Saturday December 9th
North West Counties Football League First Division South
Brocton 5 Abbey Hulton United 0
Brocton were unchanged from the side that beat Cheadle Heath Nomads at Silkmore Lane two weeks ago. Adam Weldon made a welcome return to the squad to take his place amongst the substitutes. Abbey Hulton had made a fine start to the season, sitting in a play-off place. They included former Brocton player, Jamie Weldon in their match day squad.
The visitors were almost in on goal inside the first minute. Aiden Lloyd won the ball with an excellent challenge and fed Harry Griffiths, but he was caught offside before he could bare down on Tony Allsopp’s goal. Brocton’s first chance of the game fell to Jake Thomas in the 4th minute and his shot from 25 yards was just over the bar. Morgan Payne created a chance out of nothing in the 10th minute. He brought down a long ball with superb control before chipping Abbey keeper Zak Hill who made a comfortable save. Brocton were beginning to find their feet. A delightful ball into the box from Connor Haddaway was flicked on by Tom Vaughan and bundled behind for a corner. In the 13th minute, Reg Smith spotted an opening, and his shot was superbly saved by Hill at full stretch. Smith almost turned provider in the 19th minute. He broke quickly down the right and his cross picked out Payne. Payne struggled to control the ball first time and he was closed out by the Abbey defence. Connor Haddaway had a shot on target which was comfortably held by Hill. Abbey went close in the 27th minute. A long clearance was headed on by Jayden Shepherd to Bradley Wilson who volleyed wide. Within a minute, Brocton took the lead. Ben Haddaway threaded an inch perfect pass into the path of Payne who lifted the ball over Hill into the net. It was almost two a couple of minutes later. A cross from Will Whieldon was met on the volley by Smith, the ball deflecting off the defender for a corner. Brocton’s 2nd goal came in the 37th minute. Charlie King skipped over a challenge on the right touch line, whipped the ball into the 6-yard box where Payne got in front of the defender to supply a clinical finish. On the stroke of half-time, Brocton increased their lead with a wonderful team goal. Four players were involved with a sharp interchange of passes around the box, sending Thomas clear and his finish was superb. In stoppage time it could have been four. Smith played the ball into the path of Whieldon, who rounded Hill and from a tight angle his shot was cleared off the line by Joe Lewis.
Half-time: Brocton 3 Abbey Hulton United 0
Brocton made a change at half-time with Reg Smith being replaced by Cam Osborne. Abbey Hulton started the second half well, playing a passing game that had been lacking in the first half. Despite plenty of possession, they created little with Tony Allsopp not tested at all. Their period of possession was halted with a Brocton fourth goal in the 68th minute. Again, the approach play was superb, one touch football around the edge of the box with Payne supplying the finish for his hat-trick. In the 73rd minute, the visitors had a shot on target, Liam Robinson’s free kick easily held by Allsopp. Joshua Bristow cleared the bar with another effort as Abbey attempted to get back into the game. With three minutes remaining, teenage substitute Ben Hackett had a shot from distance which cleared the bar. Brocton made it five in the 90th minute. Payne laid the ball off to King, who side footed into the corner. Four minutes later, another young substitute Seb Conaghan sent King clear, and one-on-one with Hill, it was the Abbey keeper that came out on top. The final chance of the game fell to Abbey sub Charlie Milczarek-Grocott whose shot hit the side netting.
Full-Time: Brocton 5 Abbey Hulton United 0 Attendance:123
Brocton: Tony Allsopp, Charlie King, Charlie Marshall (Adam Weldon 63), Kenny Devoir (Ben Hackett 79), Tom Vaughan, Ben Haddaway (Ryan Douglas 75), Will Whieldon (Seb Conaghan 79), Jake Thomas, Reg Smith (Cam Osborne 45), Connor Haddaway, Morgan Payne
Abbey Hulton United: Zak Hill, Thomas Braithwaite, Sam Wytcherley (Joshua Bristow 66), Joe Lewis, Daniel Allen, Matthew Plant, Bradley Wilson, Jack Gumbley, Jayden Shepherd (Liam Robinson 51), Aiden Lloyd, Harry Griffiths (Charlie Milczarek-Grocott). Subs (Not Used): Shaun Cave, Jamie Weldon
Yellow Cards: Smith (Brocton); Wytcherley, Allen (Abbey Hulton United)
