Tuesday 15th March
Macron Cup 1st Round
Brocton 1 Winsford United 1 (Brocton won 4-2 on penalties)
Brocton welcomed premier Division Winsford United to Silkmore Lane for the first time. Dan Evans returned to the starting line up with Jack Bostock dropping to the bench.
Winsford started brightly, sharp passing sending Joe Duckworth clear with his cross cut out by Luke Haddaway. Brocton’s first attempt came from skipper Connor Haddaway whose shot cleared the bar. Duckworth again raced through on goal to be thwarted by a superb challenge from Tom Vaughan. Winsford thought they had broken the deadlock on 11 minutes. A free-kick from Kallum Boyle beat Tony Allsopp, rattled the cross bar, and bounced down on the line before being cleared. The visitors should have taken the lead in the 17th minute. A cross from the right found Sam Madeley unmarked and in front of an empty net. Somehow, Madeley made no contact with the ball as it flew past him. Winsford were creating the better chances and Steven Jenyons headed wide from a well placed free-kick. Cam Osborne was inches wide at the other end before Brad Rolston rolled his defender, got into an excellent position but failed to deliver the ball into the waiting forwards. Duckworth and Madeley combined to send the latter clear, forcing Allsopp into an excellent save. The end to end nature of the game continued with Luke Haddaway heading just wide from an Alex Curtis cross. Madeley skipped past Luke Haddaway but overhit the cross with Duckworth in space. Brocton went close to an opener in the 41st minute when a shot from Osborne was deflected onto the post, the rebound just evading Rolston. In first half Stoppage time, Duckworth forced another save from Allsopp.
Half-Time: Brocton 0 Winsford United 0
Four minutes after the break a fumble by Allsopp almost let in the visitors but the keeper gathered at the second attempt. A break by Smith down the right saw him play the ball inside to Curtis, but he overran the ball and gave away a free-kick. A reverse pass from Smith sent Curtis clear and his shot from the right was narrowly wide. Brocton continued to press, and Osborne was just off target with another effort. Winsford opened the scoring on the hour. A free-kick from Boyle beat Allsopp at his near post, the keeper colliding with the post and requiring lengthy treatment. Six minutes later, Allsopp was still feeling the effects of the collision and he was replaced in goal by Jake Thomas, the second time this season the midfielder has donned the gloves. A minute after the substitution, Kevin Exell was off target with a shot from the left. Brocton strove for an equaliser and Christian Blanchette went close, rattling a shot against the station. On 79 minutes, Boyle raced clear down the right, but he was stopped in his tracks by another perfect challenge from Vaughan. Brocton were level in the 83rd minute. Cam Osborne played the ball into the path of Smith, and he gave Winsford keeper Ryan Hamer no chance with a quality finish. In the aftermath of the goal, Osborne was shown a straight red card with Vaughan and Exell both booked. Despite the best efforts of both sides, neither goal keeper was tested as the game finished with a penalty shoot-out.
Full-Time: Brocton 1 Winsford United 1 Attendance:82
Penalties
Regan Smith – Brocton
Joe Duckworth – Winsford
Alex Curtis – Brocton
Dylan Chalice – Winsford
Connor Haddaway – Brocton
Matthew Coughlan – Winsford – saved by Thomas
Christian Blanchette - -Brocton
Jack Hart – Winsford – saved by Thomas
Brocton win 4-2 on penalties thanks to midfielder / replacement goalkeeper Jake Thomas
Brocton: Tony Allsopp (Ethan Scutt 66), Adam Weldon (Christian Blanchette 64), Dan Evans, Luke Haddaway (Jack Bostock 82), Tom Vaughan, Alex Curtis, Brad Rolston, Jake Thomas, Reg Smith, Connor Haddaway, Cam Osborne. Subs (Not Used): Joe Bancroft, Alfie Mantle
Winsford United: Ryan Hamer, Dylan Chalice, Perry Bircumshaw, Kevin Exell, Steven Jenyons, William Foster, Joe Duckworth, Jack Hart, Sam Madeley (Matthew Coughlan 45), David Short (Robbie Hatton 59), Kallum Boyle. Subs (Not Used): Joseph Wright, Lee Duckworth
Yellow Cards: Connor Haddaway, Vaughan (Brocton), Exell (Winsford)
Red Cards: Osborne (Brocton)