Moston Brook AFC

Well we knew that this was going to be a difficult game for both teams with everything being on the line for the top position.

We knew Unsworth were going to be up for it but then so were we.

Brook started strong and were playing some good football, however Unsworth had clearly done their homework well because they were closing in on certain Brook players in pairs and sometimes in three's. This disrupted Brook's usual style of play and they were finding it difficult to demonstrate their usual pass and run techniques.

Fortunately in the 8^th minute Niall got the break through he was looking for and managed to run the ball into the box before crossing it to Darius for him to wallop home and put Brook in front. This lead only lasted a matter of minutes as Unsworth got their clear break straight down the left hand side of the field, into the box and into the net to equalise.

Brook were awarded a penalty when Darius was blatantly brought down in the Unsworth box in the 20^th minute. The official penalty taker Niall Rafferty was there in an instant to do his job. Niall was gleaming with confidence as he took centre stage. He placed the ball on the spot and took his paces like John Wayne preparing for a dual, before turning to face the glaring keeper who had previously experienced this total inNIALLation in a cup game. After sprinting forward Niall struck the ball so hard, and with such accurate precision, that the keeper was left stranded in a cloud of dust, whilst Niall was off celebrating the fact that Brook were back in front.

Just 3 minutes later Unsworth were back on their toes as they won a corner and scored from a header to equalise once again. This wasn't surprising because Brook appeared to be temporarily asleep, as they left certain players unmarked and didn't budge to clear the ball from area.

Brook were able to take advantage of the tiring Unsworth in the 25^th minute and managed a few decent pass and run moves down the centre of the park. Michael Brewster cheekily took on and skinned three players in the centre before crossing the ball to Darius running in from the right wing. The determined Darius wasted no time at all as he let rip a thunderbolt shot from his first touch and put Brook in the driving seat once again. It was like deja vu 3 minutes later when Unsworth won another corner, again from the left and again equalized for the third time from another header. For some unknown reason Brook appeared to be rooted to the spot as they didn't move or get up for the clearance again, and ended up being punished for it a second time. Half time came to an end with both teams on 3 goals a piece.

Play in the second half was very even between the two sides and it was clear to see that both teams were not giving in.

However I think that through the built up tensions and zaps of energy lost through adrenalin rushes in the first half, it all began to take its toll on Brook, as they wasted quite a few chances by aiming some soft shots straight into the hands of the keepers. Unsworth only got one chance and that was from a free kick in the Brook half with 1 minute to go. Fortunately for Brook Craig Mckay was very much wide awake and as eager as ever to defend for his team, this became quite clear when his mega header launched it away and into space just as the final whistle blew. Final score 3 v 3.

Well boys this was a difficult game as we all expected but the main thing is a draw is better than a loss so well done to you all..... However I can't just leave it there without asking you this, ‘what on earth happened tonight' you should have had this game sewn up right after your first goal. This was not one of your best performances; in fact it was probably one of your worst defensively, you allowed Unsworth to come back at you twice from 2 corners without even trying to stop them. On this occasion only I am going to put these mistakes down to nerves and the adrenalin rushes that were eating away at your energy levels because we have all seen just how solid you usually are at the back and have seen how 9 times out of 10 many of you are up off your feet and ready with your heads for clearing corners and free kicks in the box. So I'm not going to harp on about it too much. We've got 1 more game to go, so no mistakes in that one hey lads? Oh I nearly forgot, ‘Well done to you all for getting MOTM it was too difficult to choose just one person tonight as there were too many up for nomination, I can't mention everyone but I feel that a few should have recognition as they were extra special tonight, such as, Darius, you had a tremendous game, your grit and determination as well as your speed kept us in this tonight ‘superb', Craig, you took over and dominated that defence in the end and made sure that Unsworth were not coming back to take over ‘ fantastic', Michael B, I liked the way you used your skill on the ball to trick and baffle the opposition, which was tiring them out ‘brilliant' and finally Kyle B for dishing out some fantastic goal kicks some great saves ‘outstanding' .  Anyway one last thing, At least we didn't lose like they expected us to. Whoooo hoooooo