Bronte Wanderers (2) V Overthorpe (1)
After the disappointment of last week’s cup exit this week’s performance was just what the Wanderers needed. A gritty no frills team effort to secure an important three points. It wasn’t an auspicious start though as with five minutes on the clock an innocuous throw-in bounced across their penalty box eventually falling at the feet of an Overthorpe striker. He must have thought Christmas had arrived early as he was presented with the simplest of opportunities to blast the ball into the back of the net. Unlike last week though Bronte knuckled down and got on with the job.
Chances were few and far between in the first half with the visitors probably just shaving it. A long range effort from Liam Blacka flew wide followed by a quick break buy Overthorpe but the final strike also went wide. On the half-hour new signing Dane Ward combined well with Dave Armstrong to create a chance but Ward’s shot was blocked. Gaz Ritson as usual tormented the opposition defence with his mazy runs and Jamie Rowell’s effort from one of these was well saved by the keeper. Another quick break by Overthorpe looked certain to lead to a goal as they created a 2 v 1 situation but Ritson somehow got back to make a timely tackle. Good pressure by Overthorpe forced the occasional error from Bronte’s defence and the last chance of the half fell to them as a result but once more the shot was hit wide.
After a positive team talk at half-time Bronte found that extra gear early in the second half. Ross Chapman’s corner was headed down but just wide by Joe Blacka in the opening minute but the same player finally opened his tally for the season only five minutes later. A fee kick from Dave Alderson was driven into Blacka’s feet. His turn and drive across the six yard box into the far corner of the net was vintage Blacka. Bronte were now piling on the pressure and Alderson soon had another free kick this time on the edge of the “D”. His powerful drive beat the wall but drew a great save from the keeper. Rowell next set up Armstrong but he drove wide. Yet another free-kick from Alderson forced a corner and Martin Maude almost gave Bronte the lead but his header was just wide too.
With three quarters of the game gone it was time for a change. Ross Greenaway, who had been champing at the bit on the touchline, came on for the hard working but tiring Jamie Rowell and almost immediately stamped his intentions on the game. A surging run down the right and cross forced a corner. From this the Overthorpe keeper just managed to tip the ball away from the advancing Bronte strikers. Another run by Greenaway forced a succession of corners but the visitor’s defence held. Still bustling with intent Greenaway carved out an opportunity but lifted his shot high.
Just as it looked as though the game would be one way traffic Overthorpe broke down their right, a smart pass to the edge of the box followed by a whipped strike forced a great save from Dave Bainbridge at full stretch. The resulting corner led to the definitive moment of the match. The ball landed at the feet of an Overthorpe striker who hammered a half-volley taking a wicked deflection off Simeon Brown from just outside the six yard box. It had to be a goal-but some how Bainbridge pulled off a brilliant reflex save to push the ball over the bar. His safe hands collected the corner and the danger was past.
At the other end Greenaway continued to storm down the right wing and whip balls into the box. One of these arrived at Armstrong’s feet but he just couldn’t get enough on it to beat the keeper. Greenaway, and Bronte, finally got the reward for his determination when a long ball from defence (sorry lads I didn’t get who from down in my notes) found him just on-side (a bit tongue-in-cheek perhaps?). Another strong run left Overthorpe’s defence in his wake as he coolly slid the ball passed the advancing keeper. If Bronte needed a reminder not to let their concentration slip after scoring the certainly got one. From the centre Overthorpe launched an attack and were unlucky to see the final strike cannon off the post/crossbar.
Fresh legs in the form of Andy Fox and Liam King ended any hopes of a visitors comeback though as Bronte continued to dominate the remainder of the game. From another corner Fox and Greenaway both came close. Another effort from Fox forced successive corners which were well defended once more. In the final minute Greenaway and Fox opened up the opposition defence once more but Fox’s shot skimmed the crossbar and was cleared. All in all a just reward for Bronte’s efforts this week.