This is a collection of news reports covering Moler Rangers challenge for the Essex Sunday Junior Cup.

Well Done You Rangers

Triumphant Moler Rangers

Back row: B.Sanach, D.Wheat, S.Dale, P.Roberts, M.Herbert, B.Townes, P.Cocker (c)
Front: M.Sutton, I.MacDonald, T.Winter, T.Saye, P.Sales, D.Hempstead.

Courtesy of Colchester Express April 1st 1971

Moler still sail on.

United Athletic 2 - 4 Moler Rangers

Mickey Sutton was the two-goal man-of-the-match as Moler continued their triumphant Sunday Junior Cup progress. The Coggeshall player who came in for Tony Winter opened the scoring with a tremendous header from a Brian Townes free kick after Derek Wheat had been tripped on the halfway line.

Unit hit back to level after a Moler defensive muddle but then Sutton struck again when he rounded off a move that was traceable to Phil Roberts in goal and also involving Mick Herbert and Peter Sales.

Moler were out of luck just before the break when Ian MacDonald got the ball in the net although tripped, the referee gave a penalty and MacDonald put it wide. However, MacDonald judged a high bouncing ball from Peter Sales perfectly early in the second period to head past the advancing keeper.

At this stage it was all Moler with Dabby Hempstead bringing out a fantastic save from the home keeper but Unit showed they could still be dangerous and hit back with a brilliant goal from the left winger who ripped a great shot past the amazed Roberts. With five minutes to go Moler killed off the opposition with another MacDonald goal and they stayed on top.

Moler: Roberts, Herbert, Dale, Sales, Cocker, Townes, Saye, Sutton, MacDonald, Wheat, Hempstead. Sub. K.Lawrence.

Courtesy of Essex County Standard April 16th 1971

Moler Rangers 3 -2 Chequers (Harlow)

Moler showed the character that makes champions when they fought back after being two-nil down to qualify for the Essex Sunday Junior Cup Final at Aveley on May 9th. They now meet Coryton Pegasus Reserves who overcame Roblin Sports at Brentwood in the other semi-final.

Two factors had Moler struggling on the soft Braiswick surface in the early stages; their own sluggish start and the ability of Chequers to snap up chances on the break. This produced goals from two set piece moves; the first was from a long throw headed further into the middle from the near post, the second from a corner kick which Phil Roberts who was impeded failed to hold.

Had Chequers maintained this ability of positive finishing there is no doubt Moler would have been sunk. Once Roberts blocked a shot with his feet, later he made a great save from a vicious dipping volley, and then came the real turning point.

A Chequers break on the right ended up with another good chance being set up but the ball was completely miskicked. Football being what it is, Moler who had certainly done their fair share of attacking without looking as sharp went straight to the other end for Tony Winter to net with a good effort. This revitalised the Colchester League champions and from then on they raised their game.

Chequers held out for some time in the second half but finally cracked when the hard-working Mickey Sutton headed home. Within minutes Ian MacDonald put in a solo burst down the middle to find the net but the point was disallowed for the move had started with Derek Wheat in an offside position.

Finally however, an own goal did the trick, Tony Winter crossed from the left and under pressure from Derek Wheat a Chequers defender beat his own goalkeeper. Chequers rallied briefly in the ten minutes that were left but did not threaten an equaliser.

Moler: Phil Roberts, Peter Sales, Steve Dale, Derek Wheat, Peter Cocker, Brian Townes, Tony Saye, Mick Sutton, Ian MacDonald, Tony Winter, Dabby Hempstead. Sub. Mick Herbert.

Courtesy of Essex County Standard April 30th 1971

That was tough !

Moler Rangers 1 - 2 Pegasus (Coryton) Reserves

Oh Moler ! You should not have lost this one. The Essex Sunday Junior Cup was yours for the taking at Aveley on Sunday in a hard-fought encounter. But with Moler leading one-nil a defensive blunder let in Pegasus seven minutes from the end and in extra time the Basildon men took control.

The decider came from the penalty spot after a defensive blunder by skipper Peter Cocker who handled a dangerous looking high centre. Earlier Moler had made special use of wingers Tony Saye and Dabby Hempstead but though they were on top territorially it took some time to take the lead through Mick Sutton. Sutton, who had been banging shots and headers wide took a Tony Saye pass to net.

Still on top.

Moler kept on top for most of the second half but then a late break away caught them flat footed. Phil Roberts who had been brilliant in goal saw the ball too late as it dived under him into the net. A fantastic display by Roberts kept Pegasus out in extra time but even he could not save the penalty seven minutes from the end.

Moler: Roberts, Sales, Dale, Wheat, Cocker (C), Townes, Saye, Sutton, MacDonald, Winter, Hempstead. Sub. Herbert.

We were sick.

After the game Moler Secretary Bernie Sanach said "We are all sick at losing like that. You don't mind too much if you are beaten by a better side but until their sub came on they were no danger to our back four who I thought were brilliant. We faded yes, but it has been a hard season for some of the boys and of course it was a very warm morning."

Courtesy of Essex County Standard May 16th 1971