Red card shocker

Saturday September 27th

Capelli Sport MFL Premier Division

Brocton 2 Abbey Hulton 4

There was one change for the Brocton 11 that played out a 1-1 draw at Hanley in midweek, with Jake Thomas replacing Adam Weldon, fresh of the back of his 200^th Badgers’ appearance. The away side came into the game in form, having won their previous three, which saw them sat just inside of the playoffs, while Brocton knew that a win would bring them into that reckoning.

The game began in chaotic fashion, and it was the away side that were on the front foot. Only two minutes in, the Abbey Hulton striker, Aaron Bott, found space in the box and drew a foul from a Brocton defender, leaving the referee no choice but to point to the spot. Bott stepped up confidently and left Brocton shot stopper Kyle Langston with no chance, as he smashed the ball into the right corner. Brocton reacted well to this set back and responded almost immediately. A short corner was worked to the Brocton captain, Connor Haddaway, whose perfect cross found the head of Christian Blachette at the back post, and he powered his header past the keeper. It wasn’t long before Brocton took the lead, as Reg Smith dropped deep and played Haddaway through. His shot was well saved by the Abbey keeper, but Will Whieldon was on hand to confidently put away the rebound. After that, it was certainly an entertaining game for the neutral, with both keepers being tested, however no one could find a clinical effort. The game had a fiery edge to it, with constant protesting from the away bench, which left it finely in the balance for the second half.

Half-time: Brocton 2 Abbey Hulton 1

Brocton’s young winger, Jude King, looked very lively at the start of the second half, and he mazed through the Abbey midfield, before slipping through his brother, Charlie King, who forced a smart save from Daniel Roberts. It was Jude King again causing problems, when he cut inside and stung the palms of Roberts. Will Whieldon also saw two half volleys fly agonisingly past the post in quick succession, and it felt only a matter of time before the Badgers extended their advantage. The introduction of Abbey Hulton captain Matthew Ward allowed the away side to regain some control of the game, and they began to play the ball around more. This change is style proved effective, as Bott was played through. He cleverly slowed his run to force Brocton defender, Kenny Devoir, to trip him. This was adjudged by the referee to be denial of a goal scoring opportunity, with meant Devoir saw red, and the hosts were down to 10. This gave Abbey Hulton confidence to find the equaliser, and it took a moment of magic from Ward to draw level, as he fired a half volley into the top corner from 20 yards out. Less than ten minutes later, the Brocton defence was split wide open, which afforded substitute Callum Woolrich plenty of space of the edge of the box. His shot was brilliantly tipped on to the post by Kyle Langston, but this gave Aaron Bott the easiest off tap ins to put the visitors ahead. Abbey Hulton completed Brocton’s misery, as Lewis Holdham slotted an effort past Langston five minutes from time.

Full-Time: Brocton 2 Abbey Hulton 4 Attendance: 161

Brocton: Kyle Langston, Christian Blanchette (Morgan Payne 79), Cooper Marsh (Dylan Millington 85), Kenny Devoir, Tom Vaughan, Charlie King, Will Whieldon, Jake Thomas, Reg Smith (Ben Haddaway 70), Connor Haddaway, Jude King. Subs (Not Used): Jake Triggs, Adam Weldon

Abbey Hulton United: Daniel Roberts, Ben Ady Weston (Daniel Cocks 77), Kyle Stubbs, Ethan Stanton (Matthew Ward 58), Mackenzie Faulkner, Joshua Bristow, Lewis Holdham, Matthew Bell (Kyle Blake 85), Kieran Brown, Jack Gumbley, Aaron Bott (Callum Woolrich 85). Sub (Not Used): Jonathan Beaumont

Yellow Cards: Smith (Brocton); Weston (Abbey Hulton)

Red Card: Devoir (Brocton)

Match report by Matthew Bottomley