far. The Badgers were in the play off positions going into yesterday’s match and have been a positive addition to the MFL since joining over the summer.   

They were looking for a statement result yesterday against Lichfield and were coming off a momentum building 7-0 home win against Wolverhampton Casuals last weekend.

Lichfield’s home league form has been incredible since the beginning of the 22/23 season and they have only lost to Lye, Darlaston and Walsall Wood who have all been promoted to step four. Brocton were looking to put an end to that streak yesterday to cement their position near the top of the table.

The atmosphere around the Trade Tyre community was brilliant yesterday and there’s a real community feel to Lichfield. There was an encouraging attendance of 360 supporters who turned up to watch the match with Brocton bringing along a good following as well. The facilities are good for the level with a welcoming café that offers hot and cold beverages.       

Starting line ups

Lichfield’s starting line up included James Beeson starting in goal and Dan Lomas captaining the team from attacking midfield. The formation appeared to be a 5-3-2 with a front two of Jack Edwards and Liam Kirton being supported by Dan Lomas in the number ten role.

There was one change from their match against Shifnal Town last weekend with Josh Mansell coming into the team and playing at right-back.

Brocton’s starting line up included Tony Allsopp starting in goal and Christian Blanchette captaining the team up front. The formation looked like a 4-2-3-1 with Christian Blanchette playing as the main striker and being supported by William Whieldon and Lucas Green-Birch down the wings.

There was one change from their match against Wolverhampton Casuals last weekend with Connor Haddaway coming into the team and playing in the number ten role. 

​First Half

The opening ten minutes of the match were cagey with both sides settling into it and working out where to find the space. Brocton had the first good chance when Christian Blanchette played a good ball to Lucas Green-Birch who fired narrowly wide of the left-hand post. It was an encouraging counter attacking move by the visitors early on who worked the ball well in the final third.

Lichfield responded and were committing players forward in search of the opener. There was a good chance from a free kick on the edge of the box where Jack Edwards had a good effort well saved by Tony Allsopp in the Brocton goal.

Lichfield were playing a high line against Brocton and the visitors were looking to catch them out throughout the first half with runs off the shoulder to beat the offside trap.

They managed to take the lead on 22 minutes when William Wheldon managed to find some space in the final third before producing an instinctive finish into the bottom left corner.

The visitors were linking up well in the first half and causing Lichfield a lot of problems defensively who were a bit stretched at times. Jake Thomas played an inviting through ball to Lucas Green-Birch who found some space in the box before firing wide.

None the less, the chances were coming for Brocton against one of the best defences in the league with just 11 goals conceded going into yesterday.

It was all clicking for the visitors throughout the first half who were producing a vintage away performance and taking the game to Lichfield. One of their key strengths was how organised they were off the ball with players regularly closing the space to not allow Lichfield to build some momentum.

Ben Haddaway was brilliant at the back for Brocton in this match. He read the danger well and made some big clearances to give them a foothold in the match throughout the first half.  

The visitors were given a penalty when Charlie King was fouled in the box by Josh Mansell just after the half hour mark. Connor Haddaway stepped up and had his penalty well saved by James Beeson who went the right way to keep Lichfield in the game.

Not long after Brocton made it 2-0 thanks to a moment of magic from a set piece. Connor Haddaway took a corner from the left that evaded everyone and went straight into the far corner in the 36th minute.  

There were a few bright sparks for Lichfield in the first half and they created some notable chances in front of goal. Dan Lomas was free in the box before getting a shot off that was saved by Tony Allsopp.

Brocton were given a penalty just before half time. Lucas Green Birch made a run into the box before being fouled by Jamie Elkes for a spot kick. William Whieldon stepped up and took a composed penalty into the bottom right corner to make it 3-0 at the break.

Second Half

Lichfield had a notable chance early on which could have sparked a comeback. Joe Haines caught Tony Allsopp off his line before having a shot from the halfway line hit the cross bar. It was a brilliant effort from the Lichfield defender and would have been a memorable goal.

Jack Edwards also had a good chance when he got a shot off in the box that was saved by Tony Allsopp. Despite it being a challenging match for Lichfield they were creating chances in front of goal yesterday.

Brocton made it 4-0 on the hour mark thanks to a brilliant counter attacking goal to seal the match. Substitute Jude King made a good run off the shoulder before having a deflected shot go into the bottom left corner. He impressed off the bench for the visitors throughout the second half and made some good runs down the channels.

Lichfield kept going in the final half hour of the match, but it was not quite clicking in the final third. Their best chance to get a goal back came when substitute Jude Taylor was free from a well delivered corner into the box. He made a good run into the box but couldn’t quite get it on target to trouble the keeper.

The visitors had a good control of the match in the latter stages of the second half. Josh Simcox impressed from left-back and did well to stop Lichfield building anything down the right-hand side. Jake Thomas also played well from holding midfield and was regularly breaking up the play for Brocton.

There was a bad looking injury to Joe Haines for Lichfield in the closing stages of the second half. He’s a key player for the hosts and hopefully it’s nothing too serious for their upcoming matches.

The visitors did well to hold Lichfield out in the second half and get a memorable clean sheet against one of the best attacks in the league.  

Full Time

This match was a tough day at the office for Lichfield and possibly a blip in what is otherwise an incredible season for the club. There still in a strong position and have a nine-point lead over Brocton. Shifnal and 1874 Northwich also played out a draw yesterday, so the league title is still within reach for the club.

Brocton were brilliant in this match and this win strengthens their position in the play offs. It’s been an encouraging few months for the Badgers and if they can keep this form going throughout the season, they could be a real threat at step five.  

FT score: Lichfield City 0-4 Brocton

Man of the match: Ben Haddaway (Brocton)

Attendance: 360

Match report written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League