Moston Brook AFC

This match brought the 1^st XI to the halfway point of their season. The league table only shows one defeat at Cheadle Hulme Villa, and the team talk was about making sure we produced consistent displays no matter who we play to maintain our serious challenge for promotion, and let our football do the talking, not our mouths.

Hollingworth who are currently in mid table were up for the challenge, and made Moston work hard for their three points. The first half saw Moston create a number of chances but Hollingworth's keeper made sure his goal wasn't breached, even when we were given a penalty when Jonny Munson was brought down in the box he saved Michael Brady's spot kick. Jon's trickery on the ball, left a Hollingworth defender for dead in one attack, and numerous runs from Paul Vayro, and several others came to no avail. Hollingworth's best effort came when a shot whizzed past Beanheads right hand post, and on another attack he beat one of their forwards to the ball to thwart them taking the lead. HT 0-0.

In the second half we just needed to pass the ball a little bit sharper but this became increasingly difficult on a heavy pitch, and also make sure we had cover at the back when needed. We finally took the lead when a Holingworth player handled on the line from a Jonny Munson shot, which mean't they were reduced to ten men. Michael Brady put the penalty kick in the bottom corner this time giving their keeper no chance. Jonny then had a goal disallowed, and hit the bar with a header. Paul Vayro scored Moston's second when on a mazy run he beat several Hollingworth defenders before walking the ball round their keeper to fire home. In typical fashion the ten men of Hollingworth raised their game, and we lost our shape when chasing a third. This allowed Hollingworth the opportunity to get back in the match, and they came close when a shot went under Beanhead's body and just wide of goal. FT 2-0.

Overall a better team performance than the previous week, and generally good displays from everybody. Next week we entertain second place Whalley Range!

The seconds were helped by the cancellation of the third team game as they went into the game with only nine of the original 13 players selected. This allowed Moston to still go into the game with a reasonably strong squad of 13. The first half was a good one, with Moston looking dangerous down the wings with Fitzpatrick and Monyei, and also through the middle with Boakye's pace and McElvaney's strong running from midfield. That said Stoconians did get themselves in some good positions themselves, and may have had some more joy but for some woeful shooting and refereeing decisions going against them.

Moston took the lead from the penalty spot after a Stoconians defender was penalised for handball in the area, Mark Terris sending the keeper the wrong way with the penalty for his thirteenth goal of the season. Stoconians were denied an equaliser twice by the referee, firstly for offside and then for a foul on the keeper. The second one seemed to be a definite foul but not sure about the first one as I wasn't really in a position to tell. Moston finished the game as a contest in the last fifteen minutes of the first half. After Monyei and Boakye made something of a long ball which they seemed second too, the ball fell to Mike McElvaney on the edge of the box who lofted the ball over the defenders and goalkeepers and into the net with a fine finish. It was three soon after when McElvaney won a 70-30 tackle, in the Stoconians players favour, which freed Monyei on the right and he took the ball into the area and finished well into the top left hand corner.

Three-nil at half-time which was possibly a bit harsh on Stoconians but it was a reasonably good performance from Moston. The second half proved to be a much scrappier affair which wasn't help by the pitch noticeably cutting up. Stoconians again got themselves in decent positions but for the most part didn't really test Ian in goal. Moston did add a fourth in the second half, when McElvaney seemed to take an age to shoot after going through, the ball eventually fell to Monyei who back heeled the ball into the net. It could have got even better after substitute John Tynan hit the post from outside the box with a fine effort.

A reasonably good result from the seconds with all 13 players involved giving solid performances. The game was probably won in midfield and both Feeke and McElvaney put in excellent displays in the centre and Fitzpatrick and Monyei were both threats going forward but also put in some excellent work defensively. Our eleventh win of the campaign keeps us top and still on track for promotion.

CUP GAME

SCORERS

Niall Rafferty, Kyle Hark and Andrew Bowker

This was a fantastic game with plenty of action and end to end play from start to finish. Both teams played their hearts out and both had a couple of chances but both keepers kept their own teams in it by keeping a clean sheet.

As the score was 0-0 after the full time whistle and still 0-0 after extra time the game ended with a penalty shoot out.

A few players on both sides missed a couple of shots and both keepers saved a few. But unlucky for Brook, Brandlesholme pipped it with 1extra lucky strike than Brook. Bringing the final score to 3 (pens)-4(pens)

Well done to both teams for showing great team spirit throughout.

MOTM today goes to Craig Mckay for dominating your position and for  shwing true grit and determination from start to finish.  

 This was the big test today as Brook took on table toppers Failsworth West A and Brook didn't disappoint. The game started pretty even as Brook crunched into the tackles to make there presence felt. Hammet and Egan and Field were in the action early on as the very impressive West linked up with some super football. The opener came early on with some great one touch football that found Brook caught out in the opposition half.  From a Brook attack the keeper saved a Jackson shot and Thomas put the rebound just wide. Straight from the dead ball a series of one twos found West in the Brook area and the forwards shot left field no chance. Brook countered with Potsoluioko and Burke both going close and at the other end Egan  Thomas and Field were earning there corn with some great defending and keeping. Half time came round really fast and it was a shame to call a halt to proceedings in this end to end first half.

The second half saw Gaffney introduced and he was straight into the action with some great tackles in the middle of the park. Jackson was again unlucky not to get on the score sheet as his effort was pushed over the bar. Failsworth had a great five minutes as they pushed to finish the game off but some heroic defending by Egan and Thomas at the back put a halt to their proceedings. Jackson had a long range effort well saved and when the ball fell to Gaffney from a Burke corner he couldn't get the ball out of his feet. The killer blow came two minutes from the end when some glitzy football by West was finished with a fine strike that just beat the outstretched arm of Field to finish the game 2-0.

A really pleasing display from Brook today against the best opposition of the season so far. Man of the match went to Thomas for a great defensive performance, whilst Egan was voted by Failsworth West manager for his contribution at the back. A quick note to thank both sets of parents for some really encouraging support for both sides in this very entertaining game.