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Third round of the Wray Cup and Moston took on Bedians at Smedley. With Ian away, Paul McLoughlin had to don the gloves and go in goal but on the whole Moston were able to field a reasonably stong squad of 13. The first half saw both sides play some decent football in difficult conditions although there was a lack of cut opportunities being created. Monyei did go close, heading wide from Fiztpatrick's excellent cross mid-way through the first half. Moston took the lead before half time, Anthony Kenyon finishing well after being put in on goal by flicks from first Terris and then Monyei.
One-nil at half time and it was probably just about reflected the balance of play in the first half. If Moston shaded the first half, then Bedians certainly had the better of the second half. At times it was difficult for Moston to get out of their own half and Paul McLoughlin was forced into making a couple of decent saves. Moston did create a couple of chances of their own with both Monyei and Chris Melia forcing good saves by the Bedians keeper after getting in behind the back four. Bedians did finally equalise in the second half, a cross from the left getting caught in the strong wind and flying over McLoughlin and into the top corner of the net.
This took the game into extra time and while Moston began to come more into the game, it was Bedians who took the lead. A right wing corner was not cleared properly and the ball was fired in from the edge of the box. Moston's response was immediate, as from the kick-off, Terris played a one-two with Fitzpatrick and fired a fine strike into the top corner from around 25 yards. Moston should probably have won the game, late in the second period of extra-time as Ryan Wood got in behind the Bedians defence but seemed to fall over the ball rather than striking it and the keeper was able to get out and smother it.
With neither side able to get a winner, the game had to be decided by penalties. Monyei and Wood exchanged successful spot kicks with the Bedians takers and we were at 2-2. Unfortunately it was not to be 3-2 on Moston's next kick as Terris saw his penalty saved by the Bedians keeper. With Bedians being successful with all their remaining three penalties, and Melia and Lambert being successful with theirs, the shootout finished 5-4 and Moston were out.
A hard fought even game saw Bedians go through and while it was disappointing to go out, we had again more than matched a team from a division above. With the league still in our own hands, the season is still very much alive and hopefully a win next week will put us back on track from promotion and the league.
Last weeks team: P McLoughlin, C Ferns, P Smith, D Jackson, D Murdoch, A Kenyon (1), C Melia, D Lambert, M Terris (1), R Monyei, M Fitzpatrick. Subs. R Henry, R Wood
Last update : 01-03-2008 00:00
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