A late charge from the Badgers almost comes off but Barnton score a late goal to extend their winning score line.
Saturday September 25th
North West Counties Football League First Division South
Barnton 4 Brocton 2 at Townfield
Brocton welcomed back Dan Evans and Brad Rolston from injury with Corey Mallen also reclaiming his place in goal.
It was almost the perfect start for Brocton when Cam Jackson’s cross evaded Arran Lyons and rebounded off the post. In the 5th minute, Matthew Waller shot towards goal however a deflection made it easy for Mallen. Ross Avies had a shot on target but again it was a comfortable save for the Brocton keeper. Ben Haddaway shot from the left hand side, but his miscued effort went out for a throw in. In the 19th minute, Mallen made an excellent save to thwart Avies after he had met a cross from Chris Hunt. Todd Pryor headed off the line as a Lewis Edwards lob looked likely to open the scoring for Barnton. Barnton were now in the ascendancy and Jack Duffy was wide from distance. A quick break from Barnton saw the dangerous Tom Edwards into the area but instead of shotting the ball was cleared for a corner. Mallen was again called into action when Waller beat Kieren Nelson, played the ball inside to Tom Edwards but his shot was dealt with by the Brocton keeper. It turned sour for Mallen in the 33rd minute when Avies shrugged off two defenders before being brought down by the Brocton keeper. The referee pointed to the spot and Waller hammered the penalty straight down the middle. Brocton responded with Josh Mousley having a shot saved at the near post by Lyons. Barnton should have made it two in the 40th minute. George Farrelly rounded Mallen and his effort was cleared off the line by Haddaway. Waller wasted another excellent chance for the home side, clearing the bar when he should have done better. Into stoppage time, Tom Edwards cut inside but his shot was off target.
Half-Time: Barnton 1 Brocton 0
Less than a minute into the second half a cross from Pryor was inviting for Jake Thomas but he missed his header. The overlapping William Avon continued to be a threat down the Barnton right and his cross was turned goalwards by Waller forcing Mallen into another save. Barnton increased their lead in the 56th minute and it was a goal of real quality. Alex Jones swept passed Nelson, played a one-two with Matthew Scoular, and slotted the ball calmly underneath Mallen. The introduction of Jordan Monthe off the bench for Barnton created a huge problem for the Brocton defence. In the 58th minute, a cross from Hunt to the far post was met by Monthe but a lack of control enabled Mallen to save. Two minutes later, Monthe beat Evans and his low cross was turned away by the busy Mallen. Monthe was not to be denied and he grabbed Barnton’s third in the 65th minute. He skipped past a challenge on the left hand side, ran into the box and his finish into the roof of the net was clinical. Mallen surpassed his earlier saves with a brilliant double save to thwart Tom Edwards. Monthe almost grabbed his second, but his shot was narrowly wide. Brocton should have pulled a goal back in the 75th minute. A cross from Ryan Douglas, was met by fellow substitute Rolston but he directed his effort past the post. A minute later Brocton had a lifeline. A free-kick from Jamie Weldon was played into the area by Adam Weldon and well the ball fell to Thomas he blasted the ball into the roof of the net. Three minutes later, Douglas met another Jamie Weldon free-kick, but he was inches wide with his effort. Waller will wonder how he failed to score Barnton’s fourth when, in acres of space, he ran through on goal, beat Mallen and put his shot wide of the inviting net. Brocton should have had their second in the 85th minute. A cross from Nelson found Cameron Osbourne in front of goal but he inexplicably side-footed wide. Within a minute Brocton did get their second. Thomas picked his spot from distance giving Lyons no chance. Back came Barnton and Mallen saved well from Monthe after he was teed up by Waller. In stoppage time, Monthe beat Nelson, raced on goal, however Nelson got back to block. The game was settled four minutes into added time when Tom Edwards played the ball into the path of Monthe, who gave Mallen no chance to seal the points for the Villagers.
Full-Time: Barnton 4 Brocton 2 Attendance:151
Barnton: Arran Lyons, William Avon, Christopher Hunt, Matthew Scoular, Alex Jones, Jack Duffy (Ben Forster 67), Matthew Waller, Lewis Edwards, Ross Avies (Macauley Clifton 63), George Farrelly (Jordan Monthe 54), Tom Edwards. Sub (Not Used): Niall Ford
Brocton: Corey Mallen, Adam Weldon, Dan Evans, Kieren Nelson, Jamie Weldon, Ben Haddaway, Josh Mousley (Brad Rolston 63), Jake Thomas, Cam Jackson (Dean Williams 54), Todd Pryor (Ryan Douglas 58), Cameron Osborne. Subs (Not Used): Ben Powell, Harry Griffiths
