Match Report
Match Report - 19 Nov 2011, Old Modernians Football Club Reserves beat Mount St. Marys (Senior Cup Round 3)
Mods came away from this Leeds Senior Cup tie with Mount St Mary's with a ticket into the quarter-finals.
From the outset MSM clearly believed they were superior and would win the game from 3rd gear. This worked to the Mods' advantage and soon enough the midfield of Gilligan, Clemence, Leadbeater and Craig took control. The back four weighed up the challenge they were faced with, it was a challenge that was winnable. It didn't take Mods long to get over their percieved underdog tag and the passing, movement and organisation that has typified recent performances started to be visible. Wilson and Unsworth began making intelligent runs behind the MSM defence and Mods looked like opening them up every time possession was regained.
It was against the run of play that MSM took the lead, pressure down the Mods left resulted in a sharp turn and finish from the MSM forward. It is difficult to say which one as every player had a ridiculous number on his shorts that didn't match the shirts, number 7 was number 46, for example. Obviously it didn't take long for this sneaky ploy to be rumbled, though the MSM number 8/10 was clearly the player to watch.
Mods levelled soon after when the ref spotted over-attentive defending in the box and quite rightly awarded a penalty that was dispatched expertly by Ryan Unsworth.
HT 1-1
The second half started at breakneck speed and Mods culd have been 2-1 down when Damien Mellor misjudged a header back to Lewis, but the MSM number 92 couldn't quite finish the chance. It was the only error Mellor was to make in the game and thankfuly he wasn't punished.
Minutes later Jon-Paul Craig extended his goalscoring streak to 2 for the season with a great finish into the far corner from the right side of the box.
Soon after, skipper Danny Clemence made it 3-1 with a superb left foot volley that looped over the 'keepers head.
Mods were now well on top but had to make sure they didn't sit back and invite pressure. MSM were clearly rattled but rallied and managed to get one back with 20 minutes left after good work down the Mods' right. A few weeks ago this would have resulted in panic and poor decisions but the side has evolved and dealt with everything that MSM could offer. Despite MSM hitting the woodwork twice from outside the box, there was no sustained pressure or chances that could have pulled the tie level.
One moment to note was the phantom 'injury' that Steve 'mad dog' Wilkinson suffered to his elbow that cost him the price of a booking. Booked for being injured? How? By rolling off the pitch... and then back on to deliberately stop play. Mad dog will do anything for Mods, even when right next to the touchline of the team you are beating, in the middle of a Seacroft council estate.
All 14 Mods were outstanding today, and will be proud of their passage to the last 8.
Thanks to the hospitality of MSM who put a cracking spread on after the game at the Irish Centre.
Mount St. Marys (Senior Cup Round 3) 2 - 3 Old Modernians Football Club Reserves