Saturday January 28th

North West Counties Football League First Division South

Brocton 5 Barnton 1

Brocton were forced into a change with Luke Haddaway replacing the unwell Tom Vaughan. There was a place on the subs bench for manager Alex Curtis for the first time since the opening day of the season. Barnton had proven a difficult opponent for Brocton in the past and came into the game on the back of a good away win at Cammell Laird in midweek.

Brocton went close to scoring twice in the opening 45 seconds. Reg Smith closed down Barnton keeper Dylan Cross and his clearance cannoned off the Brocton striker and out for a goal kick. Morgan Payne tried a speculative effort from 30 yards and his shot was just over with Cross back pedalling. Smith forced Cross into a save as Brocton piled on the early pressure. In the 7th minute, the impressive Payne was off target with another effort. Barnton’s first opportunity fell to Manuel Diop Parra but his shot was off target. Brocton opened the scoring in the 10th minute. A superb cross from Will Whieldon picked out Payne at the far post and he hit a firm shot past Cross. Payne went close again two minutes later, controlling a crossfield ball from Ben Haddaway before hitting a rising shot over the bar. Smith was next to try his luck, curling a left footed shot just over the bar. Barnton went close in the 24th minute when a right wing cross was fumbled by Jonty Kearns, his defence clearing the danger. Brocton responded with Smith teeing up Whieldon who shot wide. A minute later, Kenny Devoir was outpaced by Lee Turkington but his shot was wide of the target. Brocton doubled their lead in the 28th minute. A right wing cross from Whieldon was missed in front of goal by Smith, but Payne was on hand to fire home despite a despairing effort from Cross. Barnton were given a lifeline in the 28th minute when Jack Bostock dived into a challenge conceding a penalty. Joe Levey stepped up and hammered the ball past Kearns. It was end to end stuff with Thomas shooting straight at Cross. Barnton went close again in the 39th minute. A shot from Tom Turkington took a big deflection with Whieldon clearing off the line. The follow up shot was blocked by Devoir. A minute later, Lee Turkington hit a free-kick inches wide of Kearns’ left hand post. Brocton went down the other end and Payne forced an excellent save from Cross. In the 44th minute, Payne went even closer, his shot beating Cross and skimming off the top of the crossbar. On the stroke of half-time, Brocton cut through the Barnton defence with three first time passes. Whieldon placed the ball into the corner of the net, but the linesman flagged for offside.

Half-Time: Brocton 2 Barnton 1

Three minutes into the second half, a free kick from Whieldon was met by Ben Haddaway. His shot hit Christian Blanchette and from the rebound, Ben Haddaway hit the outside of the post. Adam Moseley found space on the Barnton right and his cross was well cut out by Devoir. Parra had a half chance for Barnton, but his header was off target. In the 54th minute, a corner from Connor Haddaway was headed goalwards by Blanchette with the effort cleared off the line. A mistake at the back let in Moseley, his finish was well off target. Brocton made it three in the 59th minute. Payne beat Cross, and saw his shot cleared off the line. The clearance reached Blanchette at a tight angle and his volley screamed into the net giving Cross no chance. The third goal settled any Brocton nerves and they hunted for more. A free kick from Connor Haddaway was inches away from both Blanchette and Payne. In the 70th minute, Blanchette glided into the penalty area and his shot was well saved by Cross. A minute later, Brocton made it four. A corner from Connor Haddaway was played into the path of Blanchette and his shot beat Cross as it flew into the far corner. Great close control from Whieldon created space, controlling the ball on his right foot but screwed his shot wide. In the 76th minute, Whieldon saw a shot blocked with Payne’s rebound saved by Cross. An excellent ball from Bostock, picked out the run of Thomas who beat two defenders and the keeper before the ball ran away from him and out for a goal kick. With five minutes of normal time left, a corner from Rodrigo Schmitdinger was headed over by Harvey Sample. Kearns was then forced into a save when Lee Turkington hit a firm shot into the young keeper’s chest. Into stoppage time, a poor clearance from Luke Haddaway fell to Sample but his volley was wide. Six minute into time added on, a firm header forward from Bostock sent Blanchette free. He shrugged off his defender, picked his spot and finished with aplomb.

Full-Time: Brocton 5 Barnton 1 Attendance:97

Brocton: Jonty Kearns, Luke Haddaway, Jake Triggs, Jack Bostock, Kenny Devoir, Ben Haddaway, Will Whieldon (Will Finlay 82), Jake Thomas, Reg Smith (Christian Blanchette 45), Connor Haddaway (Mario Novaku 90), Morgan Payne (Charlie King 77). Sub (Not Used): Alex Curtis

Barnton: Dylan Cross, Alfie Cowen, Jorge Dwyer (Adam Clayton 840, Rodrigo Schmitdinger, Erion Bujupi, Manuel Diop Parra, Sam Smith (Harvey Sample 59), Joseph Levey (Luke Cawley 77), Lee Turkington, Tom Turkington (Niall Holmes 43), Adam Moseley (Jay Lee 77)

Yellow Cards: Whieldon, King (Brocton), Cowen (Barnton)