Saturday 17th September
North West Counties Football League First Division South
Cammell Laird 1907 2 Brocton 2
Brocton made two changes from the side beaten at home by Abbey Hulton in midweek. Jake Triggs returned for the injured Henry Smith while Cam Osborne was given the nod ahead of Will Finlay. Ben Haddaway and Brad Rolston both returned on the subs bench.
Brocton had the first attempt of the game when Jack Bostock cleared the bar with a drive in the 4th minute. The home side had a chance in the 7th minute when a clearance from Tony Allsopp hit Cammell Lairds striker Kalif Koura. The ball rebounded to skipper Jake Hulley, but his cross was overhit and went out for a goal kick. It was Cammell Laird that opened the scoring in the 11th minute. A ball over the top picked out Koura in acres of space. The big striker needed no second invitation, and his finish gave Allsopp no chance. Worse was to follow for Brocton, as Cammell Laird doubled their lead seven minutes later. Again, the Brocton defence was caught sleeping as Ellis Bolton collected a through ball and beat Allsopp with ease. Brocton needed to respond, and Morgan Payne shot just over in the 23rd minute following a lay-off from Reg Smith. Brocton pulled a goal back in the 36th minute. A free kick from Allsopp, fell at the feet of Osborne and his low shot was placed to perfection. Two minutes later, the game erupted following a challenge in midfield by Brocton skipper Kenny Devoir. Pushing and shoving ensued with most of the players involved. The referee booked Devoir for the challenge and also cautioned Kieron Frost for retaliation. The home side should have extended their lead in the 43rd minute. Ben Wood played the ball inside to Koura who chose to side foot an effort wide where a strong shot may well have troubled Allsopp. On the stroke of half-tome. Payne picked out Smith who beat his defender but hammered his shot over the bar.
Half-Time: Cammell Laird 1907 2 Brocton 1
Brocton came out with fresh impetus and began to put Cammell Laird under severe pressure. They really should have been level a couple of minutes into the half. Connor Haddaway and Jake Thomas combined on a short free kick allowing Thomas to clip the ball into the area. This was met by the head of the unmarked Cam Jackson. The normally dependable striker headed the ball into the ground, and it bounced up into the arms of the grateful Nathan Davidson. Brocton were well in the ascendancy and Osborne ran across goal, the ball breaking for Connor Haddaway whose shot was blocked. Another chance went begging in the 64th minute. Osborne beat Lee Rodgers and shot over the bar from a tight angle when a pull back to Smith was probably the better option. Brocton had the ball in the net in the 61st minute. A corner from Connor Haddaway was headed home at the far post by Smith but the goal was ruled out for a push. A rare foray forward from Cammell Laird saw Rodgers’ shot blocked after the ball broke for the full back. Brocton had another decent opening in the 69th minute. A long clearance from Allsopp was controlled by Smith, who shrugged off his defender but shot straight at Davidson rather than attempt to lift it over him. A minute later, Will Finlay was through on goal but his weak shot was comfortably saved by Davidson. Brocton continued to push for the equaliser and the goal eventually came in the 89th minute. Osborne again beat his defender, crossed the ball low into the box and Finlay was on hand to tap it home. The home side had a chance to retake the lead when Koura was picked out in space, but he failed to control the ball and the Brocton defence snuffed out the opportunity. The turnaround was almost completed deep into added time. Brocton were awarded a free-kick some 25 yards out in the 7th minute of time added on. Smith took aim and only a superb save from Davidson kept the scores level. Connor Haddaway took the resulting corner, Finlay headed the ball goalwards, and Ross Waring headed the ball off the line.
Full-Time: Cammell Laird 1907 2 Brocton 2 Attendance:78
Cammell Laird 1907: Nathan Davidson, Jake Hulley, Lee Rodgers (John-James King 68), Ross Waring, River Humphreys, Danny Stephens, Joe Downey (Ben Kerr 71), Ellis Bolton, Kalif Koura (Ben Kelly 90+3), Ben Wood (Ben Carr-Lowe 80), Kieron Frost. Sub (Not Used): Jack Wood
Brocton: Tony Allsopp, Jack Bostock, Jake Triggs, Luke Haddaway (Christian Blanchette 54), Kenny Devoir, Morgan Payne (Brad Rolston 79), Cam Osborne, Jake Thomas (Ben Haddaway 90+3), Reg Smith, Connor Haddaway, Cam Jackson (Will Finlay 65). Sub (Not Used): Ethan Harris
Yellow Cards: Waring, Koura, Wood, Frost, Kerr (Cammel Laird 1907), Devoir (Brocton)
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