Vine Tavern 4 - 5 Broadway Brook F.C

On a perfect day for football, Broadway Brook came into this game with 2 wins from 2. After upsetting the odds against premiership champs Old Alts and a comprehensive win over the Pelican last week. It was the challenge of the Vine Tavern at Walton Park that proved to show just how much character and quality this Broadway Brook squad has.

Team line up. Antony Platt in goal, a back 4 of Jon Leaney right back, Andy McIntosh left back, Steven Dimitch and Jonathan Eckersley centre backs.

Richard Whitfield making his official league debut came in at right midfield, the inform James Ginder left midfield with Lee Hamblett, John Gilmartin and Elliott Speight in centre midfield.

Leaving Gary Rowbotham as the lone striker.

With Darren Langford, James Hayes, Dan Mitchell, Anthony Dolan & Ken Ramsbottom on the subs bench.

Broadway started the game at a frantic pace and within the first 2 minutes found themselves 1-0 up.

Broadway has a corner, Rowbotham to whip it in and his corner is met by Elliott Speight whose bullet header gave the Vine keeper no chance. 1-0

Moments later Broadway Brook shown why they are the team to beat at the moment, as Lee Hamblett finds Rowbotham, who then spots the run of James Ginder down the left channel. A perfect pass and an exquisite touch from Ginder as he finds himself clean through, he fires in a great shot across the keeper into the far corner. Excellent goal. 2-0

Without time to breathe another Broadway attack down the left, with Andy McIntosh in great form, with his close control running at the Vine defence, as Lee Hamblett pulls away from his marker, Andy McIntosh finds Hamblett perfectly who slots it past the Vine Keeper into the corner. Another excellent goal. Goals being scored from everywhere. 3-0

3-0 up as Broadway take their foot off the gas, The Vine Tavern are awarded a free kick about 35 yards out. As Antony Platt is organising his wall, the Vine take a quick free kick and catch Platt off guard, as the ball goes over his head. 3-1. not deserved. Game on.

Half time score, 3-1. Broadway Brook looking excellent value for their lead.

As the 2nd half kicks off, Broadway Brooks concentration needs to be 100%, unfortunately it wasn’t as the Vine are gifted a lifeline. 3-2

Luckily for Broadway, the Vine’s 2nd goal spurred them on. As Lee Hamblett picks up the ball in the Vine half as he spots the run of Rowbotham, a perfect pass yet again as Rowbotham volleys past the keeper into the far corner. Makes up for a few misses earlier. 4-2

4-2 soon became 5-2 as the Vine Tavern push out as Lee Hamblett finds Rowbotham totally unmarked and on side, from the edge of the box smashes it in off the far post. 2 assists for Hamblett.

Broadway changes.

Richard Whitfield makes way for Dan Mitchell, John Leaney comes off and is replaced by Darren Langford, and James Hayes replaces Lee Hamblett.

With the result looking a formality, again concentration levels need to be high, unfortunately it wasn’t to be yet again, as James Hayes gets caught in possession on the edge of his own box. Another gift for the Vine as they make it 5-3

Seconds left and another mistake failing to close down leads to an unchallenged cross which is put away by the Vine. 5-4. not deserved but we only have ourselves to blame.

Final whistle 5-4. Score line is slightly unjust to Broadway but another 3 points. Perfect start to life in the Altrincham Premiership. Played 3 won 3.

Man of the Match could have been a number of players, but today 1 man stood out above everyone. Jonathan Eckersley was unreal today, winning every header, every challenge. His new name is Jonathan “The Colossal” Eckersley.