Pressure takes its toll as Moorside blow it

Photo: Paul Sterritt

OH NO . . . Moorside's Steve Grimshaw fails with a crucial penalty against Hade Edge

Moorside 0, Hade Edge 0

MOORSIDE fluffed a bag-full of chances in their attempt to win the Huddersfield and District League Division Three title at Crompton Cricket Club.

In a must-win game against lowly Hade Edge, Moorside will rue those missed opportunities for some time to come, although an already sealed promotion is quite an achievement.

Steve Grimshaw saw his 75th minute spot-kick saved, while six minutes later Jake Madison was unfortunate with a 12-yard strike that thudded against an upright.

And let's not forget that old sporting demon - pressure - which was already weighing heavily on the club's collective shoulder long before this match started.

Pressure point number one was the fact that Hade Edge had beaten Moorside in the reverse fixture earlier this season.

Pressure point number two was just the fact that Moorside had to beat Hade Edge to finish top of the pile.

Pressure point number three was the presence of a handful of Almondbury Woolpack supporters on the opposite side of the pitch to the sizeable crowd of Moorside followers who knew that a draw or a defeat would see them and not the local side crowned champions.

OFFICIALS

And arguably the most pressure came in the form of two Huddersfield League officials - Melvyn Haigh and Tom Mowat - who were present at the match complete with the title silverware ready after 90 minutes to be presented to what would have been a jubilant Moorside outfit.

It all led to Moorside trying to force the issue rather than playing the type of football that has stood them in good stead all season.

The best chance of all for Moorside against an honest and absolutely resolute Hade Edge team came with 15 minutes remaining as Grimshaw - who looked, despite everything, surprisingly relaxed as he shaped up to take the spot-kick - saw his effort well saved by Edge goalkeeper Jordan Lynas.

It was never going to be Moorside's day after that.

Moorside manager Lee Warburton said: "We didn't take our chances and we had plenty of them to win the game.

"It has taken the gloss of the season but we take heart from getting promoted."

It is said that happiness can only be measured against sadness, and as the Moorside players and officials came to grips with their missed opportunity, it was the Almondbury faithful who drove back across the Pennines with joy in their hearts.

MOORSIDE: Taylor, Clegg, Rowbotham, Graham, Walsh, Dodd, Hoult, Swanick, Grimsley, Maddison, Beech.

STAR MAN: Lee Rowbotham (Moorside) Assured display in defence and going forward.