Whaley Bridge Under 16s secured at least third place in the final table with a hard fought win against Great Moor.

Playing on the wonderfully green wide open spaces at Whaley Bridge, the visitors started well. They were well organised, and showed why they had only lost three games all season. The referee was also well organised, telling both sides that he would not tolerate anything, and it did not take long for one of the Great Moor players to end up in the book. Whaley gradually got to grips with the game, gaining the upper hand in terms of possession. Jack Howell went down the right and crossed. Alfie Hodges flicked on and it seemed that Ethan Williams had to score, but his shot was lofted over the bar. Shortly afterwards Whaley Bridge won a corner. Hamaad Chaudhry delivered it into the danger area, where Howell was pushed off the ball. The referee pointed to the spot, despite the protests from Great Moor. Zain Saaed scored twice from the spot against the same keeper earlier in the year, and this time he chose to place it straight down the middle. The keeper dived to the left, and the ball nestled in the back of the net. It was 1-0 at the break, and the second half started with Whaley Bridge again on the attack. Alfie Hodges made some intelligent runs into the box. whilst Ethan Williams was a constant threat down the left. Great Moor were dangerous on the break, but then Harry Hunt won a free kick in the right hand corner of the pitch. The attacker tripped him, and then lashed out with a kick. The referee had no option but to send him off, but the ten men found added resolve. Chaudhry took a free kick that the keeper did well to punch away for a corner, whilst Great Moor shot from distance but Ash Blackham had it covered all the way. The final whistle went and Whaley Bridge recorded an impressive 1-0 win. If they beat Juno on Thursday night they will guarantee second position.