AFC Walton...3 Brampton Rovers JMA....1
Manager Benny made some inspired changes to his line up, and it paid dividends against a well organised Rovers side today at Eastwood Park. Folllowing TWO disasterous games which saw AFC drop out of the Chatsworth Cup, then allow Barrow Hill to open up clear blue water at the top of Division 5 following a shamefull showing, in more ways than one, against Hosetech, it was important that EVERYBODY, pulled in the same direction, in order to rescue a season that promised so much in the early days.
Benny started by naming a NEW captain, with the blessing of Goodwin, then re-shaping the defence, bringing Danny Brown to right back, and Stevie Miles to Left back. Promoting Silcock to the middle of the park to partner Goodwin, whilst pushing Shane Bennett up into the hole, with Lee Walton and Simon Bonson on the wings, and linking the impressive pairing of Mitchell and Wright up in attack. The WHOLE squad responded in a pulsating tie. The hosts made the the perfect start taking the lead after a fine team move after just 3 mins on the clock, a Bettney free kick was swung into the back post, where Mitchell chested the ball down, before lifting a pass across the face of the goal for WRIGHT to rise and nod home for 1-0. AFC spurred on by this pushed forward, with Bettneys passes leaving the JMA defenders chasing shadows as they struggled to cope with the pace of Wright and Mitchell. They did produce a real chance on 10 mins, a quick break forward saw a crisp pass into the box, but the header struck the post and was well cleared by Miles. They were however punished almost immediatly when the hosts grabbed a well deserved 2nd on 11 minutes, a superb Lee Walton pass picked out the run of Wright who broke past the defence before playing in MITCHELL who kept his cool, drawing the keeper, rounding him, and slotting the ball home.
Furniss made a great catch under pressure from a cross, close to his crossbar on the quater hour. Bonson then sent Mitchell clear who picked out Silcock, but he slid his shot wide. AFC kept the pressure on and the visitors keeper did well to keep out another attack, a Bettney flick to Goodwin saw him find Mitchell but his effort was thwarted by a fine catch. Silcock did well defending a free kick at the other end on the half hour, the ball was swept in before being cleared, and the rebound was fired wide. As the half ended a great 1-2 between Bonson and Brown saw the hosts win a couple of corners, but both chances came to nothing. HALF TIME AFC Walton...2 Brampton Rovers JMA...0
Benny asked for more of the same for the second half but it was JMA who went close on 49 mins following a misskick by Furniss, but the visitors striker was wasteful screwing his shot wide after being clean through. The keeper made ammends a minute later, tipping over a wicked dipping shot after Miles was turned outside the box. The hosts went close with two well taken corners on the hour, firstly the visiting keeper tipped the ball away under pressure, whilst the second one went just over following a fantastic Bonson header. The visitors grabbed a lifeline on 63 mins following a mix up between Bonson and Michell after a mis-placed pass in the middle of the park, JMA swept forward and a long ball in saw the striker control the pass before smashing the ball home from 18 yards.
AFC restored thier two goal cushion within just 3 minutes in spectacular fashion. MITCHELL found himself pushed to the ground 30 yards from goal, before dusting himself down and smashing a ferocious free kick, beating the experienced JMA keeper all ends up and leaving him flat footed as the ball nestled in the net. JMA responded and won a free kick on 69 mins, the ball was sent into the back post but was again wastefully headed over. The visitors picked up the only yellow card brandished all day with just 15 mins remaining and a minute later Funiss again had to be alert as another shot flashed in but was well saved. Whitehead replaced Bonson on 84 mins, signaling a slight change in formation with AFC going to 4-4-2 to see the rest of the game out, with the sub slotting in well into the back four. Benny rightfully praised the WHOLE squad after the game, which saw AFC get within 3 points of the summit again whilst severly denting a very strong oppositions chances in the process. FULL TIME AFC Walton...3 Brampton Rovers JMA...1
