As early as the first minute Bronte stamped their authority on this game. Martin Maude sent Gaz Ritson off on one of his mazy runs. As he jinked his way into the box and pulled the ball back (perhaps he should have pulled the trigger?) across the six yard area panic ensued it Salts’ defence but somehow they cleared for a corner. The resulting corner was only partially cleared and Bronte kept up the pressure. Eventually a good ball from Simmy Brown found Dave Armstrong and persistent effort from him led to the ball breaking across the area for James Bailey to smash into the net. Alderson had an opportunity to increase Bronte’s lead but his free kick wasn’t up to his usual standard as it sailed high over the cross-bar. Dave Bainbridge next floated a superb free-kick into the danger area but somehow none of the Bronte attackers managed to get anything on it and it bounced harmlessly for a goal-kick. Joe Blacka linked with Ritson and his pull-back once more caused havoc in Salts’ penalty area bur once more the ball was scrabbled for a corner. The corner resulted in yet more desperate defending ending with Maude’s shot being blocked and eventually cleared. Ritson, having perhaps his best game so far, continued to mesmerise the home defence and how Bronte didn’t pile up the goals was a mystery.
With 25mins gone more dogged work from Armstrong on the left and a cross to Liam Blacka saw his powerful drive thump into the keeper’s chest. Next Bailey slipped a great pass to Chapman who danced around two defenders before hitting his shot straight at the keeper from 6yds. Salts almost found a way through when a free-kick seemed to catch-out the Bronte defence and their striker should have done better. From this however Bronte broke away. Armstrong went past his defender and crossed for Bailey to knock (off his Knee is what I’ve heard-still Bigsy they all count) his and Bronte’s second goal. Armstrong next chased a somewhat wayward shot from Liam Blacka. His return cross this time superbly volleyed by Blacka was some how blocked by the keeper-a warning of what was to come in the second half.
Right from the kick-off Salts had a chance to get back into the game as it seemed Bronte had “switched-off” and only a last ditch tackle from Janie Rowell (thought I’d leave in the typing error) prevented a score. Once more Bronte broke from nearly conceding a goal to threaten at the other end as Liam Blacka’s fierce drive is some-how saved by the keeper. (More to come!) A strong tackle in mid-field from Salts and an excellent pass created an opportunity for them to score but Brown, growing steadily into an integral part of the Bronte squad, defended firmly and cleared the danger. Again Bronte break as Joe Blacka passed to Ritson who crossed to Armstrong who forces a great save from the keeper-(still more to come!) The corner produced the most amusing incident of the game as Rowell’s version of “The Dying Swan” saw him completely miss with his diving header. 
For the next few minutes The Wanderers seemed to lose a little concentration as slack marking from a free-kick gave Salts another chance but the shot is blasted high and wide. This was followed by a well struck cross that the striker just failed to get on the end of with his (more elegant!) diving header. Bronte shook them-selves awake and great work by Chapman results in his cross to Armstrong passing the ball past the keeper to make it 3-0. Another free-kick to Salts this time brings an excellent save at full stretch from Bainbridge. Bronte once more build up the pressure through Ritson’s ability to go past defenders and though he perhaps should have scored himself his shot blocked by the keeper is pounced on by Bailey who completes his hat-trick. Next Ritson slots a terrific pass to Armstrong who seems to hesitate before coolly releasing the ball to Bailey to notch his 4th and Bronte’s 5th.
Salts weren’t about to give up though and good work at creating space saw a chance wasted as the striker shoots straight at Bainbridge. Liam Blacka, Ritson and Martin Maude then pulled of possibly the best passing move of the game as Maude’s cross finds Joe Blacka in the box. His turn and shot looks goal-bound before the keeper pulls of another incredible save (even more to come!) almost immediately Armstrong found himself with a great chance to increase his tally. But (you guessed it) that keeper somehow keeps this one out too. (Not done yet!)
If Bronte needed a reminder that lost concentration can be costly then they got one. Caught 2-on-2 at the back and with a shout in-vain for off-side Salts finally make the score sheet. Immediately Bronte almost hit back as another great passing move is finished with a near-post strike by Chapman only for the keeper to bring off another terrific save. (Still not done!) Joe Blacka was by now really getting his passing game going as he set Chapman on his way again Chapman’s cross reaches Bailey but this time he is off target. Then came one of those crazy moments as Bailey’s somewhat tame shot is (unbelievably) fumbled by the keeper and finds its way into the net off the post. But the keeper then made up for his error by pulling off yet another unbelievable save from Bailey’s shot off Armstrong’s cross.(Finally done!). In the final minute Salts regained some pride as yet another lapse in concentration, poor marking and perhaps a trace off “stuff it I can’t be bothered to chase that” attitude allowed them in for a second goal.
M.O.T.M James Bailey R.M.P. James Bailey