Tuesday 28th February
North West Counties Football League First Division South
Abbey Hulton United 2 Brocton 2
Injury hit Brocton were forced to shuffle the pack following the defeat at Cheadle Heath Nomads on Saturday. Adam Weldon, Jake Triggs and Jake Thomas were all missing through injury sustained at the weekend. Tony Allsopp returned in goal and there were starts for Luke Haddaway and Charlie King. Abbey Hulton were looking to do the double over Brocton after winning at Silkmore Lane earlier in the season.
With a change in formation, it was Brocton that started on the front foot. In the 4th minute, King found Ben Haddaway after good work down the right but unfortunately the ball ran away for a goal kick. Brocton had a great chance in the 5th minute. Christian Blanchette found space on the left and he picked out Will Whieldon with a cross into the box. Whieldon’s side footed effort was wide of the target. Abbey Hulton’s first threat came from Jack Flanaghan down the right who did well to reach the by-line but his cross was straight into the midriff of Allsopp. Reg Smith was on target from a tight angle, Dominic Kurasik making a comfortable save. Brocton were creating plenty of chances. Whieldon was unlucky with a stinging volley which went inches past the post. Eric Graves found space for Abbey Hulton but his shot was well over the bar. In the 23rd minute, the home side took the lead against the run of play. The ball was played inside Jack Bostock by Matt Ward. Lee Cropper controlled the pass, picked his spot, and fired past Allsopp with the Brocton keeper trying in vain to keep the ball out. Cropper volleyed well wide two minutes later before Brocton regained the ascendancy. A pinpoint ball from Connor Haddaway was brought down by Morgan Payne, who cut inside his defender before shooting over the bar. On the half-hour mark, Blanchette was off target from 25 yards before Whieldon tried his luck from 30 yards with the same outcome. A good run from Payne created an opening for Connor Haddaway who curled his shot over the bar. Brocton were level in the 39th minute. A fast break from Brocton saw Payne feed Smith and his shot was well defended. From the resulting corner, a left wing cross from Connor Haddaway was flicked home by Smith from inside the 6-yard box.
Half-Time: Abbey Hulton United 1 Brocton 1
Brocton continued to set the tempo after the break, and they took the lead in the 55th minute. Payne played the ball over the top of the defender to Smith, who rounded Kurasik, beat two defenders and bundled the ball into the net. Brocton went close to increasing their lead mid-way through the half. Whieldon picked his spot and beat Kurasik and the post as it slid wide. A minute later, Smith picked up a Whieldon flick on, drove forward and missed the target with his right footed effort. Abbey Hulton drew level in the 71st minute. A cross from former Brocton player Jack Weldon was headed home in a crowded penalty area by William Tams. Brocton continued to press for a third goal. In stoppage time, Blanchette raced into the area but he couldn’t keep his shot down. Brocton should have clinched the points four minutes into time added on. Will Finlay played the ball into the path of Whieldon who side footed the ball goalwards with Kurasik watching as the ball past his post.
Full-Time: Abbey Hulton United 2 Brocton 2 Attendance:67
Abbey Hulton United: Dominik Kurasik, William Tams, Jamie Weldon, Keeylin Thomas, Zak Hill, Jack Gumbley, Jack Flanaghan (Joshua Bristow 53), Matthew Ward, Lee Cropper (Jack Sayer 65 (Max Gardner 88)), Eric Graves (Jack Weldon 57), Sam Wytcherley. Sub (Not Used): Russell Leadbetter
Brocton: Tony Allsopp, Charlie King, Luke Haddaway, Jack Bostock, Tom Vaughan, Ben Haddaway, Morgan Payne (Will Finlay 79), Will Whieldon, Reg Smith, Connor Haddaway, Christian Blanchette. Subs (Not Used): Henry Smith, Lewis Rowley, Alex Curtis, Mario Novaku
Yellow Cards: Thomas, Hill (Abbey Hulton United), Vaughan, Smith, Blanchette, Curtis (Brocton)
