Brereton Lion made it 21 goals in just two matches in another comfortable cup victory. The Lion welcomed Stafford Division 1 side Seighford to Armitage road in what looked like a tricky first round match in the prestigious Lichfiled Charity trophy. The Lion named an unchanged side, with only one sub in the returning Mark Hackett. Absent through various reasons were Deeley, Simpson, Matyus, Crozier, Houston and Southwell.
The Lion started strong, however Seighford looked fast on the break, twice getting in behind the home defence to create chances. An attacking 4-3-3 was in place for the Lion again, with instruction to get the ball wide as early as possible, the flanks the best area on the pitch surface wise, with the pitch beginning to show the wear and tear of winter.
The Lion were rewarded a penalty after eight minutes when Cowlishaw was fouled in the box. Cowlishaw, handed the ball by captain Franklin struck a powerful penalty , but the away keeper went the right way and tipped it wide with a strong save.
Minutes late the Lion opened the scoring when Matty Hackett, full of confidence and finding his sharpness again, scored a superb hooked volley from a great lofted pass by Jake Daley. 1-0. However in a replica of last weeks match the visitors equalised when a powerful longe range strike sailed over the stranded Dan Cushen's head and into the back of the net. 1-1 and game on now, with Seighford showing some potential to really make a game out of it.
Credit to the Lion who now raised their game to a level that the Stafford side could not cope with. Matt Hackett got his second of the game, a powerful strike from the right wing smashing through the keepers hands 2-1. Young playmaker Jake Daley then got his first Lion goal, a cool finish in the box making it 3-1. This goal was met by a big cheer from the Lion fans who simply adore Jake Daley, his energy and attitude making him an early fans favourite. Matty Hackett then delighted his watching father and brother by skilfully completing his hat trick. The wingers pace meant he got to the ball before the visiting keeper and a great lob saw the ball bounce in the goal 4-1. Young Daley then added goal number 5 when a left footed cross was spilled into the goal by the luckless away keeper 5-1.
Mark Hackett, not long on for his cousin Matty in a substitution using the roll on roll off rules, then added goal number 6 in a crazy half for the Lion. Cunningham beat his man and delighted manager Corrigan by whipping in a hard and low cross. Mark Hackett burst in at the back post and slotted home his first Lion goal 6-1.
Seighford were obviuosly rattled by the burst of goals and started turning the match a bit dirty. A rash tackle on Cunningham nearly resulted in a mass brawl at half time, but luckily the Lion bench calmed everyone down.
HT 6-1 In a half that looked like being tricky The lion smashed in some great goals at the right moments. Emphasis was now placed on keeping high standards and not getting drawn into anything physical or any stupid retaliation.
A slightly slow start to the second half by the Lion resulted in Seighford testing Dan Cushen slightly more than he would of liked. The big keeper was struggling keeping hold of a greasy ball and its fair to say he will have better matches in a Lion shirt. Just as it started to look like the Lion had slowed the game down and stopped creating chances another burst of goals turned the match into a HAMMERING!! Goal seven came when Cowlishaw lifted a mis-hit cross into the top corner 7-1. Great to have Cowlishaw back, and apart from some silly moments trying to fight people Sammy had a great game. Cowlishaw then added another goal with a close range finish making it 8-1.
Tommy Wright, who up to this point was at his mardiest, got in on the goalscoring act with another close range shot making it 9-1. Still the Lion kept going for goals, and the greediness the team showed for more and more goals pleased Corrigan, who is never happy !! Cunningham was rewrded for an outstanding display on the wings when he linked up well with The Pig for a tap in to make it 10-1. The same pacey duo combined to make it 11-1, this time Cunny finding the Pig who got his brace with another cool finish. The Pig is racing away in the top goalscorer chart, and is looking a constant menace.
Defenders Debo and Yam Yam Cockayne were really bombing on at this point trying to get a goal, and it was big Debo who made it a dozen Lion goals. The big nam got his size 17 boot onto a Cunny pass to make it 12-1!!! Cunny then added the last Lion goal, 13-1.
Is there a better front three around than Tommy, Cunny, Matty??? If these guys can play together, work hard and not get mardy when things are not going great they can contribute goals galore for this side. 21 goals and this is a squad missing the ever so skilful Simpson, goal grabber Crozier and rapid winger Houston. What a great, hungry and young squad that is being formed.
Anyway back to the match and Seighford grabbed a late goal with a forward nipping in to score. This brought comedy chants off "Come on we can still win this one!!!". The second half was played in a great spirit, with the Stafford side not acting like idiots.
It must be noted that the Lion are delighted with the balance that the returning Franklin has added to the side. Franklin and Cunningham look to have the basis of a great partnership down the left flank. Both of them need a bit more fitness work, so up the cardio work down the gym please lads!
FULL TIME 13-2
A crazy scoreline and surely one that sends out a message to the rest of the teams in this cup. This was not some Boozed up division 6 side that The Lion turned over but a full strength mid table Stafford Division 1 side. MOM- Matty Hackett for banging in a superb hat trick when the game was still very, very tight.
The next round has been drwan with The Lion heading for an away game in LIchfield for round two. Next week another cup game , at home to Premier Suite in the Staffs Cup. A tough test , bring them on!
