Broadway Brook F.C 7 - 3 Strawberry Gardens F.C

Reporting from Carrington, Broadway Brook welcomed Strawberry Gardens FC, a team who were unbeaten throughout the entire 2008-2009 season. On paper it deemed to be tuff match for Broadway.

Line-up saw Ant back in net. A back 4 of Andy Mac left back, John right back with Ste Dimitch and Lee Hamblett in the centre. A midfield 4 of Gary Rowbotham left mid, Elliott Speight right mid with Matt and Gilly in the middle, with Kyle Denton partnering Rick Whitfield upfront.

The game started off with both teams cautious until Broadway burst into life, as Kyle Denton broke away down the left, his hard work getting to the by-line saw his shot come cross put into his own net by a Strawberry Gardens defender. All credit to Kyle for his persistence. 1-0

After going 1-0 up Broadway knew Strawberry Gardens were going to come at them, which they did but with Steven Dimitch & Lee Hamblett at the back it was always going to be a huge task.

After soaking up the pressure, Broadway broke again with Richard Whitfield doing well down the right, showing his strength to shrug off challenges, he gets his head up and spots the run of Elliott Speight, a pin point cross is volleyed in to the far corner, Excellent finish. 2-0

Strawberry Gardens did manage to pull a goal back to make it 2-1 before half time.

Half time 2-1, Broadway makes lots of changes. Dave, Jimmy and Daz coming on for John, Dimitch and Hamblett. Rick & Gilly make way for Ginder and Marek. Ginder going to Left mid, Kyle Denton switching to right mid and Marek partners Gaz upfront.

2nd half kicks off, a long punt upfield from the Strawberry Gardens defender isn’t dealt with by Daz and the striker steals into make it 2-2. Not the start to the 2nd half Broadway was hoping for.

Broadway step it up a gear as Kyle picks the ball up deep and spots the run of Rowbotham, a slide rule pass through the defenders is latched on to and on his weaker right side fires past the keeper. 3-2 and much deserved.

Moments later, Rowbotham turns provider and repays Kyle Denton as he steals a short ball from the Strawberry Gardens defender, his cross megs the defender and Kyle with the simplest of finishes makes it 4-2.

Another lapse in concentration lets in Strawberry Gardens to make it 4-3, but from there on it was all Broadway.

Broadway makes changes. Marek switches to left mid, Ginder goes to right mid. Rick and Dimitch come on upfront, Hamblett and Gilly coming on in centre mid. John coming on at left back. Rowbotham, Speight, Matt, Kyle and Andy Mac all make way.

Straight away Dimitch upfront was causing all sorts of problems, after twisting and turning out wide Dimitch fires in a cross to Richard Whitfield, with all the time in the world Rick beats the keeper at the near post. All credit to Dimitch and a fine finish from Rick. 5-3

Enter Lee ‘The Beast’ Hamblett, as he picks the ball up near the half way line, with all the space infront of him, he ventures forward, rides 2 challenges as he shows great strength. After wriggling free from the challenges from 25 yards he unleashes a rocket that nestles into the top corner. Goal of the match and capped a solid performance. 6-3

Strawberry Gardens struggle to cope with Broadways attacks as Daz picks the ball up deep in his own half, as Dimitch watches the line, Daz plays a beautiful cross-field pass to Dimitch, Clean through he takes his time, and curles the ball past the keeper into the far corner. If anyone deserved a goal, It was Steven Dimitch, his 1st for Broadway. 7-3

It could have been more as James Ginder rattles the bar from 25 yards. Final score 7-3
A fine performance all round, everyone that was involved all did their jobs. Not only that players that came on and played out of position, played quality!
Exciting times at Broadway Brook FC