Moston Brook AFC

After some indifferent league results Moston Brook 4ths found themselves in the semi-final of the Helliwell Shield. After knocking out opposition from a higher division Moston were faced with Stoconians 5th team whom we had already played twice this season.   Manager Mike Crump had a few selection headaches with Mozzer and Chris Yarwood and Enny Alatishe all complaining of injuries. After a discussion with his assistant Richard Boothroyd we decide to leave the team selection until the last minute. With minutes to go before the kick off and during his warm up routine Mozzer decides his pulled hamstring would not hold out. Just as well really as that's the only thing he has pulled in years!!! Chris Moss who was originally and unfortunately left out of the squad now came back in and Mike Crump also put himself on the bench along with Joe (I've not score a goal in months) Ryan. Stoconians do not have a familiar look about them and Manager Crumpy decides to alert the league official about his concerns.  

The games starts off and Stoconians do all the running on what has to be said was a pretty awful pitch for premier division standards. It wasn't long before Stocs take lead. Indeed it was the 2nd minute of the game when some poor defending allowed the Stocs forward two chances to score. 1-0 Stocs. Moston then began to take control but were guilty of wasting some terrible promising positions. that was until Callum Boothroyd played a delightful through ball to Johhny Tynan who casually slipped the ball past the keeper to make it 1-1. Bad news followed soon after as Chris Yarwood had to be replaced due to a return of his Hamstring injury, although i don't think he knew what was wrong because he was clutching various parts of his body before deciding it was his hamstring whilst clutching his ankle, Bizzare!! On came Joe (i'm in a Drought) Ryan. Moston dminated the rest of the first half with Enny, Johnny and Callum all going close. Just as we approach half-time things got worse when a dreadful Mistake from Chris Melia allowed their forward to go one on one with Dave and he easily slots the ball away to make it 2-1 to Stocs at the Break.  

Moston started the second half as we finished the first but were continuing to Miss chances to draw level. Manager Mike Crump need not have worried. Just as he was thinking of changing things up,popped Cloughie and Taylor Duo Heffer and Hughesy. With their words of wisdom firmly implanted in his mind a quick re-shuffle was made bringing Callum over to the left. With only 20 Minutes to go Moston were getting anxious. all except Manager Crumpy who had a calmness about him. Did he know what was about to happen?? what did happen was probably the goal of the season. Enny picks the ball up in centre midfield and then jinks to his left before turning back on his right. he was still 30 yards out and side on to the goal. he then unleashed a dipping swerving thunderbolt that nestled in the opposite top corner absolute brilliance. Things got even better for Moston when some 5 minutes later some fantastic interchange between Callum and Ryan found Ryan some 20 yards out. After watching Enny some 5 minutes earlier he must have been thinking how do i beat that goal? Well he very nearly did when he hit a dipping volley over the keeper and into the net to make it 3-2 to Moston. What happened next was Bizzare as Manager Mike Crump enquired how long to go. referree indicates 13 minutes. Crumpy then decides the excitement is too much and goes for a toilet break. He goes AWOL for some time and on his return was asked where he had been. His response was, he had locked himself in a dark room on purpose with his hands over his ears and his head between his legs just so he couldn't hear if Stocs had equalised. What a Numpty!!   Moston hold on despite some late pressure fron Stocs and strange keeping from Dave.

A great win and fantastic performance from everyone but special mention to Enny, Ryan and a MOM performance from Callum.   Moston will now play Ashtonians in the final on Monday night 19.00 kick off. Tickets have already sold out but i believe can still be bought of the touts for 20 Bensons and 2 pints of lager!!