Brereton Lion continued to hold pole position at the top of the Cannock Chase Premier league with a derby day victory over local rivals Brereton Town.
The weekend was to be an emotional one with the loss of fellow Rugeley footballer & friend Joe Hunt. Brereton Lion will recall Joes thunderbolt drive which gave his Chase Spartans side a preseason victory last year. Prior to the game both Brereton sides got together on the half way line and perfectly observed a minutes silence in his honour. Rest In Peace Joe Hunt.
With the absence of powerhouse forward Gary Dunn Brereton Lion welcomed back to the starting XI the athletic Jake Daley. After having a month off to tackle his inner demons Jake will be looking to keep his volatile temperament in order and let his high paced footballing ability do the talking.
The game got underway slightly later than usual after a bogus phone call to the referee claiming the game was called off meant the referees’ continental breakfast was cut short and a job was to be done. Brereton Social FC spent big in the summer improving the pitch; however the signs of over use are really starting to show. The pitch was in very poor condition, with the only space to play football being down the flanks, perfect for the willing Lion runners in Fulton & Perry.
In typical derby fashion the game was a battle, a hustle and bustle mud bath war in the centre of the Social pitch with neither side really taking charge of the game during the opening 20 minutes. Brereton Lion started to pick up the pace taking the game to the visitors with the Ravens keeper Towle been tested by the relentless Ross Perry. Recent star man Andrews was linking up the play well and finding the pockets for his fellow forwards to exploit. Andrews then rattled the crossbar with a bullet header with Towle beaten. The battle was being won by the Lion, showing the gritty dogged behaviour required to win a local derby. Chandlers engine was purring as he carried the ball forward time and time again and could have scored when well placed. With the hosts keen to grab the opening goal they were cut open as the Brereton Town striker raced clear on goal but was chased down by the rocket powered full back Franklin who intercepted and dispossessed the striker. As half time loomed Brereton Lions pressure was to grow and grow and a flurry of rather toothless attacks found the Lion still hunting the elusive opener.
Half Time: Brereton Lion FC 0 – 0 Brereton Town FC
Manager Corrigans half time talk was to drive home the need to get the ball out of the middle and get down the wings. The emphasis was still very strong on the Lion taking control of the physical battle which the high energy and perfectly functional middle 3 of Allen, Carter & Daley were more than offering.
After the break Brereton Lion really had the wind in their sails and took the game to the Ravens who appeared to be running out of steam. Trying to match the Lions work rate would always be the visitors down fall and on the hour mark Andrews found Fulton who took a touch and superbly clipped the ball past the keeper to take his seasons tally to 11. In typical recent fashion when the Lion grab their opener the confidence begins to ooze from the side and on 68 minutes centre back Ainger plucked an Andrews cross from the sky and let fly with an unstoppable volley into the top right corner of the net. It was 2-0 and the hosts were cruising, with the visitors offering very little, which gave the Lion back 4 a steady morning. Corrigan rang the changes with Carter, Fulton & Daley being replaced by 3 excellent players in Allison, Houston & Simpson. On 75 minutes Brereton Lion made it 3-0 when the magical Andrews blasted home a free kick into the top left corner, a real winter warmer for the home fans! Substitute Stu Simpson then got in on the act with a brace of goals, both assisted by Andrews. The first a tidy finish from an acute angle and the second, well… if only he meant it we would be talking about an early contender for goal of the season. A lofted chipped cross from the left floated over the hapless Dave Towle in goal for the Ravens to make it 5 for the Lion.
Further chances came for the Lion as some superb possession football and sucker punch attacking had the visitors riding a rough storm. However the game fizzled out and the local bragging rights were to head back to the boys in red.
Full Time: Brereton Lion FC 5 – 0 Brereton Town FC
Man of the Match: A tale of the 2 Ashs, Carters first half battling display and energy left the visitors chasing shadows at times. However Ash Andrews blistering free kick and 4 assists left the Man of the Match boardroom in full agreement with the decision to award it to Flash.
Superb battle and graft by the Lion squad on a difficult pitch in a tricky derby clash. Well done lads!
