Craven League Division Two: Broomhill 4 Carleton 2

BROOMHILL earned a hard-fought victory in their first league game since October to leapfrog Carleton into second place – a hat-trick from Matthew Kershaw and a brilliant strike from Liam Baker being the difference.

Having played their last four games on the AstroTurf in various cup games, the Badgers were slow to adapt to muddy conditions. Playing on the tip top at Marley due to the recent flooding, the smaller, narrower pitch didn't immediately suit the home side.

Carleton were over-running the Badgers defence, with only a brilliant save from keeper Jake Yaxley keeping the scores level.

On the 20-minute mark, Broomhill opened the scoring against the run of play in very familiar circumstances. A corner from left back Matthew Wilson was headed home emphatically from 10 yards by man of the match Kershaw.

The Badgers settled as midfielders Joe Jalil and Mark Hardman dictated the tempo, involving full backs Wilson and Chris Reynolds more.

Mindful of the fact that the Badgers had let a 1-0 half-time lead slip the last time the teams had met, Broomhill's management emphasised the importance of a strong work ethic.

Ten minutes after the restart, Broomhill were 2-0 up. Kershaw beat the offside trap and was one on one with the keeper. Instead of squaring for strike partner Andy Tanner, he brilliantly back-heeled the ball through the keepers legs from 12 yards and it rolled over the goal-line.

Five minutes later, Carleton halved the deficit. Centre backs Aaron Whitaker and David Rhodes stepped up to play their strikers offside from a through ball. However, a midfield runner was not offside and, although tracked by Jalil, he squared to the unmarked striker, who was originally offside, to tap home.

The hosts pressed on for more and this left gaps in the defence, where Yaxley made two vital saves to retain the lead.

Baker got the all-important third goal, scoring with his weaker right foot into the top corner.

An injection of fresh legs boosted the hosts and Kershaw headed home another Wilson corner for his hat-trick.

More chances fell to Joe Slater and Kershaw thanks to great work by Michael Turner and Patrick King, who both nearly found the net.

Carleton claimed a consolation when a long-range shot was tipped on to the post by Yaxley before a striker pounced to tap into the open net.

Although a rusty performance on a heavy pitch, the Badgers came through their hardest challenge of the season to move up the table.

Broomhill: Yaxley, Wilson, Rhodes, Whitaker, Reynolds (Holroyd 70'), Baker (Turner 60'), Jalil, Hardman (King 65'), Kershaw, Tanner