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The 1st XI went to probably their first match of the season with the fourteen selected the previous Saturday. This meant they had a strong bench of Cahill, Crump, and Vayro to put pressure on the selected XI.
On the drive to Old Stretfordians who we had beaten 3 - 1 at home earlier in the season there were doubts whether the match would be on due to the freezing fog, but fortunately when we got to Flixton visibility was good enough.
The match started with neither side on top, and it was a bit scrappy with possession given away easily. Jonny Munson looked a possible threat with his pace, and from a through ball not far into the Strets half he raced clear to shoot past the advancing Strets keeper to give Moston the lead. Strets when they broke did so with support, and it nearly caught Moston out. After about twenty five minutes into the match Beanhead had to come off his line, and he was caught by the forwards challenge on his clearance which meant he couldn't continue. Danny Wilds took over in goal, and was soon in action, and Crumpy came on in midfield. Strets were looking for an equaliser, and from a cross into the box Danny's punch didn't quite go where he intended, and Murdoch couldn't stop a Strets playing slotting home. Just before half time having had a number of opportunites to clear the ball on the left hand side of our defence we were punished when a Strets player received the ball up, and thumped it passed Danny. HT 1-2.
The half - time chat was about getting back to basics, keeping in simple, and raising our tempo, and what a difference we seemed a lot sharper all over the park. Strets keeper was brought into action on several occasions making a number of excellent saves one in particular from an effort from Crumpy from about twenty five yards out.
Mostons pressure forced several corners, and from one Michael McElvaney hit the bar with a header but when the ball came back to him he was crowded out. Our breakthrough came after about fifteen minutes into the second half when Mike McNeill broke down our left, and hit an unstoppable shot which went in off the underside of the bar giving the Strets keeper no chance. I don't know who was more surprised Michael or all his team mates who jumped all over him. Strets even though they had been put on the back foot began to cause Moston a few problems with Danny coming off his line on a couple of occasions to clear situations. Twenty minutes to go and Michael Cahill, and Paul Vayro were introduced, and within a couple of minutes Michael had given us the lead following some good passing and movement he was one on one with the keeper, and we take the lead. We were now causing Strets problems with some sharp football, and the Strets keeper was again called into action. Michael scored his second, and our fourth shooting into the bottom right hand corner. Michael then has another opportunity when Jonny crosses from the left the Strets keeper, and a defender don't clear the ball, Michael hits a left footer over the bar. Shortly afterwards a Strets defender handles the ball in their area, and before one of our players is given the opportunity to score which was a formality the referee blew for a penalty. Following recent misses I had agreed that only Michael Brady our current penalty taker would take them, but because Michael Cahill was on a hat - trick it was given to him, and unfortunately he missed. FT 4-2.
A good result in the end especially with Old Trafford slipping up at Whalley Range. Next week South Manchester away don't be late at the ‘Blue Bell'.
Last update : 29-11-2008 00:00
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