2009

Swinton Brookfield 4 Bolton Lacewood 0

12065670_10208096652201033_7624215771275902518_n — Swinton Brookfield

CLINICAL poise and a stroke of luck in front of goal saw Brookfield lift the Totty Cup for the first time in 18 years, after a tough clash with Lacewood.

The contest lacked sparkle and talking points as it played out on a surface battered by high winds. Playing the quality football that had brought both sides to the prestigious final was very difficult in the elements and it was only individual prowess from members of the Brookfield side that landed them the victory. But both sets of finalists worked their socks off in two industrious performances.

Lacewood were the first to threaten, when Callum Doherty broke through the Brookfield defence and lashed a half volley just wide of the upright. Brookfield’s Jamie Organ then launched an audacious volley of his own from long range that Reece Hollingsworth held well. The wind forced the ball towards the Lacewood goal and they spent lengthy periods defending in the first half. From a corner forced from a goalmouth scramble, Levi Wall flicked the delivery onto the cross bar as Swinton threatened.

Soon Brookfield were ahead through an intelligent free-kick from the edge of the area. Rather than smashing the leather off the ball, Organ simply dinked the ball over the wall towards the underside of the bar and allowed the wind to carry it home.

Moments later, the dangerous big lad had an opportunity to match his effort, but this time a well placed Lacewood defender was on hand to meet the delivery with his head and marshall the ball clear.

Hollingsworth denied Brookfield a second, bravely saving with his legs when a defensive mix-up presented a glorious opportunity but an error of judgement from the dependable stopper led to the Swinton side’s second. Reece Dudhill received the ball from a long throw in way out and had space to line up an effort for the far corner which he connected with well. Hollingsworth watched the ball, confident that it was going wide only to see it fly inside the post with gusts of wind perhaps playing a role.

Lacewood really should have pulled a goal back in the late stages of the half. The Brookfield defence failed to deal with a ball flashed across the box allowing a shot to be fired in that keeper Jordan ‘Paddy’ Smith saved superbly. Sam Wright followed up well but his effort rattled off the outside of the post.

Brookfield came out very determined after the break with the knowledge that they would have to work hard to defend their lead with the wind against them. Gavin Mophet charged into the area from the left and smashed a goalbound effort that cannoned back off the inside of the post.

Lacewood were equally determined to pull themselves back into contention. A volley from the edge of the area put hearts in mouths before narrowly flying over. The true determination came through in the way that Lacewood defended, resolutely insistent that their Swinton rivals would not extend their advantage despite a lot of pressure.

But they could only hold out for so long as Dudhill added Brookfield’s third when he found space well from a quick throw in to slot past Hollingsworth. Reece Greenall threatened from distance for Lacewood but chances proved few and far between for the Bolton side. Any opportunities were dealt with well by Smith in goal including one incident where he lost balance with his initial stop before rising to claim the second ball.

Wall almost widened the gap as he went clear but fired into the side net but it was a mistake that led to the final goal of the afternoon. A tame effort from Wall seemed an easy take for Hollingsworth but he elected to attempt to kick clear only to miss the ball and watch helplessly as it rolled into the back of the net.

The final whistle from referee Brian Hyde brought proceedings to a close and sparked wild celebrations for the large crowd of Brookfield followers.

Teams: Lacewood: Jordan Hayden, Louis Meakin, Reece Greenall, Reece Hollingsworth, Nina Eyre, Sam Wright, William Jackson, Davidas Gurskis, Luke Hunt, Jordan Lee, Tasmin Cutting, Callum Mellor, Kyle Law, Callum Doherty.

Brookfield: Marc Cheetham, Macauley Sawyer, Gavin Morphet, Jordan Smith, Jake Scrivens, Jamie Organ, Adam Clark, Reece Dudhill, Benjamin Saunders, Callum Storey, Ben Shaw, Curtis Horbury, Levi Wall.