Wednesday November 30th
North West Counties Football League First Division South
Brocton 6 Cheadle Town 2
Brocton were unchanged from the side that beat Alsager Town on Saturday. Henry Snith continued to deputise for Tony Allsopp in goal. Cheadle Town gave a debut to former Abbey Hey midfielder Jordan Lazenbury.
It was the visitors that started quickly with Callum McGlynn having a shot blocked before Adam Jones saw an effort blocked by Kenny Devoir for a corner. Brocton’s first chance fell to Reg Smith, but his shot was wayward enough to go out for a throw in. An excellent cross from Christian Blanchette, came off the head of a defender and drifted out for a corner. From the corner, delivered by Connor Haddaway, Jake Thomas headed over the bar. Cheadle went close to an opener in the 12th minute. Daniel Hewitt fed McGlynn, and he was foiled by an excellent save by Henry Smith. Brocton took the lead in the 14th minute. Reg Smith raced into the penalty area and was brought down for a clear penalty – so clear, that there were no complaints at all from the visitors. Connor Haddaway stepped up and placed the ball perfectly into the corner just past the outstretched arms of Jordan Latham. Within a minute, Reg Smith was tripped on the edge of the area, but his free kick was high and wide of the goal. Cheadle had a great chance to level in the 20th minute. A ball into the area was met on the volley by Lazenbury but his shot cleared the bar. Back came Brocton, and Thomas was inches wide after a clever ball from Reg Smith created the opening. Brocton made it two in the 24th minute. A deep free kick from Tom Vaughan was headed back into the area by Thomas. Connor Haddaway challenged for the ball and Reg Smith was on hand to steer it home. Cheadle felt aggrieved as there was a good shout for a push by Thomas as he headed the ball across. The end to end nature of the game continued with Lazenbury blasting wide from a good position. Brocton should have made it three on the half hour mark. An excellent crossfield ball from Reg Smith picked out the run of Morgan Payne. Payne strode forward, and one on one with keeper Latham, it was Latham that won the battle with a fine stop. A free kick from Lazenbury was straight into the bread basket of Henry Smith. An overlap from Adam Weldon ended with a cross which was fumbled by Latham but gathered under pressure. Reg Smith went close with a snapshot which was narrowly wide. Brocton grabbed their third in the 40th minute. A surging run forward by Vaughan saw his shot well blocked by the Cheadle defence. Brocton came back and excellent footwork from Reg Smith created an opening, and his right footed shot was straight into the bottom corner. In stoppage time, Lazenbury sent Jones clear, but Henry Smith raced off his line to block the shot.
Half-Time: Brocton 3 Cheadle Town 0
Cheadle began the second half with purpose as they attempted to get back into the game. Lazenbury was off target with an effort before Henry Smith pulled off a superb save. Lazenbury crossed from the left and the ball was met by a firm header from Pat Davin from inside the six yard box. Henry Smith reacted and somehow palmed the ball away. The impressive Lazenbury then shot over the bar as Cheadle continued to pile on the pressure. A free kick from Lazenbury was comfortably held by Henry Smith. Connor Haddaway hit a shot which looked goal bound all the way, but Sikirulahi Hamzat managed to get in the way. A great challenge by Hamzat thwarted Blanchette. The ball squirmed away from Latham, but he managed to gather just before Reg Smith could turn it home. In the 61st minute, Lazenbury raced through the middle of the Brocton defence, but Henry Smith was equal to the challenge with a fine stop. Cheadle pulled a goal back in the 65th minute. Lazenbury again raced through the middle of the Brocton defence and this time Henry Smith could do nothing as the ball found the back of the net. Two minutes later, Justin Pickering got the wrong side of the Brocton defence only to find Henry Smith in excellent form as he made another good save. Cheadle scored their second in the 73rd minute. A lovely flick from Davin sent Kaleb Parkinson free and his fierce shot gave Hanry Smith no chance. Brocton nerves were calmed somewhat when they scored goal number four in the 75th minute. Charlie King was sent clear down the right and his inch perfect delivery was met by the head of Reg Smith who powered home the header. The goal settled Brocton and Will Whieldon went close with a free kick which curled just wide. Brocton got their fifth in the 80th minute. Reg Smith picked his spot from 25 yards and nonchalantly volleyed the ball into the net for his fourth. A minute later, a surging run from Ben Haddaway gave Reg Smith another chance, this one being deflected for a corner. Cheadle just couldn’t keep him quiet, and he grabbed his fifth and Brocton’s sixth in the 83rd minute. A superb challenge from Adam Weldon down the right won the ball and his pass into Reg Smith’s path was perfect. The striker needed no second hesitation, and his shot gave Latham no chance. In stoppage time, Ben Haddaway sent Will Finlay clear, but his shot was comfortably saved by Latham.
Full Time: Brocton 6 Cheadle Town 2 Attendance:69
Brocton: Henry Smith, Adam Weldon, Jake Triggs, Kenny Devoir (Jack Bostock 78), Tom Vaughan, Ben Haddaway, Morgan Payne (Charlie King 70), Jake Thomas, reg Smith (Sam Scott 83), Connor Haddaway (Will Whieldon 70), Christian Blanchette (Will Finlay 79)
Cheadle Town: Jordan Latham, Ryan Usher (Daniel Hugo 68), Jack McConnell, Sikirulahi Hamzat, Kyle McGonigle, Lee Gregory, Jordan Lazenbury, Daniel Hewitt (Justin Pickering 60), Pat Davin, Adam Jones (Kaleb Parkinson 45), Callum McGlynn. Subs (Not Used): Steven Yarwood, Stephen Piggott
Yellow Cards: Vaughan, Payne (Brocton); Usher, Gregory (Cheadle Town)
