MATCH OF THE DAY: North East Wales League Division 1 – Broughton beat Chirk and rise to second

NORTH EAST WALES LEAGUE DIVISION 1 – SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13

Broughton United 2 (Evans 4, 48)
Chirk AAA 1 (Pearce 8)
Report: Shaun Best

Broughton United continued their steady rise up the NEWFA Division One table following a hard fought 2-1 victory over Chirk AAA.

A Jayden Evans double – one in each half – was enough to put the Tier 4 newcomers into joint second position.

Broughton were aiming to put last weekend’s 11-0 defeat in the FAW Amateur Trophy at Bangor City 1876 in the rear-view mirror. In contrast, Chirk had progressed in the same competition and were looking to kickstart their league campaign, following just the one win so far.

The home side took just four minutes to hit the front. Elliott Evans played the perfect through ball for namesake Jayden to lob goalkeeper Ashley Maw who had come off his line.

Broughton should have doubled their lead moments later. Elliott Evans was again the architect, this time releasing James Rutter into space, but Rutter’s deft touch over the onrushing Maw struck the far post and was cleared off the line.

Chirk found their footing and quickly levelled from a set piece when Broughton goalkeeper Liam Tarran fumbled Tom Freeman’s free kick through his fingers. Tarran managed to claw the ball off the line, but Brad Pearce was on hand to fire the ball into the net from close range. In truth, the ball looked to have already crossed the line so both players could lay claim to the goal on the journey back to Chirk.

Another Chirk free kick from the same position almost led to another goal. Tarran got fingertips to a Ryan Lancelotte effort, which ricocheted off the bar and was cleared.

Tarran made a ‘camera’ save when Freeman spied the top of the onion bag from out wide. Freeman gave the shot stopper his kudos after seeing him flick the ball over the top corner.

Freeman was determined to get his goal and chased down a backpass to beat Tarran to the ball, but the ricochet took a wicked bounce off the unlucky Chirk attacker and the ball went out of play.

Half-time: 1-1

Much like the first half, Broughton struck early for what would be the game’s decisive goal. Jayden Evans received a low ball in the box, spun his marker and caught Maw flat footed as his low effort rolled into the net.

Chirk’s Matthew Tombs saw an effort tipped over from distance, while Rutter also went close for the hosts. The Broughton midfielder could be forgiven for having his goal celebration at the ready when his connection on a low pull back was heading for the net, only for Pearce to intervene with a superb last-gasp effort to clear off the line.

With many a side laying down early markers for a title tilt, Broughton look to have thrown their proverbial hat in the ring. Chirk meanwhile will be looking to arrest their slump at the earliest opportunity.

The Colliers visit early front-runners Coedpoeth United next weekend.