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Even though a win would effectively win the seconds the league on Saturday, players were still thin on the ground at the Bluebell. After scraping together thirteen players, the seconds were still able to field a relatively strong eleven. Irlam belied their league position with a spirited display and caused more problems in one half than many higher teams have caused us throughout the season. That said, they were helped by some poor defending by Moston , especially in the first half.
The first half was an entertaining one, with Irlam fighting back from a goal behind three times. Firstly after Ryan Henry had made one of his forays into the Irlam box and a bit of quick feet took him clear and he managed to squeeze his shot in at the near post. Irlam responded well and equalised when Moston didn't clear a high ball into the box and ball eventually fell to the Irlam forward who finished. Moston took the lead again when after Fitzpatrick had got through, he found his shot saved but the ball fell to Chris Ferns, who finished the rebound well, off the post. Again Moston let it slip and again they didn't deal with a high ball into the box and it fell to an Irlam forward who finished. Moston took the lead again before half-time with a excellently worked third goal. Fitzpatrick and Terris exchanging passes and a fine through ball from Fitz put Terris in on goal and he finished neatly at the near post. Unfortunately, Moston were again unable to keep their lead as the Irlam full back hit a free-kick, which seemed to go like slow motion into the bottom corner.
The second half was a much improved performance from Moston as they got their defence better organised and Irlam became less of a threat and Moston continued to threaten going forward. Moston took the lead again, with another fine move, Terris returning the favour to Fitzpatrick, with a fine through ball which put Fitz in down the right hand channel, and he finised well into the bottom corner. Moston made the game safe after an excellent corner from Mike McNeil was headed in powerfully by Danny Murdoch, for his first goal for the club. With the game won, Joe decided to bring himself on for the last five minutes and as he so often does, scored with his first touch from all of a yard out. Unfortunately for Joe and fortunately for us, the referee disallowed the goal for offside
With Newton drawing, the league was clinched with two games to spare, which is an excellent achievement, especially given the disappointment of last season. Credit has to go to all the players involved who have all had excellent and consistent seasons. I don't like doing this but I've got to give a mention to Joe, who has done a fantastic job in the last two seasons, not only managing the seconds but also bringing in most of the players who are close to winning the Division One title for the first team. Heffa and John have a tough act to follow next season as Joe takes up his new role as third team striker (first or second team according to him).
Last weeks team: I Holcroft, P Smith, R Henry (1), D Jackson, D Murdoch (1), W Humphries, C Ferns (1),
M McElvaney, M Terris (1), M McNeill, M Fitzpatrick (1). Subs. D Grahamslaw, J Ryan
Last update : 26-04-2008 00:00
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