Pelican 2 - 3 Broadway Brook F.C

Broadway Brook travelled to Weathercock Farm to face a Pelican side look to exact revenge for their 4-0 defeat to Broadway earlier in the season.

Team line up

Antony Platt in goal. Andy Macintosh left back, Jon Leaney right back with Steven Dimitch and Jonathan Eckersley centre backs.

James Ginder came in at right mid with Dan Mitchell on the left with Elliott Speight and John Gilmartin in the centre of midfield.

Kyle Denton partnered Gary Rowbotham up front.

Subs, Lee Hamblett, Dave Hewitt, Marek Adamiuk and Ken Ramsbottom.

The game started off with Broadway looking the brighter, Jonathan Eckersley and Steven Dimitch commanding everything at the back, it was Broadway who broke the deadlock first.

Dan Mitchell venturing forward down the left is fouled 25 yards out, free kick to Broadway. Standing over it are Elliott Speight, Andy Macintosh and Gary Rowbotham, Speight darts down the side of the Pelican wall causing confusion as Rowbotham fires over the wall, across the keeper into the far top right hand corner. Stunning strike!!! 1-0 to Broadway

With Broadway looking to build on the narrow lead, it was Pelican who struck next. As a chipped shot/cross loops over Antony Platt’s reach. 1-1

Soon after Pelican struck again as they play the ball forward, with suspicion of offside, a cross finds an unmarked player in the box to put the ball past a helpless Platt. 2-1 to Pelican

Pelican’s lead was short lived as Speight picks the ball up deep and finds Rowbotham down the left, he takes on the left back, his cross isn’t dealt with by the Pelican defence James Ginder pounces and fires through a Pelican players legs into the far corner! Another fine strike 2-2

Half time 2-2

The 2nd half started like the 1st, Broadway controlling matters, defending well and passing the ball around on a difficult pitch.

The 1st goal scoring opportunity of the half fell to Pelican as they are awarded a free kick 25 yards outside the Broadway box. The effort was sweetly struck and heading for the top corner, only for Antony Platt to pull off a world class save!

Broadway pressed for the lead and they finally got it, as they win a corner. Rowbotham fires in, Denton controls nicely before firing in on the turn at the near post, another quality finish! 3-2

Unfortunately the match then turned a little ugly as Andy Macintosh flies into a 50/50 challenge and winning the ball, 2 Pelican players take offence to the challenge and punches are thrown! After the melee, the ref issues Andy Macintosh a red card for the challenge and the 2 Pelican players for violent conduct.

Broadway subs, Lee Hamblett comes on for John Gilmartin, James Ginder makes way for Marek Adamiuk and Dave Hewitt replaces Jon Leaney.

With the game coming to a close, Denton on the right feeds Rowbotham, who squares to Speight who was through 1 on 1 with the keeper, only for a poor 1st touch which allowed the keeper to gather.

The final whistle goes, 3-2 to Broadway, not at their best but ground out the result.

Man of the match was awarded to Gary Rowbotham for his excellent free kick, 2 assists and overall performance.