Moston Brook AFC

Brook got back to winning ways today with a thumping 4-1 win over Phoenix Athletic on a freezing cold morning. Brook were straight out of the blocks laying siege to the Athletic goal, some fantastic link up play between Thomas Jackson and Egan forced a great save from the Phoenix keeper early on and when a series of quality corners from Burke were served up you new it wasn't going to be long before the deadlock was broken. Brook gained control of the midfield with Thomas holding the ball up well and distributing some great passes out to Burke on the right he was supplying some great service in to Jackson, this paid dividends on eight minutes when Jackson received a ball on the edge of the area he dropped his shoulder and went round the Phoenix defender to hammer home a great goal into the bottom corner. Phoenix broke straight from the kick off but Egan and Hammett at the back stood strong, from that defensive work the third goal came, Hammett won the ball and played out to Egan he found Thomas who passed out wide to Jackson, he flicked the ball up and hammered the ball goal bound, the ball hit the bar and dropped out to Taylor his effort was blocked on the line and Potseluiko stabbed home from close range to take Brook in three nil at the interval.

The second half saw Willis introduced and he was in the thick of things straight away blocking out the Phoenix advances. Phoenix pressed to try and get back into the game but Potseluiko at the back put some great blocks in. Brook turned up the heat again with some great passing football with Thomas Burke and Jackson all playing totally unselfish and passing it around to force the Phoenix keeper into some great saves. Brook were pressing again but this time they got caught on the break and a great solo goal from the Phoenix forward gave them a glimmer of hope. Brook weren't going to let this one go and the best goal was yet to come. Egan found Jackson in his own half he went on a solo run around four Phoenix players and made no mistake with a stunning effort from the edge of the area.In the final minutes of the game Thomas put in Jackson he put the ball wide to Burke who had a thunderous drive well stopped by the Phoenix keeper.

Finally a quick mention to Field who was pretty much redundant in this game but what he had to do he did right with some great distribution. Final score 4-1 to Brook it was really pleasing the way Brook knocked the ball around and were totally unselfish as they advanced on goal. Man of the match went to Burke for a tireless workmanlike performance and Jackson for some great individual efforts and fine goals.

After a three week layoff due to postponement's Moston's 1^st XI were back in action playing Manchester Rovers at Willenhall Road in the preliminary round of the Rhodes Cup.

On a cold afternoon the first fifteen minutes saw Moston have plenty of the possession but they couldn't convert their early chances. Beanhead was called into action on a couple of occasions before the deadlock was broken after about twenty minutes when Darren Dunleavey broke clear but as he tried to round their keeper the ball was pushed wide to Jonny Munson who cut inside the box and slotted the ball home. Moston's second came shortly afterwards when a Rovers defender in trying to cut out a shot sliced the ball past his own keeper. Moston's confidence was growing and Mark Roberts who was playing wide on the right in place of Paul Vayro went on a run from just inside the oppositions half to score a good individual goal. The half finished with Jonny Munson who wasn't feeling well shooting from just inside Rovers half and the ball sailed over their keepers head and into the back of the net.HT 4-0

The second half started with Moston making numerous chances but failing to convert them. Rovers to their credit didn't let their heads drop and tried to get on the scoresheet. Number five came when Michael Brady fired home a sweet hit shot into the corner of the net. Our sixth was from the penalty spot when Michael McNeill's blistering pace saw him caught up with ease by a Rovers defender and his attempted tackle brought Michael down. Michael Brady our usual penalty taker allowed Michael Mc.to score from the spot. Jonny not being well allowed Paul McLoughlin to come into the action early on in the second half. This mean't Oggie had the opportunity of moving into midfield, and from one of his runs he slotted home our seventh goal with a fine shot. I didn't see the incident for Rovers consolation penalty due to having a warm up with ‘Walshy' before he made a rare appearance from the first team bench.

Next round we play Premier League side Mellor who we also played last year as we are now through to the last 32.

  With only 13 named, two drop outs and Fitz on route from Leeds, the seconds started the game with a bare eleven. Manager Joe Ryan taking his place up front, while Fitz arrived, for what I think he hoped was for about 10 minutes but turned out to be the whole first half. The first half was a pretty poor one and there were few chances at either end. Burnage did hit the post from range and Boakye did go close a couple of times. Moston took the lead before half-time with what seemed to be Joe Ryan's only two touches of the half. After good work by Mo Boakye down the left, the ball fell to Joe at the back post and he finished it well with the outside of his foot. Some might say he sliced the ball although he reckons he meant it. It was a good job he did score to at least in some way justify the ridiculous attire he was wearing for the game.

One-nil ahead at half-time and with Fitz now here, Joe reluctantly took his coat and watched the second half from the touchline. The second half was another scrappy one, although Moston did create the better chances. Chris Ferns could have doubled our lead at the back post but the Burnage keeper saved well. Burnage then got an equaliser, the Burnage forward taking advantage of indecision between goalkeeper and defender and nicking in between the two to score. Moston could have took the lead again soon after, Fizpatrick with a fine run past several Burnage defenders but he put his shot just past the post. Burnage then took the lead, their left wing back hitting the ball from twenty five yards through a crowd of players which unsighted Ian and the ball went into the bottom corner. With Moston seemingly heading towards a first defeat of the season, Mark Terris gave them a lifeline with a fine finish on the half volley from the edge of the area. Soon after, Moston had turned the 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 lead when they were awarded a penalty after Mo Boakye was brought down in the box. Mark Terris finished the penalty under the goalkeeper's body and the comeback was complete.

Burnage will feel a little aggrieved at coming out of the game with nothing and their performance probably deserved at least a point, although Moston did create the better chances. Not one of the second team's better performances but it could prove to be a vital victory come the end of season. It is vital to win these games when you don't play well and we have been doing this for the last few games and it leaves us in a good position going into the last game before the Christmas break.