Broadway Brook F.C 7 - 1 Bird In Hand

Its Sunday morning, another Broadway Brook friendly, today we welcomed Bird in Hand to Carrington. With a few players missing, a new signing and an old face returned for the game.

In a new look formation, Phil Lye comes in for the absent Antony Platt in goal. A back 3 consists of new signing Lee Hamblett, Jonathan Eckersley and Steven Dimitch, A 5 man midfield, with Gilly the holding midfielder, Elliott Speight and Matt Murtagh in front of him with Dan and Ginder on the wings, leaving Kyle Denton partnering Rowbotham upfront. Marek Adamiuk, Richard Whitfield, Viktor and Ken Ramsbottom make up the bench.

Broadway started off the brighter with new signing Lee Hamblett looking very comfortable on the ball and worked very well with Jonathan Eckersley and Steven Dimitch.

As usual it was Broadway who struck the first blow as the ever creative Elliott Speight finds Rowbotham with a nice through ball down the right; Rowbotham takes his time and slots it in at the near post. 1-0

Moments later a sense of Déjà Vu, as Speight releases Rowbotham down the right again, as Rowbotham bares down on goal, he opens his body up and places the ball past the keeper into the far corner, another good finish thanks to an excellent ball. 2-0

Soon after Matt Murtagh picks the ball up deep and from 25 yards out smashes a shot towards goal, which the keeper can only tip over. From the resulting corner Speight fires it in for Jonathan Eckersley to head narrowly over.

Unfortunately for the Bird in Hand, a 50/50 challenge between Kyle Denton and the Bird in Hand keeper results in the keeper having to go off.

Broadway saw out the half with the defence in command. 2-0

Broadway change at half time, Richard Whitfield coming on for Gary Rowbotham.

Soon after half time, with Broadway still in the ascendency, Matt Murtagh finds himself 25 yards out as he powers his shot straight into the bottom corner, quality strike. 3-0

More Broadway substitutions.

Ginder and Gilly make way for Marek and Viktor. Viktor going upfront, Marek goes too left mid, with Kyle Denton slotting into centre midfield and Dan moving over to right mid.

It didn’t take Viktor long to make the desired impact, as he races clear and slots the ball past the Bird in Hand keeper. 4-0

4-0 and in total control, defending well and creating lots of chances, Richard Whitfield and Steven Dimitch going close.

Broadway changes.

Gilly and Rowbotham re-enter the fray, with Dan and Matt Murtagh making way.

A bit of Bird in Hand pressure is well dealt with by our new look defence as Steven Dimitch comes out with the ball...and another pin point through ball to Kyle Denton who bares down on goal, the Bird in Hand keeper comes out, but the lightening fast Denton goes around him and coolly slots home. Much deserved for Kyle Denton and 5-0 to Broadway.

Broadway change, Ken Ramsbottom comes on for Elliott Speight who has had another fine game.

Another attack, another goal for Broadway as Steven Dimitch brings the ball of defence who chips the ball over the Bird in Hand defence, Viktor latches onto it and with the deafest flicks over the keeper the ball nestles into the corner, quality finish 6-0, 2nd goal for Viktor.

Bird in Hand has a corner, Broadway leave 3 up. As the ball breaks out, Richard Whitfield comes deep to pick the ball up, he waits for the run of Rowbotham beyond the full back, Whitfield with the ball over the top. Rowbotham then cuts inside past 2 challenges and from 35 yards out unleashes a rocket which flies in off the angle of bar and post, fine way to cap off his 4th hat trick of pre-season. 7-0

Unfortunately there was no clean sheet as just before the final whistle, the Bird in Hand forward picks up the ball on the edge of the box and scuffs his shot which goes into the corner. 7-1

Final score 7-1, much better defensive display with Jonathan Eckersley solid as ever, with new boy Lee Hamblett showing his undoubted class and Steven Dimitch who played a hand in quite a few goals.