Saturday November 5th
North West Counties Football League First Division South
Brocton 1 Abbey Hey 0
Brocton were without Adam Weldon and Reg Smith with 17 year old Sam Scott making his home debut leading the line. Abbey Hey came into the game being unbeaten throughout the month of October
The first sight of goal for either side came in the 7th minute when a free kick from Jake Triggs, flicked off the head of an Abbey Hey defender and out for a corner. In the 13th minute, good pressure from Christian Blanchette won the ball for Brocton but it ran to safety. Tom Vaughan came to Brocton’s rescue a couple of minutes later with a last ditch clearance from a long ball. From the corner, Lewis Lacy had a free header in front of goal, but it was straight at Tony Allsopp. Morgan Payne found space in the 18th minute, but his shot was off target enough to go out for a throw in. A short free kick from Connor Haddaway was rolled into the path of Jake Thomas but his effort was well wide of the target. Vaughan again was the saviour for Brocton with a phenomenal challenge to thwart Jordyn Fitter. In the 31st minute, a deep cross from Jack Bostock beat Abbey Hey keeper Joe Lawton, drifting narrowly past the post. Abbey Hey created a chance in the 36th minute when a back-heel from Joel Bembo-Lita was cleared by Bostock. The ball came back into the Brocton box and a header from Fitton was comfortably saved by Allsopp. With the half coming to a close, an excellent run and cross from Agustin Alvarez was superbly cut out by Kenny Devoir. Abbey Hey skipper Jake Dunford went down in the area under a challenge, but the referee was not impressed by the theatrical dive. In stoppage time, a cross from Connor Haddaway was handled in the area by Payne with Scott in position behind him to head the ball home. Payne received a yellow card for his transgression.
Half-Time: Brocton 0 Abbey Hey 0
Abbey Hey had the first chance of the second half with Rafael Alvarez turning a cross from Dunford wide of the post. The midfield battle continued with clear cut chances at a premium. In the 57th minute, a ball over the top from Thomas found Payne but his shot was off target. A minute later, a corner for Abbey Hey was headed goalwards by Lacy which was comfortably gathered by Allsopp. Abbey Hey created a decent opening in the 68th minute. Luke Jackson skipped past the challenge of Triggs, laid the ball into the path of Rhys Clooney and his shot took a deflection over the bar. The game began to open up as the rain got heavier. An excellent break from Brocton saw Ben Haddaway play the ball into the path of Scott but his shot failed to trouble Lawton. In the 71st minute, Scott beat Bembo-Leta to the ball, shrugged off the big defender and saw his shot blocked for a corner. Connor Haddaway’s delivery was headed back into the area by Ben Haddaway. The ball came out to Payne, outside the area, who picked his spot and sent a clinical finish into the far corner. Abbey Hey responded with an effort from Jackson which was off target. In the 79th minute, Brocton went close to doubling their lead. A free kick from Triggs looked to be sneaking in but Lawton did well to palm the ball behind for a corner. In the 90th minute, a free kick from Connor Haddaway hit the outside of the post. Three minutes into stoppage time, Charlie King crossed inches in front of Thomas. Abbey Hey failed to put any pressure on the Brocton goal and the three points were secured by the home side.
Full-Time: Brocton 1 Abbey Hey 0 Attendance:109
Brocton: Tony Allsopp, Jack Bostock, Jake Triggs, Kenny Devoir, Tom Vaughan, Ben Haddaway, Morgan Payne (Charlie King 80), Jake Thomas, Sam Scott (Will Finlay 74), Connor Haddaway, Christian Blanchette. Subs (Not Used): Luke Haddaway, Mario Novaku, Reg Smith
Abbey Hey: Joe Lawton, Daryll Grant, Agustin Alvaraz, Ben McNamara, Michael Ibelo, Joel Bembo-Lita, Jake Dunford, Luke Jackson, Lewis Lacy (Rhys Clooney 65), Rafael Alvaraz (Elliott Fenton 80), Jordyn Fitton (Daniel Burgess 80). Subs (Not Used): Declan Nolan, Olaolu Odipe
Yellow Cards: Triggs, Payne, Scott (Brocton)
