Following last weekends exciting cup games, the focus turned back on this weekends league games and the intriguing title race we have had so far this season. This weekend Quernmore traveled up to Wray, hoping to continue their good league form, Great Ecc traveled to Loko hoping to keep up the pressure on Wray, whilst Moorlands went to Preston City Mission hoping to get a third win of the season.
Wray take spoils in ‘Farmers derby’
Wray 5 – 2 Quernmore
James Lawson 1, Jake Fawcett 42, 83, Phil Talbot 57, Mark Ellershaw 63 // Shaban Bakri 55, 59
Before the game, George Whitaker shared about Malcolm Corden, fathered James Corden, how he tried to challenge his son about his faith, questioning him whilst posing the question to him ‘What if I’m right?’ about his Christian faith and that was the challenge George left us, if there is no God, then it doesn’t matter, however what if we are right, and there is a God? The game had a lively start, a Wray corner not cleared fell to the feet of Lawson, curling a cross into the box that evaded everyone – including keeper Oldfield. 1 minute in and Wray had their goal. Quernmore were slow to get going, Wray getting control of the game, despite this Quernmore nearly found themselves level. A free kick was sent into the box, Bakri bundling it home, however, the linesman said he was offside. Unfortunately the goal was discounted and Quernmore weren’t level! However, as the half wore on, Quernmore grew into the game, the midfield three working hard to battle with Wray’s midfield three and the wingers causing the Wray full backs problems. Striker Bakri was causing lots of trouble for the Wray defence and at one point managed to round the Wray keeper, only to take it too far past and hit the post! Wray were still very dangerous and at a corner Quernmore were reminded of this. It was only thanks to a point blank save from Oldfield that Wray didn’t double their lead. But, in the 42nd minute, Wray did just that. The ball fell at the feet of striker Fawcett, who outdone nowhere swiveled and knocked the ball into the bottom corner, just out of the reach of Oldfield. Into halftime it was 2-0 to Wray, however, Quernmore were satisfied with their performance as they were causing Wray problems.
After good work on the wing by Agha, he crossed the ball into the box, for Bakri to hammer home, past Wray Keeper Gorst. 2-1. Quernmore were back in the game and it was deserved. But two minutes later Wray were back on top, a cross not dealt with found the head of Talbot. However, two minutes after that, Quernmore were back in it! A crazy few minutes were finished off with a great free kick floated into the box found Bakri, who hammered it home for his second of the game. The next goal in the game was going to be crucial and in the 63rd minute Wray got it. Ellershaw got the ball on the edge of the box, a position from which he is deadly, hit it into the bottom corner. Quernmore were disappointed, but were determined that their hard work wouldn’t go to waste. Both teams continued to battle, however there was little goal mouth action, the majority of the play happening in the middle of the pitch. There was time at the end of the game for Wray to find one more goal in the game. A quick counter attack from a Quernmore corner came to the feet of the wrong man – the deadly striker Fawcett who buried it.
Great Ecc leave it late
Loko 1 – 2 Great Ecc
Own goal 38 // Sam Hogarth 68, Jonny Leech 77
Following Wray’s victory against Quernmore, the pressure was on Great Ecc to ensure they kept up the pace at the top of the table. They did so – although they made hard work of it. Loko started the game the brighter and were rewarded with the opening goal. A shot cannoned of the post and smacked back into the back of stand in keeper Rob Tomkins, going in of his back. 1-0 at half time to Loko. Great Ecc continued to press on in the second half, looking for the goal to bring them back into the game. In the 68th minute, Great Ecc did find their way back into the game. Ever reliable central midfielder Sam Hogarth netted for them in the 68th minute. Back on level terms, Great Ecc went searching for the next goal in the game, hoping it would bring them the three points. And indeed, it was Great Ecc who scored next, breaking Loko hearts, Jonny Leech firing past Loko keeper Ben Hodgson, who had put in a man of the match performance throughout the game, in the 77th minute. The game ended 2-1, with Great Ecc sneaking the victory very late on, keeping the pressure on Wray at the top of the table.
Moorlands hammer Preston
Preston City Mission 3 – 13 Moorlands
Catalin Jianu 10, Daniel Ungureanu 50, Own goal 68 // Max Ward 1, 7, 8, Josh Kirkby 9, 14, 27, Chris Dent 35, 37, 52, Michael Orford 56, 62, Dan Lea – Wilson 64, Nick Grundy 85
Moorlands blew Preston City Mission away in the third game of the day, scoring 13 goals. The first of which came only 27 seconds into the game! There were 6 goals within the first 15 minutes of the game as it exploded into life. Moorlands were 4-0 up by the 9th minute and then PCM won a penalty to make it 4-1 in the 10th minute! As the first half wore on, another four goals were scored, all for Moorlands, making it 8-1 at half time. Amazingly in this game, it took five minutes of the second half before there was another goal scored! This time it went to Preston City Mission, Daniel Ungureanu netting in the 50th minute. As the second half continued, however, normal service resumed, Moorlands scoring 4 more goals before Preston City Mission got their third of the game in the 68th minute through an own goal. The final game of this amazing game was scored by Nick Grundy, who netted for Moorlands in the 85th minute. A fantastic attacking performance by Moorlands, with three of their players netting hattricks – Max Ward, Josh Kirkby and Chris Dent.
