Chorlton Beech 3 - 4 Broadway Brook F.C

After suffering 2 straight league defeats, Broadway Brook were looking to change their fortunes as they faced Chorlton Beech for the 2nd time this season.

If any Broadway Brook player didn’t remember how the previous encounter with Chorlton Beech went, we witnessed a major unsporting occurrence on Chorlton Beech’s part but lady luck was shining on Broadway that day as they ran out 5-4 winners. Chorlton Beech were looking to exact revenge for their loss.

Before the match, Ken Ramsbottom produced an e-mail from the Chorlton Beech Manager to the league stating that Chorlton Beech was unhappy with the previous match and how the events went down, requesting a strong referee and claiming Broadway Brook were a ‘Very Poor Side’. Broadways players didn’t like that statement very much and were very fired up...

Team line up. Debutant Craig Jones making his 1st appearance in goal, with John Gilmartin filling in at left back for the injured Andy McIntosh, Jon Leaney right back with Lee Hamblett and Steven Dimitch centre back.

A strong midfield of Dan Mitchell left mid, Kyle Denton right mid with Sam Jarvis and Elliott Speight in the middle.

Leaving Richard Whitfield partnering Gary Rowbotham upfront.

From the 1st whistle Broadway Brook looked strong and very comfortable in possession.

10 minutes in, Elliott Speight picks the ball up inside the Beech half and floats a lovely ball over to Richard Whitfield who shows great composure rounding the keeper and holding off a defender as he slides the ball home from the tightest of angles. Excellent finish. 1-0 to Broadway

20 minutes have gone, Throw in to Broadway, Whitfield retrieves the ball, as Ken Ramsbottom from the sideline spots Kyle Denton free beyond the defenders, he shouts to Whitfield to take a quick 1. Denton races on to the throw as the keeper comes rushing out, Denton with the deftest of lobs makes it 2-0 to Broadway and looking comfortable.

Moments later Broadway get a corner, Rowbotham whips it in as Denton meets it with a bullet header which crashes against the bar. Almost 3-0.

As half time approaches, Chorlton Beech venture into the Broadway box with Jon Leaney and Kyle Denton seeming to take control of the situation as the Chorlton player goes down under minimal contact. The ref points to the spot. Broadway are pegged back to 2-1.

Half time, 2-1 to Broadway. Excellent 1st half.

2nd half begins after an eventful 1st half, the 2nd half couldn’t possibly live up to the 1st....but Broadway know how to make life hard for themselves as Chorlton Beech capitalise on some poor defending and make it 2-2.

What looked like a stroll in the 1st half, turned to disaster as Chorlton Beech take the lead totally against the run of play. Broadway find themselves 3-2 down.

With Broadway looking the stronger of the teams they had to step up another gear to get back into the game, as Whitfield from another tight angle fires in only for the defender to clear off the line.

Shortly after Dan Mitchell releases Rowbotham who fires towards to the top corner only for the keeper to tip over the bar.

Broadway booking. Whitfield is caught offside as he lofts the ball over the keeper, the ref deemed it as kicking the ball away and shows Whitfield a yellow card.

Broadways onslaught finally paid off as Whitfield plays the ball across the area for Rowbotham to tap into the empty net.....Only for a really poor 1st touch lets the ball get away, as the Beech defender dribbles out of defence with the ball...Rowbotham wins the ball back n lays it off to Elliott Speight who shrugs off 2 challenges, then knocks the ball around an on rushing defender as he tries to bring Speight down, he shows excellent strength and composure to fire into the bottom left hand corner leaving the keeper no chance. Quality goal 3-3 Game on.

Moments later more controversy in a Broadway – Beech match as a collision with Whitfield and the Beech keeper earns Broadway a throw, as Broadway look to take the throw quickly, a tangle of legs between Whitfield and the Keeper, the ref decides Whitfield deliberately trips up the keeper and shows Whitfield a 2nd yellow card. Broadway down to 10 men.

As Broadway were down to 10 men, big character had to be shown and pressing from all over the park had to be disciplined.

Even being down to 10 men, Broadway still looked by far the better team as Dan Mitchell carries to ball down the left and is cynically hacked down on the edge of the Beech area.

Rowbotham steps up and whips in a vicious cross which isn’t dealt with by the Beech defenders, then Lee ‘The Beast’ Hamblett with a Zola-esque backheel finds its way past the Beech defenders into the net! Absolutely quality finish! 4-3 Broadway!

The ref brings the match to a close as the 10 men of Broadway claim a 6 point haul over Chorlton Beech with an excellent 4-3 victory! Nothing more than they deserved.

Man of the Match was awarded to Sam Jarvis who had a quality game in the centre of midfield, tenacious and dominant. Looks like an excellent acquisition.

**News Flash**

Rumour has it the e-mail Ken produced before the game was a hoax, on questioning the Broadway Manager it turns out he made the whole thing up as a psychological attempt to get his team up for the game!! Worked a treat!