Monday 28th August
North West Counties Football league First Division South
Brocton 3 Stockport Georgians 0
Brocton were forced into a change from the side that won at Cheadle Heath Nomads 9 days ago. Skipper Connor Haddway was unavailable, missing his first game since Alex Curtis took charge of the club and he was replaced by Adam Weldon, with Charlie King moving into midfield.
Brocton started quickly and went close to an opener after just 20 seconds with Will Whieldon shooting narrowly wide. In the 5th minute, good interchange play in midfield, saw Jake Thomas head goalwards, the attempt comfortably caught by James Hodges. Stockport had an excellent chance to break the deadlock in the 8th minute. Joel Atkinson found space and his goal bound effort was brilliantly defended by Matty Bestall. Brocton took the lead two minutes later. Great work from Thomas as he drove into the penalty area. The ball ricocheted back into his path, and he calmly placed his shot into the corner of the net. Brocton were well on top and in the 12th minute, Hodges raced off his line and hacked down King, receiving a deserved yellow card in the process. After a couple of minutes of heated discussion, Whieldon’s free kick hit the chest of Hodges and Reg Smith reacted quickest to nod the ball into the net. Stockport wasted an opportunity when Harry Lambert headed over from a right wing corner. The ever dangerous Smith was tripped on the edge of the area, but his free kick was well defended by the Stockport wall. Brocton were inches away from a third in the 27th minute. A cross from Whieldon was headed goalwards by Morgan Payne, the ball clipping the top of the crossbar. Some of the Brocton approach play was top notch and when Whieldon fed Smith, his first time shot grazed the bar. Stockport still carried a threat albeit sporadically. Finlay Bartram hit a fierce drive which was well blocked by Thomas. Three minutes before the break, Thomas threaded a ball through to Whieldon and his shot was blocked for a corner. Thomas crossed for Payne and his header was off target. Brocton’s third came in the 44th minute. King won the ball with a strong challenge. The loose ball fell invitingly for Payne who hammered home from the left hand side of the area – a superb finish. Brocton continued to press, and Whieldon forced a fine save from Hodges after being set up by Smith. Three minutes into added time, Lucas Green-Birch brought out a superb save from Hodges, redeeming himself after the early mistakes. Just before the half-time whistle, Deco Zanco got to the by line and his cross was well defended by Weldon.
Half-time: Brocton 3 Stockport Georgians 0
The visitors made a double change at half time and it paid dividends with a much tighter performance. Thomas was unlucky when his shot, with the outside of his right foot, was just over the bar. In the 53rd minute, an excellent run from Sam Marshall won a corner for the visitors. The corner was met by Owen Massey whose header hit the crossbar. A reverse pass from Smith sent Green-Birch free but he failed to hit the target from a good position. On the hour mark, Whieldon went close with a volley inches off target. Weldon made a superb challenge to thwart Sam Lynch as Stockport tried to get back into the game. In the 70th minute, the crowd were purring with the quality of the Brocton football. Superb play from King in the middle of the park sent Payne clear down the left. His cross was met first time by Whieldon and Hodges made an excellent save, tipping the ball over the bar. In the 81st minute, Reg Smith threaded an inch perfect pass into the path of Christian Blanchette who could not control it. In stoppage time, Cam Osborne attempted an audacious chip from some 40 yards which cleared the bar. Seven minutes of stoppage time was comfortably seen out and Brocton made it four wins and four clean sheets on the bounce.
Full Time: Brocton 3 Stockport Georgians 0 Attendance:124
Brocton: Tony Allsopp, Adam Weldon (Dan Evans 77), Matty Bestall, Kenny Devoir (Henry Smith 66), Tom Vaughan, Lucas Green-Birch (Christian Blanchette 59), Will Whieldon, Jake Thomas, Reg Smith (Declan Arber 83), Charlie King, Morgan Payne (Cam Osborne 77)
Stockport Georgians: James Hodges, Paul Connor, Adam Dahou (Sam Lynch 62), Sam Corbishley (Owen Massey 45), Paul Beresford (Harry Lynn 72), Harry Lambert (Euan Melia 45), Kyle Wych, Sam Marshall, Deco Zanco, Finlay Bartram (Daniel Birch 65), Joel Atkinson
Yellow Cards: Devoir, Green-Birch (Brocton); Hodges (Stockport Georgians)
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