Mond Rangers 0 Stork 2 (Pyke Cup First Round)

MOND exited the Pyke Cup on Saturday after defeat at the hands of Stork in a game which neither side looked like scoring.

Mond controlled most the game in the first half but could not create any clear chances for their lively front pair of Andy Gott and Ged Bushell.

Stuart Hide caused problems for Stork with his pace down the right and although the away team were dangerous on the break, Mond's back four of Linnet, Smales, Tudor and Barlow coped well with any threat.

The game looked like stalemate until Stork made the breakthrough after 75 minutes. There was a suspicion of offside as centre forward Wynne volleyed home a cross.

Hide nearly put Mond on equal terms but Stork's keeper Hughes, who was hurt in the challenge and substituted 10 minutes later, denied him.

Stork got the decisive second goal when Hussain went past two Mond defenders and gleefully found the bottom corner. A double substitution gave Mond new impetus but they couldn't make a breakthrough.

Next week Mond's Reserve team are awaiting a notification of a rearranged fixture.