This weekend, the terrible weather played havoc with fixtures, and only one of the three scheduled games were able to take place. Fulwood vs. Loko and Moorlands vs. Great Ecc fell victim to the weather, whilst Quernmore vs. Wray nearly succumb to the same fate, only for a 3g pitch to be found in time for the game!
Quernmore 2 – 3 Wray
Winder, Luxton // Huddleston, Beacham, OG
Before the game, James Rosendale shared about Richard Wurmbrand and his experiences in Communist Romania, how he stayed faithful to the gospel, despite the beatings he faced. He then asked whether any of those there would be willing to lay their lives down for something they loved. He then shared about how Jesus layed his life down for us all, because He loves us all so much – ‘For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life’ (John 3:16). He challenged everyone there to consider why they aren’t a Christian and why they haven’t yet taken that step and to consider that some more.
Moving into the game, Wray started the better side, playing the ball about nicely and getting some early chances. However, Quernmore grew into the game, the back four and midfield three becoming more comfortable and getting hold of the ball more and began to cause Wray some problems themselves. Wray had some chances, but the best chance of the game went to Quernmore, as Mello went one on one with keeper Gorst, but fired it at the keeper to force him into a good save. Soon after that, Quernmore were forced to rue these early misses as there was a mix up in defense between keeper and centre half and Huddleston robbed the ball to slot home into an empty net. 1-0 Wray. Soon after, Quernmore had another good chance as Sutton went through one on one with the keeper, but again, forced a good save from Gorst and Quernmore didn’t find the equalizer. Quernmore were having the better of it but couldn’t find an equalizer before half time.
Both sides made some changes at half time and through this, Quernmore started much the better and Wray didn’t get going. Quernmore were playing the ball about nicely and getting some good chances, though they still couldn’t find their way through a resolute Wray defence and keeper. Wray still posed danger on the counter attack but it was a counter attack from Quernmore that brought them back into the game. A beautiful ball from right back Oliver played Winder through and he fired the ball home at the near post under the onrushing Gorst. It was a really well worked goal and much deserved for Quernmore. 1-1. Soon after however, Wray found themselves back in the lead. A throw in from the right touchline evaded the Quernmore defenders, was played on by Goodley and then headed home by Beacham. 2-1 to Wray. Quernmore continued to battle hard, looking for a way to draw level and were getting lots of joy, but they couldn’t find a way through. Mustapha and Devaney had a number of chances but were unable to make them count. It was all Quernmore at this point in time and they were desperately searching for an equalizer as the game came to its final minutes. They were soon rewarded as Tom Luxton fired home for his third goal of the season to bring Quernmore level. Cue delight on the sidelines! However, the drama wasn’t to end there. With the game being so open, both sides were looking for the next goal to win the game for them. Coming into the final two minutes of the game, Wray had a chance on the edge of the box, Beacham fortuitously managing to dribble into the box past a couple of Quernmore players. It was a moment that happened in slo-mo as the ball bobbled through and no Quernmore player could quite get a touch. Defender Moffat finally managed to get to the ball but it was diverted into the path of Goodley who struck the ball, though it wasn’t the cleanest of connections, it seemed to be rolling wide until defender Cornall stuck a toe out to block the shot – he did everything right, but unfortunately, it diverted the ball into the net, past the ailing keeper Smith. Heartbreak for Quernmore. Having battle back into the game, they were set to lose it by the cruelest of margins. 3-2 to Wray. Because of this, Quernmore through caution to the wind and sent on Sutton for Moffat at Centre half, playing a formation resembling something along the lines of 3 – 2 – 5 to try and find the equalizer… but it was not to be and Wray recorded their first win of the season and the bragging rights in the farmers derby!
This weekend, there are a number of exciting games in this intriguing start to the season, with Quernmore travelling to Great Ecc, Fulwood travelling to Wray and Moorlands facing Loko.
