Saturday 4th September
North West Counties Football League First Division South
West Didsbury & Chorlton 5 Brocton 1 at The StepPlaces Stadium
Brocton made 3 changes from the side that drew with Rocester in midweek with Ben Powell, Jake Thomas, and Ryan Douglas in the starting eleven. Unbeaten West Didsbury & Chorlton were looking to maintain their excellent start to the season.
It was Brocton that showed first with a deep cross from Thomas, well held by Andrew Jones. The first shot on target came from West in the 6th minute when Rhain Davis’ effort was comfortably held by Corey Mallen. A cross from Aaron Grewal was headed away from danger by Ben Powell, as Brocton remained resolute in defence. The dangerous Dontai Gabidon whipped in a cross which was headed wide by Marcus Dibble. Both Gabidon and Davis hit shots over the bar as West began to ask questions of the Brocton defence. In the 16th minute, Gabidon jinked through the Brocton defence and was stopped by a fine last ditch challenge from Powell. West opened the scoring in the 22nd minute. A cross from the right was headed back into the area by Sam Heathcote and Ben Elliott was on hand to fire home despite a valiant attempt from Mallen. Gabidon was causing all sorts of problems for the Brocton defence and when he cut inside, his cross drifted just wide. The Brocton goal lived a charmed life in the 29th minute. A shot deflected off Malaki Norford onto the Brocton bar. The rebound was hammered goalwards by Gabidon where Mallen blocked on the line, Elliott picked up the loose ball and his shot was cleared off the line by Cam Jackson. West were really pushing for the second and Mallen was forced into a fine save to deny Tom Westall. From the resulting corner, Heathcote headed over the bar. West weren’t to be denied and they grabbed their second in the 33rd minute. Gabidon cut inside Luke Haddaway on the left, picked his spot and curled a superb shot into the top corner. Brocton’s response was superb, and they pulled a goal back within two minutes. A mix up at the back allowed Jackson a chance and although Jones saved his first attempt, he beat the keeper to the rebound and nodded the ball into the net. That goal gave Brocton a boost and Ben Haddaway was just off target with a drive from the left. Brocton had another chance in the 39th minute when Jackson headed over from Adam Weldon’s inviting cross. Brocton were having their best passage of play and Douglas whipped a cross into the box with no-one on hand to attack it. In stoppage time, Kenny Devoir was fouled outside the area, but Dean Williams’ free-kick sailed over the bar.
Half-Time: West Didsbury & Chorlton 2 Brocton 1
Fifteen seconds into the second half. Elliott almost grabbed a third for West as his driving run ended with a shot that skimmed the crossbar. Gabidon was off target with an effort before he forced Mallen into a decent save. West were ramping up the pressure and following some excellent close control and balance, Davis drifted a shot wide of Mallen’s goal. Substitute Billy Matthews almost made an immediate impression was he was played through, but Mallen again saved well. Brocton were still not out of it and a cross from Jackson was just in front of Thomas at the far post. In the 69th minute, a free-kick from Heathcote brought out the best in Mallen who made another fine save. West increased their lead in the 72nd minute. Davis tormented Luke Haddaway and his cross appeared to hit the arm of the Brocton defender. The loose ball fell invitingly to Elliott who swept the ball home. West were not content to sit on their lead and Gabidon was well wide following some decent approach play. The tricky Matthews went on a jinking run beating three defenders before eventually running out of space. The home side made it fur in the 84th minute. Davis played the ball into the path of Elliott who slotted it past Mallen for his hat-trick. Gabidon continued to impressive and some impressive footwork created an opening, but the effort curled wide. West finished the scoring in the 88th minute. A cross from the left was met by Liam Delaney who powered home a header.
Full-Time: West Didsbury & Chorlton 5 Brocton 1 Atttendance:569
West Didsbury & Chorlton: Andrew Jones, Matthew Cook, Tom Westall, Josh Tinker (Billy Matthews 57), Marcus Dibble, Sam Heathcote, Aaron Grewal (Liam Delaney 75), Callum Jones, Ben Elliott (Daniel Lewis 85), Rhian Davis, Dontai Gabidon. Subs (Not Used): Lee Gavin, Ezekiel Eme
Brocton: Corey Mallen, Adam Weldon, Luke Haddaway, Kenny Devoir, Ben Powell, Ben Haddaway, Ryan Douglas (Harry Griffiths 65), Jake Thomas, Dean Williams (Tony Allsopp 68), Cam Jackson, Malaki Norford
Yellow card: Tinker (West Didsbury & Chorlton)
