Saturday 29th March 2024
North West Counties Football League First Division South
Droylsden 0 Brocton 1
Brocton welcomed back Adam Weldon and Matt Bestall who replaced Charlie King and Dan Evans in the starting line-up. Cam Osborne made a welcome return on the bench for the suspended Lucas Green-Birch.
Following the match between these teams at Silkmore Lane late in January, Brocton have managed only one game due to the weather, the last gasp loss to Stockport.
The Badgers were off to a fine start with the ball pinched in midfield and Connor Haddaway finding Reg Smith with a sharp pass, which the striker slipped to Morgan Payne. Payne was a little ahead of the pass and could not adjust quickly enough to capitalise on the move. On only 5 minutes though Will Whieldon was on hand in the box to recycle a cross and Reg Smith latched on to his pass bringing a fine save from home keeper Jordan Hadlow.
A good reverse pass to the right wing gave Droylsden their first sniff in attack but the cross from Kyle Oakes was wayward.
Brocton did make their strong early start pay on the quarter hour when the ball was worked from the left flank via a series of first touch passes culminating in Morgan Payne slotting home.
An Adam Weldon throw was passed ahead to Reg Smith to strike firmly on the volley and Hadlow palmed the effort away for a corner and on 20 minutes Smith fought to get past Owen Whitehead, who was keeping close tabs on the striker and his cross deflected into Will Whieldon, whose shot cleared the bar.
It was Droylsden’s time to get through almost immediately when Nellson Van sprinted past Adam Weldon and got to the edge of the box, where Kenny Devoir produced what was to be one of many timely covering tackles to block any progress.
On 25 minutes it was Shaquille Lewys who this time outpaced Matt Bestall on Brocton’s other flank but Tom Vaughan, Devoir’s equally alert centre back partner was across to see out the danger.
Droylsden’s closest attempt to that point came from Oakes and Anthony Warburton combining on their right and Oakes putting in a firm cross come shot from deep into Brocton’s box, which Van tried in vain to deflect goal wards and Tony Allsopp held.
Allsopp followed up with a fine save above his head from the next attack, when unfortunately for the home team Fuad Kasali had to give way to injury. He was replaced by Joel Ankers and the home side continued to probe as the half drew to a close.
Half Time: Droylsden 0 Brocton 1
The Badgers made another impressively quick start to the second period with Connor Haddaway finding a cross into the box, Whieldon changing the direction from the back post and Jake Thomas firing wide.
Then followed a series of substitutions with Owen Whitehead being replaced by Jnai Butterfield-Steede and Kyle Oakes being replaced by Elliott Fenton in an attacking change of formation. Dan Evans came on for Connor Haddaway for the Badgers.
Droylsden’s change almost paid dividends straight away as a fine cross field pass led to a charge on goal only for the final shot to go high and wide. Brocton had not recovered though as Fenton shot low and a deflection had Allsopp stretching to palm the ball onto the post from where it was cleared to safety.
On 70 minutes, with Droylsden continuing to throw the kitchen sink at Brocton Matt Bestall was first sin binned and then substituted when he returned to play by Charlie King.
Brocton continued to keep Droylsden at bay without being able to mount any further threat of their own and with 7 minutes, which turned in to 10, of additional time being played, there was still an opportunity for youngster Seb Conaghan to replace the tired legs of Reg Smith and a second yellow card for Joel Ankers, seeing red as he tripped the youngster in full flight. The Badgers retained their narrow lead to bring them back within two points of current leaders Stockport Town.
Full Time: Droylsden 0 Brocton 1 Attendance:444
Droylsden: Jordan Hadlow, Anthony Warburton, Harry Shipton, Elvis Amoakwe, Owen Whitehead (Jnai Butterfield-Steede), Kyle Oakes (Elliott Fenton), Benjamin Lowe, Caelan KIlheeney, Nellson Van, Shaquille Lewys, Fuad Kasali. (Joel Ankers)
Unused: Joseph Keyworth, Oliver McKay,
Brocton: Tony Allsopp, Adam Weldon (Josh Simcox), Matt Bestall (Charlie King), Kenny Devoir, Tom Vaughan, Ben Haddaway, Will Whieldon, Jake Thomas, Reg Smith (Seb Conaghan), Connor Haddaway (Dan Evans), Morgan Payne (Cam Osborne).
Yellow Card: Ankers (Droylsden); Weldon, Thomas (Brocton)
Sin-Bin: Bestall (Brocton)
Red Card: Ankers (Droylsden)
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