Saturday 18th September
North West Counties Football League First Division South
Brocton 3 St Martins 2
Brocton welcomed back Jake Thomas, Ryan Douglas, and Ben Haddaway to the starting line-up as they welcomed Oswestry based St Martins to Silkmore Lane. The visitors were under new management having appointed a new team six days ago.
It was the visitors that started much the brighter. In the 4th minute, a free-kick from Ash Leather was headed wide by Jordan Harper. Tom Allsopp, in the Brocton goal, was forced into action, tipped over a shot on the turn from Thomas Ash. Thomas had the first chance for Brocton, firing well wide of the target after he had created space. Ben Powell came to Brocton’s rescue in the 32nd minute when Sam Roberts was through on goal with the young defender making a superb saving challenge. A minute later, a free-kick from Thomas was met on the volley by Dean Williams and the St Martins keeper, Jack Jones, made a fine save with his feet. Brocton should have taken the lead in the 37th minute. Cam Jackson played the ball across the goal perfectly into the path of Cameron Osborne. Instead of hitting it first time, the striker tried to jink past the keeper and the chance was gone. They were made to pay within two minutes as St Martins took the lead. The impressive Leather found space on the left, put in a perfect cross for Ash to volley home. In first half stoppage time, Leather beat Adam Weldon but his cross was overhit with team mates in space in the area.
Half-Time: Brocton 0 St Martins 1
Within a minute of the restart, Brocton were again thankful to keeper Allsopp, as he pulled off another excellent save to thwart the onrushing Leather. St Martins continued to be the more positive of the sides and a good break from defence saw Jamie Hands take too much time in front of goal allowing Brocton to clear. A right wing cross from Williams just needed a touch but evaded everyone. On the hour, St Martins should have doubled their lead. Roberts had substitute Nelson Onwusiri in acres of space but only managed to lift the ball into Allsopp’s hands with the goal begging. Two minutes later, Harper headed the ball into the path of Onwusiri, but his shot was wide when he should have hit the target. In the 66th minute, Malaki Norford drove forward with purpose and his low shot was comfortably held by Jones. A minute later, Brocton were level. Todd Pryor threaded a perfectly weighted ball into the path of Williams, who rounded the keeper and tapped the ball home. Parity lasted three minutes as Onwusiri picked out Harper who finished clinically. The mayhem continued with a second Brocton equaliser within 30 seconds. A right wing cross from Williams was volleyed home at short range by Jackson. Back came St Martins and a through ball from Onwusiri saw Hands round Allsopp but the ball ran away from him for a goal kick. The end to end nature of the game continued with Norford playing the ball to the feet of Osborne, who shot over the bar. Onwusiri picked out Harper in space, but the Brocton defence stood firm and blocked his effort. Brocton were finally gaining some ascendancy and Thomas just off target with a curler. Adam Weldon missed a glorious chance after Osborne’s shot had been well saved, he couldn’t keep his effort down. With five minutes left, the St Martins’ goal led a charmed life as Jackson saw his shot saved by Jones and Thomas’ follow up was blocked. The dam wall was finally breached in the 89th minute. Good approach play by Jamie and Adam Weldon saw the latter play the ball into the box for skipper Williams to slide in and convert. Brocton comfortably saw out the remaining time to take all three points.
Full-Time: Brocton 3 St Martins 2 Attendance:68
Brocton: Tony Allsopp, Adam Weldon, Malaki Norford, Josh Small, Ben Powell, Jake Thomas, Ryan Douglas (Todd Pryor 54), Ben Haddaway (Jamie Weldon 61), Cameron Osbourne, Dean Williams, Cam Jackson. Subs (Not Used): Kenny Devoir, Jack Thomas
St. Martins: Jack Jones, Sean Holt (Elson Fernandes 87), Harry Murray, Adrain Barnett, Daniel Fati Cande, Gareth Ratcliffe, Jordan Harper (Rahuf Mak 80), Jamie Hands, Thomas Ash (Nelson Onwusiri 56), Sam Roberts, Ash Leather. Subs (Not Used): Max Sullivan, Sam Klower
