No slithering around for U9 Panthers - against slippery opposition

Straight from the kick off, it was obvious that Wilmslow were up against serious opposition, and it was only a couple of minutes into the game before the Vipers, after a flowing move had their first attempt on goal. A couple more soon followed, but Tom Clark in goal aided by an excellent defensive display from Wilmslow managed to fend off the attacks without conceding. About halfway through the first period, a strong defensive clearance from Sam Higginson found Scott Attward unmarked up field and he ran through on goal and tucked in a crisp shot with Wilmslow’s first attack of the game. The Vipers threw all forward in search of an equaliser, but just before the interval Wilmslow again caught them on the break and Henry Hall gave Wilmslow a 2-0 lead.

The second period was much the same as the first. A determined Vipers team doing all they could to break down an equally determined Wilmslow defence, but all in vain. Tom again stopping everything that was thrown at him, and some strong tackling from Tenniel, Sam H & Joel meant the second period ended with the scoreline remaining the same.

As the third period commenced, Wilmslow managed to get their passing going and despite some heavy pressure from the Vipers surged into a 4-0 lead with a second apiece from both Scott and Henry. From the kick off the Vipers were straight at Wilmslow again, showing no signs of heads dropping and forced yet another fine save from Tom, but they managed to turn in the rebound making the score 4-1. Now it was Wilmslow’s turn to regroup and they did so brilliantly with a great cross field pass from Fin to Joel who, controlled turned and placed a fierce shot into the top left corner of the net to make it 5-1. As the Vipers made one last concerted effort for what would now be only consolation, unbelievably it was Wilmslow who, with some great play on the counter attack, found the net again with Scott sealing his hat-trick.

An excellent team performance against a very well organised Vipers side gets the three points for Wilmslow.