Saturday August 12th
North West Counties Football League First Division South
New Mills 0 Brocton 1
Brocton had to shuffle the pack with Tom Vaughan and Jamie Weldon unavailable. Kenny Devoir and Henry Smith came into a re-organised defence with Declan Arber returning for Morgan Payne who took his place on the subs bench. New Mills had made a disappointing start to the season with just two points from their opening four matches.
It was Brocton that started on the front foot and Will Whieldon screwed a shot wide after just 12 seconds. In the 4th minute a cross from Elliot Cooke was well defended by Ben Haddaway. Brocton broke and a shot from Arber was comfortably held by Dylan Forth. A Brocton short corner routine in the 11th minute led to a chance for Reg Smith but his shot drifted harmlessly wide of the far post. In the 17th minute, a good ball in from Will Whieldon was well controlled by Arber but he was crowded out by the New Mills defence. Brocton went close in the 24th minute when Jake Thomas fizzed a shot wide from a lay-off from Lucas Green-Birch. Three minutes later, Jack Warren played the ball into the Brocton area and Oliver Parker’s shot was easily saved by Tony Allsopp. Brocton had a chance in the 28th minute when Reg Smith was tripped on the edge of the area. The Brocton striker took the free-kick and blasted the ball over the bar. New Mills created an opening in the 35th minute with Parker through on goal but his run was thwarted by a superb challenge from Matty Bestall. In first half stoppage time, Whieldon played in Reg Smith, but his shot was well off target.
Half-time: New Mills 0 Brocton 0
Brocton started the second half as they started the first with an attempt on goal, Connor Haddaway’s shot blocked by the New Mills defence. New Mills were looking sharper after the resumption. In the 53rd minute, a free kick was played in to the area and Joel Ankers put his header well wide. Two minutes later and New Mills should have taken the lead. A cross from Parker was met by the head of Ankers who was foiled by a point blank save from Allsopp. Brocton had a chance almost immediately with Connor Haddaway dragging his shot wide. Just after the hour mark, Sam Davidson tried his luck from 25 yards his shot clearing the crossbar. New Mills were having a period of some pressure and from a cross by Cooke, Parker volleyed wide from a tight angle. In the 68th minute, Reg Smith stung the hands of the keeper with a fierce drive from the edge of the area. An excellent cross from Bestall, flicked off the head of a defender with two Brocton attackers in wait. In the 72nd minute, Reg Smith again shot straight at Forth while Davidson was off target for New Mills. New Mills wasted another glorious chance when Adam Muir missed the target after excellent work from Kyle Oakes. Three minutes into stoppage time, Brocton broke the deadlock. The ball was played into the area. There was a suspicion of hand ball from a home defender as the ball came back to Christian Blanchette, whose first time shot was low into the corner of the net. A minute later, New Mills missed the best chance of the game, as Ankers, with only Allsopp to beat, inexplicably missed the target.
Full-Time: New Mills 0 Brocton 1 Attendance:129
New Mills: Dylan Forth, Oliver Parker, Jack Wray, San Davidson, Mackena Bradshaw, Jack Warren, Kyle Oakes (Christopher Rogers 86), Adam Muir, Joel Ankers, Elliot Cooke (Tom Beswick 64), George Howarth. Subs (Not Used): Adam Poole, Jake Wright, David Birch
Brocton: Tony Allsopp, Ben Haddaway (Charlie King 20), Matty Bestall, Kenny Devoir, Henry Smith, Lucas Green-Birch (Christian Blanchette 64), Will Whieldon (Cam Osborne 84), Jake Thomas, reg Smith, Connor Haddaway, Declan Arber (Morgan Payne 64). Sub (Not Used): Dan Evans
Yellow Cards: Cooke (New Mills); Reg Smith (Brocton)
