Saturday March 25th
North West Counties Football League First Division South
Maine Road 1 Brocton 2
Brocton made one change from the side that slipped to defeat at Cheadle Town on Tuesday. Skipper Kenny Devoir returned to the starting line-up with Luke Haddaway dropping to the bench. Maine Road beat play-off contenders Ellesmere Rangers in their last home game and were looking to dent Brocton’s own play-off ambitions.
Brocton started quickly and Morgan Payne had a shot blocked after just 20 seconds. On a very difficult surface, both sides struggled to play any crisp passing football. In the 8th minute, Ben Mooney sent Jake Pogson clear but his cross was cleared. The ball eventually came back to Mooney and his lob hit the top of the crossbar. Charlie King twice had efforts, a volley just wide and a low shot which was comfortably gathered by Peter Monteith. A good run from Mooney ended with a left-footed shot that was off target. Reg Smith tried his luck from 30 yards, the shot narrowly wide. In the 32nd minute, a pass into the Brocton penalty area found Francesco Frangillo who struggled to get the ball out from under his feet and the shot was deflected for a corner. Maine Road took the lead a minute later when Frangillo broke free and hit a shot across Jonty Kearns into the bottom corner. It could have been two, moments later. Frangillo passed to Arek Pociask in front of goal, but Kearns did well to block his shot. On the stroke of half-time a corner from Connor Haddaway was headed onto the bar by Smith.
Half-time: Maine Road 1 Brocton 0
Brocton had an excellent chance to drew level five minutes into the second half. King did remarkably well to create space and his cross was headed wide by Will Finlay. A minute later, a shot from Jamie Roe was deflected into the arms of Kearns. Brocton were gradually asserting themselves. A lay off from Smith fell to Will Whieldon and his volley flew just over the bar. Sam Scott tried his luck from distance with the ball well wide of goal. An excellent ball from Mooney sent Joshua Clegg clear but his cross was overhit and the danger averted. Brocton drew level in the 70th minute. A free-kick from Jake Triggs was volleyed into the net by Payne at the far post. Brocton continued to drive forward for a winner and Smith hit a shot over the bar. In the 81st minute, a Tom Vaughan snap shot was just wide of Monteith’s post. Brocton took the lead in the 87th minute. Payne played a weighted pass into the path of Alex Curtis. The player-manager took his time, picked his spot and placed a left-footed shot into the corner of the net. Three minutes into stoppage time, Whieldon was foiled by an excellent challenge from Tom Ingham. Two minutes later, Maine Road had a chance to equalise but James Perry headed over and the points were heading South to Silkmore Lane.
Full-Time: Maine Road 1 Brocton 2 Attendance:98
Maine Road: Peter Monteith, Jake Pogson, Tom Ingham, Ryan Eislet, James Perry, Ben Mooney (Tommy Duffy 90+2), Francesco Frangillo, Jamie Roe, Arek Pociask (Yousif Yousif 59), Abdi Addow (Mark Holdridge 19), Joshue Clegg (Alex Rimmer 75). Sub (Not Used): Rees Welsh
Brocton: Jonty Kearns, Adam Weldon (Luke Haddaway 63), Jake trigs, Kenny Devoir, Tom Vaughan, Will Whieldon, Will Finlay (Sam Scott 63), Charlie King (Alex Curtis 82), Reg Smith, Connor Haddaway, Morgan Payne. Subs (Not Used): Lewis Rowley, Mario Novaku
Yellow Cards: Ingham (Maine Road)
