Moston Brook AFC

Moston Brook 4ths travelled to Newton looking to compliment their great start to the season. Chris Moss was missing from last week's squad as he was unexpectedly called into the Second Team squad. However Chris Melia came down from the Seconds. The day did not start off too well as Manager Mike Crump was dealt a double blow when Dave Brookes and Lewis Handley both cried off with a spot of Man Flu, that's Double Pneumonia to all you ladies out there. We somehow arrive with a full squad of 14 and for the first time this season we arrive with over 30 minutes to kick off. Pre-match talk was all about how we need to stay focused as a team and one unit. With our ever increasing squad Mike Crump has to use all his managerial skills to keep the stars happy. Crumpy decides to opt for his favourite 4-5-1 formation with Michael Budzik and Joe Ryan alongside Mike Crump dropping to the bench.

Once again Moston start slowly and only for a wasteful miss by the Newton winger they could have found themselves 1-0 down in the opening 5 mins. That must have been the spur Moston needed as they began to play the most delightful football. The centre midfield trio of Melia, Alatishe and Feeke taking complete control. It was all Moston now as Newton had no answer to Moston's slick passing and moving. After wasting several glorious chances to take the lead most notably from Melia. Henry and Feeke Moston eventually broke the deadlock. After some sumptuous interplay from Alatishe, Henry Mozzer and Melia the ball eventually fell to Chris Melia running through clean on goal and after passing up on 2 previous chances he made no mistake to make it 1-0 to Moston. With the central midfield 3 taking control Moston's football was a joy to behold and from one of these intricate moves the ball found Johnny Tynan on the right who drilled in a fantastic ball and from nowhere Enny pops up at the back post to make it 2-0 to Moston.

All of a sudden from the sidelines you could here "it's like watching Brazil" even some of the locals came out to watch and began doing their own version of the Notting Hill Carnival. This seemed to spur Moston on even more as they began to Carimbo, Congada and Samba past the opposition. Once again some fine one touch football found Enny in space in the area and one swing of his right foot and it was 3-0. "Easy, easy "were the chants from the ever increasing crowd and they didn't have to wait long for a 4^th. Another great cross from Johnny found Mozzer in the area who controlled with his right foot and whipped the ball over the keeper's head to slot into an empty net 4-0 to Moston at Half-time. The players came off to cheers of magnifico from the rapturous crowd. It has to be said the first half was the best performance of the season by a country mile. Manager Mike Crump was seemingly not happy as he rung the changes. Danny Jackson came out of net to be replaced by Mozzer. Off came Chris Parker to be replaced by Joe Ryan.

The second half was going to be much tougher as Moston were now playing uphill. This did not seem to matter as Moston carried on their good work from the first Half. Some brilliant interplay between Melia, Feeke and Henry found Joe Ryan inside the six yard box and he duly obliged to make it 5-0 to Moston. Next on the scoresheet was Ryan Henry when from another excellent cross from Johnny Tynan Ryan swept the ball home from 12 yards? Time for another change as Michael Budzik replaced Adam Harrison. This was the signal for Moston to ease off as Newton to their credit totally dominated the next 15 minutes. However sometimes we are our own worst enemies. None more so when Mozzer forgetting he was playing in net decided to play one two's with the entire defence. Luckily he got away with it. Newton pulled one back when once again Moston's in-ability to clear from set pieces allowed their big Centre forward to nod home from close range. They pulled another goal back when the referee (Newton's coach) adjudged Richard Boothroyd to have tripped their forward in the area. He calmly got up and slotted the penalty away to make the score 6-2. The best goal of the game was yet to come. Enny won the ball in midfield and after several exchanges he slipped the ball to Chris Melia who had spotted the keeper off his line. So from 35 yards out he un-leashed a fantastic shot that flew over the keeper and into the top corner. To make the final score 7-2 to Moston.

For those of you who believe that because you are in Division E you can't play great football should have witnessed the first half as I believe that performance would not have been out of place in any division. Next week Moston are up against 3^rd place team Old Stretfordians at Home who will provide one of the toughest tests so far this season but if we keep to the beliefs that have helped so far this season then I firmly believe we can beat anyone in this division. Our cause has not been helped by stand in second team manager Paul Smith who has ravaged our Midfield by calling up Chris Melia and Andy Feeke. Such was Manager Mike Crumps Disappointment he asked Smithy if he would like His Money out of his pocket as well.

Excellent performance all round today especially the midfield trio of Melia, Feeke and the outstanding Alatishe.