Saturday 30th July 2022
North West Counties Football League First Division South
Stockport Georgians 1 Brocton 3
Brocton began their league campaign with a trip to newly promoted Stockport Georgians. Callum Hayward made his debut in goal with Tony Allsopp unavailable and Jake Triggs took his place at left back. The very youthful subs bench included 16 year old Charlie King.
The Badgers started on the front foot. An excellent crossfield ball from Kenny Devoir opened up the Stockport defence and won Brocton an early corner. Brocton were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box in the 5th minute when Christian Blanchette was tripped. Reg Smith stepped up and his low free-kick was saved at the second attempt by Harry Roper. Brocton continued to press with Smith heading wide from a Blanchette cross. In the 8th minute, Smith found space and forced a fine save from Roper. Triggs almost opened his Badgers account when his shot from a Connor Haddaway corner flew inches wide. Devoir was next to try his luck, clearing the bar when in a great position. Brocton wasted a glorious chance in the 17th minute. Smith sent Blanchette clear down the right. He raced on goal, and one-on-one with keeper Roper, his shot was wide of the post. Smith turned provider again, this time for Connor Haddaway but his shot was weak and easily held. Smith again combined with Blanchette, who was giving Will Callan a torrid time, and the winger forced a fine save from Roper. Stockport came more into the game as the half petered out without causing any concerns for keeper Hayward.
Half-Time: Stockport Georgians 0 Brocton 0
Stockport made two changes at half-time as they attempted to halt the damage being caused down their left. The home side started the second half the better without troubling the Brocton defence. The first chance of the half fell to Cam Osborne, who headed wide from a Connor Haddaway free-kick. The Badgers took a deserved lead in the 56th minute. An inch perfect cross from Devoir picked out Smith and his header was planted into the corner of the net. Jake Thomas tried his luck from distance, but it was straight at keeper Roper. Stockport were level in the 64th minute. The ball was played a cross from the right and Will Finlay, tracking back, and Hayward left it for each other to deal with enabling Thomas Russell to nip in and poke the ball home. Brocton responded positively and Thomas fizzed a volley just over the bar. Brocton regained the lead ion the 70th minute when Connor Haddaway took advantage of some poor defending, laid the ball into the path of Osborne who sidefooted into the corner. The home side were still very much in the game and excellent play from skipper Joel Atkinson saw the Badgers’ defence clear for a corner. The corner from the right was met by the head of Thomas Obrien but, fortunately for the Badgers, the ball cleared the cross bar. George Blackwell shot on the turn but that too failed to force a save from Hayward. Brocton had an excellent chance to make it three when Adam Weldon’s cross was met by the head of Finlay, but it was easily held by Roper. Brocton put the game to bed with a third in the 88th minute. The ball was played into the are and a poor clearance from Matthew Widdowson fell to King, who hammered the ball home for a debut goal. Brocton had one more chance before the final whistle when a raking Crossfield ball from Tom Vaughan picked out Alex Curtis. The manager cushioned the ball into the path of Smith and his volley drifted agonisingly wide.
Full-Time: Stockport Georgians 1 Brocton 3 Attendance:163
Stockport Georgians: Harry Roper, Paul Connor, Will Callan (Ashnie Harvey 45), Samuel Corbishley (Matthew Widdowson 70), Thomas Obrien, Thomas Russell (Callum Campbell 73), Adam Dahou, Euan Melia (William Wareing 45), Kyle Wych, George Blackwell, Joel Atkinson. Sub (Not Used): Taylor Apsley
Brocton: Callum Hayward, Adam Weldon, Jake Triggs (Luke Haddaway 78), Jack Bostock, Tom Vaughan, Kenny Devoir, Christian Blanchette (Will Finlay 62), Jake Thomas, Reg Smith, Connor Haddaway (Charlie King 81), Cam Osborne (Alex Curtis 85). Subs (Not Used): Lewis Rowley
Yellow Cards: Widdowson (Stockport Georgians), Blanchette (Brocton)
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