Carpet Munchers 9 First Touch 11

Carpet Munchers FC (2)9[Callum Faulds 2, Stephen Woods 3, Patrick McNulty 3, Rob Danson] First Touch (4)11

Squad – Craig Wilson, Rob Danson, Stephen Woods, Callum Faulds, Patrick McNulty, Dan Arciniega

Munchers made a poor start, and without the solidity of the injured Iain Wilson in defence, slackness at the back left them 4-0 behind midway through the first half. The game turned, though, with a Stephen shot that hit the underside of the bar, and for the rest of the match, it was only an exceptional goalkeeping effort from the First Touch ‘keeper that prevented a  convincing Munchers victory.

Callum and Dan scored before half time to bring Munchers back into the game, and early in the second half Callum and Patrick netted to bring Munchers level. First Touch were always a threat going forward, and Craig made some excellent saves, but the quality of their finishing was high as they went back in front 5-4 and – after Stephen had equalised again – 6-5. Callum hit the post just before First Touch stretched the lead to 7-5, but Munchers were awarded a penalty after the ‘keeper came out of his area to save. He redeemed himself by making a diving save from Stephen’s penalty, but Rob battled well to win the ball back and score.

First Touch scored again to make it 8-6, but Pat followed up a shot to make it 7-8 and Stephen hit the equaliser, before the post once again kept out a Callum effort. First Touch benefited by going in front again, but Patrick equalised with a carbon copy of Munchers’ seventh goal. At 9-9, Munchers looked the likely winners, but two defensive lapses in the last minute cost goals, and the final score of 9-11 failed to reflect another good Munchers performance.