Moyola upset Manchester United Legends
Thursday, 24 July 2008
The Manchester United Legends XI team.
Moyola Park - 3
Manchester United Legends XI - 1
THE stars came out at Moyola Park last night, Tuesday July 22, but it was the underdogs who came away gleaming after defeating their illustrious opponents by three goals to one.
This pre-season exhibition took on a slightly different format to a regular game of football, as the match consisted of two 35 minute halves, played by two separate Moyola sides. The first half, a Moyola select XI and in the second, Moyola's current first team.
An expectant crowd filled the park to capacity as the teams kicked off on a mild summer's evening perfect for football. And it was the home side who started brightest, putting some good moves together down the left wing in particular which was being marshalled by United 'Legends' Carlos Saltori and Lee Martin.
Moyola's pressure continued as Marty Patterson forced the first corner of the game after seven minutes, when United keeper Fraizer Digby tipped his cross over the bar.
Digby was called into action again from the resulting corner, but after seeing off the danger, United broke away and Captain Clayton Blackmore played Deniol Graham through, however the striker couldn't capitalise on the opportunity.
Blackmore and Graham would go on to pose a constant threat to Moyola throughout the game, as the two linked up expertly at regular intervals.
Moments later the same combination threatened the Moyola goal again, Graham this time heading over from a deep Blackmore cross.
The breakthrough came after twenty minutes as Moyola took an unlikely lead through an unlikely source.
Centre half Brian Martin made his way from the back and ghosted into the box to convert a cross from the right on the volley from five yards out.
Soon after Moyola went in front, several substitutions were made by both sides which lead to a break in the tempo of the game, this effected Moyola negatively as within ten minutes of taking the lead they had surrendered it.
The ever dangerous Blackmore found space in the box to direct a diving header past the Moyola keeper to square things up at one a piece, and it looked as though Moyola had blown their chance of victory as the first half ended with the sides level.
The current Moyola Park first team took up the mantle in the second half, and stepped up a gear almost immediately.
Twelve minutes into the second half they regained the lead when Lee Workman poked home after United keeper Digby dropped the ball at his feet.
United regrouped and were thrown a lifeline when Ben Thornley was brought down in the area and the referee pointed to the spot.
Clayton Blackmore, having not set a foot wrong all night, proceeded to blast his penalty against the post, and let Moyola off the hook.
