Match report for Wilmslow Town U11 Cougars 0 - 7 home defeat to Ashton on Mersey JFC U11 (27/09/2009)
The Cougars turned up bright and early for their match, with renewed hope and optimism following an excellent training session on Friday. However, their hopes for a better outcome this week were not matched to the reality of the game, as the final score shows. Ironically, this was our best performance this season but, as it was also against the quickest and most skilled opponents the team had come up against so far, the improvement cannot be seen from the score line.
The team began the match with the first attack of the game, a great start with some excellent link play from Kieran, Tom, Jamie, Connor and Max, enabling Max to let rip a powerful shot on goal, which went narrowly wide. However, Ashton on Mersey were quick to respond and slipped behind the defence, to make it 1-0. After this the Cougars found it difficult to settle into the game as nerves got the better of them again. Gradually as the nerves calmed the passing got better, culminating in a great move where Kieran and Connor linked up for a cross which went flashed across the goal, but unfortunately just would not go in. As the half progressed Tom, Will and William needed to put in some great defending and Nathan pulled off some excellent saves as Ashton on Mersey were making their presence felt. Tom guarded Nathan as he was on the floor with the ball just out of his grasp to prevent the opposition grabbing it for a quick goal, demonstrating great presence of mind, however despite some valiant efforts, Ashton on Mersey penetrated the defence once more to go 2 up.
As the match progressed into the second 15 minutes of the first half, the Cougars seemed to settle into the game much more and really held their own. Ashton on Mersey could not add to their score despite some very exciting end to end play from both teams. Atakan had a shot which went wide (due to swallowing a fly at the crucial moment apparently!), there was another great move as Atakan, TJ, and Jamie passed the ball through the Ashton defences, almost resulting in a shot on goal, while the constant defensive challenges and timely tackles from Tom and TJ meant that the score line stayed at 2-0 as the half time whistle blew
Hope that the Cougars would maintain the momentum gained during the first half was short-lived as the second half saw them making a shaky start once again. Ashton on Mersey were quick to capitalise on this with a tap-in as the score quickly rose to 3-0. Despite some excellent defending from Tom, Luis, Will, and later Jayden at the back, supported by the rest of the team, the score climbed to 7-0 to Ashton on Mersey by the end of the game. Again, the second 15 minutes of the second half was better from the Cougars. They made a number of breaks down both wings as Kieran, Jamie, Max and Joe combined well with support from TJ as he continually chased down and hassled the Ashton midfield. Tom had a great chance which he unfortunately sliced wide. This is a team not afraid to head the ball, with great headed clearances from William, Will, and Jayden. A spectacular triple header by Kieran, Jamie and TJ helped win the ball in midfield, but the boys could not take advantage of the possession. The final move of the game saw a great ball over the top from Jamie to Tom as his pace put him clear on goal, only to be thwarted by a superb tackle from an Ashton on Mersey defender inside the box, which put an abrupt end to another great attack.
As stated earlier, it was a much better performance from the team and they should take heart from this. The sad thing is that due to the excellent performance of Ashton on Mersey, it isn't obvious from the result. As the League have put the team in Division 1 (a wholly inappropriate division for the boys) the best thing that the boys can do is not to focus on the score lines and overall results, but instead concentrate on improving the way they play and work for each other as a team.
That said, the score line could have looked significantly better as a number of players are in the habit of holding onto the ball too long, trying to do everything themselves and are losing possession as a result. In addition, because the team are not always comfortable passing accurately to each other when under pressure, they are giving the ball away far more often than they would if they relaxed a bit!
The Cougars need to remember that the team they played today, and others they have played in the previous weeks, have been together for several years. Therefore, they have had the chance to develop and improve as they played more games; something that the Cougars will be doing over the coming season. There was a lot to enjoy and be proud of about this performance and the Cougars can look forward to more of that as the season progresses. John and Stuart are very pleased with the way the team is improving.
Thanks once again to Mark for an excellent match as referee despite being so full of cold and to all the parents for their help and support. It is really appreciated!
Man of the Match: Not given this match (to balance two given in a previous match)
Crunchie Moment: To Kieran, Jamie and TJ for their triple keepy uppy headers!
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