A huge thank you to Alan and Matt who have provided there unique writing skills to produce this extensive report.
The battle for Division one supremacy between 3rd placed Warley and league leaders Mostyn turned out to be a marvelous advertisement for Stourbridge league's top tier of football. Under Brierley Hagley Celtic, now name changed to Mostyn, they waslast years champions and the current League Cup Holders who beat Warley Boro in the final so this encounter promised to be another nail biter between the two teams. Warley, missing 3 players today (Byron-Keiran-Alex) were a little bit light on resources but that couldn’t be said for courage, determination and desire and they were on an 11 match unbeaten run in all competitions. In the previous Home fixture Warley were beaten 3-1 with a full squad available so today’s game presented a real challenge for the boys, especially against a Mostyn Team unbeaten in league and cup all season.
With players missing it was time for some of the guys to take on unfamiliar roles and playing outside of their normal positions, with special mentions to Jack B, Azza and Reece all being asked to do a “team job” today. On a crisp frosty afternoon, it looked like the game may be postponed however the sun had got his hat on and was out to play, with Jack Frost removed the pitch, which is the best in the league, looked fantastic and would only encourage good football throughout.
Warley took the early initiative and started positively utilising a 4-5-1 formation and managing to turn offensive into 4-3-3 situation’s which caused their table topping opposition problems from the outset. Luke took a free kick thru to Junior from the Half way line but junior just missed the target. After some good passing and movement the first real chance fell to Warley Borough. With Dan Willetts bearing down on goal, just about to enter the box and pull the trigger, was hacked down two inches from the box via a last ditch tackle and a foul awarded . Probably too early into the game for a Red card, but certainly one for messr’s Hanson, Shearer and Lineker to debate. The free kick was, as sometimes is the case, just a little bit too close to get the ball up and down quickly enough and duly went over the bar.
Within 5 minutes, Warley again had the chance to take the lead and some neat, quick passing involving 4 players put Junior in on goal with his effort just shooting wide and over, this on another day could have put us 2-0 up. After 15-20 minutes Mostyn started to get into the game more and the contest was a great spectacle for the fans of both teams. On 18 minutes Mostyn broke the deadlock and scored from close range after a scramble in the goal mouth with the ball just trickling over the line following a brave and hearty effort from Warley Keeper Colm, some nice ball juggling from the Mostyn player with both Luke and Reece ending up in a tangle in the back of the net after nearly clearing the ball before it limped over the goal line. The play was very evenly matched as was the skills showed from both teams with the action ebbing and flowing from end to end. Warley continued to push in what was a fairly contested game with neither side really dominating the other. Mostyn Rangers 1 Warley Boro 0
The play was very evenly matched as was the skills showed from both teams with the action ebbing and flowing from end to end. 1-0 down, 2 good chances made it was now time to reach the break, instil some confidence and go out there second half with an early equaliser. With no more than 30 seconds of the half remaining, Warley went 2-0 down after getting caught on the ball just outside our own box,the ball went wide, the cross came in and was headed close range towards the goal only for a Joe Hart like reaction from Colm producing a wonderful initial save. The striker reacted quickly and duly smashed the ball into the roof of the net Half time: Mostyn Rangers 2 Warley Boro 0
and with time and space the Mostyn player hit a sweet as a nut shot, outside of the box, low and right into the bottom right hand corner. With Colm facing the bright, low sunshine, just managed to get fingernails to the ball but not enough to divert it wide. Mostyn Rangers 3 Warley Boro 0. 3-0 down and effectively game over?? No, no, no…… Warley do not give up that easily and with pride and passion, switching to a more adventurous 4-4-2 formation Warley began to take on their opponents leaving more space at the back with Luke and Reece keeping Mostyn at bay on the counter attack. Matt made changes with Brad on and Dan F off. Making subtle changes to the squad’s positions found the opposition a little distracted, still attacking but coming up against a now determined side. A good clearance from Brad on the wing thwarted Mostyn again. Warley continued to press in search of any consolation with a nice slide tackle by Dan F. Sam S and Dan W linking together with Sam's shot being saved by the keeper. Mostyn's number 9 floated a shot just over the cross bar as they seeked the elusive 4th. Matt made another series of changes seeing Anil off and Callum on and then later Jack B off and Anil back on. With the clock ticking Warley found a second wind. On 58 minutes, after some good football, Warley were awarded a free kick 10 yards outside the box, Junior territory. It’s easy to go missing when your needed most especially after missing a first half chance but not Junior. The shout from the bench came “go for goal Junior” and there was only ever going to be 2 possible outcomes, a great save OR a great goal. Up stepped Junior and curled one of his left foot specials into the top corner, 3-1 and not dead yet. Mostyn Rangers 3 Warley Boro 1 With 5 minutes to go and Mostyn now looking to consolidate a 3-1 victory Warley struck for the 2nd time though a goal by Dan Willetts from a sublime pass from Brad. Mostyn Rangers 3 Warley Boro 2 3-2 down and the ultimate comeback was starting. With only 1 sub to switch and change throughout the lads were looking tired but spirit was high and strong. Pushing for the equaliser, the back 3 played there part in stopping any counter attacks killing off the comeback with all putting bodies and souls on the line for the team. Warley continued to press but found themselves being beaten by both the clock and their opponents in a match that saw some excellent football by two fantastic teams. All that was missing now was a little luck, with the ball contested and now with Superman Azza’s throws, 3 on the trot, with a minute left all we needed was the ball to drop for us in the box. Two further good saves and a final claim by the Mostyn goal keeper secured all three points for the Rangers who were given yet another great test from the Warley Crew. A great game to watch...Final Score Mostyn Rangers 3 Warley Boro 2
With everyone playing their part today, man of the match was a near impossibility with both Luke and Reece sharing the acclaim for some great defending against the best team in the league (the table doesn’t lie). 3-3 would not have been unjust and even taking all 3 points could have been the reality and that’s the message the boys left with. Special mention to the Mostyn manager who praised the boys afterwards.
In the car park after the game, I was approached by a member of the Public who had decided to stay and watch a few minutes of the match only to stay for the full duration, unable to tear himself away in what would have been the “featured”match of day. The quote was one to saver….”never mind the premier league, champions league….that was the best game I’ve seen in ages, well done and bad luck”.
