Saturday 6th August
North West Counties Football League First Division South
Barnton 2 Brocton 2
Brocton welcomed back keeper Tony Allsopp but were forced into further changes with Adam Weldon and Jack Bostock unavailable. Luke Haddaway and Charlie King coming into the starting line-up. Morgan Payne and Tom Croft took their places on the bench for the first time.
Brocton began the game kicking up the Townfield slope and neither side made any early inroads. That all changed in the 9th minute when Reg Smith, tracking back from a Brocton attack, was adjudged to have shoved the Barnton forward with the referee pointing to the spot. Liam Kennington’s penalty was well directed and despite the best efforts of Allsopp, he gave Barnton the lead. Brocton responded with Luke Haddaway crossing from the right, but Cam Osborne’s header was poor, and the danger was averted. King took a pot-shot a few minutes later but Arran Lyons wasn’t troubled in the Barnton goal. A long free-kick from Allsopp flicked off the head of Jack Duffy but Lyons was alert to save. Brocton were level in the 26th minute. A cross from the left from Jake Thomas picked out Reg Smith, who controlled the ball, picked his spot, and gave Lyons no chance as his shot flew into the bottom corner. Barnton shocked Brocton with a second within 30 seconds. Thomas Edwards picked up a loose ball, opened up space in front of him and curled a superb shot past Allsopp. Brocton had a strong claim for a penalty in the 31st minute when Thomas was caught in the area, but the referee was having none of it. Harvey Sample, the tall Barnton front man, beat Tom Vaughan but fired over when he should have hit the target. Edwards was sent clear for Barnton, but his shot was easily held by Allsopp. Barnton continued to ask the questions with Joseph Levy next to shoot on goal but again the shot was not strong enough to test Allsopp. On the stroke of half-time, Brocton went close to an equaliser. Luke Haddaway crossed to Smith whose shot went across the goal. The ball reached Thomas and his touch spun away from the far post.
Half-Time: Barnton 2 Brocton 1
Brocton started the second half in a positive fashion and were level in the 50th minute. A long throw from Christian Blanchette picked out Smith. His first shot was saved but the rebound was poked home off keeper Lyons. Brocton continued to press, and they were awarded a free-kick outside the box on the left. Jake Triggs took the free-kick with his shot into the side netting. Good football by the home side created an opening for Levy and his goal bound effort was well saved by Allsopp. In the 68th minute, Smith took aim from a free-kick with his effort inches wide of the post. Brocton should have taken the lead in the 70th minute. Osborne found space on the left, cut inside and his shot was saved by Lyons. Osborne reacted quickest with Lyons again stopping his follow up. The ball came out to Smith who was foiled by Lyons and then his follow up was blocked by the stubborn Barnton defence. Smith went hunting for his hat-trick and in the 72nd minute he beat three defenders with clever footwork before firing over the bar. Brocton were very much on top, and a Connor Haddaway free-kick flicked off the head of Vaughan, the ball drifting just wide of the post. Connor Haddaway cleared the bar from 25 yards as Brocton failed to get their third. Deep into stoppage time, the final chance of the game fell to Osborne whose shot was saved at full stretch by the impressive Lyons.
Full-Time: Barnton 2 Brocton 2 Attendance:140
Barnton: Arran Lyons, Matthew Ball, Christopher Hunt (Daniel Hutchins 63), Matthew Scoular (Ben Forster 75), Jack Duffy, Alex Jones, Niall Holmes (Ross Avies 63), Liam Kennington, Harvey Sample, Thomas Edwards (Lewis Edwards 63), Joseph Levy (Freddy Garbutt 81)
Brocton: Tony Allsopp, Luke Haddaway (Ethan Harris 90+1), Jake Triggs, Kenny Devoir, Tom Vaughan, Charlie King (Morgan Payne 55), Christian Blanchette (Will Finlay 63), Jake Thomas, Reg Smith, Connor Haddaway, Cam Osborne. Subs (Not Used): Lewis Rowley, Tom Croft
Yellow Cards: Ball (Barnton), Triggs, Vaughan, Smith, Alex Curtis (Brocton)
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