Saturday 8th October
Edward Case Cup 2nd Round South
Stockport Town 2 Brocton 0
In a twist of the fixture list, Brocton faced league leaders for the second consecutive Saturday. Ben Haddaway made a welcome first start of the season as he recovers from injury. Brocton were dealt a blow in the warm up as Brad Rolston, himself returning from injury, felt some discomfort and was unable to take his place in the squad. Luke Haddaway was moved into the starting line-up from the subs bench. Stockport made a number of changes from the side that won at Silkmore Lane last week.
Brocton started brightly as they had done last week. Connor Haddaway threaded a ball through to Cam Osborne and his low cross was screwed wide by Charlie King. In the 4th minute, a volley from Connor Haddaway forced a fine save from Stockport keeper Josh Schofield. Stockport left-back Will Calligan, man of the match last week, crossed from the left and it was just too far in front of Kai Johnston. In the 10th minute, Stockport were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area after Kenny Devoir had tripped Jamie Walsh. Lewis McKinney’s free kick was well held by Tony Allsopp. Stockport took the lead in the 19th minute. A through ball picked out McKinney who ran through, rounded Allsopp, and finished with the outside of the foot. McKinney went close to doubling the lead in the 25th minute. He ran through the heart of the Brocton defence and forced a save from Allsopp, When the ball came out, he tried a ‘rabona’ which was comfortably held by the Brocton keeper. Reg Smith tried his luck from out wide, the shot being comfortably held by Schofield. Brocton were very much in the game and Christian Blanchette created an opening, cutting inside from the right, before firing over the bar. The impressive Walsh turned Ben Haddaway and forced a superb save from Allsopp. The ball came back out to Walsh who twisted and turned in the penalty are before curing his shot wide of the target. On the stroke of half-time, McKinney’s first time shot cannoned off the post.
Half-time: Stockport Town 1 Brocton 0
Brocton started the second half brightly and were unlucky not to equalise in the 50th minute. Smith played a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Osborne. He cut back onto his right foot and his shot cannoned off the cross bar with Schofield beaten. McKinney was having a very good game and his shot brought another excellent save out of Allsopp. Allsopp was the busier of the two keepers and in the 57th minute he did well to foil Walsh. In the 66th minute, Sam Hind wasted a good chance for Stockport as he reached a ball in between two defenders but he had no pace on his shot which gave Allsopp the chance to save. Two minutes later, Smith had a shot blocked after good work from King created the chance. Stockport grabbed their second in the 73rd minute. Walsh, not for the first time, twisted inside and out, and his shot went through Allsopp and rolled into the net. Brocton, to their credit, continued to press for goals. Smith forced a good save from Schofield with the ball rebounding behind the Brocton forwards. With five minutes left, Will Finlay chipped Schofield who saved at full stretch.
Full-Time: Stockport Town 2 Brocton 0 Attendance: 58
Stockport Town: Josh Schofield, Kai Johnston, Will Calligan (Will Shawcross 81), Michael Raynes, Tom Morris, Jamie Wrench, Lewis McKinney (Daniel McLaughlin 86), Sam Hare, Sam Hind (Scott McGown 72), Jamie Walsh, Leandro Tanswell Vargas (Kyle Foley 70). Sub (Not Used): Paul Turnbull
Brocton: Tony Allsopp, Luke Haddaway (Will Finlay 70), Jake trigs, Jack Bostock, Kenny Devoir, Ben Haddaway (Morgan Payne 62), Christian Blanchette, Charlie King (Ethan Harris 78), Reg Smith, Connor Haddaway (Jake Thomas 41), Cam Osborne
Yellow Cards: Hare (Stockport Town), Blanchette, Smith (Brocton)
