Cookie Privacy Preferences
We utilize essential cookies to ensure our website operates effectively and remains secure. Additionally, we'd like to request your permission to use optional cookies. These are intended to enhance your browsing experience by offering personalized content, displaying advertisements that are relevant to you, and helping us to further refine our website.
Choose "Accept all cookies" to agree to the use of both essential and optional cookies. Alternatively, select "Let me see" to customize your preferences.
Privacy Preference Centre
Our website utilizes cookies to enhance your browsing experience and to present you with content tailored to your preferences on this device and browser. Below, you will find detailed information about the function of cookies, enabling you to make informed choices about which cookies you wish to accept. Please note that disabling certain cookies might impact your user experience on our site. It's important to remember that cookie preferences need to be set individually for each device and browser you use. Clearing your browser's cache may also remove your cookie settings. You have the freedom to modify your cookie preferences at any point in the future.
For a comprehensive understanding of our use of cookies, please refer to our complete cookies policy.
These cookies are needed for the website to work and for us to fulfil our contractual obligations. This means they can't be switched off. They enable essential functionality such as security, accessibility and live chat support. They also help us to detect and prevent fraud. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but it means some parts of the site won't work.
These cookies allow us to measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know how popular pages are, and to see how visitors move around the site. If you don't allow these cookies, we won't know when you've visited our site, and we won't be able to monitor its performance.
These cookies enable us to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we've added to our pages. If you don't allow these cookies, some or all of these services may not work properly.
These cookies collect information about your browsing habits to show you personalised adverts. They may be used to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They don't store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you don't allow these cookies, the adverts you see will be less relevant.
RECREATION GROUND | BROOKBURN ROAD | CHORLTON | M21 8FE
by Robert Lee · 05/09/2021
Saturday 4th September 2021, NWCFL First Division South
West 5 (Elliott 23, 72, 84, Gabidon 34, Delaney 89)
Brocton 1 (Jackson 35)
Att: 569
Ben Elliott’s hat-trick inspired West to a fifth successive win as Brocton were beaten at Brookburn Road.
Elliott’s treble, taking his tally to nine for the season, was interspersed with goals from Dontai Gabidon and Liam Delaney as West strengthened their position in the First Division South leading pack.
Brocton will look back on a period after Cameron Jackson halved the decifit where they could have gone in level at the break, but an assured second-half performance meant that West were deserved winners.
West came into the game having scored 15 goals in their previous four matches, but chances were initially hard to come by – Marcus Dibble’s off-target header the only opportunity to speak of in the opening exchanges.
However, Chris Rowley’s side grew into the game and opened the scoring midway through the first period. Elliott showed his predatory instincts to snaffle his first goal, swivelling to convert after a corner had been nodded back into the danger area.
Dontai Gabidon doubled the advantage 11 minutes later with his first goal of the season – the West number 11, starting in his familiar position on the left wing, scored in vintage style as he cut past a defender on his right foot and curled a shot beyond the reach of visiting keeper Corey Mallon.
But just as against Maine Road last time out, West were pegged back from a strong position. Barely 60 seconds had passed since Gabidon’s goal when the Badgers hauled themselves back into the game, Jackson nodding home after Andrew Jones had saved his initial effort.
Jackson’s goal signalled the start of a nervy period for the home side as Brocton looked to draw themselves level. A header was sent narrowly over before a low ball from the right fizzed across the face of goal, but West were able to get to the interval in the driving seat.
That proved to be crucial as West ran away with the game in an excellent second half. Elliott served notice of intent immediately after the restart, firing just over Mallon’s bar. But it was the introduction of Billy Matthews just before the hour that was to prove pivotal.
Matthews, appearing from the bench for the first time this season after eight consecutive starts, replaced Josh Tinker and immediately almost scored a sensational goal, twisting past Brocton defenders in the box before the ball was smuggled away.
He did claim his first assist of the afternoon with 18 minutes remaining, as West scored a crucial third goal. Matthew Cook’s cross from the right was only half-cleared, and Matthews kept the attack alive inside the box – his pass inside flicked off a Brocton player’s arm, but Elliott ignored shouts for a penalty to ram the ball into the roof of the net.
West were now in the groove and Elliott secured the matchball 12 minutes later in similar fashion. Matthews again teed up the West number 9 whose finish was unerring, this time into the bottom corner.
There was still time for another subsitute to make his mark on the game before full time. Liam Delaney found himself taking up a centre forward position as Gabidon swung a ball into the box, and his textbook header completed another successful day’s work for Chris Rowley’s side.
West: A. Jones, Cook, Westall, Tinker (Matthews 57), Dibble, Heathcote, Grewal (Delaney 75), C. Jones, Elliott (Lewis 85), Davis, Gabidon. Not used: Gavin, Eme.
Eckersley’s Plumbers & Locksmiths Player of the Match: Ben Elliott.