Match Report
Gunners overcame Moderation with a 6-1 win to send them back to the top of the table. The pitch conditions made it difficult for both teams to play attractive football although it was Gunners who settled earlier on and dominated the majority of the first half.
Unfortunately, Gunners found it difficult to break down the Moderation defence despite having some good scoring opportunities. At times, Gunners were prepared to attempt a shot rather than seeking the easy option and a few good positions were wasted.
Moderation did have a early chance to take the lead but the shot was well saved by Julian. Gunners kept up the pressure and this eventually resulted in a goal when Paul Clark fired home from inside the box.
There was a scare in the Gunners defence when Julian and Fraser collided when going for the ball and the opposing attacker put the ball in the net only for the referee to award a free kick to Gunners.
Ian Thornhill added a second Gunners goal when he lobbed the keeper. The second half saw Gunners continue to dominate possession but they still had difficulty finding the net.
Moderation then managed to put the pressure back on Gunners when they broke forward with a long ball. Julian came off his line and tried to clear it, but this bounced off the attacker into the goal.
Gunners pressed forward and Dave Owen gave the team some breathing space when the keeper made a poor clearance from the edge of the box and Dave smashed it home with a powerful shot.
Kevin Rapley then added a further goal with a sweet turn and looping shot from outside the box and Gunners were now in total control of the game.
Kevin and Ian then added their second of the game each and Paul Ali should have added his first goal from Gunners when he had a close range shot which went wide. The final result was a 6-1 win. It was a very good second half team performance with no one individual standing out.
Match Facts
Goals : K Rapley (2), I Thornhill (2), P Clark (1), D Owen (1)
Team : (GK) J Willis, (RB) C Price, (CB) Pa Ali, (CB) S Kearns, (LB) T Poacher, (RM) L Holdway, (CM) P Clark, (CM) D Owen, (LM) D Fry, (F) K Rapley, (F) I Thornhill, (Subs) J Weller, N Burrows, P Byrne
