Following their defeat in the first game of the season Wigton Moor travelled across town to take revenge in the third (or is it the fourth – who cares?) round of the cup. Fielding a raft of new players Wigton arrived early, which was more than can be said for the referee, in preparation of what was bound to be a keenly fought out game between these two adversaries of old. The cup appointed referee became a no show and so Coach Dave became referee Dave leaving Mark home alone in the Technical Area.

The Stallions fielded a changed line up with Cam, Luke, Kiernan and Dylan P at the back. Dylan S and Sam in midfield, with Leo and JR up front supported by Will and Jed on the flanks.

Playing down the slope in the first half the Stallions pushed forwards in search of the first goal of the game that is often important in knock out competitions where clear cut opportunities would be far and few. Wigton Moor are no lightweights and contested every ball with vigour as their fans cheered them on.

The first chance of the game fell to Wigton’s forward Lucca who from long range hit the inside of the cross bar only to see it bounce on the line to be cleared by Cam. Only ‘Hawk-eye’ and the Stallions supporters could see the ball quite clearly did not cross the line! Moments later a 25-yard shot from Leo went centimetres wide of the post.

25 minutes in and the Stallions had a corner that was well taken by Jed but not well cleared by the away team allowing Jed to cross the ball in again to find the head of Sam who could not miss from 6 yards out. A few minutes later Ed came on for JR and the game resumed with the Stallions clearly in the ascendancy and looking to finish the game off before half time. Alas no clear chances came, and the half ended 1-0

Wigon Moore returned to the pitch all ‘fired’ up and using the slope to their advantage dominated the first 20 minutes of the game and during this time got themselves an equaliser from a corner that the home team could not clear. The Stallions who now had Jay and Dan on the pitch, had their backs to the wall during this stage of the game and looked like they were going to lose as they lost their shape and belief that they showed in the first half.

However, as Jimmy Hill said, “football is a funny old game” and as the Stallions began to see more of the ball they too sensed the game was not yet over. Will, who had a strong game, put a good cross into JR only to see the ball hit the cross bar and come back out to one of their defenders to clear. Moments later came the game-changer – THE PENALTY. In the referees eyes a stalwart penalty; in the eyes of the home team “what happened? I didn’t see it but of course it must be!”. For the away fans “the worst decision ever – from where we are (100 miles away) we could see our defender did nothing wrong”. The penalty was delayed whilst their coach had a rant, but once over Sam struck the penalty into the middle of the net to take the game into an edgy last 10 minutes.

Still furious for the rest of the game the Wigton players and fans contested every ball and decision and looked for any opportunity to coax a decision from the ref that may get them an equaliser. The Stallions for their part went in search of an undisputed goal but this was not to be. The game ended 2-1 and the Stallions progress to the next game of the cup.

Get well Dave A. – this was for you!