Timperley test the U9 Cougars' mettle - end-to-end thriller ends honours even

28 September 2009

The Cougars were pushed to their limits today by an excellent Timperley side; we had a bad start to the week with Olivia injuring herself which ruled her out of this week’s fixture. On the up side, Joe’s registration was completed in time to allow him to play.

The first 15 was a nip and tuck affair with both sides defending well, Cougars were unlucky not to convert some excellent chances with Will snatching at every half chance that was presented to him. Neeki and Charlie worked tirelessly in the midfield but could not open up the Timperley defence. Martin was rarely called upon in the Cougars goal and was up to anything Timperley could throw at him, he is now showing a maturity above his years and his team are confident in his ability if the opposition get past their ever improving defence.

Today’s captain Luke was solid and cool under pressure in Cougars central defence, complemented by Ben and Freddie at right and left back respectively. Cougars worked hard but the luck and refereeing decisions seemed to be going against them with Will's usual trusty left foot not hitting the target or testing the Timperley keeper as his team mates have come to expect.

15 minutes: Timperley Villa 0 Wilmslow Town Cougars 0

Wilmslow made two changes in the second third bringing Harry on for Will and Joe on for Charlie, Joe had a point to prove to Timperley as it was his previous club and wasted no time showing Timperley what they were missing, with some cool defending and accurate passing. Joe, Luke and Ben were now in control of the Cougars defensive area of the pitch Freddie and Neeki were pushing forward at every opportunity and Harry was chasing down every ball in Timperley’s half of the pitch. Wilmslow were starting to pass the ball and Timperley were finding it difficult to live with, Ben played the ball through to Freddie up Cougars right hand side of the pitch and Freddie beat his man and hit the ball sweetly towards the goal, Timperley’s keeper who played brilliantly all through the game could not hold it and spilled it into the net.

Timperley now pushed hard to equalise but Town had other ideas and should have made it two with a string of half chances which they just could not convert. Towards the end of the second third Cougars were not decisive enough in defence and Timperley controversially equalised after a goal mouth scramble and a dispute weather the ball actually crossed the line or not, but the Russian linesman gave it setting up a nerve racking last third.

30 minutes: Timperley Villa 1 Wilmslow Town Cougars 1

Both teams now seemed to have forgotten their break team talks and decided to go for the win or bust, this was a wonderful third with parents screaming support for both sides and nerves jangling on both sets of supporters. Cougars were on top but Timperley had not read our script and pushed hard on the brake to ruin Cougars 100% record and after another pinball scramble Timperley headed the ball goalwards which Martin and Luke just could not get it clear giving Timperley the lead.

This was a real test and Cougars seemed to grow an extra foot each, they were fantastic. Timperley could not cope with their football onslaught. Neeki tested the excellent keeper, Will was unlucky with a series of shots, Ben smashed a free kick past the post and the keeper made a wonderful save from Joe. Something had to give; Neeki found Will in space who dispatched the equaliser with a well taken left foot half volley.

With five minutes to go it was next goal wins, Wilmslow should have scored when Will picked up a pass from Charlie and powered into the box but ran straight into his own player Neeki, Will took the shot and was really unlucky not to win the game. To be fair if either side would have lost this game it would have been a sickener so a draw was probably a fair result.

45 minutes: Timperley Villa 2 Wilmslow Town Cougars 2

MOTM. Ben was solid and dependable for the whole game continuing from his previous week’s performance and was unlucky not to score from a series of long range shots.

Man of the Match : B Thomas-Jones

Source: P Jones

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