Acklam Football Club

Brotton Juniors v Acklam FC

Tesco Junior Cup

Sunday 11^th Nov 2007 

Acklam travelled to Brotton for this North Riding Tesco Cup match on a very windy day to take on first division side  Brotton Juniors.

Acklam kicked off with the advantage of the strong wind and had the first chance of the match when Joe Stubley & Adam Lane combined to set Alex Hamblen away but his shot went over the bar.

Adam Lane was fouled about 25yds out and Jordan Wales’s resulting free kick was well saved by the Brotton Goalkeeper.

Acklam then forced two corners in quick succession and the second of these from Josh McDermott was not cleared by the Brotton defence and Adam Lane pounced to fire Acklam ahead.

Brotton started to get a foothold in the game and played some good football into the strong wind by keeping the ball down and passing.

Brotton had a shot over the bar and then from a quick break shot just wide of the post as they applied the pressure.

Sandy Davison cleared off the line when Brotton finally got past the very impressive Joe Parkin in the Acklam goal.

Acklam increased their lead after 20mins when Alex Hamblen was put clear down the left channel and struck a great shot across the goalkeeper into the far corner.

Josh McDermott nearly increased the lead further from a free kick that went just wide.

Acklam were still soaking up a lot of pressure from Brotton and managed to break away and add to their tally when Sean Speight played a hopeful through ball that the defender misjudged in the wind and Adam Lane nipped in, rounded the keeper and slotted home into the empty net.

Brotton very nearly got one back just on half time when they were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box, it was brilliantly saved by Joe Parkin but Brotton reacted quickest but the forwards shot went across the face of the goal and wide. 

Half Time: Brotton 0 v 3 Acklam FC 

With the weather conditions this was always going to be a game of two halves with Brotton hoping it was their turn to push on,  but Acklam were the first to threaten when Alex Hamblen shot wide when put through. Brotton were now having more of the possession and applying the pressure onto Acklam, and only great teamwork and a first class attitude from all the team kept them out.

Joe Parkin was injured when making a great save but managed to continue after treatment after the ball had been put out for a throw in. Amazingly the referee awarded a corner. Brotton swung the corner in and scored with a good header.

Time was pressing on and Acklam were determined to hold out, then with a couple of minutes remaining Brotton were awarded a dubious penalty when the harsh infringement looked well outside the box. Brotton’s player blazed the spot kick over the bar so justice was done. Acklam held out till the final whistle to record a fantastic victory. 

 Full Time: Brotton 1 v 3 Acklam FC 

What a truly magnificent, gritty performance from all the team, to record a great victory against a good first division side. The work rate from everyone was first class. 

MOM: Gavin Stubley led by example and considering he turned up feeling unwell but said he would give it a go, speaks volumes for his and the teams attitude at the moment.