East Levenshulme 2 - 5 Broadway Brook F.C

Broadway Brook entered the cup competition this weekend with high hopes of winning it. On a Sunday morning which was like a tropical rainstorm, the game went ahead as Broadway made the trip to Beech Ave to face high flyers from the 1st division East Levenshulme.

Ken Ramsbottom rang the changes as Antony Platt returned in goal. Darren Langford made his 1st start of the season at right back; Andy MacIntosh left back, Steven Dimitch and Jonathan Eckersley centre backs.

Kyle Denton was right midfield; Dan Mitchell left midfield with Elliott Speight and John Gilmartin centre midfield

Azuka Alintah also making his 1st start partnering Gary Rowbotham up front.

From the 1st whistle Broadway looked very dangerous especially down the left flank as Andy MacIntosh linked up well with Dan Mitchell causing the East Levenshulme defence lots of problems.

The game could have been over in the 1st 15 minutes if it wasn’t for the heroics of the East Levenshulme goal keeper, as he saved 2 point blank efforts from Rowbotham and Speight.

20 minutes in and the deadlock is finally broken, as Azuka shows excellent strength powering his way through the defence as the ball is released to Rowbotham who side steps a defender before curling the ball into the corner. 1-0 to Broadway

Unfortunately the lead didn’t last too long as East Levenshulme got back on level terms as a defensive lapse allowed them to make it 1-1 against the run of play.

2 minutes later Broadway got back in front as Dan Mitchell plays a neat 1-2 with Rowbotham before shooting from distance forcing the keeper to spill the ball and following up like all good strikers should, Azuka puts the ball into the corner. 2-1 1st goal for Azuka Half time whistle goes 2-1 to Broadway.

2nd half starts and its much of the same as Broadway look dangerous down the flanks, again the East Levenshulme keeper keeping the score respectable with some excellent saves.

55mins gone as Speight picks the ball up deep in the opponents half; he looks to release Azuka but over hits the pass, Rowbotham races onto the ball who then chips it to the back post for the on rushing Kyle Denton to nod home from 2 yards. 3-1 to Broadway

Yet again Broadway don’t like to do things the easy way as Jonathan Eckersley is judged to have brought down the East Levenshulme striker, dubious decision but a penalty is awarded.

The taker sends the ball down the middle as Platt dives to his left. 3-2

The East Levenshulme comeback didn’t last long as Azuka is through on goal whilst fending off defenders; he gets his shot away only for the keeper to make a decent save, the ball rebounds into Rowbotham’s path, with the easiest of tap ins. 4-2

Broadway subs. Jon Leaney replaces Jonathan Eckersley, Richard Whitfield replaces Gary Rowbotham and Ken Ramsbottom replaces Azuka Alintah.

Almost immediately after coming on, both Whitfield and Ramsbottom nearly get on the score sheet only for the East Levenshulme keeper thwarting both efforts.

With 5mins to go, Ken Ramsbottom receives the ball in the East Levenshulme half, he finds a perfect through ball for Denton to race onto 1 on 1 with the keeper Denton comes out on top as he squeezes the ball underneath the keeper to make it 5-2

Full time, unfortunately no clean sheet and if it wasn’t for the East Levenshulme keeper, the game could have been double figures.

Man on the Match was Gary Rowbotham; he ran the East Levenshulme defence ragged. 2 goals and an assist.