A fast open game from the start with both sides clearly seeking the three points. Littletown had the best of the opening exchanges as sloppy passing by Bronte added to the pressure. A needless corner was driven against the post and then blocked for a second corner but this time the cross drifted out of play. Yet another corner was well headed but excellently caught by Dave Bainbridge with a save definitely for the cameras (they were here last week Dave not this week). Bronte were building good moves down the middle but couldn’t find a way through the visitor’s defence. Littletown were first on the score sheet following great movement down the left flank. The cross was hit first time and though the shot looked as though it might have gone wide it struck a Littletown striker smack in the centre of his forehead and flew past Bainbridge into the net. Only a minute later Wanderer’s were back on level terms. Tom Emmott won the ball well and slid a great pass through to Alex (Albo) Love who seeing the keeper advancing towards him coolly chipped over his head into the far corner to make it 1-1. As Bronte were now getting their passing game going Alderson chipped one over the Littletown defence for Dave Armstrong to chase but the keeper just got to the ball first. A free-kick to Littletown was headed clear by Dayne Ward who was once more solid at the back and Bronte’s defence held strongly. Both defences were on top by this time and clear chances were few. Emmott again set Albo on his way but the Littletown defender won this one. Emmott then forced a corner and James Bailey’s pin-point cross was just headed over by Alderson. Bronte kept the pressure on Littletown for the last few minutes of this half but without any further breakthrough.
The visitors started the second half strongly but couldn’t open up the Bronte back line well supported this week by the mid-field. A Bailey free-kick was headed clear for Littletown to break but the safe hands of Bainbridge safely smothered the shot. He was once more called upon to produce a great save following a terrific ball into the box from Littletown. A rare mistake from Rick McCullock, who continues to grow into this team looked to have gifted an easy chance to Littletown but a superb tackle by Alderson saved Bronte. Bainbridge’s work wasn’t over as a strong run forced him to pull off yet another excellent save. A free-kick on halfway by Alderson was brilliantly brought down by Bailey and his subsequent turn looked to create a shooting chance but this time it was Littletown’s defender who made a timely tackle. Danny Makinson, Armstrong and Ross Chapman who were all working more effectively this week combined to create a chance for Bailey but he shot straight at the keeper. On the hour Simmy Brown came on for the tiring Liam King who had marshalled the mid-field this week on his return to the team. Both sides were clearly intent on denying the other any further points as their mid-field and defences stood firm. Brown’s long range effort didn’t trouble Littletown and Armstrong watched a header go wide as the game wound down and all-in-all everyone seemed happy with the draw.
M.O.T.M. Dave Alderson R.M.P. Albo