This week saw Stoke FC facing yet again another team from the top three in the league. Stoke struggling to get into their season with just three points out of a possible nine, saw a confident Mad Moose team who had the tightest defence in the league conceding just five goals in their opening four games and getting three wins along their way.

As the match commenced both teams looked threatening on what was a small pitch, with the play going end to end and both teams creating chances to take an early lead. The Moose saw an early chance as Chris Goodwin played a ball across the edge of the box to Bram Goodwin-Wright who had the goal gaping in front of him, however saw his shot blaze over the bar.

Stoke FC created several chances from quick counter attacks but were unable to get a shot on target.

It took 25 minutes before the opening goal came, when James Raven picked up the ball just into the Stoke half, with three defenders on his tail he shrugged each off and took the ball past a further two players, as he got to the by-line he squared the ball for his strike partner Darren Hills however the Stoke centre back did his job for him and knocked the ball over the line to make it 1-0 to the Moose.

The game remained tightly balanced and a minute before the half-time whistle blew Stoke created an equaliser, as a corner was cleared the Stoke FC centre back hit a thunder bolt of a shot from 20 yards into the Moose net to make it 1-1.

As the second half commenced it was evident that both teams felt they could get three points. Stoke FC playing some quick counter attacking football but unable to get a real attempt on goal. The quick feet of the Moose attacking players caused chaos for the Stoke defence.

The next goal was vital, and after 28 minutes into the second half, the Stoke striking partnership counter attacked, but a strong and perfectly timed tackle from Lee Wright the Mad Moose centre back saw the ball at Ben Spraggon’s feet who played a neat ball for Darren Hills to run on to, round the keeper and put the Moose ahead.

Stoke didn’t let their heads go down, and they continued to battle all over the pitch and create chances. It took some excellent defending when Jon O’Shea put a well-timed tackle on the Stoke striker as he went to shoot from close range.

As the game was drawing to a close, it took a moment of magic, James Raven picked the ball up from 25 yards out and curled the ball into the top right corner to seal the three points for Mad Moose.

A well contested battle saw Mad Moose come out as winners, with Stoke feeling that on a different day the points could have gone their way.