Match Report: Moor Mead Cosmos v Caterham
Third match of the season and the Moors were looking to extend their 100% unbeaten record against local rivals Caterham Utd.
The Moors started with James making his debut in goal and Kiran flanked by Harry and Leo making up the defence. Midfield revolved around Freddie with Gabriel and Vinnie taking the wings. Tom was playing number 10, 9 and 8. The subs bench comprised entirely of right wingers.
The Cats lined up three former Dallas Cowboys in defence and a midfield general, knee high to a very small chihuahua, surrounded by an array of chaps in Racing Green.
The whistle went and the Moors were out of the blocks in their customary sloth like fashion, luring the opposition into a sense of security not felt since the captain of the titanic suggested it was just a bump!
Withstanding the usual first five minute onslaught, the Moors started getting on top. Tom was on fire, holding the ball up, playing slide rule passes and finding time to join Gabriel in charging past the left full back bear. On the other side Leo was a relentless pain, overlapping constantly whilst clearly intent on covering every blade of the pitch. Crosses were flying in and it was a matter of time before the Moors scored. The goal came after twenty minutes, Leo having just completed yet another mile, found time to chase down the wing and play another ball into the box, but this time straight into the far corner of the goal. A brilliant goal, one nil to the Moors.
James was getting more confident with every touch and the defence looked rock solid.
Freddie had the Caterham midfield in his pocket. After a warning from the ref he put him back down and play resumed. Suddenly a heavy challenge on Gabriel saw the Moors go a man down and before a sub could come on, the Cats against the run of play snuck into the box and equalised.
Half time one all, but it got worse. Almost straight from the restart the Cats went a goal up.
Clough, rung the changes. Never afraid to attack he at one point had all eight wingers on pitch. Tye was ploughing through the middle, Adam was now terrorising the full backs from the left and Jamie on the right. The Cats were hanging on. Vinnie was taking numerous fouls as his dribbling and close control was causing all sorts of problems for the Cats.
Just outside the box another foul saw the ball roll over to Jamie, on the wing, and he unleashed hell fire with his best ever shot hitting the top right corner of the goal, or so he thought.
Unfortunately as the ball left his foot the ref was blowing up for the foul. Tom was having none of it and placed the ball down on the edge of the box and then slotted it in the bottom corner. Two all and ‘game on’ as both sides went for the winner.
With one minute to go the Cats attacked, won a corner and James in the medley saved the resultant shot. The Moors defence was stretched to the absolute limit. Another blistering shot was going in but somehow Harry threw himself across the goal to keep it out. The ball bounced out and fell to Gabriel who drove down the wing, swung the ball in and Tom (Lineker) was in the right place to tap it in. The ref blew for full time, players and crowd went mad, three two to the Moors.
100% unbeaten record maintained and the first win of the season. Roll on next week with the local derby with Teddy