Mellor Thirds 2-1 Signol Seconds
Match report provided by Third Team Manager Adam Axford:
This game was going to be our biggest test since the second game defeat to high flying Whalley Range.
We went in to the game on the back of four straight wins and only having lost 4/19 in the calendar year. We also knew that a win against Signol would mean we would stay ahead even if they won their game in hand.
Spirits were high and the lads were in a good mood during the warm up and taking of the annual team photo (See images at the bottom).
A slight change in formation saw us line up 4-5-1 with captain Jack Kuehl taking up a holding role in the centre of midfield.
We started the game in fantastic fashion. Signol kicked off and imediately pushed forward, we won the ball back and played it out wide where a Signol player lunged in and conceded an early freekick. We took the freekick quickly and moved the ball through the middle and up to striker Ian Arnfield. Ian laid it through to Chris Barlow who turned smartly in the box and finished past the keeper to make it 1-0 within the first two minues.
The half continued and was really close until Fred Keyte dodged his way past a man into the box and drilled the ball home into the far corner to make it 2-0 after 32 minutes. Mellor were on top and Signol were beginning to shy out of the challenges.
We got to half time at 2-0 but knew the game had a long way to go.
The Second half was much of the same, both teams creating chances but neither able to finish them off. Ian Arnfield hit the post after around 10 minutes of the half.
Signol eventually pulled one back, making it 2-1 with an unmarked header after around 70 minutes.
We continued to press and smartly dealt with the Signol attacks, James Langshaw impressing after replacing the injured Rick Nutall at half time. Jack Kuehl and Jack Barraclough were absolutely dominant in the middle of the park, intercepting nearly every ball and hassling the Signol midfield.
The game came to an end much to the delight of the Mellor players and bench, a well deserved and hard fought victory which sees us 4 pts ahead of Signol however they have a game in hand.
We now have two weeks off to relax over Christmas. We should have a game on the 7th followed by our Cup Quarter Final on the 14th against table topping Chorlts which will be a big test.
Up the Thirds!
Photos provided by Matt McNulty:
