Brereton Lion hit top spot and top form in the Cannock Chase Premier League with a sensational display against previous league leaders Yates Sports.
Yates Sports are the only team to have beat The Lion so far in the league with a smash and grab 2-0, counter attacking display at Armitage Lane a month ago.
The Lion were well up for the game and were ready to battle, knowing full well that a win would see them climb to the top of the league.
Corrigan opted for a 4-5-1 formation with Stockhall and Simpson replacing the injured Crozier and working Dunn. Dan Cushen in goals, Chandler, Franklin, Cushen and JR Dutton at the back. Midfield consisted of Daley, Stockhall, Cater in the centre with Simpson and Baker on the wings. Cunningham got the nod up front after impressing as a sub the week before against Ridware Oak and due to the fact that he has been working so hard on his fitness levels.
Yates were at near full strength, with centre half Sangha their only noticeable absentee.
The Lion started the match strongest with Ash Carter rattling the bar with a shot from the edge of the box. The Lion looked hungry and sharp and were pressing with power. Stuey Simpson came close to opening the scoring with a couple of individual efforts. The Yates keeper was the Man of the Match the last time they played The Lion and he was once again showing some fine saves and composure in the nets.
The only real outlet that Yates had was the very direct long ball up to their star striker Greeny. The sunshine was hazardous to the eyes of Dutton and Ben Cushen but they were working well as a unit to get the danger cleared. Any threatening Yates attacks were thwarted by the perfect positioning of Skipper Franklin, who covered the defence superbly to dish out some well timed slide tackles.
You got the feeling that The Lion were getting on top, and every Lion attack was looking dangerous. Goal number one for The Lion came on 11 minutes. A lofted ball from JR Dutton at sweeper had the Yates defence in a flap and Cunningham nipped in behind. The home keeper managed to stop Cunny from scoring but the ball dropped nicely for Bullet to slot home the first goal.
0-1
This hungry pack of Lions started to sniff blood and they soon spotted a weakness in the Yates defence. Granty was playing as a centre half for Yates instead of his usual defensive midfield role. Granty is a fine ball player but he makes Crutch look like Usain Bolt and is obviously a big fan of a trip to Greggs. Bullet and Stuey cleverly switched flanks and Bullet found some space on the left wing to get his head up. Once again Cunny peeled off the last defender and timed his run to perfection. The lofted through ball from Bullet was class and Cunny calmly slotted the ball past the despairing keeper with his wicked left foot on the 16th minute.
0-2
The Lion were now playing some scintillating football, with every player involved and the passing being varied well from short and steady stuff, to the more direct approach when needed. This was a game where The Lion’s forwards shone bright, but, they would not have been able to play as well if it was not for the great foundations that the defence laid. One player in particular showed time and time again how hard he worked for the team and that man was Ash Carter. He was everywhere and was just as happy tracking back as he was powering forward. Daley and Stockhall were also stamping their class on this fixture. Chandler was not only strong in defence but also awesome at bringing the ball out and starting off attacking moves.
The switch pass behind the Yates defence was constantly working well and a superb diagonal ball by Jake Daley was nearly finished by Bullet. The Lion added goal number 3 just before the half hour mark. The ball dropped to midfield magician Simpson on the edge of the area, who scuffed the shot into the bottom corner of the goal.
0-3
The Lion were composed and battling well to stay so well ahead in this game.
HT 0-3
The Lion were warned about not letting this great lead slip. The 2 points dropped at Ridware Oak were still fresh in the mind. The Yates manager was handing out a huge half time rollocking to try and fire up his troops.
The Lion were in no mood to let Yates back into this game though and had the perfect start to the half when Bullet got his second (and best) goal of the game. A strong run from Ash Carter took him to the byline where he pulled the ball back to Bullet. Bulet skilfully and forcefully evaded a defender then smashed the ball under the keeper. 48 minutes gone and four goals to the good. Dreamland stuff!
0-4
The Lion were well in control of this game, with the football being played at a great tempo and once again everyone involved in the action. Cunny had ran himself into the ground and was replaced by Keegan Grant for the last half an hour. Not only did Cunny always look a threat with the ball he ALWAYS worked hard without the ball and was very impressive. Keegan Grant was charged with doing the same and his willingness to run, pace, great ball control and trickery was a pleasure to watch.
Bullet grabbed his hat trick goal on 65 minutes. A mazy dribble down the left from Stu Simpson confused the Yates defence and Bullet was once again lurking in the box to force the ball home.
0-5
A great hat trick from a winger! Bullet literally is on fire and was on top form.
On 68 minutes Alex Houston replaced Stu Simpson on the wing much to the delight of the Lion away fans. Houston has missed a couple of games lately due to his addiction to alcohol, forcing some of the Lion army to start a help group. “PRAYFORLEX” has been set up to try and make sure that Alex is fresh and ready and fighting for his shirt for The Lion. #PRAYFORLEX
Dan Cushen was determined to keep a clean sheet in this match and pulled of a couple of world class saves when The Lion had a tiny sloppy patch. Cushen, with the help of Franklin, stopped one Yates attack on the line.
On 84 minutes Keegan Grant came close to getting a goal after bamboozling Granty with a flick over his head and long range shot.
The Lion were not settling for five and Ash Carter and Stocky were determined to get a goal. One flying diving header from Ash Carter nearly smashed a caravan behind the goal!! Great enegry levels on show again by Ash Carter! Stocky got goal number six with superb tekkers. JR Dutton again floated a superb ball over the Yates defence. Stocky met the ball six yards out and volleyed home. Ash Carter was on hand again to show everyone just how Stocky scored his goal!
0-6
A superb win from The Lion and a tremendous display. A true message sent out to the rest of the league and a real confidence boost to the Lion squad. Even the legend that is Dennis Hibbs has ranked the display as one of the best he has ever seen from a Lion side. Lion jump to the top of the league and will now focus on cup action until the end of October. This talented side SIMPLY MUST win some silverware this season and finally have some trophies to parade around the town.
MOM= A lot of candidates. It is tempting to give it to the whole team for a great display. But despite strong claims from Ash Carter the award is heading to Bullet for a superb hat trick and an overall excellent display. Well done Bullet and Lions let’s keep this level up!
