Moston Brook AFC

The seconds took on table toppers and unbeaten Mellor at Nicholls this week. More changes again as Danny Jackson went in goal, Wayne Moran and myself returning in defence with Mark Terris also dropping into the back four. Chris Melia and Andy Feeke returned to second team duty in a five man midfield with Liam Baldwin being given the lone striker role.

In a tight first half, chances were limited, Rick Mills having the best chance but put the ball over the bar after being picked out from a free-kick at the back post. Danny Jackson also had to make a couple of good punches from a couple of Mellor set-pieces. Mellor took the lead midway through the first half as their centre forward got in down the right hand channel and lifted the ball over the advancing Danny and into the net. Moston equalised later in the half as Chris Barrow worked hard to win back possession, passed to Rick Mills and his fine lofted pass released Liam Baldwin down the right hand channel and he fired past the keeper at his near post.

Moston again started the half brightly, enjoying good possession of the ball but without really creating too many clear cut chances. The less said about Mike Murphy's attempt at a shot, the better as the keeper threw his cap on ball to stop Mike's thunderbolt (well more like a perfectly weighted back pass). Mellor were looking dangerous on the break and Danny Jackson was forced into a couple of fine saves as Mellor forwards got in behind the Moston defence. Moston took the lead for the first time, as a fine passing move, resulted in Liam firing the ball into the bottom corner from the edge of the box. Moston then had to endure a frantic last ten minutes as Mellor pushed for an equaliser. Moston were guilty of giving away possession too easily and perhaps sitting a little deep and inviting pressure. A mixture of some poor finishing and good goalkeeping and defending meant Moston held on to take the points.

A good result for Moston and it may finally kick start our season after a really mixed start to it. Some of our football in the game was good and for the most part we were worthy winners. That said, we can't really afford to have too many 10 minute spells in matches like the last 10 in this game. Mellor could easily have scored a couple of goals in this spell. We were probably due a little bit of luck as in the last few weeks, everything the opposition has hit , seems to have been going in. Good performances from Danny Jackson in goal, Mike Murphy (apart from his shocking shot) and Mark Terris in the centre of defence. Chris Melia was excellent in midfield and Liam Baldwin's pace, running and workrate at times kept two or three Mellor defenders occupied. We face another tough test at third in the table Whalley Range, next week

The 1^st XI went to probably their first match of the season with the fourteen selected the previous Saturday. This meant they had a strong bench of Cahill, Crump, and Vayro to put pressure on the selected XI.

On the drive to Old Stretfordians who we had beaten 3 - 1 at home earlier in the season there were doubts whether the match would be on due to the freezing fog, but fortunately when we got to Flixton visibility was good enough.

The match started with neither side on top, and it was a bit scrappy with possession given away easily. Jonny Munson looked a possible threat with his pace, and from a through ball not far into the Strets half he raced clear to shoot past the advancing Strets keeper to give Moston the lead. Strets when they broke did so with support, and it nearly caught Moston out. After about twenty five minutes into the match Beanhead had to come off his line, and he was caught by the forwards challenge on his clearance which meant he couldn't continue. Danny Wilds took over in goal, and was soon in action, and Crumpy came on in midfield. Strets were looking for an equaliser, and from a cross into the box  Danny's punch didn't quite go where he intended, and Murdoch couldn't stop a Strets playing slotting home. Just before half time having had a number of opportunites to clear the ball on the left hand side of our defence we were punished when a Strets player received the ball up, and thumped it passed Danny. HT 1-2.

The half - time chat was about getting back to basics, keeping in simple, and raising our tempo, and what a difference we seemed a lot sharper all over the park. Strets keeper was brought into action on several occasions making a number of excellent saves one in particular from an effort from Crumpy from about twenty five yards out.

Mostons pressure forced several corners, and from one Michael McElvaney hit the bar with a header but when the ball came back to him he was crowded out. Our breakthrough came after about fifteen minutes into the second half when Mike McNeill broke down our left, and hit an unstoppable shot which went in off the underside of the bar giving the Strets keeper no chance. I don't know who was more surprised Michael or all his team mates who jumped all over him. Strets even though they had been put on the back foot began to cause Moston a few problems with Danny coming off his line on a couple of occasions to clear situations. Twenty minutes to go and Michael Cahill, and Paul Vayro were introduced, and within a couple of minutes Michael had given us the lead following some good passing and movement he was one on one with the keeper, and we take the lead. We were now causing Strets problems with some sharp football, and the Strets keeper was again called into action. Michael scored his second, and our fourth shooting into the bottom right hand corner. Michael then has another opportunity when Jonny crosses from the left the Strets keeper, and a defender don't clear the ball, Michael hits a left footer over the bar. Shortly afterwards a Strets defender handles the ball in their area, and before one of our players is given the opportunity to score which was a formality the referee blew for a penalty. Following recent misses I had agreed that only Michael Brady our current penalty taker would take them, but because Michael Cahill was on a hat - trick it was given to him, and unfortunately he missed. FT 4-2.

A good result in the end especially with Old Trafford slipping up at Whalley Range. Next week South Manchester away don't be late at the ‘Blue Bell'.

Moston Brook 4ths who are Joint top were due to take on Old Stretfordians. With a Weakened but full squad due to Paul Smith playing at Fabio Capello and seconding half the 4th team into the 2nd team we arrive at Smedley where conditions were pretty awful. Manager Mike Crump had already voiced his concerns about the state of the pitch but allowed the referee to inspect. Despite requests from several players on both sides to play the game the referee saw sense and called the game off. Next week Moston travel to Old Ashtonians with another weakened squad due to Call ups to the 2nd team, unavailability and suspensions. With all the teams around Moston beating each other we now enter a crucial period in the season where if Moston can string together a few wins then we should be in a good position for the final push after Christmas. However a note of caution, a few losses and we could find ourselves mid-table despite the impressive start to the season.

Saturday 29^th November 2008

Moston Brook 2 vrs Boundary Park A 3

After leading the game 2-1 into the final minutes of the game and either tiredness kicked in or a lack of concentration caught our team off guard, with 2 late goals which resulted in us going down 2-3, it happens to the best of them, you only have to think back to the nou camp, Barcelona in May 1999 and uniteds comeback against Bayern Munich. Our young team will have to watch it on old videos though, back to the game.

Goals from Corrigan and Bowles put us in good stead and looking to bounce back from the previous weeks result. A Man of the Match performance from Bowles in Midfield and some good defending from Handley and  Leech almost gave us the win we deserved. Better luck next week against Northside A.

Goals: Corrigan,  Bowles

MOM Bowles

ST and AMc