Badgers slip to defeat

Saturday 16th March

North West Counties Football League First Division South

Brocton 0 Ashville 1

Brocton were without Jake Thomas, Charlie King taking his place in the starting line-up. There was a welcome return for Christian Blanchette on the subs bench, 3 months after his horrific injury at Stockport Town. Ashville came into the game in the bottom three following a long list of postponements.

Brocton started brightly and could have taken the lead inside the first minute. Morgan Payne teed up Reg Smith and his piledriver of a shot rattled the Ashville crossbar. Two minutes later, Payne set up Connor Haddaway and his shot was deflected for a corner. Brocton continued to pile forward and a delightful ball into the box from Smith picked out Will Whieldon, his shot coming back off the post albeit from an offside position. Payne was next to try his luck, his shot safely gathered by William Ebbrell. Ebbrell made a fine save in the 12th minute, saving at the near post from Smith when it looked a goal all the way. Smith was again on target in the 19th minute, but the shot was comfortable for Ebbrell. Ashville’s first attack of note came in the 22nd minute. An excellent run from Peter Morgan, saw a cross come in from the left and it was headed wide by Joe Dulson. Ashville had weathered the early Brocton storm and the game turned into a midfield arm wrestle. In the 33rd minute, a floated free kick from Connor Haddaway took a slight deflection as it drifted just past the post. On the stroke of half-time, Payne tried his luck from 25 yards, but it was easy fayre for Ebbrell.

Half-Time; Brocton 0 Ashville 0

Ashville had the ball in Brocton’s net in the first minute of the second half. Morgan supplied the finish, but he was flagged offside. A minute later, Morgan was through again and his shot was inches wide of the post with Tony Allsopp beaten. Brocton in turn had the ball in the net moments later, the goal being ruled out for a foul on the keeper. In the 64th minute, Brocton again hit the woodwork. Connor Haddaway found Whieldon and his shot rebounded off the post. An excellent run from Smith beating three men saw him win a corner on the right. From the corner, a cross from Connor Haddaway was headed wide by Smith. Ashville took the lead in the 72nd minute. A well delivered free kick from Joshua Maldon was headed home by Toby Jones, his header giving Allsopp no chance. The introduction of Blanchette gave Brocton added energy as they strove for an equaliser. Ashville were forced further and further back as Brocton threw the kitchen sink at the visitors. In the 94th minute, Alex Curtis hit a superb shot which rebounded off the cross bar, Ebbrell saving Smith’s follow up header. Ashville threw bodies in the way as Brocton tried everything to get back in the game. Despite 10 minutes of added time, the visitors held on to take a valuable three points.

Full-Time: Brocton 0 Ashville 1 Attendance:124

Brocton: Tony Allsopp, Adam Weldon (Josh Simcox 60), Matty Bestall (Alex Curtis 89), Kenny Devoir (Christian Blanchette 74), Tom Vaughan, Ben Haddaway (Cam Osborne 82), Will Whieldon, Charlie King, Reg Smith, Connor Haddaway, Morgan Payne. Sub (Not Used): Ben Hackett

Ashville: William Ebbrell, Adam Sunners, Connor Courtnell, Toby Jones, Shaun Farrell, Charlie Bennett, Joe Dulson, Kasey Smith (Tom Davies 70), Shaun Parrington (Jack Fradgley 90+6), Josh Maldon, Peter Morgan. Subs (Not Used): James Kelly, Beni Vulu, Gary Jones

Yellow Cards: Weldon, Devoir (Brocton); Courtnell, Jones, Maldon, Davies (Ashville)