Alonso was spotted on the playing fields at Buckley Hill this Saturday afternoon, not Xabi, but Fernando of F1 McLaren Mercedes. He had decided to get some pre season work done with his new team, by using the Wind Tunnel facilties that Coeur had to endure in their encounter with Mossley Hill. Degsy was unavailable and this meant Alan Hulthen could take a place on the bench on his return from a injury layoff.

Mossley Hill had faded recently after a bright start to the season and Coeur had beat them comfortably a few weeks back. Coeur on the other hand had just got their season back on track with 4 wins on the trot (I am including the De La Salle win, which has yet to be awarded). When both sides took the pitch it was apparent that the game was definitely going to be spoilt by the strong diagonal wind. Coeur had the 'advantage' of the win in the first half, though in truth, it wasn't much assistance as it prevented any decent football from being played. Coeur again started well and tried their best to keep the ball on the deck so as to cut down the influence of the wind. Rob Hatton was starting on the left and it was he who first tested the Mossley Hill keeper and found the bearded stopper in the same exhilarating form as in the first fixture between the two sides. Rob chested the ball down and thundered a shoe across the goal only to see it tipped away acrobatically. Craig Burns was also folied by the keeper after being ffreed by Chris Speed. The keeper also produced a stunning third save from a Coeur header, tipping it over from close range. However he had no answer to Rob hatton's second strike on target. The ball dropped out of the sky 20 yards out and Rob thundered home a Riise-like exocet on the volley. Coeur deserved the lead and nearly doubled it as Hatton again let fly with his left foot, this time missing the far post by inches. Five minuets before half time Coeur saw a goalbound shot handled on the line by a defender. It was a cast iron penalty and saw few complaints from the vocal Mossley Hill side. The ref correctly awarded the penalty, yet never even booked the player, despite it being an obvious dismissal. Craig Burns stepped up to take the spot kick but was unable to convert it as the wind lifted it over the bar.

Half Time 1 - 0

The second half saw Coeur facing the increasingly strong wind yet they were not seriously troubled by the Mossley Hill attack. Mossley Hill were enjoying more of the game territorialy as was to be expected due to the weather, yet Coeur were still creating the better chances. The keeper produced a couple of decent stops to prevent Coeur from doubling thier lead. Coeur again suffered injury setbacks with both Andy Rannard and Mike Smith having to be withdrawn with groin injuries. 10 minutes from time Mossley Hill were allowed to break through Coeur's makeshift defence with a midfielder losing his marker too easily. He looked up to cross and sliced the ball wildly over the keeper and it dropped into the net with a collection of bodies from both sides. Mossley Hill were spared on by this but Coeur again had good chances. Twice Rob Philiskirk found space down the right and twice he elected to pass rather than chanc e an effort. The first found its way across to Rob Hatton who was unable to control the swirling ball, and the second found the boot of Mick Kennedy who turned it goalbound only to see the keeper produce his final outstanding stop of the game. Craig Burns had the final chance for Coeur, when he jinked through the defence and culred the ball past the keeper. The crowd went wild as the ball headed for the far corner. Unfortunately the wind went a little wilder and blew the effort inches past the post.
It was definitely a game Coeur should have won, yet the combination of the inspired Mossley Hill keeper and a freak goal cost them all three points on a day where the wind was indeed prevailing.

Full Time 1 - 1