Saturday 19th November
Macron Cup 2nd Round
Brocton 1 Congleton Town 2
Brocton made a number of changes from the side that beat Whitchurch Alport in the FA Vase last weekend. Most notable was a debut between the sticks for 16 year old Jonty Kearns, in for the injured Tony Allsop. Premier Division Congleton Town paid Brocton the respect of fielding a full strength side.
The first glimpse of goal fell for Brocton in the 4th minute when a crossfield ball was just in front of Christian Blanchette. In the 11th minute, Kearns made his first save in senior football, doing well to thwart Abiola Sanusi. Congleton were stretching the Brocton defence and an excellent cross from Jordi Nsaka was headed over the bar by former Port Vale striker Tom Pope. Sanusi was a threat on the right and an excellent cross was cut out by Badgers skipper Kenny Devoir. From the corner, Congleton were in front. The ball was delivered from the right by Peter Williams and Darren Chadwick rose above the Brocton defence to head home. Congleton were on the hunt for more goals and a cross from Mackenzie Faulkner was headed goalwards by Pope with Kearns gathering the ball. Pope tested Kearns with the young Brocton keeper saving well with his legs. Brocton’s first chance of the game came in the 21st minute. Reg Smith raced clear of the Congleton defence with his resulting shot easily saved by Craig Ellison. On the half hour mark, Smith beat two Congleton defenders but dragged his shot wide of the goal. Pope, leading the line superbly for Congleton, laid the ball into the path of George Sankey and his shot was blocked. From the corner on the left, Ryan Read’s header was cleared off the line by Jake Triggs. Williams was running the midfield for Congleton and a pinpoint cross was headed over by Ethan Hartshorn. Brocton went close in the 39th minute. A free kick from Connor Haddaway was fumbled by Ellison and Blanchette couldn’t turn the ball home from a tight angle. With two minutes of the half remaining, a Williams free kick was met by the head of Pope and Kearns made another good save. A minute later, a speculative effort from Smith from 30 yards was tipped over the bar by Ellison. Congleton had a chance to double their lead, Williams fired wide from a Pope knock down.
Half-Time: Brocton 0 Congleton Town 1
The second half began as a more even contest with Brocton striving for an equaliser. A free kick from Smith from a tight angle was saved by Ellison at his near post. Hartshorn had a chance for Congleton, but his shot was over the bar. Good play from Brocton saw Smith hit a first time shot straight at Ellison. Kearns foiled Pope again on the hour mark before Brocton were given a lifeline. Smith played the ball into the path of Connor Haddaway who was adjudged to have been fouled in the act of shooting. Connor Haddaway took the responsibility from the spot and gave Ellison no chance. Brocton’s joy was short lived as Congleton retook the lead within 60 seconds. Pope laid the ball off to Richard Duffy and his shot flew into the bottom corner. Brocton had a great chance in the 70th minute. Ellison raced off his line and was beaten to the ball by Smith. From distance, Smith took aim, but was off target. Jordi Nsaka went close for Congleton firing just wide. Brocton had another chance when Ben Haddaway floated the ball into the area, finding the feet of Smith, with the Brocton leading scorer missing his kick. In the 74th minute, the woodwork saved Brocton. Sankey wriggled past two challenges and his shot rebounded off the post with Kearns beaten. A minute later, the woodwork again saved Brocton. A shot from Sanusi clipped the heel of Jack Bostock and hit the outside of the post. Charlie King forced a good save from Ellison as Brocton continued to look for an equaliser. In the 81st minute, Congleton hit the woodwork for the third time, Pope’s shot beating Kearns but rebounding off the post. Duffy could have sealed it for Congleton but blasted over when in a good position. In stoppage time, Smith took aim, but his shot was deflected into the arms of Ellison.
Full-Time; Brocton 1 Congleton Town 2 Attendance:135
Brocton: Jonty Kearns, Adam Weldon, Jake Triggs (Sam Scott 82), Luke Haddaway (Tom Vaughan 55), Kenny Devoir (Jack Bostock 58), Ben Haddaway, Will Finlay (Charlie King 67), Jake Thomas, Reg Smith, Connor Haddaway, Christian Blanchette (Morgan Payne 74)
Congleton Town: Craig Ellison, Mackenzie Faulkner, Jordi Nsaka, Peter Williams, Ryan Read, Darren Chadwick, George Sankey, Shakeel Jones-Griffiths (Richard Duffy 45), Tom Pope, Ethan Hartshorn, Abiola Sanusi. Subs (Not Used): Rocco Fregapane, Marco Fregapane, Oliver Griffiths
Yellow Card: Faulkner (Congleton)
