Report

 The biggest game of the Season for Moor Row had arrived and after missing out on promotion and after a very disappointing recent run of form they were looking to make amends. However runners up of Division One, Mirehouse FC stood in their way and were clear favorites to take the JDM Trophy home. With Moor Row as underdogs the pressure was very much on Mirehouse and it was down to Moor Row to try and take the game to them.

 On a beautiful morning in front of a capacity crowd down at Cleator Moor Celtic, Simon Wenger and Carl Rice had a strong squad of 15 to choose from. Matty began in goal with a back four consisting of Bells, Dion, Dan and Fitzy. The midfield boasted Foxy, Gav, Jenky and Sean. Loz and Bullet spearheaded the attack in a very strong starting 11. A versatile bench containing Huddy, Dreamer, Tyler and Daley provided back up.

 The game was underway and Moor Row began brightly, forcing play onto the flanks for Foxy and Sean to get involved and upset Mirehouse as they began with only 3 defenders at the back. The Row were pressuring Mirehouse’s every touch and frustration within the Mirehouse ranks was already beginning to show as they simply couldn’t get into the game. After a dominant spell of pressure from Moor Row they got the breakthrough. Jenky rode the challenge of one man before feeding Bullet, who then held the ball up before squaring to Foxy. Foxy took the ball into his stride before unleashing a low powerful effort from around 20 yards out. Fortunately the bobbles on the pitch came into play and sent the ball over the arms of the outstretched Mirehouse keeper. The Row had taken a deserved lead albeit through a somewhat very fortunate goal.

 The question on everybody’s lips was how were Mirehouse going to respond. Immediately their coach gave some orders as he juggled his formation around, evidently admitting his game plan wasn’t working and it seemed as though Mirehouse were somewhat surprised with how brightly the Row had started. However Moor Row were still on the front foot and dominating every area of the pitch. Mirehouse kept sending the ball long but Dan and Dion were either on hand to shield the ball to Matty or win every ball in the air.

 A moment of magic from Jenky saw him weave his way around 3 or 4 Mirehouse players before rattling his shot towards the top corner from over 20 yards out, but the keeper was on hand to pull off a world class save and get finger tips to the ball, as it crashed off the bar.

 Mirehouse finally came into the game and began linking play across midfield with some exquisite flicks and one two passing but Moor Row continued to apply pressure, with Bullet and Black both dropping deep to battle for the ball. Another Mirehouse attack saw their winger swing an inch perfect cross to the back post for their opposite winger to lash a goal bound shot towards Matty, but another amazing save saw Matty palm the ball out for a corner.

 The delivery was poor and Black was able to pick the ball up on the edge of his own area, before using his blistering pace to stroll past the advancing winger and slide a ball up the line for Foxy. With Foxy in full stride the Mirehouse defence helplessly looked on as he burst into the box, skipping a challenge before squaring the ball across the 6 yard line, perfectly for Bullet. Bullet swung a leg at the cross and diverted it beyond the flailing keeper and into the bottom corner. With only 5 minutes of the half remaining the Row concluded an extremely impressive first half display and took a much deserved 2 goal lead into the break.

 Moor Row were forced into making a substitution as Jenky was feeling light headed and didn’t have the energy to continue. Huddy replaced him in a straight swap, which would allow Gav to play a more advanced role in the middle of the pitch. Mirehouse also made a change as they tried to mix things up again, trying to claw their way back into the game.

 Within 5 minutes of the restart Mirehouse sent another ball long forward for Dan to easily clean up and launch the ball towards Bullet. Bullet helped the ball on and sent Loz racing clear of the Mirehouse back four. The keeper was hesitant to come off his line and this delay helped Loz as he won the race to the ball before making it look all too easy as he rounded the advancing keeper before slotting into an empty net. The Moor Row crowd was sent into raptures as this had all but ended the contest.

 Another Mirehouse change pushed another player further up the pitch, leaving much more space in the middle of the pitch as both teams played attractive end to end football. Gav began being instrumental as he threaded balls through for Black and Bullet to run onto with Foxy and Sean providing support out wide again. Sean and Huddy were both battling well in the middle of the pitch as Mirehouse threw men forwards. The back four were impeccable winning every ball in the air and comfortable clearing their lines much to the satisfaction of the vocal support on the sidelines.

 A long ball over the top of the Moor Row midfield allowed the Mirehouse striker to burst onto and use his abundant pace to leave the back four of the Row in tatters. Matty was quick off his line but couldn’t quite reach the ball as he brought down the striker just outside of the 18 yard box. There were calls for a penalty and then calls for him being last man but the challenge was clearly outside of the box and Dion had passed Matty as he retreated to protect the goal line. Matty was however rightfully yellow carded for the challenge. The resulting free kick almost shaved the paint off the near post with Matty left stationary.

 Moor Row had three good chances to finish the game off but didn’t seem to be carrying any luck as they did in the first half. Black opened the pitch up for the first attack, drawing two men before feeding the ball into Bullet who had Foxy in acres of space to his left, but chose to selfishly take a snap shot towards goal, which the keeper could easily gather. Gav thread a ball into Loz’s path for the second attack and a quick one two with Foxy helped Loz break clear on the left, riding a challenge across the by line and putting the ball on a plate for Bullet, who unfortunately stood on the ball as he looked to open up for a shot. Sean displayed some of his brilliance for the third attempt, skipping past 3 or 4 advancing players before tip toeing along the edge of the box as he struck the ball sweetly towards the bottom corner and with the keeper well beat it just dragged inches wide of the goal.

 With 10 minutes to go Loz asked to be substituted as his knee began to cause him some agro. Dreamer was his replacement as Wenger called for 5 in midfield, leaving Bullet the task of pressuring all four defenders. This obviously gave Mirehouse much more space with the full backs, who could press into midfield. A switching ball fell to the winger’s feet, who crossed the ball into the danger area first time and the Mirehouse player/coach ghosted into the box unmarked as he stabbed the ball past the helpless Matty. Mirehouse clearly seen this goal as pure consolation with 10 minutes remaining as the ground was sent into complete silence.

 This however wasn’t the case and the goal seemed somewhat catalytic with Mirehouse forcing more bodies forward. Both Dion and Bells were forced into making goal line clearances, rubber stamping their emphatic displays. The back line could only hold on for so long and with Mirehouse mounting pressure they played some neat link up play on the edge of the Row area before a through ball sent their striker clear 12 yards from goal and a rasping low drive was unstoppable as it nestled into the far corner.

 The game had somehow turned on its head and after 80 minutes of pure dominance the Row looked out on their feet with some visibly tired legs on show. Both Bullet and Foxy wanted to leave the pitch but Wenger and Rice rallied them and told them to give it one last push. Some more crosses bombarded the Moor Row box but Matty comfortably collected the ball on each occasion. Fortunately Mirehouse themselves were beginning to tire and with everybody pushing forward Gav and Huddy could press forward themselves and kill some time. Gav thread another neat ball into the corner for Dreamer to run onto, but the delayed run meant he struggled to keep the ball in play with his best efforts. Bullet was still holding the ball up well and using his strength he held off the Mirehouse full back before feeding Huddy clean through on the edge of the area. The Mirehouse defenders were quick to apply pressure and another snap shot was sent wide of the post and kept the game alive.

 The 90 minutes were eventually up and both teams had given it their all in a thrilling final. It would be impossible to name a man of the match with several names touted for the title, as each and every player put their bodies on the line and played out of their skin.  Captain marvel, Sean Pollen was on hand to collect the JDM Memorial Trophy to the delight of players and fans of Moor Row.