Saturday 12th March
North West Counties Football League First Division South
Brocton 2 Cheadle Heath Nomads 0
Brocton made one change from the side that drew at Cammell Laird last weekend with 16 year old Jack Bostock replacing Christian Blanchette in the starting line-up. Kenny Devoir, Ben Haddaway and Dan Evans remained unavailable for selection.
Brocton began the game playing into the teeth of a strong wind but dominated the early play. Reg Smith was the first to have an attempt on goal with his 6th minute shot being deflected for a corner. Two minutes later, Smith tried an audacious chip, but it was comfortably caught by Nomads keeper Dimeji Willan. Connor Haddaway was next to try his luck with his effort from 20 yards well wide of the target. An excellent cross from the impressive Jordan Milne was caught well by Tony Allsopp as Cheadle heath struggled to cope with the wind at their backs. On 27 minutes, Brad Rolston went down under a challenge in the penalty area but the screams for a penalty were waved away by the referee. Brocton should have taken the lead in the 33rd minute. A pinpoint cross from Alex Curtis found the head of the unmarked Smith but his header was off target. Two minutes later, Allsopp was caught with the ball under his feet with Luke Haddaway coming to his rescue, conceding a corner to blunt the danger. Brocton continued to be the dominant side and a chest down from Smith was volleyed over the bar by Connor Haddaway. Smith missed another good chance, volleying over from short range. With four minutes to the break, Cheadle Heath had an excellent chance to break the deadlock. Kyle Foley shrugged off a challenge from Luke Haddaway, drove forward and forced a fine save from Allsopp. The rebound fell to Danny McLaughlin and om Vaughan was on hand to block the effort.
Half-Time: Brocton 0 Cheadle Heath Nomads 0
Cheadle Heath started the second half on the front foot. George Blackwell beat Adam Weldon down the right, but his cross was overhit and the opportunity wasted. A shot from Kieran OConnell took a big deflection and floated into the arms of the grateful Allsopp. In the 50th minute a drive from Brad Rolston cleared the Cheadle heath bar. Smith took aim with an effort with his shot hitting s defender and falling comfortably for Willan. Cheadle Heath should have been level on the hour mark. An excellent cross from substitute Ryan Shenton was met at the far post by McLaughlin but he somehow cleared the crossbar with the goal at his mercy. Cheadle Heath were having an excellent spell and a shot from Foley took a deflection and went out for a corner. Foley was then off target when well placed. Brocton should have scored in the 65th minute. Curtis played the ball into Smith at the near post but Willan somehow manged to block the attempt. Brocton finally broke the deadlock in the 67th minute. Osborne found space inside the right edge of the penalty area and his volley gave Willan no chance. Brocton had a great chance to double the lead within a couple of minutes when Curtis sent Rolston clear and with just the keeper to beat, he blasted the ball over the bar. Smith picked up the ball in the centre of the park, moved the ball to the right and hit a rocket of a shot into the side netting. The visitors should have been level in the 81st minute. Another excellent cross from Shenton reached Kieran Alley at the far post and he inexplicably missed the target. In the 83rd minute, Smith went on another forward run but was robbed by his own skipper, Connor Haddaway who hit a first time shot inches wide. Brocton made it two with five minutes remaining. Smith played a revers ball to Curtis who slipped past two defenders before sliding the ball into the far corner. There was a worrying moment for Allsopp a couple of minutes later as he collided with the post as he saved a near post effort. With time almost up, Sam Hollinsworth blocked a goal bound effort from Jack Taylor enabling Brocton to keep a clean sheet and move into 10th place in the table.
Full-Time: Brocton 2 Cheadle Heath Nomads 0 Attendance: 101
Brocton: Tony Allsopp, Jack Bostock; Adam Weldon; Luke Haddaway, Tom Vaughan, Alex Curtis, Brad Rolston (Sam Hollinsworth 75), Jake Thomas, Reg Smith, Connor Haddaway, Cam Osborne. Subs (Not Used): Cam Jackson, Ethan Harris, Jake Triggs, Ethan Scutt
Cheadle Heath Nomads: Dimeji Willan, Robert Wallis, Harry Shipton (Craig Coates 82), Kieran OConnell (Ryan Shenton 59), Thomas Greenfield, Jack Taylor, George Blackwell (Kieran Alley 71), Joshua Tinker, Danny McLaughlin, Kyle Foley, Jordan Milne. Subs (Not Used): Thomas Horner, Max Lewens
Yellow Card: Smith (Brocton)
