Moston Brook AFC

After a great start to the season Moston Brook 4^th team travelled to Deans Youth. Both teams had impressive early season form with 100% records. On paper the game appeared to be between the best two teams in the division. Manager Mike Crump had selection problems with the withdrawal of midfielder Enny Alatishe and full back Adam Harrison. Deans team was made up of young players with the oldest being just 25. After a pep talk from the referee the game commenced.

The first ten minutes were quite scrappy with neither team wanting to make a mistake. However after ten minutes the deadlock was broken. A great crossfield ball from Johnny Tynan found Mozzer on the left hand side of the area. He took the ball into the corner and delivered a left footed cross. The defender inexplicably used his arm to defend the cross leaving the referee no choice but to award a penalty. This was moston's first penalty of the season and there were no shortage of would be takers. However Manager Mike Crump remembered Lewis Handley slotting home a decisive penalty some years ago in a county cup semi-final shootout. Lewis did not let the team down as he once again calmly slotted into the top right hand corner to give Moston the lead 1-0. the game was now flowing from end to end with both teams wasting glorious chances. From Moston's point of view Chris Yarwood and Chris Moss missing chances to extend Moston's lead. From Dean's point of view there main threats were coming from long throws and set pieces. It was from one of these long throws that Dean equalised. Moston inability to deal with the throw led to a Deans corner. As the ball was swung in the Deans player powered in a great header giving the keeper Chris Kennedy no chance. Half-Time 1-1.

The second half started much the same as the first with both sides playing good football and creating chances. However both defences were working hard and the midfield seemed to cancel each other out. At this junction may I point out that the referee was having an excellent game? With about 20 mins left Mike Crump decided to ring the changes. Off came Johnny Tynan and Mark Morrison for Joe Ryan and debutant Boic. Once again chances went begging at both ends as the game was going from end to end. With ten minutes left Chris Moss and Richard Boothroyd managed to get in a tangle and the ball fell loose to the Deans right winger just over the halfway line. Now we new this boy was quick but he flew down the wing and put in a vicious cross which unfortunately for Moston found their centre forward who slid in to make it 2-1 to Deans.

Moston then went on all out attack to try and salvage a point but found a combination of poor finishing good goalkeeping and even the post in their way making the final score 2-1 to Deans.

As most of you are regular readers of this column I thought I would for once do a serious match report. The reason being is to give enormous credit to both sets of Players and spectators for their attitude, respect and spirit in which this top of the table clash was played. Also credit to the referee for allowing the game to flow and being excellent by his absence. This was by far Mostons best performance of the season and on another day we could have run out winners. Some consolation that if Both teams play like they did today all season then the top two as they are now will remain the same until the re-match.

Excellent performance today from the whole squad but special mention to Andy Feeke who was outstanding and also Chris Yarwood.

Next week Moston travel to Whalley Range