'Manchester are the team to beat in the Morrison,' says McGarvery

Reflecting on the game, McGarvery told JC Sport: “I don't know how good the Masters were when they were younger, but it was a bit one-sided. The players couldn't have done more than they did.

“The important thing for me is that after five hours on a coach, then jumping off and getting straight into it, the team were prepared which I'm pleased about.

“It was a really good performance by the 14 players on the day, and I don't really want to pick out individuals. If I had to, Michael Sacks had a good game. In the snowy conditions he handled the ball well on the floor and scored from the penalty spot. The team as a whole played well and fitness was important. I try to keep them as fit as I can and if you've got fitness you can do things.”

Manchester were joined in round four by their 2^nd team, along with Fairlop FC who eliminated Lions Masters. Having run in nine goals, McGarvery believes his troops can still improve.

“To be honest, towards the end we could have scored as any many as we wanted, but the first half was more competitive and they had the opportunity to make it 1-1 at one stage, hitting the post,” he said. “The first half goals were harder come by in that respect.

“Our 2nd team are in the draw too, but we're a good enough team to win whoever we play. It's hard to get the same team each week, so the hardest thing is actually getting the same players together to know who will be in the team.

"In 2015-16 we won the League Cup and Manchester County Cup 'double' and last season we had to choose between the County Cup and the Morrison. We felt we should defend the County Cup title so that meant we couldn't enter the Morrison. But the boys all wanted to play in the Morrison this season - they definitely wanted to be in there. We're top of the league at the moment and if we play the way we've been playing it's hard to see us not winning it.

"Finally, Many thanks to the groundsman who swept the pitch to get the game going and also the opposition who wanted to play, which we appreciate it, coming down from Manchester. It's not easy doing all that on your own. We wish the Masters all the best for the season.”

MMFL player-manager Jon Yantin told JC Sport: "There was clearly a breakdown in communication. We were of the belief it was a walking football competition and then these teenagers started running around us. We shall be reporting it to the organisers and look forward to the re match at a more sedate pace.

"Manchester were excellent and, in truth, had both sides not spent so much time and money on travel and arrangements there was no way the tie would have been played due to the weather.

"The pitch was entirely covered in snow and the younger legs delay with the frozen and heavy conditions far easier than their opposition - on average 20 years older.

"Hopefully they’ll go on to win and at least there is a little comfort in that we lost to the cup winners."

MASTERS: Elliot Gordon, Danny Carr, Dan Levy, Jon Yantin, Adam Gishen, Jonny Summerfield, Lloyd Becker, Andy Miller, Tony Plaskow, Graeme Grossman, James Cartmell, Nigel Goldthorpe, Richard Slater, Dan Sugarman, Kevin Lotzof

MANCHESTER: Jack Showman, Michael Sacks, Adam Jackson (c), Ashley Loofe, Marc Maynard, Louie Basso, Josh Gellman, Marcus Jackson, David Herman, Sam Hatton, Max Foster. Subs: Oli Grant, Max Rose, Sam Van-Gelder, Ryan Silvester