Chaps hit 6 to keep cup hopes alive

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Chaps were hit with a number of last minute withdrawals from the squad, this along with prior knowledge of losing trio Whalley, Garvey and founder Farr to a Christening meant Cully returned from an injury to be a lone bench warmer and a slight shuffle was made to the starting eleven. Slater filled in at center back whilst King finally made an appearance at right back. Watkins returned to the left wing, with Jones positioned out on the right and notably Mosedale was pushed up into a supporting role alongside Dowsett, Sheringham-stylee. Founder Farr has to be commended for preparing the dressing room before departing for his religious duties.

It became immediately apparent that this was the position Mosedale had been created to play. His one touch philosophy and astute movement created frustration amongst the Stoke Prior side, indeed it took a mere five minutes for Mosedale to find the back of the net. A viciously overhit pass from Feasey needed a moment of brilliance from Mosedale to control, turn, and fire the ball into the back of the net with only one touch, technically on a par with Platt's over the shoulder volley against Belgium during Italia '90. The Bear Pit in the middle were out to do some damagethis game!

Feasey then netted himself a swift double with a couple of excellent box finishes, one from yet another quality Cromwell corner, before Dowsett won and scored a penalty after a lazy foul from the Prior centre back. The Chaps were four nil to the good inside half an hour, and what was most impressive was how they kept playing the same game to increase their chances of victory rather than resting on their laurels.

The second half began much as the first, with Mosedale adding a second early on. Slater, marauding from centre back, went on a charge down the right wing, playing a couple of one-two's before skinning the Stoke Prior left back and laying the ball on a plate for Mosedale who found the corner with ease, 5-0. Four goals from the Bear Pit, surely that is a winning combination that will feature again this season!

The Chaps continued to press, Mosedale himself creating some great openings for the likes of Cromwell, captain for the day, but alas his composure could not match that of his number 10 as he fired wide and over from a couple of promising positions. Not to take anything away from the lad though, his performance in the center of the park deserved a goal and to his credit he kept going, searching for killer balls and opportunities to link play.

The final Chaps goal, caught wonderfully in full motion video by supporter Moore, came courtesy of a composed volley finish from Watkins at the far post from a Feasey cross. Excellent technique, and the Chaps would have loved the game to have ended there, 6-0 to the good. Unfortunately this wasn't to be. Penny had to be substituted after a run of 524 minutes in the team - a new personal career record - though he bravely took a hit in the first half and played through age-related injuries to his back, he could no longer provide his full ability to the team and Cully came on to grab his first 20 minutes in as many months. The Chaps conceded 3 soft goals, 2 of which were excellent lob finished over Thornton to spoil the clean sheet that everyone had worked so hard to achieve.

A disappointing end to the game but nonetheless the Chaps were victorious, and dominant. Chap of the match today has to go to Mosedale, he defends from the front and his simplistic style is devastatingly effective. Thanks to Moore for providing the match media and coming down to support the Chaps during his lengthy layoff, and to Cully baby for doing a great job on sweeping out the dressing room after the game.

...cosmic...