Brereton Lion FC produced a superb display in the Staffs Premier Cup to take holders Elmo's Celtic all the way to penalties. The Lion were unlucky to lose out in the end, with the Elmo's Celtic keeper pulling off superb penalty saves from Houston and Allinson.
The Lion were well up for the game but were rocked by late and unexpected absences from Dutton, Andrews and Grant. Tied in with the already absent Cushen and Cowlishaw this was stretching the Lion squad. Fortunately Allison & Alex Houston were available for selection.
The Lion rattled Elmo's with a bright start, with young star Beckham Fulton hitting the woodwork after five minutes. Rhys Baker was taking no prisoners and was smashing into ther tackles. When the away team did settle they produced some wonderful one touch, free-flowing football. It was obvious that they did not lift this tough cup last season for no reason.
Casper was starting to pull off some magical saves and was a calming presence on a now overworked defence. Elmo's took the lead after 25 minutes with a well worked goal and close range finish.
The Lion were facing a tough task now but never stopped running. Simpson was now starting to pull the strings in the middle and Allen was always showing and looking for the ball. Just before half time Simpson played a superb through ball down the wing that cut out three defenders and found Franklin. Franklin crossed to Ashley Carter who showed superb composure to lose his defender and smashed the ball home off the underside of the bar. The linesman decided it had crossed the line and the goal stood.
1-1 HT
The Lion took the game to the opposition now and with the roll on roll off sub rule in policy Debo was introduced in attack. Debo battled well and was a real handful for the away defence. Despite constant good work from Perry, Baker and Chandler the Lion could not take the lead.
The only real sloppy bit of defending all day from The Lion resulted in Celtic taking the lead again. A defender was blocked by a clever run and the spare attacker headed back across the goal to the onrushing attacker. 1-2.
A lot of teams would have crumbled but once again The Lion rolled up their sleeves and got stuck back into the game. Houston battled and worked well on the right wing when he was thrown into the game. Fulton was re-introduced on 70 minutes and was always stretching the away defence.
In the constant Lion attack it must be mentioned that Casper still had to be on hand to make some amazing saves. Pally, Ainger, Chandler & Franklin were working overtime to keep the dangerous away attack from getting a killer third goal.
Celtic had a player sent off in the 2nd half for hitting out at Ashley Carter off the ball.
The Lion went all out attack with ten minutes to go, Franklin being swapped for Perry in a brave 3-4-3 formation. Rhys Baker, who had already clattered the keeper with a tough challenge at least once, smashed into the keeper in the 75th minute, desperately trying to reach a through ball. The assistant official decided it was a red card offence and Bullet was off.
With only two minutes left and after constant Lion pressure Ross Perry forced home a shot in the box to provoke wild celebrations from The Lion and force the game into extra time. 2-2 FT
No goals were scored in extra time. Casper again showed his skills and Debo, Perry, Carter & Houston all worked so hard to get a goal. Houston in particular needed grabbed a winner with some great runs to the back post.
However it was not to be! And again, as is often the case, penalties were the downfall for this brave Lion side. Take this battling spirit into our remaining league games
Man of the Match: Changy and Big Man produced defensive master classes and Pally was so strong seeing he was chucked in at the deep end but the award heads to Casper for a superb game, not just some wonder saves but the calmness when handling the ball and distribution.
