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1st Team

Fixtures, Results and Match Reports - 2018/2019 season

POS 1st Team - First Division P W D L F A GD PTS
1  Walmer Bridge 24 19 1 4 80 46 34 58
2  Hoole United 24 16 6 2 76 25 51 54
3  Southport Trinity 24 13 2 9 60 43 17 41
4  New Longton Rovers 24 13 2 9 62 47 15 41
5  Southport & Ainsdale Res 24 11 3 10 60 54 6 36
6  Tarleton Corinthians 24 10 4 10 69 65 4 34
7  Springfields 24 9 5 10 55 68 -13 32
8  Broughton Amateurs 24 9 4 11 44 56 -12 31
9  FC Bolton 24 9 3 12 45 61 -16 30
10  Wilbraham Club 24 8 1 15 66 79 -13 25
11  Eccleston & Heskin Res 24 7 3 14 47 79 -32 24
12  Canberra Corinthians 24 6 4 14 46 63 -17 22
13  Appleby Bridge 24 4 6 14 44 68 -24 18

1st Team Fixtures + Results, Scorers and Match Reports (where submitted).
Broughton Score First.

Sat. 25th Aug. 2018

V

Sir Tom Finney (a)  0 - 5  (ht.-)    
scorers :  -
Sat. 22nd Sept. 2018

V

Canberra Corinthians  (h)  0 - 2   (ht.-)    
scorers :  -
Sat. 29th Sept. 2018

V

Southport Trinity  (a)  0 - 5   (ht.0-2)    
scorers :  -
Sat. 13th Oct. 2018

V

Eccleston & Heskin Res (h)  6 - 0  (ht.3-0)    
scorers :  L. Taylor 3, R. Micklethwaite, J. Yates, R. Alston
    The weather seemed to reflect the two directions our season could go after Saturday’s game. It was autumn and that means change. The results have been poor so far and we hadn’t yet scored a goal. So a change to this form would be a welcome relief. However, it was also the day of Storm Callum, bringing wild winds and wet weather and could in fact mean more misery for Murch and the Broughton first team if our poor form continued. However, the atmosphere in the dressing room beforehand seemed to suggest a change in our fortunes. Firstly, it was good to see the return of some familiar faces: in came Luke Taylor who seemed bright and shiny as he strolled up to the Myerscough dressing room. However, it might have just been the Firminoesque gnashers that gave off this impression. We also saw Adam Hayhurst return, who was in great spirits as, in his own words, he was “just glad to be out of the house”. We also saw Jamie return and coupled with a few faces from last year’s second team (Lewis, Imi, Will and Dan) suddenly the gloom of recent weeks seemed to vanish. Before the game, Murch set us up in a 4-1-4-1 formation to counteract the big forward of Walmer Bridge. A sensible and wise tactical decision if that was who were actually playing. However, when it was revealed to him that we were playing Eccleston, Murch, like all good tacticians, stuck by his guns and said he heard they also had a big powerful forward that we needed to starve of service (they didn’t). This and the forgotten keys meant a lottery ticket was decided pregame. The talk before the game was to start quickly. In previous games, we tended to look lethargic but with a strong bench, players could afford to work hard from the first minute as there were options available if we got tired. The warm up reflected this as we worked hard on getting the intensity high from the start. This was nearly wasted as a late and lethargic referee meant the kick off was delayed by half an hour. But, promisingly, we were still quick out of the blocks. And, two minutes in, a through ball from Alston found the superb run of Taylor who latched on to it, rounded the keeper and slotted it home. Our first goal of the season saw us go wild with Monksy shouting from the sidelines: “yay! We scored!” And a 35 year old man forgot his age and danced in the celebration in the style of Mané and Firmino. It was a welcome relief. And soon after it was two. A wonderful chipped ball over the defence by Micklethwaite fed Jamie who sped past the centre half and lashed the ball into the net. 2-0 after 7 minutes. It felt good. We then set about controlling the game. Eccleston tried to use the wind by pumping the ball over the top but the back four dealt with any high balls with ease and Will was never tested. Barnsey excelled in his sitting role and cut out any attempted passes into their forward line. Adam and Lewis as full backs were able to get on the ball and feed the midfield and forward line and we started to look in full control Soon it was three. A good move saw the ball fed out wide to Jamie. His delivery was deflected into the air where it fell to Alston on the edge of the 18 who hit a Scholes-like volley (not my words but the words of Tom Barnes) into the bottom corner of the net. Then, shamefully, the dancing happened again. 3-0 and we more than deserved it. At half time, Murch was full of praise for once. So far this season it has been a half time of well-deserved bollockings but with us working hard for each other and with the movement of Luke and the pace of Dan and Jamie out wide, we finally looked dangerous. But he urged us to be cautious as the next 10 minutes was crucial to stop them getting back in the game. And so we continued to work hard for each other and before long it was 4-0 thanks to a stunning strike from Micklethwaite. He picked up the ball in acres of space and, cutting across it, he drilled the ball over the keeper from all of 40 yards. 4-0 and game over. We then made use of our excellent bench. Pommy came on for the excellent Hayhurst whose one and only overlap seemed to take it out of him, before Imi replaced the tiring Jamie and Penny, another excellent call up from the seconds, replaced the very effective defensive shield of Barnsey. However, we then seemed to take our foot off the gas and do our best to give Eccleston a lifeline. Passes went astray, people stopped working and Taylor began bollocking. Luckily, we managed to get a grip and we scored a fifth. A foul on Imi saw Micklethwaite float a ball to Taylor who took it into his stride and fired past the cabbage-handed goalkeeper. Eccleston looked defeated and so Pommy, presumably feeling sorry for them, tried his best to give them a penalty. Luckily for us, our tired and cranky referee wasn’t up with play so it wasn’t given. That meant the clean sheet was still on and it would’ve been harsh if the excellent performances of the back four, and in particular Iddon and McGill who didn’t lose a header all game, weren’t rewarded. The icing on the cake was a hat trick for the returning Taylor. Dan’s trickery drew a foul, and, after Murch had confidently predicted to Adam that Luke would sky the freekick, he did the opposite and smashed it past the keeper for 6-0. After the final whistle, for once the changing room was a good place to be. Most came back to the Bull and MoM and worst moment was decided. Man of the Match was Luke closely followed by Scott Iddon. Worst moment went to me. Normally my dance shame came after a big night out in the dingy clubs of Preston. This was a new low and there was no alcohol involved. Maybe I was high from us scoring or from my wonder goal. I don’t know. Lottery ticket it is.  RA.
Sat. 20th Oct 2018 
GH Cup Rd 1

V

Southport Trinity  (a)  0 - 1 (AET ft.0-0)  
scorers :   
  GUILDHALL CUP ROUND 1
Sunshine and a trip to the seaside was Broughton’s Saturday. After the good result last week, the side went to Southport in optimistic mood, despite having lost 5-0 there a few weeks ago. Manager Murch, despite missing key players from the previous week, had a strong squad to choose from. He welcomed back Kev from his honeymoon and Andy Horn from physio-ing. We also saw the return of Newby, after his excellent season last season, and K, Greg and Mitch. Talk before the game was of working hard for each other and getting into the faces of the opposition. We lined up in 4-1-4-1 which allowed us to be solid in the middle of the park. Southport were a tough side but we matched them throughout. The whole team worked hard for each other in a very intensive first half of few opportunities. K battled hard up front and every time we went forward, we looked dangerous. However, neither side went close with final balls or miscontrol letting down both sides as each midfield battled for control as the game continued at breakneck speed. After 25 minutes, it seemed to swing towards us as they began to fall out with each other and we began to win first and second balls. Their number 10 decided he had enough and he walked off the pitch, took off his boots and decided he didn’t fancy the battle, leaving his teammates to pick up all his toys and his dummy. However, for all the dominance, Southport had the only clear chance of the first half. Their centre mid ran through and with Gilly in pursuit, seemed to stumble over and Greg smothered the ball. Cue outrage from Southport as they felt it should’ve been a pen. Murch was again full of praise for his side at half time. His talk was about continuing to work hard for each other but be a bit more patient with the ball. So we came out determined and looked dangerous as we pressed the home team and looked to hit them on the break. K and Tannock went close and Kev continued to shield the back four as we sought an opening goal. However, after some good pressure, Southport started to look most likely to score. Greg pulled off a great finger tip save to keep us level and we began to tire. But the back four held strong. Gilly and Scott continued their excellent partnership and headed anything away and Newby and Andy Horn continued to work hard without the ball and be an outlet for us going forward. However, neither side managed to break the deadlock so we went to extra time. Murch won worst moment for asking whether it was golden goal, baffling the younger players who weren’t born when it was last used. The lads had worked hard all game and with only one sub (thanks to a no show from a pissed up Walsh), it was Southport who scored the decisive goal. The pressure from midfield was no longer there and a ball over the top saw the striker race through and put it in, despite Greg getting down superbly to his first shot. Luckily, it wasn’t 1998 and we still had a chance to get back in it. We pushed various players forward in search of the equaliser in the second period of extra time. Dan, Lewis and Newby all went close but it was all to no avail and Southport held on. But, once again, we saw another improvement and hopefully we’ll continue getting better with each game. Gilly was named MoM with Kev and Lewis coming a close second. - RA
Sat. 27th Oct. 2018

V

FC Bolton (a)  3 - 0   (ht.1-0)    
scorers :  G. Halse 2, L. Walsh
    Bolton was the location announced at the last minute by Murch for Broughton’s next game, and despite a late drop out, we went with confidence. We lined up in our now familiar formation of 4-1-4-1 with our manager and his dodgy hamstring starting at centre half. As has become a deliberate custom, Murch continued to try to take the worst moment pressure off his team by arriving with a wet kit, having been up late in the night washing it. In cold conditions, we started on fire. Pressing from midfield, we won the ball back well and created two great chances within the first 10 minutes. Dan used his pace to get behind the back line but couldn’t convert either chance. This is the tactic we employed for the rest of the game. Instead of trying to pass it short through our midfield, today was the day to take football back to the early nineties: run around at 100 miles an hour and whack the ball over the top for our strikers to run onto. However, it was a Bolton mistake that gave us our first goal. A short pass out saw Gav challenge their centre half. He won the ball and despite their keeper saving his first shot, he was sharp and smashed home the rebound. 1-0. However, we then took our foot off the pedal and the wind stopped us getting up the pitch. Soon, Bolton had a few good chances of their own, but Greg saved one well with his feet and poor finishing for the others meant we went into the break holding onto the lead. Half time was about using the wind and continuing to hit it over the Bolton back line - and that is what we did. We continued to work hard for each other and threaten on the break. Bolton were easily kept at bay as any time they managed to break through the back line and Greg threw themselves in the way. After soaking up the pressure, we got a second. A great ball from Lewis fed Gav down the right wing and his cross was bundled over the line by Walsh, back after ‘working’ last week. 2-0. Mitch came on for K for fresh legs and we continued to look comfortable. And then 5 minutes from the end we got the icing on the cake. A long ball over the top saw Gav race onto the ball. With the keeper stranded, he lofted the ball over his head and into the gaping net. A great performance, characterised by hard work, meant another good result. The cherry on the cake was the bargain Tiger beers (£7 a crate!) that Andy donated and the boys enjoyed. Let’s hope these performances continue. RA 
Sat. 3rd Nov 2018

V

Walmer Bridge (h)  1 - 1  (ht.1-1)    
scorers :  A. Whitaker
    18 players Murch had to select from for this game. 18! It was a sign that our recovery from such a poor start was continuing. Walmer Bridge was also the team that Murch thought we were playing when he dreamt up the 4-1-4-1 formation that marked the start of our turnaround in fortunes. His team talk for this was done 3 weeks ago. We started with Will in nets and had the back four of Hungover Horn, Gilly, Scott and Newby; Kev, Alston and Lewis were the midfield three; and Jamie, Micklethwaite and Adam were the front three. This left us with a strong bench of Aidy, Tigz and Mitch. Like in recent weeks, we started well and on the front foot, numerous chances were created-and missed - and if anybody looked likely to score it was us. Pressing from Adam forced a mistake from the back line and Alston’s cross into the box nearly resulted with Adam opening the scoring. Other chances came and went - Yates went close twice - but the scores stayed level. But soon we were very nearly punished. A ball over the top and Scott’s flat feet meant his only option was to tug on the shirt of their centre forward who went down on the edge of the box. The ref saw it as inside and Walmer Bridge had the penalty. Their left back jogged up confidently but Will sprang to his left and his strong arm kept the scores level. However, it was soon 1-0. Their left winger jinxed inside Andy, whose hangover was getting worse by the second, and he ran past numerous slide challenges before squeezing the ball under an unlucky Will. This spelt the end of Andy’s game as his age + pints of alcohol + staying up past midnight = dog rough. Aidy replaced him as we looked to hit back. We continued to press. However, some dubious linesman decisions stopped many of our attacks. However, it was the ref playing advantage for one of these offsides that caused the players to be particularly furious. As the Walmer Bridge goalkeeper dallied on the ball, Jamie stole in and put it in the net. The ref then gave the freekick. Micklethwaite and Yates were furious, with Jamie going into the book, despite a father-son chat from Murch before the game about rising above the anger. Micklethwaite also continued the protests but to no avail. However, we soon got an equaliser. Kev, as usual, won the ball in midfield and slipped in Adam. His pace saw him race onto the ball, the linesman kept his flag down, and he placed the ball into the net. 1-1. The halftime whistle went and as we talked about possible changes of system Micklethwaite continued to have his own father-son chat about the non-advantage decision: “Just admit you were wrong, ref, and we can all move on.” His teammates had moved on to halftime and the ref refused to admit he was wrong so Ryan and the ref are still not friends. The second half started the way the first ended. We pressed and looked to feed Adam and soon had the ball in the net. But it was rightly ruled out for offside. A good ball from Alston found Adam who sped into the box and instead of finishing it, he squared it to Jamie who was ahead of the ball. Still 1-1. Tigz came on for Alston to use his pace to get behind the defence but it was Walmer Bridge who started to push for the winner. Luckily, our back four held firm and restricted them to very few chances. Mitch came on for the tiring Jamie but we weren’t able to fashion many chances and in the end we were grateful for the point, continuing to show a solidity that was missing earlier in the season. RA 
Sat. 10th Nov 2018

V

Springfields (h)  1 - 1  (ht.-)    
scorers :  J. Yates
Sat. 17th Nov 2018

V

Wilbraham Club  (a)  1 - 0   (ht.-)    
scorers :  D. Edwards
Sat. 24th Nov 2018

V

New Longton Rovers  (h)  2 - 0    (ht.-)    
scorers :  J. Yates, R. Micklethwaite
Sat. 15th Dec. 2018

V

Ecclestone & Heskin Res (a)  2 - 3  (ht.2-0)    
scorers :  G. Halse, D. Makinson
    This was a game that nobody wanted to play. Arctic conditions and a poor pitch meant various players were praying for a late cancellation for any number of reasons: a pissed up ref not turning up; a huge puddle magically appearing in the middle of the pitch or the other team not turning up. However, there was no such luck and once we got changed Gilly summed it up: “Fuck it. We’re here now. This is proper amateur football.” We started in 4-4-1-1 formation with a late arriving Ryan Mick on the bench. Jamie bravely volunteered to go in nets and wore 16 layers of clothes, making him look an average weight. The rest of the team was as such: Andy H-Gilly-Newby-Kev; Liam, Tannock, Alston, Dylan; Crossthwaite; Nick up top. We started brightly. The midfield won the ball back well and our pace on the flanks meant we looked threatening every time we went forward. Soon our hard work paid off. Nick dropped deep to pick up the ball and let fly from 25 yards. It sailed over the keeper for the opening goal. The cold then claimed its first victim. Liam signalled to the bench that his legs stopped working so Ryan had to quickly peel off the numerous layers he had painstakingly put on to keep him alive on the sideline. However, the forced change led to our second goal. Ryan came into midfield and Andy went to the left and Dylan to the right. A throughball from Micklethwaite found Dylan’s penetrating run and he squeezed the ball into the corner of the net. 2-0. We then continued to press and look for a third. Andy was causing havoc down the left and Nick was linking up well up top. Dylan had a chance from a through ball from Alston and with the back four dealing with anything Eccleston had, we were looking good. The rare time Eccleston threatened saw Jamie pull of a full length save that Greg or Will would be proud of. At half time, the weather claimed its next victim as Dylan ran off to the warmth of his car, complaining of a sore leg. This left us down to ten until Doug could get himself warm and make an appearance for Broughton for the 52nd year in a row, putting various people to shame. Unfortunately, within a couple of minutes, Eccleston had pulled one back. A cross into the box found an unmarked player - exactly where our missing man would have been - and he put it into the net. We then managed to reorganise and began to dig in deep. Doug came on up top and I shifted out to the right. Once more, our togetherness showed as we worked hard to keep Eccleston at bay. However, they soon equalised despite our best efforts. At other times, this would have sparked a collapse but it actually galvanised us and we began to threaten. Alston moved back into the middle to stop their captain playing and we started to look dangerous. Andy hit the post with a scorcher and a goalmouth scramble from the corner nearly saw Doug and Gilly bundle the ball over the line. If anybody was going to win, it looked us. But, it was not to be. Their sub, who spent most of his 15 minutes on the pitch complaining about the colour of his legs, found a bit of space at the edge of the area. Despite the close attentions on Kev and Gilly, he managed to get his shot off and it went straight into the top corner. After the game, it was a rush to get changed and get the heaters on in the car. Nick looked like he was on the verge of losing fingers as he struggled to get his kit off, whereas most looked like they were glad they played, despite the result. It’s a shame lost players at a key time in the game otherwise we would have got a result. RA 
Sat. 5th Jan. 2019

V

New Longton Rovers  (a)  1 - 0    (ht.0-0)    
scorers :  L. Taylor
    After a cheese and alcohol filled Christmas, what the lads didn’t want was a heavy and bobbly pitch that stuck to your boots and sucked your energy. However, that is exactly what we got. However, luckily we had a decent squad to cope with it. We lined up in our prettier blue kit (Barnsey) 4-4-1-1. Jamie, whose cat-like performance against Eccleston gave him the bug for going in nets again, started in goal (I won’t mention to two missed open net pens in the warm up, Jamie). Andy Horn, Scott, a tiny-eyed Gilly and Newby was the back four. Dan, Kev, Lewis, Andy was the midfield with Ryan in front of them and the returning great white-toothed hope, Luke Taylor, up top. I was an emergency sub and Robbo and the very tanned Barnsey completed the bench. Murch, whose thinking seemed clearer now that he was doing dry January, spoke before the game on keeping a tight shape to the team and getting the back four to squeeze up the pitch so we can avoid Luke being isolated. However, it was New Longton who started brighter as they pressed us well and looked to get the ball forward to their big centre forward. We struggled to adapt to the pitch and kept giving the ball back to New Longton. We then lost Tannock who had been struggling. Barnsey came on and immediately tried to snap into tackles to get us back into the game but we failed to keep the ball. However, strangely, it took a few comedy events to help us turn the tide. Ryan missed an open net, Andy took one full in the balls and Barnsey got snipered. And this seemed to settle us down. Soon we were playing balls into the channels for Luke and Andy and really started the threaten. For all their early play, New Longton failed to create much and we went into half time confident and unlucky not to be one or two up. Murch, whose skin and eyes continued to get brighter and brighter every hour of dry January, spoke about using the channels to release our pace and get the winning goal. And that’s what we tried to do. Scott and Gilly won most things in the air to stop New Longton getting forward and tried to get us up the pitch, despite Scott not being able to hear the shouts of ‘Get us up’ because of some tractors. Newby looked to release the ball to Andy and Luke, and Kev started to be horrible and pick up the pieces in the middle. Murch made a change to bring on Robbo into the centre to make us more solid and stop them breaking, and Barnsey went out to the right. And it was this change that brought about the winner. Robbo picked up a stray pass and fed Barnsey. He brought it inside and fed Luke in the left hand channel. His pace took him past his man and his finished coolly into the far corner. As the pitch started to take its toll and the tractors continued to drown out the shouts of ‘Get out’ from the sideline we dropped deeper and had to sustain real pressure for the last 15 minutes. New Longton forced corner after corner and swung in some dangerous deliveries. However, Gavin Halse was in fine form and continued to get his fists and hands to everything. Andy Horn and Gilly worked hard to deal with the threats down our right hand side and, once again, the boys worked hard for each other. Eventually, the ref blew for full time and the boys walked off, having blown away the Christmas cobwebs with a well-earned victory. RA   
Sat. 12th Jan. 2019
LB Cup Rd 1

V

Wilbraham  (h)  6 - 0   (ht.3-0)    
scorers :  M. McGill, J. Yates 5.
LANCASTRIAN BRIGADE CUP Rd 1
    It might by Dry January for some, but it was raining goals for Broughton and Gav Halse at this week’s fixture. After the hard fought victory on a cow field last week, confidence was high, especially playing on the carpet of Myerscough. Murch had another good squad to choose from, despite missing Luke, Andy and Dan from last week. We started in our 4-2-3-1 formation, with Adam, who needed to get out of the house again, in nets; Andy, Gilly, Scott and Newby at the back; Kev and Barnes were in the midfield; Alston, Micklethwaite, Hudson in front of them and Jamie up top. This left us with Robbo on the bench with Aidy. Murch’s instructions were to match them for work rate and keep our positions and then our ability would shine through. With our strong back line, we always stand a chance of winning. Wilbraham started well. They were well organised and snapped into tackles, but the team heeded Murch’s words. We worked hard for each other to get the ball back and any time they got near to our goal the back line stopped them in their tracks, winning tackles and everything in the air. As well as this, everything seemed to knit together on the ball. Jamie’s runs into the channel stretched their back line and gave the players behind him lots of space to get on the ball and make things happen. Soon the pressure told. Micklethwaite’s corner was floated into the box and Gilly hung in the air like a white Michael Jordan and powered a header into the top corner. It was no more than we deserved. As we continued to piece together lovely moves, it seemed it was only a matter of time before we scored a second. Chances were created and last ditch challenges or good saves prevented us getting another. However, our pressure finally told. Gav* found himself in acres of space and as the defence stood off him, he let fly with a low drive that squirmed under the keeper. 2-0. Soon it was three. A free kick was awarded on the left about 25 yards out. With Gav’s* confidence up, he let fly - It seemed to be flying wide until a deflection guided it past the keeper and into the far corner. 3-0. At half time, Murch was full of praise for the team. He suggested we soak up any pressure from them and hit them on the break. Robbo came on for Mitch to tighten up the middle and Barnsey moved to the right and me to the left. Wilbraham predictably came at us and started to try and intimidate us with aggressive tackling. However, we continued to trust each other and pass the ball around them, with Ryan linking play, and we looked for the pace of Gav* over the top. The defence, who have been excellent all season, continued to win everything and anything that got though was flawlessly handled by Adam in the net. Murch’s instructions were then carried out perfectly. From Wilbraham’s corner, Newby’s clearing header found Robbo. His pass to Kev set him down the right and he played a perfect ball (one of many delicious passes he hit that afternoon) across the box for Gav* to hit a deflected shot into the net. 4-0. The game then descended into violence. Wilbraham, frustrated that they couldn’t get near the ball all afternoon, started to fly into challenges and we began to match them. A full blooded challenge from Robbo, who we know loves a tackle, resulted in a booking and each team gave as good as they got as Wilbraham’s heads seem to go. Then we had a flashpoint. A hard tackle from Newby saw their number 14 launch himself like a bull towards Newby. With no matador’s cape, Newby had to channel his inner WWE and body slam him to the floor. Then it was chaos. A few of their players stormed in as the windmilling started. Gilly, in true hero fashion, threw himself on top of Newby to protect one of our youngest, getting punched in the ear in the process. Various other scuffles happened as the ref struggled to keep control. Eventually everybody listened to Ryan Mick’s shouts of calm down and the ref said he could have sent four players off. Credit to both teams and the ref as players managed to get hold of things and stop the game descending into a violent farce. Soon after this, it was 5. Barnsey, like the rest of the team all game, pressed their centre half and he panicked and gave the ball to Gav*. He sprinted through and slipped a lovely finish inside the near post. 5-0. Aidy then replaced the excellent and consistent Andy Horn at right back and we continued to look like scoring with every attack. On more than one occasion, if Jamie had held his run, he would have been clear through as, with no pressure on the ball from them, our midfield were given plenty of time to pick passes. There was time for one more flash of brilliance from yours truly. My hips and legs thought they were 25 again and with a quick turn and one two with Micklethwaite, I cut inside and placed a pass into the path of Gav*. He raced on to it and drew the keeper before lifting it over his dive and putting it into the far right corner. 6-0. At the final whistle, Murch summed it up: “We matched them and more and everything knitted together.” After the scrappy victory of last week, we won with style this week. Our work rate was complemented by sharp and incisive football and we looked good. Gav* was man of the match and nobody could find any worst moments. Oh, apart from Barnsey not being able to go to the pub as he had to meet his sister’s new boyfriend. Luckily, for everybody, Barnsey said he was a sound guy. On to next week. *Names have been changed to annoy Jamie.  RA
Sat. 19th Jan. 2019

V

Canberra Corinthians (a)  3 - 2  (ht.0-0)    
scorers :  J. Yates, M. Newby, D. Edwards
    With a full squad to choose from and the return of a couple of regulars, Murch had that managerial headache that everybody welcomes: who is going to make the team and who is he going to leave out. However, as he tried to tell us and give us our instructions, he was constantly drowned out by Jamie going on about the new love of his life, Sharon, and the most magical night of her mature life. Despite the squad urging him to keep the details private, he continued to recount in great detail his escapades. Instead of learning the tactics for the game, the team learnt Jamie’s tactics of seduction. Instead of our positions for the game, we learnt all the positions Jamie tried out in the early hours, as the rest of the squad slept. And instead of shirt numbers, we learnt the numbers of Shaz’s anatomical features, including, weirdly, her collar size. Eventually, Murch managed to keep him quiet with a promise that we would all attend the wedding. We lined up 4-2-3-1, with Will back between the sticks; Andy, Gilly, the returning Aidy and Newby giving us a strong back line; Tannock and Barnsey sitting with Ryan in front of them; me on the right, Andy Crossthwaite left and Jamie up top. The talk was to build on the great work of last week: Match the work rate and earn the right to play. However, on a boggy pitch, we failed to start well. Canberra won first and second balls and burst through our midfield at will. Jamie was left isolated and anytime we managed to get the ball back, we gave it away. Luckily the strong defence kept their strikers out but we continued to be below par for much of the half. Any joy came from getting the ball forward to Jamie or the wide men quickly but we failed to create much as too often we failed to get up to support each other and moves often broke down. However, we did have most of the ball and Canberra barely troubled Will. At half time, talk was to be more compact and push the line up further, stopping Jamie becoming isolated. We started the second half brightly. Our work rate returned and we started to get in behind. Jamie and Andy had a couple of good chances and Ryan started to link play well. K came on for Lewis and, in the words of their manager, I changed the game by coming off and letting Dan come on to get in behind the full back. It was from here that we opened the scoring. A ball inside the full back saw Dan get in behind. The keeper came rushing out, and although no one on the sideline could work out what Dan was trying to do, the keeper brought him down. Jamie stepped up and dispatched the penalty with ease, dedicating his goal to his love Sharon. Canberra’s heads seem to drop then and K and Barnsey started to grab hold of midfield. Any balls that got past them were easily dealt with by the back line and before long, it was two. Luke Parker, a sub for the ever dependable Horn, strode forward and gave the ball inside to Ryan. A square ball to Newby saw him take a touch and then curl the ball round the keeper and inside the front post. 2-0. Soon it was three. Dan picked the ball up 25 yards out and let loose a vicious shot that flew into the net. 3-0. Canberra’s heads dropped and we looked in total control. Mitch came on for Andy and it turned into a keep ball exercise as Canberra got frustrated and flew into tackles. One move contained 20 passes before Ryan shinned it to their full back. However, we eased off too much. Their left winger looked sharp and his dribbling caused Luke to bring him down. However, their centre mid blazed it over. And that should have finished them off. But we did not heed the warning. A dangerous cross from their left winger saw their centre mid redeem himself with a far post finish. This seemed to make them grow in strength and we began to panic and look tired. Soon it was 3-2 as a misplaced pass saw them capitalise and grab another back. We looked tired and dazed and with a couple of minutes left, we were in danger of throwing it away. Luckily, we managed to reorganise and keep the ball better to see out the game for the win. As has been the case for the last 10 games or so, a solid back line and a good squad of players saw us get the result. The days of August seem to be well and truly behind us and Broughton seem to be on their way up now. Finally, there was a bit of great news. No, not the engagement of Jamie and Sharon, although that is on the horizon, but Gilly welcomed Eidee McGill into the world. Congratulations to the McGills from all at Broughton! Shame you didn’t take the lads’ suggestion of Sharon Gavin for the name. RA  
Sat. 26th Jan. 2019

V

Tarleton Corinthians (h)  3 - 7  (ht.-)    
scorers :  D. Edwards 2, K. Cummins
     
Sat. 16th Feb. 2019 
LB Cup Rd 2

V

New Longton Rovers Res  (a)  5 - 0  (ht.3-0)  
scorers :  T. Barnes, R. Micklethwaite, J. Yates, R. Murch, A. Crossthwaite
  LANCASTRIAN BRIGADE CUP Rd 2
A cup run was what was on the lads’ minds when we turned up at New Longton’s terrible pitch for our cup game. After the previous narrow victory over them and the heavy rains of previous weeks, we knew it was going to be a tough, scrappy game. Murch stuck with the tried and tested formation of 4-2-3-1. Adam needed to get out of the house again (these appearances are becoming more frequent) so was in nets. Andy, Scott, Gilly and Lewis were the back four; Barnsey and Kev were in front of them; K was a late change for Ryan (who if we were still doing worst moments would have won it for going to the wrong pitch) with Dan and me on the wings and Jamie up front - who like last game on here missed a practice pen in an open net. This left us with new signing Dan on the bench with Andy C and Murch, whose dry January, sweating interval sessions and 7k jogs have left him feeling fit as a fiddle. Murch told us to start on the front foot and work hard from the whistle. However, we decided to ignore that instruction and sit off New Longton. We were lackadaisical and lazy and New Longton started brightly. However, we settled into the game after about 5 minutes when New Longton sat off us and allowed Gilly and Scott step forward with the ball. On a poor pitch, we managed to play good football and move the ball quickly. Jamie’s work rate and excellent movement forced New Longton backwards and it was only some poor final balls that stopped us from taking the lead. We then lost Kev with a toight hammy, which could have unsettled us, but K dropped back and Ryan came on to float and soon it was 1-0. A good ball inside the full back by Barnes released scampering Andy Kyle Walker Horn and his pinpoint cross left Jamie with the easiest of tap ins. Soon it was 2-0. A shocking corner from Dan pea-rolled towards Gilly, he dummied it/missed it completely and Barnsey got across his man and mishit it under the keeper. We then started to really turn on the style. Barnsey and K began to win the ball further up the pitch and feed, me, Ryan and Dan. Jamie’s movement continued to cause havoc and we began to create chance after chance. A cross from me found Jamie and his first touch took him away from the defender but his lob couldn’t find the target. Then from another cross from me, Dan went close. Gilly and K went close with headers from corners and it was a miracle that we didn’t add another. But, New Longton couldn’t hold out for much longer and it was Ryan who made it 3. A great ball from Scott from the back found Ryan in acres of space and he controlled with his right and buried it with his left. However, we then took our foot off the gas and allowed New Longton to find a foothold. Scott lost his head momentarily to plough through the back of their centre forward (“I saw it in his eyes. He had stopped listening to me and wanted revenge” said Gilly) and it was only poor finishing that stopped them getting back in the game. At half time, Murch addressed this and we got control of the game again. Jamie continued to stretch the back line and the midfield kept winning the ball and distributing it sensibly. It seemed only a matter of time before we scored. Jamie went close with one chance and I had a diving header, from another Horn pinpoint cross, saved miraculously by their keeper. Murch brought on Andy and Dan for Dan and me, and himself for Scott. And soon it was 4-0. A fighting fit Murch rose like a salmon from a corner and powered a header past the keeper. Soon after that Andy C added a 5th with another glorious header and it was game over. There was time for a wild shot from K that nearly went out for a throw in and a bit of bastardry from Andy C to liven up the spectators, who were on their best behaviour, but all in all it was a convincing win. RA 
Sat. 23rd Feb. 2019

V

Hoole United  (a)  1 - 3   (ht.0-1)    
scorers :  A. Butterworth
    Today’s match report can be summed up in a sentence: Scott f*cked it up.
But we arrived at the league leaders high on confidence and with another strong squad. Adam got out of the house again and started in nets. Lewis shifted to right back, with Gilly, Scott and the returning Butterworth at left back; Murch named himself in midfield with Barnsey and 50 Shades of Blue Micklethwaite in midfield. I went to the right, Andy to the left and Jamie up top. We aimed to press high and win the first and second balls on an appallingly bobbly surface. And for the first 20 minutes, this is what we did. We won the ball back well and kept the pressure on the back line. Murch and Ryan were spraying the ball around and it was only because of poor final balls that we didn’t create anything more clear cut. Murch and Andy played a neat one-two with Andy just flashing his volley wide, but we looked in control and the most likely to take the lead. However, soon, we began to get sloppy with our passing. A couple of balls played blind into midfield allowed them to get momentum and it was last ditch challenges from Scott and Gilly that kept them at bay. We failed to heed the warning and soon they took the lead. A loose ball in centre midfield gave them possession in a dangerous area. They fed the ball into the channel and their centre forward squeezed the ball past Adam. We then seemed to lose our way. Jamie stopped running the channels, the ball was frequently miscontrolled and passes went astray and it was only down to last ditch challenges by the back four or safe handling from Adam that kept the score at 1-0. At half time, Murch addressed the failings and we started on the front foot. However, Jamie looked increasingly isolated up top and nothing the forward players tried seemed to come off. Murch changed me for Dan in the hope that Dan’s pace would stretch them but it was soon 2-0. A floated ball over the top saw a tight offside decision go in favour of them (they were onside but I should’ve flagged. Monksy would’ve) and their centre forward lashed it past Adam from 5 yards. That did take the wind out of our sails a little. However, we did get a goal back. A free kick on the edge of the area was expertly despatched by Butterworth into the bottom corner and we then looked to push for the equaliser. Jamie got a second wind and started the run the channels, with a couple of dangerous balls nearly finding their targets. However, his second wind was very short lived so Monksy replaced him and slotted in at left back. Ash went further upfield and Andy C moved into the centre. Ash started to get some joy and a delicious whipped ball from Monksy was just begging for a touch. But, with us committing more and more bodies forward, Hoole soon scored a third. A quick breakaway saw their centre forward score his third of the game and seal the points for Hoole. A lot of the talk after the game was how they were there for the taking and we should have done better. Last week we adapted well to the appalling surface but this week we failed miserably. Still, it shows how far we have come from the dark days of August and September as we were very disappointed that we didn’t take three points against the league leaders. Still the real story was the heroics of Mitch and how we knocked out six lads but still couldn’t save his bro, Newby. Oh, and Murch’s shirt, which used to be tight but now isn’t. RA 
Sat. 2nd Mar. 2019

V

Appleby Bridge (h)  2 - 1  (ht.0-1)    
scorers :  J. Yates, D. Edwards
    Appley Bridge are bottom of our league but we knew if we weren’t on our game we would get beat. We had no keeper so Charlie did us a massive favour and he went in nets. And we started poorly. We couldn’t string passes together and failed to do the work. We gifted them a goal by giving the ball away and letting their centre midfielder waltz into the box and slot it under the keeper. After that Charlie pulled off a world class save from a shinned clearance from his own player, Lewis, but we continued to play poorly and were grateful for half time. In the second half, Murch managed to get something out of us. Jamie, who had spent most of the game offside (some of the decisions were very dubious) scored and celebrated by pretending to be a linesman. 1-1. Both teams then seemed to be settling for a draw as we nullified each other. Dan, however, had other ideas. From Jamie’s knockdown, he seemed to say f*ck this and smashed the ball into the top corner from 25 yards out. 2-1. And that’s how it ended. RA 
Sat. 9th Mar. 2019 
LB Cup QF

V

Ribchester Rovers Res  (h)  1 - 0 (ht.1-0)  
scorers :  J. Yates
  LANCASTRIAN BRIGADE CUP - QUARTER FINAL
In the cup quarter final we played Ribchester Reserves on the 4G and Murch selected a team to play football. Which we did. However, we didn’t do any of the horrible stuff, so we had Adam to thank in the first half for pulling off some great saves. Jamie scored our only goal from a floated ball from Tannock. It bounced up and hit him on the hand but he got away with it and slotted it home. 1-0. In the second half we were much better and it was down to poor finishing that we didn’t increase our lead. Adam, Monksy and Newby made sure we kept a clean sheet and that meant we are through to the semi final. RA 
Sat. 23rd Mar. 2019

V

Southport & Ainsdale Res  (a)  2 - 2   (ht.1-1)    
scorers :  L. Taylor, J. Yates
    We made the long trip to Southport with a strong squad for this week’s fixture. We welcomed back Will, wearing Barnesy’s moon boots, in nets and lined up 4-5-1. Andy Horn, Monksy (who was STILL moaning about his groin) Gilly and Lewis (who after a big session was delighted to be named at full back and not in midfield) were our back line; Kev, Barnes and Micklethwaite were our centre midfield with me on the left and Jamie on the right. We welcomed budding teeth model and entrepreneur, Luke, back up top. This left us with the two Dans on the bench. We started well and took the game straight to Southport. We pressed their back line and midfield well and managed to steal the ball back high up the pitch. From here we were straight on the attack and it was only last ditch defending or poor decisions that stopped us taking a very early lead. Monksy shouted for every header and luckily Gilly swept behind when he didn’t win a single one. Andy Horn and Lewis kept their wingers quiet and we looked in total control. Soon it was 1-0. Kev ratted their midfield and gave the ball to Luke. He glanced up and saw the keeper out of position. From 40 yards he lashed the ball into the top left corner. However, then we lost our way. Passes were hit into poor areas or misplaced and we stopped pressing them. Their midfield started to get on the ball and run the game. Soon they equalised. A simple ball caught our back line out as nobody took charge. Their forward rounded the keeper and slotted the ball into the net. 1-1. At half time, Doug told us we were too open in midfield and needed to look after the ball. I switched inside and Dan came on for Barnesy. We quickly got a foothold on the game. Shorter passes between the midfield three and Luke allowed us to keep possession and Kev stuck on their curly haired centre mid. Monksy won an almighty header and we then started to create chances and force corners. Jamie went close with a stinging shot and Luke had another couple of sighters. However, it was Southport who scored against the run of play. A through ball saw our back lines (we had one of Gilly and Andy who were further up, and one of the boozers who were slightly behind) split and their forward slotted it past Will. 2-1. However, we stayed calm and looked to continue to press and push. They brought on a gloved number 9 and he made his first mistake after a minute. Ryan got fouled and did his usual scream and was called soft. Unfortunately, for their number 9, Antonio I believe, he was wearing gloves when he said this. Ryan pointed this out and I highlighted how it was spring and a balmy 12 degrees, and he began to crumble. He tried to laugh it off but it was too late: the damage was done. Everything he did was accompanied by a reference to the gloves. A bad pass: wearing gloves. A bad tackle: wearing gloves. A wayward shot: wearing gloves. The ref thought maybe he might have a health condition and we should go easy. We asked and he didn’t. Wearing gloves. He then sulked and got angry. Then he tried ignoring us. Wearing gloves. At one point he fouled Ryan who rolled around and looked to be in pain. He wasn’t. Antonio then took one off to prove that he was tough. Wearing gloves. He put it back on but mentally he was broken. As we continued to work on him, the rest of our play was equally effective. Their keeper pulled off a great save to keep out another effort from Luke and before long we equalised. A great corner from Jamie looked to be heading straight onto Gilly’s head. However, their centre half had hold of his shirt and the ref pointed to the spot. Jamie coolly converted. 2-2. Barnsey came back on for the injured Horn and immediately got nutmegged and for the last ten minutes both teams looked for the winner. To be fair, Southport has the better opportunities and Will had to pull off a world class save the keep the scores level. But we managed to get the point in the end. On the balance of the game, it was a fair result. On to the next one. RA 
Sat. 30th Mar. 2019

V

Hoole United  (h)  0 - 2    (ht.-)    
scorers :  -
Sat. 6th Apr. 2019 
LB Cup SF

V

Tarleton Corinthians  (a)  3 - 2  (ht.2-1)  
scorers :  J. Yates 3
  LANCASTRIAN BRIGADE CUP - SEMI FINAL (Final Weds 1st May details below)
In the early spring sunshine, the boys approached the semi-final with a spring in their step. Well, apart from Monksy who looked like Freddie Flintoff the morning after the ashes victory. (Except Monksy had just been to ladies day at the races. With some young girls.) And Newby, who is starting to match Monksy pint for pint and pound for pound on a Friday night. And Mitch, who had ‘hayfever’. Other than that, everybody was buzzing their tits off for this game, none more so than James, who had his father Murch up at half five, putting out cones and bibs ready for the warm up and making sure Barney got his red shorts. After Doug had handed out the lengthy handwritten fixture lists for the rest of the season, Murch went through the team. Will started in nets (Adam was on baby duty); Andy Horn, Gilly, Mid-life Mess Monksy, and Narcotics Newby made up the back line; Me, Micklethwaite, Murch and Dan were the midfield; Luke and Jamie were up top. Our bench was full of quality too: Barnsey, Andy C, Tannock (who was unlucky to miss out), Mitch, and Robbo. With two up top, the midfield were instructed to remain tight and try and get up the pitch. We were told to work hard for each other and get at them from the off. Tarleton started brightly and looked to hoof the ball over the top for their pacy forwards to get on to as Monksy was still at the races (not a good thing). But after he won his first header, we started to settle into it and worked hard to get the ball back. Jamie’s pace and Luke’s guile caused all sorts of problems for their back line and soon we went 1-0 up. A clipped free kick from Luke saw Gilly head it back across goal and Jamie was left with a simple tap in. We then continued to push on, looking to build on the lead. The tight midfield four kept pressing for the ball and Luke and Jamie looked to link up and get in behind. However, it was from a long kick from Will that we increased our lead. His giant hoof up field saw Luke flick it on and Jamie got goal side of his centre half to calmly slot the ball past the keeper. 2-0 and we more than deserved it. However, despite the raft of experience in the team, we allowed them straight back into it almost from kick off. Their centre mid wandered past a couple of diving tackles and seemed to just walk through the back line before slotting it under the keeper. 2-1. We then seemed to lose our heads. We stopped playing through midfield and started to look anxious on the ball. People started screaming at each other and looking to get rid of the ball quickly. Luckily, we had Gilly in the back line as he headed, tackled and cleared everything in sight as we failed to keep the ball and invited pressure. Newby and Doug had beef on the sideline as frustrations boiled over and we started to get at each other. We switched shape with me going into the centre and Jamie and Dan pushed wide leaving Luke up top, and this seemed to calm us down. The midfield three used their experience to play short passes and keep the ball, taking the pressure off the back four and we went into the break at 2-1. The second half started very similar to how the first half ended. The midfield three continued to work hard and keep the ball, but with Luke isolated up front, moves broke down and Tarleton looked to hoof the ball over the top for their pacy forwards to run on to. Luckily, Gilly and Andy Horn kept the score at 2-1 as they dealt with any danger that came their way. Murch then made the first of his changes, bringing on Andy for Dan, Robbo for himself and Scott for Monksy (whose ‘ankle was playing up’) as we looked to create more chances and put the game to bed. However, it was Tarleton who scored next. Their forward seemed to be going away from danger but Scott wasn’t having any of that and hacked him down. Penalty to Tarleton even though it looked outside the area. While Jamie tried to argue his way into the book and Scott pondered on his decision making, their forward put the ball into the top corner past the outstretched arm of Will who had guessed right. Barnes then came on for me as both teams went for it. It was end to end stuff as both teams abandoned any caution and sought to finish this tie before extra time. Andy C and Gilly had a couple of good chances but their keeper saved them both, and Luke screamed for a penalty for a handball but the ref was having none of it. Luke was then put clear through before he seemed to go into slow motion and their centre half scampered back and stopped the shot. At the other end Gilly’s one man defensive show was keeping them out and they had a couple of chances that could have finished the game if it wasn’t for poor decision making. As Murch prepared his final sub with 30 seconds left before the long slog of extra time, Tarleton had a corner. The defence managed to hold firm and release it up to Luke. He carried it forward and drew their centre halves. Jamie, who had worked his ass off all game, sprinted to get up alongside him. Luke released Jamie and his pace took him into the box. As Ryan’s aching legs managed to get him into the box and Luke pulled away towards the far post, the options opened up for Jamie. He took neither and ducked inside the defender and unleashed a vicious low shot that squeezed under the keeper. Cue pandemonium. Adam, who was watching with his kids, nearly threw them on the pitch, Murch hugged and Doug danced as Jamie whipped off his shirt and the team jumped on top of him. 3-2 with almost the last kick of the game. Murch put on Lewis to eat up seconds and we saw the game out and went into the final. After the game, the changing room was chaos. Luke got giddy and soaked Doug and everyone’s fixture lists got soggy as the boys celebrated a great victory. After in the pub, it was clear that camaraderie got us through the game. Murch has galvanised the group of players and instilled a good team spirit and given us something to build on for next season. Some of the team went out into town as the joy and Jaegar got the better of them. Soon, Andy H was balancing pints on his head, Monksy and Murch were wrestling each other in some homoerotic way, and Scott was tucking into some pizza from a late night takeaway as Andy Horn was in Popworld with some imaginary teammates, buying rounds of shots. Bring on the final on May 1st. - RA 
Sat. 13th Apr. 2019

V

Tarleton Corinthians (a)  3 - 2  (ht.1-0)    
scorers :  L. Tannock, J. Yates, A. Crossthwaite
    For this week’s match report against Tarleton, I could just rewrite last week’s: we took the lead and then silly mistakes from us let them back into it. Then Jamie scores with the last kick of the game to win 3-2.
But I’m not going to do that . . .
With a couple of late dropouts, a slim squad and a few aching legs, we went into this game not as confident as last week. Murch picked the same formation as last Saturday, 4-4-2, to cause their back line problems from the off. Adam was back between the sticks, Andy, Murch, Gilly and Scott were the backline; me, Kev, Lewis and Mitch (whose hayfever was playing up again. Listen, just go out on Saturday instead!) were the midfield with Jamie and Andy C up top. We were instructed to work hard for each other again and get it over the top and into the channels for the forwards to run on to. Tarleton once again started brightly and looked composed on the ball. However, our tactics worked as we soaked up pressure and released the ball to Jamie and Andy early. Jamie had some great chances and their keeper pulled off great saves as Jamie’s pace caused all sorts of chaos in their back line. A beautiful floated ball from Scott saw Jamie take the ball on his chest, and with more time than he realised, he smashed the ball towards the net with their keeper parrying it out. Next, Andy C went close with a vicious left-footed strike that just flew past the post. And then Jamie got on the outside of his man before the keeper saved with his feet. Gilly marshalled the backline well, and although Tarleton got close to our goal, they never really created clear cut opportunities and Adam was more than equal to anything that got through. Soon we took the lead. A great ball into the box saw Lewis stab the ball in from 6 yards for the opener. After this, Andy H and Scott continued to nullify the threat of wingbacks and we started to play some good football taking us into the break at 1-0. At half time, we discussed continuing to work hard and releasing Jamie. With the wind and the dry pitch, we knew that the ball would run away and we had to be careful. However, poor marking from a corner saw their centre mid ghost in unchallenged and head the ball in. 1-1. We then, like last week, lost our heads a bit and stopped pressing. Soon our mistake saw them take the lead. A pass to Murch saw their pacy forwards put him under pressure. He elected to knock it back to Adam but failed to put enough on the pass and their striker nipped in and put it into the net. 1-2. However, we could have let our heads drop. Tarleton had the luxury of fresh legs and our only sub, Dan, came on for Scott, who had a tight hammy. But, we shifted shape as I came into the middle and, like last week, we started to get hold of midfield and create openings. Jamie had a couple of good chances as passes started the find him once more but it was Andy C who got us back into the game. A great long ball from a free kick from Murch saw Andy 5 yards out and he viciously let fly on the half volley and it crashed into the roof of the net. 2-2. Both teams then went for it like last week, and as the we started to tire and Mitch started to feel his injuries and Andy C’s hammy started to feel the recent nights out, we looked to be holding on. However, we still had time for one last effort. With 30 seconds left, Andy C managed to slide the ball to Jamie in the inside left channel. He sprinted onto it and calmly finished, telling everybody that he had ‘done it again!’ We saw out the game and the victory and it was a good result considering we were missing quite a few. It also shows the strength in depth we had as players such as Lewis, Scott and Mitch, who all didn’t start last week, came in and did the business. - RA
Tue. 16th Apr. 2019

V

Appleby Bridge (a)  1 - 1  (ht.-)    
scorers :  M. McGill
Tue. 23rd Apr. 2019

V

Springfields (a)  4 - 2  (ht.-)    
scorers :  L. Taylor 2, J. Yates 2
Sat. 27th Apr. 2019

V

Southport & Ainsdale Res  (h)  1 - 5  (ht.-)    
scorers :  J. Yates
    Maybe we had a bad day at the office or maybe we had one eye on Wednesday's cup final, but, whatever the reason, Saturday's result of a 5-1 defeat against a good Southport team wasn't the sort of form we wanted to take into Wednesday. It's not worth writing a match report so I will summarise the game with a series of bad moments.
Bad moment number 1: Adam's gaudy selection of football boots. His holdall looked like a bag of Tutti Fruttis.
Bad moment number 2: Tigs's one piece.
Bad moment number 3: Ryan M chasing his centre mid all the way back into our area before falling over and trying to head it. The player stepped around him and scored. 0-1.
Good moment: we scored after good work from Dan and a neat finish by Andy C. 1-1
Bad moment number 4: a terrible decision by the ref as he gave them a free kick when Kev clearly won the ball and was the one who got fouled.
Bad moment number 5: Kev kicked the ball away and got booked.
Bad moment number 6: From the resulting free kick, Adam shouted for the ball and got nowhere near it. They scored 1-2.
Bad moment number 7. Antonio was wearing gloves again.
Bad moment number 8: Jamie's horror lunge that he was lucky enough only to get booked for.
Bad moment number 9: Jamie asking to come off at half time as he had 'lost his head'
Bad moment number 10: Lewis, in attempt to clear the ball off the line, smashed it into the top corner. 1-3.
Bad moment number 11: Murch brought himself on, thundered into two challenges, had a linesman decision go against him and threw the ball at their manager's head. Red card. He'd been on 5 minutes.
Bad moment number 12: Barnesy backheeled the ball out of play.
Bad moment number 13: Monksy, having avoided getting booked all season, jumped into a challenge 25 minutes late and got a yellow.
Bad moment number 14: They strolled through our team and scored a fourth. 1-4.
Bad moment number 15: Barnsey and Mitch fell out.
Bad moment number 16: Andy H fell into the pond when getting the ball.
Bad moment number 17: Dan took down their player in the box and gave away a penalty.
Good moment number 2: Andy found part of an old goal in the pond and tried to put the penalty taker off by waving around.
Bad moment number 18: They scored the pen. 1-5.
At the end of the game, Murch told us in no uncertain terms that if we played like that on Wednesday it could be a cricket score. We were instructed to put it out of our minds and concentrate on winning the game. Which is what we are going to try to do. Broughton Army! RA 
Wed. 1st May 2019
LB Cup Final

V

Walton-le-Dale  (ht.1-1)  1 - 1 (aet. Lost 1-3 on pens)  
scorers :  J. Yates 
  LANCASTRIAN BRIGADE CUP FINAL
Venue: Bamber Bridge FC.

If you'd told me at the start of the season in August that we would be in a cup final, I would have said it was more likely that Mitch would stay in at a weekend, or Jamie would stay away from illegal substances, or Monksy would buy a sensible economical car. BUT . . .  here we were. And not only that but we had a put together a squad that was packed with quality, that had a great mixture of youth and experience, and who were prepared to work their bollocks off for each other. A good omen before the game is usually provided by James. If he is buzzing, so are we. And here he was booting the crap out of Adam, jumping around with Monksy (similar mindsets) and generally having 'the devil in his eye' (his father's words). The Sir Tom Finney pitch was in splendid condition as the team arrived early and got ready for the game. Luke flew straight in from Love Island, having caught an earlier flight to be ready for this game (and still got here before Lewis and Ryan Mick) with the names of his lovers newly tattooed on his thigh. We started 4-4-2 as in recent weeks and the semi-final. Adam was in nets; the ever dependendable Andy Horn was right back, with Gilly, Monksy and Scott making up the rest of the back line; I was on the right, Ryan M and Kev were in midfield, with Andy C on the left; and up front we had Jamie and Luke (who wore boots to match his teeth). The instructions from Murch were to press them quickly as a team and try to get an early goal or two. However, it did not pan out like that. On a big pitch we worked hard but Walton-le-Dale were a good side and looked to stretch the pitch and get it in behind for their pacy forwards. For the first ten minutes, they looked to exploit a corridor between Monksy and Scott and we struggled to get close to them, leaving them both exposed. Murch changed the shape and I came into the middle and we pushed Jamie and Andy C further forward. We looked more settled after this as Ryan M was freed up to get on the ball, and we started to threaten. An extra man in midfield allowed us to stop them having time to pick passes and Andy C worked hard to track their right wingback and stop Scott being overloaded. We started to keep hold of the ball and passes were played in behind for Luke to run on to. Suddenly we started to create chances. Soon one of these changes paid dividends. Kev won the ball in midfield and fed the ball inside the left full back into Jamie who had moved wide right. He turned on the afterburners and finished with great aplomb, drilling his finish hard and low past the keeper. 1-0. It then seemed as if we would start to control the game. However, a mistake by yours truly let them back into the game. A ball into me from Scott was inexplicably dummied. They pinched it and managed to shift it to their centre mid who sliced a finish past Adam. Gutted. We refused to let our heads drop though. Monksy and Gilly got to every pass they played forward and Adam was rarely threatened. We continued to build moves and a pass from Andy released Luke, and he was unlucky as he saw his shot saved having got down the side of the centre half. However, both teams seemed to nullify each other and we went into the break even stevens. At half time, Murch emphasised the need to keep working hard and let them have the ball at the back. The plan was to soak up the pressure and then play direct. He brought on Dan for Andy C and himself for me. The second half started how it ended: both teams nullified each other and there were few chances. They looked to continue to get down the side of Monksy and Scott but both players dealt with any issues as Walton-le-Dale continued to have more of the ball. However, with the pace of Dan, Luke and Jamie, we looked threatening on the break, but our final ball let us down as chances were few and far between. With steam coming out of Scott's ears, Doug thought it best to replace him with Lewis and he soon settled into the left back spot. The fresh legs helped nullify the threat from the wingback and we started to open up Walton-Le-Dale. However, for all the good play we weren't able to muster clear cut chances. Murch soon pulled up with a dodgy groin and Barnsey replaced him and sought to build on Murch's good example by snapping into tackles. But despite lots of effort, the game remained tight and tense. We then replaced Ryan Mick with Tigs to try and get us up the pitch and get the winner but the big pitch was starting to take its toll on both sets of players. Passes began to go astray and shots were tired. But the back four continued to look solid and keep us in the game as the management looked for answers. We then started dropping like flies. Luke's romantic weekend caught up with him and he went down with cramp. I came back on for him for the final ten minutes as both teams continued to dig in hard for a result. Both Gilly and Monksy, who had both marshalled the backline superbly, went down with cramp. Then Kev, who had been outstanding once more, pulled up with his groin just before extra time. Ryan came back on for him as we looked to save the game from going into penalties. You could argue that Walton-Le-Dale had the best of the 90 minutes but we certainly had the best of extra time. Jamie's pace was still causing all sorts of problems as he had a couple of efforts on goal and Tigs had a golden opportunity to score but couldn't quite convert. Andy C for me and Luke for Dan were the final changes as we looked to win the game. However, it was heroic defending by Andy H and Tigs who stopped them from winning it. They managed to get down our right and the ball across was smashed goalwards. Andy H cleared it off the line and then Tigs threw himself in front of the rebound. We then composed ourselves and Luke almost got us the winner. A great step over saw him jink inside and swing his right leg at the ball. From where we were standing it looked to be curling in the bottom corner until their defender stuck out a boot and blocked it. And with that came the final whistle and the lottery of pens. It shows what a great set of characters we have when various arms shot up when Murch asked who wanted to take one. Jamie, Ryan M, Monksy, Andy C and Luke were the five chosen and the running order. However, it wasn't to be our day as their keeper, Lazarus-like, rose from the dead after being taken off injured and pulled off a couple of great saves to deny us victory. 4-1 it ended on pens. Understandably, the boys were gutted not to finish with the victory. However, as Gilly said, losing on pens is no shame. In the dressing room after, it was hard, despite the loss, not to feel immense pride in the side. Nobody left anything on that field and you cannot ask for any more than that. With the right mixture of characters and ages, Broughton's future looks incredibly bright. The dark days of August and September are long forgotten as Murch has changed our fortunes around and put together a great group of lads. Although our effort deserved more than we got, I am sure some of these lads will be back in a final again some time very soon. RA 
Sat. 4th May 2019

V

FC Bolton (h)  0 - 2  (ht.-)    
scorers :  -
Tue. 7th May 2019

V

Wilbraham Club  (h)  4 - 5    (ht.-)    
scorers :  A. Best, J. Yates, D. Edwards. J. Welch
Sat. 11th May 2019

V

Walmer Bridge (a)  3 - 5  (ht.-)    
scorers :  S. Iddon, M. Hudson, J. Yates
Sat. 18th May 2019

V

Southport Trinity  (h)  0 - 5   (ht.-)    
scorers :  -

Click one of these links to read Match Report for that team.
1st Team  -   2nd Team  -  Friendlies / Vets

2nd Team

Results and Match Reports - 2018/2019 season

POS 2nd Team - Second Div P W D L F A GD PTS
1  The Herald First 26 23 1 2 116 26 90 70
2  Walton Le Dale 26 20 3 3 116 34 82 63
3  Standish St. Wilfirids Res 26 19 5 2 98 35 63 62
4  Wesham FC 26 16 2 8 108 56 52 50
5  Anchorsholme Res 26 15 2 9 92 60 32 47
6  Ribchester Rovers Res 26 12 2 12 69 64 5 38
7  Richmond 26 9 6 11 63 59 4 33
8  Walmer Bridge Res 26 10 2 14 76 84 -8 32
9  Astley FC 26 9 3 14 61 102 -41 30
10  Newman College Res 26 8 4 14 57 108 -51 28
11  International Allstars 26 7 4 15 63 111 -48 25
12  Broughton Amateurs 26 6 4 16 68 93 -25 22
13  New Longton Rovers Res 26 4 2 20 41 124 -83 14
14  Appleby Bridge Res 26 2 4 20 27 99 -72 10

2nd Team Fixtures + Results, Scorers and Match Reports (where submitted).
Broughton Score First.

Sat. 25th Aug 2018

V

The Herald (h)  1 - 7   (ht.-)  
scorers : D. Edwards
Sat. 1st Sept. 2018

V

Appleby Bridge Res  (h)  6 - 0  (ht.3-0)  
scorers :  A. Best 2, A. Pennington, I. Vohra, Regan, K. Cummins
    Its been an upsy downsy sort of start to the season with mixed results in pre season and a definite bumpy start last week. This week was much better and the team , on paper, looked full of energy and dynamic – and that’s how we played. An experimental set up of 4-4-2 saw a new midfield of Regan, Tannock, Edwards and Pennington, with Best and Vohra up front, but it was the back 4 of Bowerman, Kenyon Howse and Kev C that were called on in the first few minutes as Appley exerted some pressure. We saw that out and started to push forward, and when we did it was immediately apparent that our attack had more than the Appley defence. Tannock especially had a top game and linked well with Edwards and , with the centre mid successfully buttoned up, we had time to press forward. Regan had the first chance but saw his one on one effort smothered by the keeper, but the chances kept coming and after 15 mins Pennington broke free and buried a shot in the bottom corner. 5 minutes later Regan made amends for the previous miss when having been set free by Tannock he cut back in and drove a shot under the Appley keeper. Kev C capped a great half for himself and the team with a solo effort when , having won the ball on the half way line , he broke free played a 1-2 with Best and then beat the keeper with a fierce shot. Talk at half time was of maintaining the pressure . Boff and Buxton joined the fray, but the pressure continued. Sprake in nets provided an outlet for any defensive pressure that would have gladdened Pep Guardiola and on one occasion that Appley did really threaten pulled of a worldy save to keep things at 3-0. That scare apart the 2nd half belonged to our forwards as Besty bagged 2 and threatened more -and Vohra got a reward for hard work by bagging our 4th goal. The season is under way. db  
Wed. 5th Sept 2018

V

Newman College Res  (a)  2 - 3  (ht.-)  
scorers : I. Vohra, M. Kenyon
     
Sat. 8th Sept. 2018

V

Astley  (h)  3 - 3  (ht.-)  
scorers : A. Best, I. Vohra, J. Welch
     
Sat 15th Sept 2018 V Walton-leDale  (a)  2 - 3  (ht.0-2)  
scorers : A. Best, L. Tannock
    On an unusually decent pitch at Worden park (just wait till January) we faced up to a Walton side unbeaten so far. Vaughan was missing in nets but Greg Lopko was an equally talented replacement and with a very solid ( !! ) looking back four of Horrocks Catlow, Howse and Kenyon we started off on what we knew would be a challenging afternoon. Despite best efforts Walton clearly had the better of the midfield battle and it became a tussle of attack versus defence and whether the one could outwit the other. For most of the half we held defensively strong and only a couple of mistakes cost the goals and, whilst that was happening, we did have chances. Tannock released Welch with a threaded ball that Welch only just failed convert then a three man move ended with Edwards beating the keeper only to rebound off the post Half time came and changes were needed. We switched to a 3 man centre midfield with Boff on to steady the ship. Immediately things looked much more under control – though Best was now left more isolated. Edwards won a penalty when up ended as he burst past a defender and Best converted coolly to get us back into the game. Sprake joined the fray and immediately had an impact as a serious of freekicks were won – but sadly not converted. Walton restored their 2 goal advantage but with 5 mins to go another clever move released Tannock in the box and he drove it under the advancing keeper. We were on top at this stage but just didn’t have the time to make it pay. db -
Sat. 29th Sept. 2018

V

International All Stars  (h)  4 - 2  (ht.-)  
scorers : A. Best 2, P. Howse, A. Sprake
Sat. 6th Oct. 2018

V

Anchorsholme Res (a) 2 - 6  (ht.-)  
scorers :  A. Best, D. Edwards
Sat. 20th Oct. 2018

V

New Longton Rovers Res  (h)  4 - 2  (ht.1-1)  
scorers :  J. Welch 2, R. Pomfret, A. Best
    Having Lost Tannock and Edwards to the 1st team a re-organisation was required - especially in midfield where the new combo of Smith and Ryan provided a duo high on experience (but dare I say) lowish on pace. The old heads however had a standout game and dominated midfield for almost the entire game. Howse and Kenyon were equally dominant in the centre of defence and with that platform we began the game on a positive basis. The chances seemed to come almost from the off and it was no surprise when after only 10 minutes Jack Welch cut in from the wide left leaving 2 defenders in his wake and the shot from the edge of the box rattled into the bottom corner. Best and Vohra worked hard up front- and that movement allowed us to play simply and effectively through midfield and for once the opposition were left chasing the shadows. Vohra came closest after beating 2 men in the box – but his shot came back off the post and ran back into the hands of a relieved keeper. Slightly cooler heads could and probably should have seen us well ahead but the chances went and New Longton equalised with a fast well constructed break that left keeper Gregory exposed and with no chance of saving a clinical finish. This had really only been the one time that we had been over run, so the half time team talk was up beat. The second half began well and improved throughout. After only 5 minutes Best released Vohra into the box. The keeper saved well, but Welch was again on hand to notch his and our second. 10 minutes later our best team move of the season started with a cool clearance from Gregory to Pomfret. The ball moved well through midfield and was finished by Pomfret who had shown a burst of pace unseen for a while to get on the end of a move he had started on the edge of our own box. By now the confidence was oozing and all sorts of unlikely people started to appear in attacking positions. Vohra , Smith, Todd and Howse came close, full backs and defenders pushed on and got involved and the fourth goal came as a result of yet more good work from Best. db  
Sat. 27th Oct. 2018

V

Newman College Res  (h) 4 - 6  (ht.2-3)  
scorers :  A. Best 2, I. Vohra 2
    Not sure where to start in describing this one. If I tell you that we dominated the middle hour of the game and won that portion 4-0- then you will have a feel for the diabolical beginning and end to the game. We had the usual raft of people missing, but with 2 subs and a team high on experience we were still hopeful of building on the good result of last week. 15 minutes in we were 3-0 down and all our hopes seemed to be in tatters. The strange thing was that in that period we had played some good football and created chances, but when Newman attacked they did at a pace we seemingly couldn’t match and as a team we have to look at our desire to do the dirty stuff. It always seemed likely that we would get a goal, especially with Pendle and Best working so hard up front, and our fightback started with a Best penalty after 25 minutes. 5 minutes later Vohra showed skill and determination to take the ball past 3 defenders and when faced with a one on one with the keeper placed it confidently in the bottom corner. The half time team talk was a lot more upbeat than seemed possible 30 minutes before. The 2nd half started well and good work by Best created a chance for Vohra and his great shot from 20 m levelled the game and then Best again outwitted the Newman defence and finished a the chance to complete the turnaround. At this point we were relatively untroubled defensively and we again went close and the confident football continued. Will Vaughan in nets had to pull out 2 high class saves as the game started to wobble and then we went into self destruct mode again. The problem really wasn’t effort on our part but mainly that the average age of the 2 teams would have been about 10 years different. Suddenly runs being made from midfield and wide weren’t being picked up or matched and we again conceded very poor goals to create a depressing end to the game. A bout of unwarranted hysteria from management didn’t help and was regretted immediately. db  
Sat. 3rd Nov. 2018

V

Appleby Bridge Res (a)  2 - 2  (ht.1-1)  
scorers :  A. Best, L. Robinson
    In keeping with the Halloween mood, strange things were happening in the Broughton camp. For the first time in living memory a good number of the first team squad all declared themselves available at the same time and so Murchy was able to share some of his group with the 2nd team. As a result Walsh re joined the team and Makinson and Robinson, making their first appearance of the season, were also available. The game started off evenly balanced – and stayed that way for the whole of the 90 minutes. Playing down wind, Appley Bridge kept us under pressure through the long clearances from their keeper, but also by attacking fast through centre midfield. At the same time Best and Vohra also looked dangerous up front for us – so it was a question of who gave way first. Sadly we succumbed to yet another break from midfield and Appley took a deserved lead. For 10 minutes we held on. Boff and Kenyon performed some heroic last ditch defending and Adam Huddleston, recently returned as wide midfield/keeper, showed safe hands to keep us in the game. We changed formation after 30 minutes to try to get control of midfield and almost immediately started to look more balanced. Ryan and Buxton worked together well to bottle up the centre and this freed Liam to start to find spaces and get our attack moving. Dillon Makinson on the left was our most dangerous outlet and a number of chances went close before Robinson brought us level after good work by Best. The second half started equally well and the Best/Robinson partnership again worked well, this time a delicate through ball was decisively finished by Best and for 10 minutes we threatened to run away with it, but some wild finishing and rushed passing was our downfall. Appley equalised after a corner was only half cleared, an attacker on the edge of the box was left unmarked by sloppy defending – and that attacker finished well. We had only ourselves to blame for the slightly panicky last 20 minutes. Again the game could have gone either way had both sides finished more calmly - but a draw was a fair result. db  
Sat. 10th Nov. 2018

V

International Allstars (a) 4 - 5  (ht.-)  
scorers :  J. Welch 2, I. Vohra, A. Best
Sat. 17th Nov. 2018

V

Standish St. Wilfreds Res  (h)  3 - 3  (ht.0-1)  
scorers :  A. Best 2, L. Walsh
    In reaching for a cliché to begin the report the best I can suggest is that we pulled this one out of the fire. We started with a 4-1-4-1 formation with Ryan in the defensive midfield position, this in an attempt to stop our past frailty when faced with fast opposition breaks out of midfield. This, along with a couple of new centre midfielders on the shape of Hudson and Mason meant we started the game in somewhat of an exploratory status - ie. trying to work out who was doing what. It explained the slightly shaky first 10 minutes, but once we settled it meant that by and large we looked defensively strong. There was no doubt that Standish had a decent outfit and moved the ball about well, but generally the possession was blunted by determined defending. Kenyon and Boff were outstanding and Gav Gregory as stand in keeper showed a safe pair of hands. Standish took the lead from one of our few midfeld lapses but we did threaten and Best, as always, worked hard and Hudson, Vohra and Welch all had attempts on goal. At 1-0 down at half time we were in the game, but a couple of goals relatively early in the second half seemed to put the game well beyond reach as Standish knocked the ball about with confidence. It all changed with 25 minutes to go. Ryan released Welch down the right and his through ball to Best was taken on and hammered in off the far post. We suddenly started to play with twice as much confidence and intent. Another great break lead to a corner, and in a goal mouth scramble that followed, Walsh forced the ball home. We went for the equaliser and all sorts of people started to appear in attacking positions. Gregory in nets was keen to join in but reluctantly accepted it was probably best if he didn’t, and, with 3 minutes to go the ball was driven into the feet of the ever available Best. Defenders panicked and again dumped Best on the floor leading to a last minute free kick. The wall was formed and the tension spread as Best lined up the free kick and - in a finish resembling that of Beckhams free kick against Greece - the ball was curled into the top corner. Cue mad celebrations and a deserved point. DB  
Sat. 24th Nov. 2018

V

Standish St. Wilfreds Res  (a)  1 - 4  (ht.0-2)  
scorers :  A. Best
    Following last weeks highly creditable fightback against the league leaders, the last thing we needed really was a reverse fixture against the same opponents. The usual player merry go round saw 4 of last weeks team missing – with only the return of Rossi after a long injury absence as a counter balance and hence we went to the fixture with only the manager as sub (they had 5). This was ultimately to be decisive, but we started brightly, if somewhat defensively, as the game played itself out as a carbon copy of the previous week. Our plan to defend and frustrate – then break quickly worked for 20 minutes but was undone by a precision ball through the middle and a cool finish. Truth be told Standish did create more chances than last week but stout defending from the back 4 of Walsh Kenyon Boff and Pommy held firm. Sprake in nets pulled off some good saves and we rode our luck till just before half time. Mitch was clearly fouled as he went to clear a ball, but the ball was rolled to a Standish centre back who hammered an unstoppable shot into the top corner. We had shown enough to suggest that we could get something from the game and when Best was fouled in the box 10 minutes into the 2nd half it looked like last weeks result might be repeated. Best scored the penalty (just) and for 10 minutes we pushed on and had the balance of the play. It couldn't last. Standish were able to field a herd of subs whereas our lads continued to fight hard to stay in the game and as our pace slowed, Standish scored 2 more and fully deserved the win. db  
Sat. 1st Dec. 2018

V

Walmer Bridge Res  (h)  3 - 4  (ht.-)  
scorers :  A. Best 2, J. Welch
Sat. 5th Jan. 2019

V

Anchorsholme Res (h)  3 - 3  (ht.0-2)  
scorers :  A. Best 3
    The christmas must have been a good one for most of our lads – judging by the slow start that lasted for most of the first half. The defence was bolstered by Paul Howse volunteering for goal keeper duty and his steady presence plus the efforts of Horrocks, Kenyon, Boff and Catlow kept us more of less in the game as the first half ground it's way through to half time. Truth be told, all the team put in a significant defensive effort, its just that going forward we hardly created anything of note, and very few cohesive moves that troubled the Anchorsholme defence. Their number 6 ran the game and though we tried hard to stem the flow a 2 goal deficit was about right. At half time we re-organised and the second half was a different matter. The confidence to pass and move started to seep back into the team and as it did two things happened. Firstly we clearly started to enjoy the game more and secondly we pushed our opponents back and started to expose their weaknesses. Best and Welch were our star men going forward. Welch employed a cunning ploy to outwit their defence. When he didn’t have the ball he looked in a permanent state of semi collapse - but as soon as the ball came near he ran their defence ragged. Best as ever lead the line brilliantly and he got his reward with a hat trick. The first – a penalty – came from the Welch / Best partnership and a last ditch mistimed defensive lunge. The second with 20 minutes to go came as a direct result of pressure exerted by Gav Gregory and , having won the ball back in the box he had the time to pick out Best for a tap in. Besty's third with 8 minutes to go was another super 25 yard free kick. As we pushed forward Anchorsholme did add to their first half tally and at 3-3 with 5 minutes to go it could have gone either way. Gregory and Pomfret both went close and Anchsorsholme hit the post, but a draw was probably a fair result. db 
Sat. 12th Jan. 2019

V

Ribchester Rovers Res (a)  3 - 1  (ht.1-0)  
scorers :  A. Best, C. Todd, U. Bux
    Horrible weather, even worse pitch, but a good result. One look at the pitch told us that wasn’t going to be a classic, so it was all about setting us up to deal with the conditions and play to our strengths. In actual fact and despite the pitch, it wasn’t a bad game as both sides had significant spells of control of the first half. We set up with a solid 4-4-1-1, the intention being to keep midfield and defence solid whilst giving Best and Bux the freedom to do their thing. For the first 20 minutes this worked well and we looked comfortable in the middle and the front 2 both looked dangerous. Welch broke from wide a couple of times and went close. Kenyon rose semi majestically to connect with a corner - only to see it hit the outside of the post and it seemed only a matter of time. Things changed when Luke Mason received a blow to the goolies and had to temporarily retire to the touchline. The resulting re-organisation didn’t work and for the last 20 minutes Ribchester were on top and our defensive qualities were required. A rash challenge gave away a penalty but Keeper Howse made the first of a number of critical contributions to save the initial spot kick and the follow up. Hard work and concentration kept us in the game and at the end of the half we had started to settle – so much so that we started to push on again and from a corner Best was able to use the wind to curl a corner directly into goal Half time allowed us to properly re-organise with Tood coming on out wide, Boff replaced an injured Kenyon in defence and Mason (goolies now massaged !! back to full fitness) returned to centre midfield. The next 45 mins was evenly balanced in midfield, but Best, Umar and Welch suddenly began to find much more space and despite the wind and pitch we played some good attacking football. Our second goal came when good interplay released the ever dangerous Jack Welch. Having skipped past his marker yet again his pass across the 6 yard line was met and powered into the bottom corner by Todd. 10 minutes later Umar Bux went on another of his long mazy runs – this time ending in a shot squeezed into the top corner and - we looked comfortable at 3-0. As to be expected Ribchester rallied but for most of the last 15 mins our defence stood firm – Ryan especially seemed to be on the end of everything - until with a couple of minutes to go a swirling corner was finished well to deny us a deserved clean sheet. We will take the win though. db  
Sat. 19th Jan. 2019

V

Wesham  (h)  2 - 4  (ht.2-2)  
scorers :  G. Gregory, U. Bux
    A cold, dank day but good for football and we approached the game with a good squad and a degree of confidence after last weeks win. Kenyon was unavailable through injury, but pommy was back and we lined up with the 4-4-2 of last week. It became a battle of formations for most of the 1st half. Wesham lined up with 3 at the back giving an extra man in midfield, but we backed our front 2 of Best and Bux to do damage against their defence – and so it panned out as we looked under pressure in midfield but dangerous on the break. Wesham struck first using the extra man in midfield to fashion an opening that Howse was unable to stop. We equalised 10 minutes later. Best and Bux linked well in the box and Gav Gregory buried the ball when it was laid back to him. Wesham went ahead after a good move released their wide man in on goal, but again we equalised - this time Umar Bux finished well into the bottom corner. At the break we changed to 5 in midfield to counter the extra man and to a degree it worked. Their midfield now had less time and we won the ball back earlier but constantly failed to retain it for long enough to create openings or get support to Besty up front. Wesham again went ahead with 20 minutes to go - a rubbish goal from our perspective as slack marking left a man free and the ball passed through a sea of legs to put us behind. The 5 in midfield clearly wasn’t working so we switched back to the starting formation and again started to create. Bux, Best and Welch all had good chances and normally would have had at least one goal had it not been for some outstanding saves from the Wesham keeper. The last 15 minutes was a battle and basically Wesham were stronger in all senses of the word and pressure told as we conceded a poor goal from a corner.db  
Sat. 9th Feb. 2019
LB Cup Rd 2

V

Appleby Bridge  (a) 1 - 5 (ht.-)  
scorers :  R. Pomfret ?
  LANCASTRIAN BRIGADE CUP Rd 2
 
Sat. 16th Feb. 2019

V

Astley  (a)  2 - 3  (ht-)  
scorers :  A. Best, M. Kenyon
    The day got off too a bad start when a relatively relaxed management team confidently told the gathering team that we had a squad of 14. We bargained without Umar who had to turn back for a family problem when part way to the ground, Joely who was unable to make it and Mason who couldn’t be arsed. As a result a rapid re-shake saw Adamson make his season debut and me as the one and only sub/ manager / linesman. As to be expected we started a little shakily but soon started to look more comfortable and Boff and Jack in midfield started to find their feet. Jay contributed some good tackles and first time passes and with time the service started to find Besty. We were knocked back by a route one goal conceded - long kick – awkward bounce – and stand in keeper Gav Edmonds was just beaten to the bouncing ball by their giant forward. We battled back and new man Saul started to look dangerous down the left. From a quick break we forced a corner and Bests‘s pinpoint cross was powerfully met by Kenyon to bring things level. 1-1 at the break with the prospect of wind behind gave us hope but though we did show some good stuff in patches a collective fatigue started to set in about the hour mark. We could easily have taken the lead as Adam, Best and Vohra all had good chances, but we were again hit by a sucker punch when a fast break saw us collectively out of position. 10 mins later it became 3-1, but we did rally in the last quarter and a Best deserved penalty with 2 mins to go gave us hope, but it came too late. “Positives “ came in the shape of 2 more new signings as Saul and Sean both had good games and will improve when fitness comes back. db  
Sat. 23rd Feb. 2019

V

Richmond  (h) 1 - 2  (ht.-)  
scorers :  A. Best
Sat. 2nd Mar. 2019

V

New Longton Rovers Res (a)  5 - 2  (ht.1-0)  
scorers :  A. Best 2, A. Kentakevicus, M. Smith, J. Welch
    Having lost the last 2 games by the odd goal, and having had the better of the chances in both games, it was essential that we got something from this game. We welcomed a couple of new players to the squad which was a bonus given that we were missing number of regulars, and everybody was to play a part. The pitch itself was as rough as expected so we planned to get the ball forward in as simple and effective way as possible - and for the first 15 minutes that exactly what we did to good effect. Best went close but his footing let him down at the last minute, Scouse got over excited by the sight of an open goal and no keeper and Ryan headed firmly (but wide). All in all the fans behind the goal were in more danger than the goal itself. Longton started to come into the game but defensively we looked sound and Pommy and Dean in particular made some telling interceptions. Andy Sprake also made a couple of great saves to keep us in the game as the ball went from one end to the other. We took the lead slightly against the run of plan as new man Andrius (with a surname like he has he will always be Andrius in these reports) took the ball out wide. Having nipped around his marker he unleashed an unstoppable effort (we shall charitably call it a shot) that flew into the top corner - and that’s how we ended the half. The second half started better and we went ahead after 10 minutes. Again Andrius was involved as the first decent move of the game found him in the box. A calm lay-off into the path of Welch was firmly finished. At that point we looked strong but again Longton fought back and 2 sloppy goals saw us back level and on the back foot. A tactical change saved the day. Welch was moved into a centre midfield three and immediately we looked calmer and attacked with more clarity. The third came when a passing movement found Creory out wide on the right. Having switched feet his pinpoint ball in found Boff ghosting in to look for all the world like a modern day Brian Robson - except he is older, slower and has a lot less hair. The Robson–esque header was equally as effective however and we had the lead. From then on we dominated the game and Best (having looked grumpy all game ) finally got reward for continual effort. The final goal was the best of our season so far with slick passing and movement and a very Best style finish. Personally, having spent the previous 45 minutes running up and down through a touchline bog, I was glad to hear the final whistle, but I suspect that most people were sad to hear the end of the game – given we were playing so well. db  
Sat. 23rd Mar. 2019

V

Walton-le-Dale (h) 1 - 5  (ht.-)  
scorers :  A. Best
Sat 30th Mar. 2019

V

Wesham   (a)  0 - 6  (ht.-)  
scorers :  -
Sat. 6th Apr. 2019

V

Ribchester Rovers Res (h)  2 - 3  (ht.-)  
scorers :  I. Vohra, M. Rossall
Sat. 27th Apr. 2019

V

The Herald  (a) 3 - 7  (ht.1-4)  
scorers :  M. Smith, I. Vohra 2
    The prospect of playing a team at the top of the league was a daunting one, especially with the merry go round of player availability hitting an unexpected low this week. On Thursday we had only 9 and no keeper - Jay depressed. By Friday lunch we had 13 AND a keeper - Jay feeling smug. By ko this was down to 12 with Jay starting and me as the only sub/manager/linesman - Jay just shrugs his shoulders. We talked about getting enjoyment from the game and playing with the ball – and that’s exactly what we did for long periods. John S was back in the fold and with former U18 players Jaydn King and Mike M also playing we did actually play some very good football. I'm not pretending that we were as good as the runaway leaders, but for good periods our football matched theirs and I think everybody finished tired but feeling like we had shown what we can do. Rob Pom was outstanding in midfield and had his best game of the season. The back four with Kenyon and Horrocks leading the way worked tirelessly (both made countless important tackles and interceptions) and Sprake made a number of stand out saves. Having gone 2 down within 20 minutes it could have been a long day, but midfield started to play and Smith brought the scores to 2-1 after Pom and King released Mike M down the left. His flighted cross was powered in by Smith and though we went in at the break 4-1, we felt that we had performed well. Having got his breath back at half time, Jay made a change to push Imi up front and Push Smith wide to use his pace. It worked almost immediately when Smith hassled the full back into a mistake. The ball broke to Vohra and he coolly rounded the keeper and tucked it home. Vohra got his second with 20 minutes to go when Catlow and Mike combined down the left to find Imi just inside the box. He cut in, and using the wind bent the ball into the far corner. Having put in a great shift, Jay staggered off with 18 minutes to go giving me the chance to make yet another appearance. As people tired, the score ended with a slightly more lop sided appearance than deserved, though clearly Herald were the better side. db  
Sat. 11th May 2019

V

Richmond  (a) 4 - 2  (ht.3-1)  
scorers :  A. Huddleston, D. Horrocks, A. Best, M. Jeory
    A welcome victory after a difficult run, helped significantly by a couple of new signings Adam H and Khalil made a first appearance and their promising performance gives optimism for the future On a big pitch we started slowly though a strong wind did give us some help. It took time for the midfield 3 of Jack, Adam and Gav Gregory to settle, but when we did, their workrate was first class and we were able to build the pressure. We continued to play the joined up football that we started to show last week. The movement of Best and the workrate of Welch were key to the performance, and as Adam found his feet, we started to feed John S and the threat he posed was key to a number of goals. Our first came from a fast attack. Sharples cross was half cleared – and Adam hammered it home. The second came from a free kick from Best. The keeper just failed to hold the shot and we had the unlikely sight of Horrocks being first on the scene to benefit. The third came soon after as John was most determined to get on the end of a corner and for the last 15minutes we ran riot and probably should have added to the total. Disappointingly we switched off right at the end of the half and Richmond went in with some hope. The second half against the wind promised to be harder, especially as Kenyon had to come off and we had to re-organise. Richmond through everything at us, long balls and long throws caused continual problems but luckily Andy Sprake in goals showed immaculate handling and with the defence working hard we kept them out for 10 mins but then the pressure told and We conceded again. Two things then happened to turn the game in our favour. Michael Jeory extended our lead with a long shot / cross that deceived the keeper. Manager Jay then pulled off another masterstroke by returning Gav Gregory to midfield, Kahalil to full back and Dean to centre back. Defensively we stayed strong, but we got back some control in midfield and suddenly we started to play football again and threaten. We ended on a high with the football flowing freely again. db  
Sat 18th May 2019

V

Walmer Bridge Res  (a)  1 - 5  (ht.-)  
scorers :  R. Pomfret

 

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Friendlies, Vets Team, and Other Matches
during 2018 / 2019 season

No Vets competition this season.
Broughton Score first

PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY
DATE TBA

 

Broughton v ?? (-)   - 
scorers: -                                                                                     
PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY
DATE TBA

 

Broughton v ?? (-)   - 
scorers: -
Match Report. Match Report. Match Report. Match Report. Match Report. Match Report. Match Report. Match Report. Match Report. MMatch Report. Match Report.
PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY
DATE TBA

 

Broughton v ?? (-)   - 
scorers: -
18.04.19 - 002507100 hits                                                                                     

 

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1st Team  -   2nd Team  -  Friendlies / Vets