U9Bs have 'one of those days' - and lose to Longhey

22 March 2009

When you're not firing on all cylinders, you need a little luck to see you through. Today, the U9Bs found themselves out-of-sorts and out of luck as they entertained Longhey at Lacey Green.

In a game of seven goals, Albion players were responsible for scoring four of them and yet they ended up on the wrong end of a 5-2 score line. That statistic - combined with the simple fact that Albion didn't play very well while Longhey did – tells the story.

Albion couldn't have had a worse start to the game. Within two minutes, a relatively tame shot was sliced by Josh Wheeler past James in goal as he attempted to clear. 0-1

Wilmslow responded well, creating four close-range chances in the space of five minutes. On another day we would have expected to see the Longhey 'keeper tested with at least a couple of shots; however on each occasion Albion's efforts went wide of the goal.

Throughout the first period Wilmslow had looked the most likely to score, and in the final minute Sam won a free-kick five yards inside the Longhey half. Dan stepped-up and fired the spot-kick towards the top left of goal. The 'keeper managed to get two hands to the ball, but was only able to palm it into the side netting. 1-1

15 mins: Wilmslow Albion 1 Longhey 1

The second period started with a scare for Wilmslow after they conceded a corner and James was required to make two saves in a goal-mouth scramble.

With the scores level the game ebbed and flowed, and both sides enjoyed opportunities to take the lead. Ultimately it was Longhey who seized the initiative, getting in behind the Albion defence with a good passing move down the left side which was ended with a confident finish from the Longhey striker to give the visitors the advantage. 1-2

A goal down, but very much still in the game, Wilmslow continued to work the ball to the edge of the Longhey area but failed to finish. Both Finn and Nathan saw mid-range efforts go wide of the target from promising positions.

As the period was drawing to a close - and Albion were enjoying a spell of sustained pressure – Longhey broke quickly from midfield and James had to dive smartly to his left to push the ball around the post. Corner to Longhey, and as the ball was floated into the box it was met with an excellent header into the top of the Albion net. 1-3

30 mins: Wilmslow Albion 1 Longhey 3

Despite the two-goal deficit, Wilmslow had enjoyed their fair share of the ball during the first 30 minutes, and as the final period started you sensed that the game was still there to be won. And a goal for the home side in the opening minute – scored by Nathan from close range after Sol had seen a shot ricochet off a defender – kept Albion hopes high. 2-3

For the next ten minutes Wilmslow did well to maintain pressure on the Longhey defence. However, on every occasion the final pass or finish was missing and the Longhey 'keeper was occupied more with retrieving the ball for goal kicks than saving shots on goal.

As Albion pushed for an equaliser, gaps became increasingly apparent at the back. Longhey looked to capitalise on this and twice came close to scoring before eventually increasing their lead. This came from a long goal-kick that received just three touches before hitting the back of the Wilmslow net. 2-4

The fourth goal effectively sealed the win for Longhey, but credit goes to those lads in the Albion side who kept their heads up and looked to improve the score line as the game drew to a close.

One player that should be singled out for praise today was Dan. His performance over the 45 minutes was excellent and he battled to the very end. And when Dan tackled one of the Longhey strikers in the final minutes, only to see his clearance rocket into the top corner of his own goal, it accurately summed-up Albion's morning. 2-5

45 mins: Wilmslow Albion 2 Longhey 5

So, a disappointing result for the U9Bs in a contest that was frustrating fare for the home supporters. Albion were never outclassed, but received a lesson in finishing from a well organised side that appeared more interested than Wilmslow in winning the match.

This is the first time the U9Bs have conceded five goals and this in a match where James made a number of good saves and the defence all put in decent performances (or better). While the two own-goals were obviously significant in terms of the final score, accidents happen and it was a lack of shape, confidence and purpose that separated the two sides.

Albion have scored just three goals from open play in the last five games, compared with 38 in the opening five games of the season. Sure, they are coming up against tougher opposition, but they need to get back to playing the ball through midfield rather than over it to create better chances for the strikers. Up-front, someone simply needs to find out where they hid the "shooting boots". As the scoring chances have dried-up, so the lads have starting snatching at opportunities rather than showing us the confident running and composed finishing we enjoyed pre-Christmas.

The U9Bs have all the answers to their problems – let's hope they find them before the clocks go forward.

Today's Man of the Match was Harrison, who enjoyed more time on the field than in recent weeks and got stuck-in as and when required.

Source: A Wheeler

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