Match Review: Broughton FC (5) vs Whiteley Wanderers (4)

Date: 21st December 2024

Whiteley Wanderers ended 2024 with a visit to top-of-the-league Broughton, a side that had already defeated them earlier in the season. This time, however, Whiteley delivered a thrilling performance, narrowly losing in a nine-goal encounter.

Broughton started the game with intent, but an early chance was snuffed out by Vickery, who headed clear outside his box. Whiteley responded quickly, forcing a defensive error as Dylan played Scott through, resulting in a corner. From the set piece, Whiteley shouted for handball after a Broughton defender blocked Scott’s shot on the line. The referee had no choice but to show a red card and award a penalty, which Ellis Kilty calmly converted to give Whiteley the lead.

Down to ten men, Broughton reorganised, sacrificing an attacker to maintain a strong backline. Whiteley looked to exploit the advantage, with Joe twice creating chances, first for Ellis, whose shot went straight at the keeper, and then for Scott, who set up Kerby, only for his effort to drift wide.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Broughton countered with pace and precision. A cross from the wing was finished clinically to equalise, and moments later, they capitalised on defensive lapses to make it 2–1. Whiteley’s attempts to retake control saw Rory, Ellis, and Scott linking up, but their attacks faltered. A free kick for Broughton forced a stunning save from Vickery, but the resulting corner led to their third goal.

Whiteley sought to reduce the deficit before half-time, with Rory’s strike from distance testing the keeper. Bell orchestrated several attacks, including a move that saw Ellis force successive corners, but Whiteley couldn’t break through before the whistle.

Half-Time: Broughton 3 – 1 Whiteley Wanderers

The second half began with Whiteley making changes, as Toby replaced Scott and Harrison pushed forward to the right wing. They started brightly, and a mistake by the Broughton keeper gifted Ellis a chance to set up Kerby for a composed finish.

Buoyed by the goal, Whiteley piled on the pressure. Dylan’s delivery found Ousman for a header, but the keeper saved well. Shortly after, a well-worked move between Rory, Ousman, and Jack culminated in a powerful shot from Jack that was also denied.

Whiteley’s persistence paid off when Bell forced a defensive error, allowing Ellis to fire home an equaliser and make it 3–3. Both teams pushed for the lead, but Broughton regained their advantage after Rory fouled an attacker in the box, conceding a penalty that was duly converted.

Whiteley found space down the left through Joe and Dylan, whose whipped cross-shot forced another save. With Broughton now resorting to time-wasting tactics and the game paused for a head injury, Whiteley capitalised on a moment of quick thinking. Spotting the keeper off his line, Charlie Hancock lofted a brilliant shot into the net, levelling the score at 4–4.

As the match entered added time, Broughton earned a dangerous free kick. The shot deflected off the wall, struck the post, and fell kindly for a Broughton player to score the winner with the game’s final kick.

Full-Time: Broughton 5 – 4 Whiteley Wanderers

Whiteley showed immense character, particularly in the second half, and were unlucky to leave without a point. The game was packed with positives, including standout goals and strong teamwork. Man of the Match: Jack Sherwood delivered an exceptional performance in defence, epitomising the team’s fighting spirit.

Line-up: Vickery, Radford (56), C Hancock, Sherwood, Harding, Newman (80), Bell, J Davies, Faulkner (45), Kerby-Dickinson, Kilty
Subs: Boye (56), S Hancock (80), T Hancock (45) (91), Hills (Unused), Steer (91)

Man of the Match: Jack Sherwood

Goal Scorers for Whiteley Wanderers: Ellis Kilty (6) Pen, (67), Aaron Kerby-Dickinson (48), Charlie Hancock (86)
Goals for Broughton: (11, 12, 22, 74 Pen, 93)

Yellow Cards: Jack Sherwood (24), Broughton (79)
Red Cards: Broughton (5)