Saturday 14th August
Abbey Hey 8 Brocton 0 at The Abbey Stadium
Brocton’s first ever trip to The Abbey Stadium resulted in a horror show as the home side demolished the Badgers.
Brocton made two changes from the side that beat Cammell Laird 1907 last weekend, Malaki Norford and Todd Pryor coming back into the starting eleven. The Badgers started in confident mood and more than held their own for the first ten minutes. Abbey Hey should have taken the lead in the 10th minute when Jordan Lazenbury found himself in space but blasted his shot over the bar. A minute late, Lazenbury was again in on goal, but Corey Mallen made the first of many fine saves. In the 15th minute, Ben Halfacre was granted a free header in the Brocton box, but it was straight at Mallen. On a rare foray forward, decent work down the Badgers eft created an opening for Adam Weldon and his shot was well blocked. Jamie Weldon came to Brocton’s rescue with a brilliant block from Dylan Norris. Abbey Hey opened the scoring in the 23rd minute. Joe Neild did well down the right, played the ball into the box to the awaiting Halfacre who swivelled and fired home. The impressive Lazenbury was foiled by another wonderful Jamie Weldon block as the home side poured forward. In the 32nd minute, excellent approach play by Abbey Hey saw Neild force another fine save from Mallen. The second goal came a minute later. Dylan Fitzgerald picked his spot and curled a sumptuous shot past Mallen. Within a minute, it was three. A long ball over the top, found Lazenbury who lobbed Mallen, despite the best efforts of the keeper and Josh Mousley, the ball ended in the net. Abbey Hey were relentless and a cross from Neild was met by the head of Aaron Fleming, forcing Mallen into another save. Fitzgerald was also foiled by a fantastic fingertip save from the overworked Brocton keeper. We didn’t have to wait long for further goals. Halfacre had a shot well saved but the ball came back in from the left and Halfacre planted his header into the net. On the stroke of half-time, Abbey Hey went Nap. A free-kick was miss controlled by Halfacre, but his header fell at his own feet, and he passed the ball into the net for his hat-trick.
Half-time: Abbey Hey 5 Brocton 0
It took just two minutes of the second half for Abbey Hey to increase their lead. A cross field ball cleared Kenny Devoir, and Halfacre was in the right place to volley past Mallen. Norris wasted another decent chance for Abbey Hey. Goal number seven came in the 62nd minute when a cross from the right picked out Jake Dunford whose volley was clinical. Lazenbury was unlucky again as his shot was deflected over the bar. Nield was just off target before Brocton finally forced a save from Abbey Hey keeper Dane Smith, Brad Rolston’s shot being straight at him. This proved to be a mere blip in proceedings as Abbey Hey went down the other end and Rhys Clooney curled a shot inches wide. Brocton were down to ten men with Jamie Weldon injured and all three subs used. Goal eight came in the 82nd minute when Luke Haddaway conceded a penalty. Paul Sunderland stepped up and made no mistake. A minute later, Mallen made another excellent save to deny Clooney. Abbey Hey continued to press and Dunford rattled the post after Mallen had done well to keep the initial cross out. A cross from sub Cameron Darkwah was just in front of two of his team mates. In stoppage time, Clooney saw a shot deflected over and Tom Murray fizzed a shot inches over the bar.
Full-Time: Abbey Hey 8 Brocton 0 Att: 95
Abbey Hey: Dane Smith, Joe Neild, Dylan Norris (Connor Brotherton 55), Tom Murray, Aaron Fleming, Sikirulahi Hamzat, Jake Dunford, Paul Sunderland, Ben Halfacre (Rhys Clooney 59), Dylan Fitzgerald (Cameron Darkwah 63), Jordan Lazenbury. Subs (Not Used): Josh Dickin, Rhys Webb
Brocton: Corey Mallen, Adam Weldon (Jack Thomas 66), Malaki Norford, Kenny Devoir, Jamie Weldon, Todd Pryor (Ben Powell 53), Brad Rolston, Ben Haddaway, Dean Williams, Josh Mousley, Cam Jackson (Luke Haddaway 57)
Yellow cards: Dunford, Clooney (Abbey Hey), Pryor (Brocton)
