Saturday 1st October
North West Counties Football League First Divisions South
Brocton 0 Stockport Town 2
Brocton welcomed Tom Vaughan back from injury and he slotted into the centre of defence alongside skipper Kenny Devoir. Manager Alex Curtis reverted to the front three that had been outstanding at the start of the campaign with Cam Osborne and Christian Blanchette in their customary wide roles. Visitors Stockport had dropped just three points this season and could go top with a ninth successive league win.
It was Brocton that started the brighter. The first chance of the game fell to Osborne whose shot, at the near post, was well saved by Josh Schofield. In the 12th minute, a superb challenge by Devoir found Blanchette. He played the ball into the path of the overlapping Reg Smith and his shot was inches wide. Smith tried his luck again; this time Schofield comfortably held his volley. Jake Thomas shot just over the bar as Brocton continued to dominate. In the 22nd minute, a shot from Blanchette cannoned off Stockport player-manager Paul Turnbull who recovered after treatment. Stockport’s first chance should have produced the opening goal of the afternoon in the 28th minute. A superb run and cross from left back Will Calligan was met with a powerful header by Dan McLaughlin. Fortunately for Brocton the header was off target. A minute later, good work by William Shawcross on the right saw the ball eventually find Calligan in space and his drive cleared the cross bar. The visitors took the lead in the 34th minute. A miss directed header from Luke Haddaway fell into the path of Stockport leading scorer Scott McGowan. He took a touch, before firing past the advancing Tony Allsopp. Within a minute, Brocton should have levelled. A clearance from Allsopp was miss judged by Stockport defender Tom Morris. Smith was one on one with Schofield, but his lob failed to clear the outstretched arms of the Stockport keeper. Smith had another chance seconds later. He blocked a clearance from Schofield, reacted quickest to get the ball and saw his near post shot well saved by the keeper. Connor Haddaway was next to try his luck, his volley straight at Schofield. In stoppage time, Allsopp made an excellent save, strong hands keeping out a fierce drive by Kai Johnston.
Half-Time: Brocton 0 Stockport Town 1
A minute into the second half, the visitors were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area after Vaughan had fouled McLaughlin. Calligan stepped up, his shot was saved by Allsopp, but the ball was not gathered, and McLaughlin was on hand to scramble the ball home. A two goal deficit was an uphill task for Brocton against the meanest defence in the division. A run and cross from Jack Bostock was cleared for a corner. The ball came out to Morgan Payne, but he couldn’t keep his shot down. Thomas had a shot on target which was easily caught by Schofield. Smith continued to hunt for goals and a shot on the turn was palmed away by the impressive Stockport keeper. In the 76th minute, Brocton were fortunate to escape when Brad Rolston appeared to trip Jamie Walsh in the penalty area, the referee deciding it was no penalty. Stockport continued to manage the game and the central defence of Morris, Turnbull and Jamie Wrench snuffed out any hope of a Brocton revival. The final whistle went with Stockport taking top spot in the table with results elsewhere going their way.
Full Time: Brocton 0 Stockport Town 2 Attendance:124
Brocton: Tony Allsopp, Luke Haddaway (Brad Rolston 56), Jack Bostock, Kenny Devoir (Ben Haddaway 79), Tom Vaughan, Morgan Payne (Cam Jackson 65 (Charlie King 75)), Christian Blanchette, Jake Thomas (Will Finlay 75), Reg Smith, Connor Haddaway, Cam Osborne
Stockport Town: Josh Schofield, Kai Johnston, Will Calligan, Paul Turnbull, Tom Morris, Jamie Wrench, Kyle Foley (Lewis McKinney 77), Leandro Tanswell Vargas (Michael Raynes 90), Dan McLaughlin, Scott McGowan (Samuel Hare 56), William Shawcross (Jamie Walsh 64). Sub (Not Used): Caelan Kilheeney
Yellow Cards: Osborne (Brocton), Walsh (Stockport Town)
