Magical Brereton Lion made it 3 wins from 3 and 30 goals in 3 games with another superb cup victory against a talented and spirited Premier Suite side. The Lion were playing at home in the second round of the Staffs Cup and wanted to progress in this wonderful cup by beating high placed Cannock division 1 side Premier Suite. The visitors were full of confidence after a very strong start in their league.
The Lion were handed a blow when 3 of last week’s star performers Dunn, Ben Cushen and Matty Hackett were all ruled out of selection. A big miss, especially Matty Hackett who was MOM the week before. Into the side came Mark Hackett and Jimmy Matyus in defence and the Lion were handed a massive boost with star player Simpson back pulling the strings in midfield. Cockayne and Franklin were the full backs, birthday boy Jake Daley and JR in the middle with Tommy Wright in attack alongside Cowlishaw and Cunningham. More good news on the bench with Leo returning from injury alongside Kirkbride and latecomer Sam Deeley. Once again the Lion were allowed to use roll on roll off subs and this meant all 14 players got a good chunk of the game.
The Lion started strong with Cunningham and Wright looking dangerous with their great pace. Wright , by his own very high standards, had a poor half in front of goal. His work rate and pace got him on goal on three occasions, with the ball narrowly going wide on all three. Despite having numerous attacks the Lion were a goal behind on 25 minutes when a powerful run was not met with a strong tackle. The forward brushed off a couple of tackles and smashed the ball past the helpless Dan Cushen. 0-1 and not the best start to a game. Credit that no-one dropped their head and Cowlishaw in particular was working hard to get the ball back. When the Lion did play fast football they looked good, but at times there was too much loose passing and sloppy play. The Lion found an equaliser when Wright was chopped down in the box. Up stepped Cunningham who slotted the ball into the bottom corner, a lovely penalty, hard and low. 1-1
1-1 was how the game finished for HALF TIME. The Lion knew they could play better but they were playing into a very strong sunshine in the 2nd half and the opposition were certainly up for the match.
In a repeat of the first half the Lion looked tricky on the ball but were not deadly in the area. The Lion let in another poor goal on 65 minutes , now losing 1-2. Simpson had a couple of long range shots that went over and Jr was winning all his headers but the Lion were on the verge of a poor cup defeat. A very clever quick short corner by Cunny released the Pig who blasted the ball into the back of the net with his left foot form the edge of the 18yard box. Great goal and probably his hardest chance all day. 2-2.
Just as manager Corrigan was preparing some tactics to try and snatch a winning goal disaster struck when a long punt form the premier suite defence was not met and the away forward nipped in to lob the ball home. 2-3 down! Losing for the third time of the match! At this point a lot of sides would of just give up but credit to the Lion who kept plugging away to try and find a late equaliser. A change of shape saw Leo and Sam Deeley introduced onto the flanks in a very attacking 4-4-2 almost 4-2-4 formation. Crosses were being flung into the box and shots were either going wide or over. A frantic shout for a penalty was turned down by the ref on 85 minutes. It looked like game over, with the big birthday bash planned for Corrigan and Daley about to be cancelled when a bit of magic salvaged the game. Scotty2hotty entered the pitch as an emergency forward in place of Franklin. Desperate for a late goal the Lion had everyone forward. A superb pass from Cowlishaw slipped in Cunny and after a brave decision from the linesman who kept his flag down, the star winger coolly slotted past the away keeper. Hallelujah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 3-3!!!!!!!! Last kick of the game!!!!!
3-3 Full time
There was only going to be one winner of this game now, with the Lion players buzzing and ready to take their chance. Premier Suite were dejected. Credit to the fitness levels from the Lion, it was 120 minutes of hard running. The Lion took the lead for the first time in the game when a corner was struck powerfully by Cunny. The ball smashed off the bar (over the line???) and out back into the box where Jr Dutton smashed it in with a calm finish. 4-3! This knocked the stuffing out of the visitors and the Lion now started to play the quick passing and move football or as the YAM YAM's say "GIVE IT AND GOO". This style of football, quick passing, movement, unselfish running and pacey runs is what Corrigan is trying to impose as the Lion's trademark. Goal 5 came with a clever finish from Cowlishaw. Goal 6 was close after with a tap in form the returning Simpson. Great assists for both of these goals from the flying Pig.
Halt time extra time 6-3
The Lion never stopped in the second half and a few players tried out a few different positions with fullbacks Cockayne and Franklin finding themselves in centre mid! And what a centre midfielder Cockayne is, with a forceful run into the box being met by another Wright assist. Cockayne smashed it in for goal 7! The cherry was then put on top of the cake when Man of the match Cunningham got his hat trick! Another Wright assist (his 4th of the day or 5th if you count the penalty win) found Cunny at the back post. Cunningham simply waltzed past the keeper to slot it into an open goal. Superb hat trick for Cunny, who was a doubt injury wise pre game, but had a superb game, working hard with and without the ball and always looking dangerous.
Full time extra time 8-3
Another great cup win for the Lion. Very, very close to heading out of the cup. The next match, the last 16, is away in Stoke. Some good teams in this cup but the Lion have just got to keep on winning and winning well. Next week a very hard game when Belt Road come to Amitage Lane in the first round of the Premier League Cup. An under strength Lion side lost 1-0 at home to Belt in the league way back in September, Can the Lion knock them out this year??? Hope so!!
