This was a game that entertained but just failed to excite. Both sides played attractive football throughout without the match ever taking fire. Shamies showed from the start they weren’t going to be a pushover and did their best to take the game to Bronte. A couple of early chances fell Shamies way but Bainbridge dealt comfortably with them. The Wanderers started slowly but as the half wore on gradually began to pressure the Shamrocks defence. Not surprisingly Dave Armstrong had Bronte’s first real chance when he latched on to a through-ball and found himself one-on-one with the keeper. The keeper won out making an excellent save at Armstrong’s feet. Tom Butcher had Bronte’s best chance of this half when a great cross from Garry Ritson reached him at but his half-volley cannoned off the post and was cleared.
The second half followed much the same pattern as the first with both teams playing neat football in middle of the park but neither created any clear chances. It began to become clear that one goal could settle the match. Bronte’s manager must have decided a change was necessary as new signing Liam King and Martin Maude were introduced. Dave Alderson moved into midfield with Liam Blacka. Blacka already had shown he was back on form but now with Alderson along side him they began to take control of midfield. Even so it was going to take something special to settle the result. Armstrong duly provided. Turning and spinning away from his marker he smashed an unstoppable shot into the top corner. Joe Blacka then made his return to the fold and began to show why he can be such a dangerous threat up front. His best chance came when, like Armstrong in the first half, he latched onto a through-ball and found himself one-on one with Shamie’s keeper. Unfortunately for Bronte the keeper won this one too again making a great save at the striker’s feet. After this the game drifted to an end with Wanderers content with the three points.
M.O.T.M. Liam Blacka R.M.P. Dave Alderson