U11 Cougars score flatters Sale - as they helpfully add to the opposition goal tally!

The boys lined up and before long Nathan was saving a shot from Sale, however after that, play shifted to the Sale end of the pitch as the boys attacked and pressed Sale in their own half. Atakan and Connor were instrumental in getting the ball forward, allowing TJ to break up field, followed later by a shot from Connor, passed from Jamie and Atakan. The action moved back to the Town end and Luis made a great clearance, deflating the burgeoning Sale attack.  The game continued with midfield being the centre of the action, as the boys played with grit and determination, rendering the Sale attacks relatively ineffectual. This was a great section of the game, as the sides battled for midfield supremacy. Brendan, who had come on for Connor earlier, was in evidence and it wasn’t long before Kieran made a break up the wing. To get all the way up there was quite an achievement, as during his solo effort not one, but two Sale players ended up collapsed on his feet as he danced the ball around them. Unfortunately, the ball was eventually cleared by Sale for a throw-in close to their goal. Play continued and Jamie had a long range shot on goal which went past the goalie, but also just past the post. Sale countered, and the ball quickly headed towards Nathan’s capable hands -not once but twice Nathan was called upon to save – the second one a classic fearless Nathan run out as the ball went to ground, despite a Sale player following in.

By this time it was 15 minutes down, 15 to go, and the score was 0-0 and the boys were back on the attack. Brendan executed another of his now infamous flying tackles, Kieran had a shot on goal that went close which was followed in by Jamie, whose shot also went just wide, much to the chagrin of the watching parents who were beginning to hope that the score line would be more representative of the standard of play, maybe even a goal or two to the Cougars? A free kick was given against Atakan close to the Wilmslow goal, and was taken with gusto by Sale, with only Brendan making up the wall, putting his body on the line for the team. Despite the team’s best efforts, Sale scored from this and went 1-0 up.  During the next stage of the play,  Jake came on for Atakan and linked up well with TJ as the team went on the attack once again. A great cross in from Jamie to Brendan didn’t want to go in - and when Kieran had a go, it still refused to cross the line – clearly fate was not on Wilmslow Town’s side. Brendan, again putting his body into direct combat with the ball deflected a Sale Utd throw in with his face, trying to convert it into a header on goal, however it didn’t quite work out that way! Will came on for Luis, and Atakan for Jake as the boys pressed Sale to try to pull a goal back, however it was Nathan who had to make another great save. Brendan, Kieran and Jamie combined well to make a break up the field back to the Sale goal, then Kieran, Brendan and TJ combined to enable Kieran to have another shot on goal – the parents groaned in disappointment as it went wide, wondering  what did the boys have to do to get a goal in this match?? Jake was back on and quickly demonstrated that despite the danger of popping the match ball with his heavily gelled head, he was up for a plenty of headers and made some great defensive clearances. Will however was desperately unlucky, as his attempt at a volleyed one touch clearance resulted in an unexpected deflection and an own goal. So I guess the parents got their wish – we had scored – just not in the right goal!!! The half ended with the score at 2-0 (or 1-1 if you like to think of it that way!).

The second half started with both teams lining up for a moving one minute silence for Remembrance Sunday, beautifully observed by the teams and their supporters, then the whistle blew and they were off again. The action was all in the Wilmslow half of the pitch as the team defended with gusto, Will making three consecutive headers to try to get the ball away as Sale attacked. A corner was conceded and Nathan was forced to make a superb punching save to get the ball away, Jayden making some crucial defensive clearances assisted by Jake, with Tom as ever, solid in defence, his top speed defensive play stopping Sale attacks in their tracks. Will was in dazzling form on the ball as he skilled his way around the Sale midfield and sent a great pass through to Jamie and Kieran, enabling them to make a break up the wing towards the Sale goal.

This period of the match saw some great play from the team, as Max, Will and Jake and Jamie linked well together in attacking play, as well as Will, Kieran and Atakan giving Jamie the chance to put in a great cross in front of goal. The defence was far from idle during this time, as Tom, Max, Jake and Jayden were in action – Jake and Jayden combining wonderfully well, Jake making the tackle and Jayden clearing it away in a smooth seamless move, and Jayden later giving his all and doing a passable imitation of Brendan, ending up flat out on the floor as a result.  There were a number of substitutions during this part of the match with Connor, Atakan, Kieran, Luis and Jamie moving in and out of the game. Possibly this many changes unsettled the side a little too much, as Sale managed to penetrate the defence not once, not twice but three times, to raise the score to 5-0. This is not to say that Sale had things all their own way, however they were able to break through Wilmslow’s defensive line, despite their best efforts and support from both the midfield and attacking team members. In another cruel twist of fate, Tom was making another superb defensive clearance when like Will, he was unlucky with the deflection and again the ball ended up in the back of the wrong net, and again, Nathan stood no chance of saving it.

It was 6-0 to Sale and hardly a true reflection of the evenness of play, the Cougars were better than this on the day. To their credit, the boys did not allow their heads to go down, and continued to play their hearts out, making sure that the score did not increase any further. Not only did they not let their heads go down, they  pushed and pushed, launching attack after attack and had a number of breaks resulting in Jamie having a couple more shots on goal, benefiting from some great linking play by Brendan, Max, TJ and Kieran. Despite this, the score ended at 6-0 to Sale, but it is testament to the boys’ fight and determination not to give in that the score was not any higher

For those who like to check how the Jaguars did against these teams last season at the same time, the result was 10-0 to Sale, (the website says 6-0 as the league didn’t allow more than a 6 goal difference to be shown for under 10 games), so again, the Cougars have done well against a very good team.  The next time they met? It was 4-2 to Sale, a much closer game and again - one player in particular had an outstanding match and was given the Man of the Match award. Guess who? The same one who got it today.

Many thanks to Raymond for acting as backstop for behind goal balls and giving Andy a break. Also thanks to Sam for excellent linesman duties, and as always thanks to all friends and family in attendance for their help and support.

GBK Man of the Match: TJ for a storming performance during the match full of energy, drive and determination, always in their faces and causing havoc as well as deft skills, incisive passing, strong clearances and as usual out-heading much taller opposition and colleagues!

Crunchie Moment: Awarded to the defensive duo of Jayden and Jake for some great combined action, in particular a double handed tackle (Jake) and defensive clearance (Jayden) at the crucial moment

Rolo Moment:  Will forusing his head,  not only for suggesting that the teams have a one minute silence at half time - but also for using his head in defence with three consecutive headers while battling in midfield - his play when on the ball and his distribution reminiscent of William Gallas!