Saturday March 19th
North West Counties Football League First Division South
Brocton 1 Barnton 2
Brocton welcomed back Ben Haddaway and Kenny Devoir from suspension. Haddaway replaced Cam Osborne and Jack Bostock replaced Luke Haddaway in the starting line-up.
Yet again, a swirling wind had a major impact at Silkmore Lane with both sides struggling to gain a foothold in the early stages. First attempt on goal came courtesy of Barnton when Jorge Dwyer saw his shot blocked by Connor Haddaway. Brocton went close when a corner from Alex Curtis was caught by the wind and Christopher Hunt had to head the ball off the line. Brocton went close in the 16th minute. A long throw from Curtis fell to Adam Weldon whose shot was blocked. The ball rebounded to Reg Smith and his shot was deflected for a corner. An excellent drag back by Hunt created an opening and his shot was inches wide. Brocton almost scored a spectacular goal when a long free-kick from Tony Allsopp was volleyed, first time, by Smith just over the bar. A mistake by Ben Haddaway let in Amir Hajri and he squared the ball to Matthew Ball, with his shot agonisingly wide. The visitors broke the deadlock in the 27th minute. The impressive Hajri beat a defender, played the ball inside to Macauley Clifton who side footed home. Brocton responded without testing Barnton keeper Arran Lyons. With a minute left of the half, Smith turned his defender and hit a fierce shot over the angle of bar and post. Smith had another chance in stoppage time. Jack Bostock played the ball to Jake Thomas who flicked the ball into Smith’s path, but a defender did enough to stop him shooting.
Half-Time: Brocton 0 Barnton 1
Brocton were now playing into the teeth of the wind and straight away they appeared more comfortable with the ball being held up. Four minutes into the half, a free-kick from Curtis was headed wide by Tom Vaughan. Brocton were pleading for a penalty when Brad Rolston was tripped on the edge of the penalty area. Smith’s free-kick, from a narrow angle, was gathered by Lyons at the second attempt. A long free-kick from Allsopp was punched by Lyons to Rolston, who failed to keep his shot down. Barnton doubled their lead in the 61st minute. The Brocton back line was caught napping as the ball was played through to Clifton who finished clinically for his second. Brocton pulled a goal back in the 73rd minute. Good footwork by Connor Haddaway saw the ball break for Curtis and his left-foot shoot arrowed into the corner. Within a minute, Brocton had a chance to level, but Thomas’ effort was over the bar. Barnton were content to defend but they were still a threat going forward with Niall Holmes forcing a decent save from Allsopp. In the 84th minute, a free-kick from Curtis was missed by Ben Haddaway, the ball drifting past Lyons’ post. In stoppage time, Thomas found space and he fizzed a shot wide of the post and Barnton held on for a deserved victory on the day.
Full-Time: Brocton 1 Barnton 2 Attendance:64
Brocton: Tony Allsopp, Adam Weldon (Kenny Devoir 56), Dan Evans, Jack Bostock, Tom Vaughan, Ben Haddaway, Alex Curtis, Jake Thomas, Reg Smith, Connor Haddaway, Brad Rolston (Will Finlay 68). Subs (Not Used): Ethan Harris, Jake Triggs
Barnton: Arran Lyons, Matthew Ball, Alex Jones, Lukas Jacobsen-Murpy, Jack Duffy, Niall Holmes, Christopher Hunt, Lewis Edwards, Amir Hajri (Matthew Scoullar 83), Jorge Dwyer (Ross Avies 68), Macauley Clifton (Harrison Sutton 81).
Yellow Cards: Jacobsen-Murpy (Barnton)
