New Mills 3 Brocton 4
In a topsy turvey game, the Badgers came back from the High Peaks with all 3 points last night. Taking a 2-0 lead into the latter end of the first half, the home side came all the way back to lead 3-2 with 15 minutes to go. But this Bagders side never quit and a goals from Reg Smith to equalise led to a 93rd minute winner from young Sam Scott.
Tuesday December 20th
North West Counties Division 1 South
New Mills 3 Brocton 4
Both sides were desperate to play, having been unable to since the first week in December. Brocton had Jonty Kearns in goal replacing an unwell Henry Smith and Jack Bostock moving to left back for Jake Triggs, also ill with Kenny Devoir stepping in at centre back. For the home side, Will Hartshorne and Joel Ankers replaced Marcus Dibble and Richard Tindall respectively.
A free kick into Brocton’s box raised early alarm calls as New Mills threatened almost from the kick off but the ball was quickly smothered and it was Reg Smith with a chance at the other end, which was hit low but wide.
The end to end nature of the match was set. Smith had another chance on 5 minutes and was through on goal but a heavy touch took him past the keeper Dylan Forth, but was too strong for Smith to control and score. Will Whieldon went one better on 8 minutes as he too got beyond the home defence. Whieldon had time to set himself and stroke the ball into the net.
Richard Tindall came on for Emmanuel Udjor Omorogbe on 10 minutes and almost immediately the ball was presented to Pa Jenkins with Brocton out of position. It took a good save at the post by Kearns to keep Jenkins’ shot out.
New Mills were intent on going long from the back and Joel Ankers in particular showed good skill in taking the ball and holding it, back to goal and inviting his team mates to support him. For Brocton, also hitting long passes, the speed of the front runners posed their threat.
On 25 minutes Brocton’s threat in attack could easily have been countered as Adam Weldon did well to race to a touch line ball only to keep it in and then be robbed of it. The quick, long forward pass had the Badgers on the back foot and the trio of Kenny Devoir, Whieldon and Jake Thomas raced back to block any intended cross almost on their own goal line.
As the end of the half approached, Reg Smith had another half chance, before Whieldon intercepted a break out pass from New Mills’ defence and sprung forward. He timed his diagonal pass to perfection as Christian Blanchette raced forward and Blanchette was able to control the ball and pass it into the net on the run.
The action was not complete though as Ankers controlled the ball, turned and hit a great shot just past the post before, in the dying seconds, a chance at the far post was hit wildly wide only for the referee to give a penalty for the tackle which caused the miss. Kyle Hawley stepped up with almost the last kick of the half to give the home side a timely lifeline.
Half Time: New Mills 1 Brocton 2
The last gasp goal gave the home side an energy boost and for the next ten minutes they were on top. Just five minutes into the half and Ankers forced his way into the box and got off a shot at goal. Kearns saved the effort but could not prevent Ankers from converting his second chance as the ball fell back into his path.
A further five minutes passed and Jake Thomas was unfortunate to be penalised for hand ball when he inadvertently got in the way of a clearance from his own defence. Chris Rogers stepped up and converted a fine direct free kick. The home side were in front.
Brocton had not thrown in the towel though and chances fell to Blanchette, whose effort was well saved; to Morgan Payne, on for Thomas, who hit his just beyond the far post; and to Connor Haddaway, whose shot was blocked.
It was finally a free kick collected by Reg Smith in the box which brought the Badgers level. He took the ball, turned and shot past Forth on 70 minutes.
Still it was all to play for and chances went both ways. Full back Kyle Oakes got into Brocton’s box before finding Kearns with his shot at goal. Then Sam Scott, another Brocton substitute, had an effort saved at the near post.
But it was left to Scott to grab the winner in stoppage time. He took the ball from half way and twisted and turned as he progressed, with support either side of him and team mates yelling for a pass that never came. He hit a left foot shot just inside his near post with seconds to go. A memorable game which takes the Badgers to third place in the table.
Full Time: New Mills 3 Brocton 4 Attendance:83
New Mills: Dylan Forth, Kyle Oakes, Christopher Rogers, Adam Stuart, William Hartshorne, Emmanuel Udjor Omorogbe, Jack Wray, Pa Jenkins, Joel Ankers. Kyle Hawley, George Howarth.
Subs used: Richard Tindall, Teddy Osipitan
Brocton: Jonty Kearns, Adam Weldon, Jack Bostock, Kenny Devoir, Tom Vaughan,
Ben Haddaway, Will Whieldon, Jake Thomas, Reg Smith, Connor Haddaway,
Christian Blanchette.
Used Subs: Morgan Payne, Sam Scott, Charlie King
