Tuesday 3rd August 2021
Eccleshall 3 Brocton 2 at Pershall Park
Brocton made one change from the side that lost at Sandbach United with Todd Pryor replacing Malaki Norford in the starting line-up. With both sides having lost their opening games, it added an extra edge to this local derby.
Brocton started on the front foot, and they took the lead in the 2nd minute. Brad Rolston’s shot was saved by Zak Noble. Dean Williams picked up the ball on the right hand side and his cross evaded Noble. Rolston was on hand at the far post to make sure it had crossed the line. The home side responded with Jack Dundas having a shot deflected for a corner. Eccleshall were closer to an equaliser in the 6th minute when a header from Harvey Collins looped goalwards, Moreton getting a fingertip to the ball to turn it onto the cross bar before the Badgers defence hooked the ball clear. Moreton again stood firm to turn away an effort from Liam Tomlin. Jake Thomas picked out the overlap from Adam Weldon and his cross fizzed across the box with no-one on hand to apply the finishing touch. Brocton were pressing for a second and Dean Williams and Jack Weldon both had shots comfortably handled by Noble. The end to end nature of the game continued with Peter Murphy off target from a dangerous corner. The home side were level in the 17th minute. A cross from Tomlin was parried by Moreton with Dundas reacting quicker and turning the ball home. Within two minutes, the Badgers had regained the lead. Dan Evans found space on the left, cut inside, and placed his right footed shot into the far corner past the outstretched arms of Noble. Evans was close to a second when Thomas’s cross was just too far in front of the onrushing left back. In the 23rd minutes, Thomas was dreadfully unlucky as his left footed shot had Noble beaten but rebounded off the Eccleshall crossbar. The dangerous Dundas dragged a shot wide after an excellent driving run at the heart of the Brocton defence. Eccleshall were level in the 33rd minute. A free-kick was floated into the box and met with a powerful header by Murphy who gave Moreton no chance. Five minutes later, the home side completed the turnaround. Another free-kick was cleared by Thomas, but Tomlin volleyed the loose ball through the bodies in the box. Brocton had a chance for an immediate response with Jack Weldon’s shot saved by Noble. On the stroke of half-time, a mistake at the back by Jamie Weldon gave a chance to Louis Downs but he lobbed over the bar.
Half-Time: Eccleshall 3 Brocton 2
Early in the second half, Downs wasted a good chance for the home side, clearing the bar when in a good position. Downs also saw a free-kick comfortably saved by Moreton. Substitute Norford, on for the injured Jack Weldon, forced a god save from Noble after he had glided past two defenders. Brocton were having plenty of possession without threatening the equaliser. A poor header back to Moreton by Kenny Devoir, almost let in Jordan Hall but Moreton rescued his teammate grabbing the ball off the feet of the Eccleshall striker. Dundas continued to be a threat and he hit a firm shot just over the bar. Brocton had a great chance in the 76th minute when a cross from the right picked out Williams but his header was off target. Brocton continued to push for the equaliser, and it almost came when Jamie Welson’s ball in was met at the far post by Evans who guided his shot just wide. With two minutes left, Brocton were again foiled by the woodwork. A great run from Adam Weldon, cutting in from the right ended with the skipper firing goalwards only to see his shot rattle the crossbar. Five minutes into added time, the final chance of the match fell to Thomas, but he missed the target and the Badgers fell to their second defeat in two games.
Full-Time: Eccleshall 3 Brocton 2 Att:117
Eccleshall: Zak Noble, Harvey Collins, Lewis Dunn, Peter Murphy (Joel Mills 57), Jake Langridge, Jack Flanaghan (Andrew Dodd 66), Liam Tomlin, Jordan Benton, Jack Dundas, Samir Azam, Louis Downs (Joel Mills 57). Subs (Not Used): Thomas Riley, Jay Lovatt
Brocton: Josh Moreton, Adam Weldon, Dan Evans, Jamie Weldon, Josh Small, Todd Pryor (Kenny Devoir 65), Brad Rolston (Cam Jackson 77), Jack Weldon (Malaki Norford 49), Dean Williams, Ben Haddaway, Jake Thomas, Subs (Not Used): Josh Mousley, Ben Powell
Yellow Cards: Murphy, Dundas (Eccleshall) Devoir (Brocton)
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