Tyersal (2) V Bronte Wanderers (5)
If Bronte wanted proof that if they listen to instructions and play to their strengths they are a side to be reckoned with then this was the game. True in the end it was only 5 goals against the worst Tyersal side I have seen but had it not been for superb goal-keeping, desperate defending and some woeful finishing then a score-line of 3-15 would have been a true reflection of the game.
The home side must have wondered what had hit them as from the start their visitors forced chance after chance. A long kick from keeper Dave Bainbridge confounded Tyersal’s defence but Armstrong slipped just as he was about to fire home. Ross Chapman battled strongly to set up Gaz Ritson only for him to shoot wide. Then Dave Armstrong produced a good run and strike that brought the first of many great saves from the home keeper. Ritson ripped through the defence and crossed to Chapman who laid the ball back to James Bailey. His fierce shot was brilliantly saved at the expense of a corner. Armstrong rose well to meet the corner but placed his header wide. Armstrong managed to beat the off-side trap but was forced away from goal by the keeper before laying the ball back to Ritson. His effort was closer this time but only found the side-netting. Bailey, as usual, was delivering great crosses and only the keepers fingertips prevented one of these from making contact with young Chris Smith’s (making his first start with the first team) head. On 20mins Tyersal finally launched an attack but fell foul of their own defensive strategy when they were caught off-side. Another great ball from Bailey looked to have set up Ritson but he was just beaten to it by – you guest it - that damned keeper. A threaded through ball gave Chapman a chance but (look-out here he comes again) the keeper saved bravely at his feet. Smith made an excellent overlapping run into the box but was well tackled before he could get his shot away. Another chance gone. Four-on-one (the keeper) Bronte must score but no somehow that man foiled them again. A rare break and Tyersal could have taken the lead (I haven’t missed a goal have I?) but the striker blazes his shot wide. At this point I was having difficulty getting all the chances down on paper so I was great-full when Tom Emmott finally did break the dead-lock driving in after more pressure from Bronte.
Just in case I am giving the impression that this was all a “front-man” game I must add that Liam king was master-minding Bronte’s mid-field whilst Dave Alderson and Dayne Ward were in complete control at the centre of defence. The off-side trap continued to frustrate Bronte but right on half time they forced a corner. For some reason no-one re-acted to another decent delivery and the danger was cleared.
Tyersal started the second half more positively but it was Bronte once more who looked favourites to score. Rick McCullock and Ross Chapman combined well to set up Armstrong but he only succeeded in bringing out another great save from the keeper. King’s free-kick to Armstrong on the edge of the box saw him battle throughTyersal’s defence to knock in from close, just reward for all his hard work.
Just in case Bainbridge had nodded off Tyersal finally did test him forcing a save at full stretch after good work in mid-field. Immediately after though Bronte increased their lead when a good build-up led to the ball ricocheting all over Tyersal’s box before a looping effort from Ritson found the net. Tyersal weren’t down and just yet though as a little complacency crept into the Wanderers game as a low strike found the corner to make it 1-3. Good work by substitute Simmy Brown and Ritson lead to a corner and Chapman was just wide with his header. The home side pushed hard to give themselves a chance and McCullock had to make a great block on what looked like a goal-bound shot. Tyersal broke away again and forced a rare error from Ward as his back-pass forced Bainbridge into a hurried clearance that went for a corner. Somehow the ball looped over Bainbridge and despite what had gone before it now looked as though Bronte would have a fight on their hands. For a few more minutes Tyersal threatened to get the equaliser but then Bronte steadied the ship. First a cross from Ritson was delicately chipped over the keeper who, not surprisingly, by this time was looking tired By Danny Makinson to give Bronte more breathing space. Armstrong then made a typical breaking run before crossing to Bailey who dismayed every-one, including himself, by heading over the cross-bar. But the same player made amends only a minute later when this time he did put the finishing touch to Ritson’s cross, sliding it beyond a now despairing keeper to seal the game.
