U13's back to their best - on the winning trail again

Despite the appalling weather, the boys put on a performance today that restored the belief of the team and the faith of the management & parents alike that this team still has a lot to offer and still has a chance of lifting some silverware this season.

 

The score line does not do the boys performance justice as they totally dominated the match right from kick off & if it was not for some dogged last ditch tackles, fine goal keeping and to be truthful the odd poor final ball, the score line would have been for more emphatic than it was.

 

Unfortunately Jordi failed a late fitness test so Adam stepped in at right back and played the type of game that you would have thought he had played there all his life, using his pace to quickly snuffle out any attack down his flank. The team line up looked far more balanced and solid than in recent weeks, with Lawto back from injury & Owain pushed forward into left midfield.

 

Right from the kick off Town took control of midfield, with Owain, Brad & Milan making a series of strong tackles and following the instructions of the boss, releasing early ball for Pete, Dan and Fordy to run on to.

 

Pete was to be a constant threat to Unicorn, either by coming deep to receive the ball and using his pace to run at the defence or by showing great vision to play the ball to Dan & Oli out on the right flank. Given recent results it was understandable that the forwards lacked a little composure in and around the opponents box so spurred a few early openings by taking a couple of extra touches instead of releasing the cross or shot, thus allowing the opposition to make a last ditch tackle to clear the danger.

 

With Adam, Raife, G & Lawto totally dominant at the back, Raife & G winning every header and tackle, Unicorn were left to the launch long balls down the flanks, but this tactic did not bring any reward with the “Wilmslow Express” & Lawto proving far quicker than the Unicorn wide men, in reaching the ball first and ably assisted by Barto in net clearing the danger. It was good to see the back five work so well as a unit, with all four defenders using Barto when required to clear the ball. Although most of the action was down the other end, Barto remained alert and was quick to assist in clearing the danger. A fine clearing punch from a rare Unicorn corner also showed his value in net.

 

As the half drew on, Towns dominance grew, a fine run down the left flank by Pete, should have brought the first goal, but Dan could not quite control the low cross and the ball ballooned over the bar. A long range shot by Bradley, crashed against the bar, and Pete should have done better with a running shot, on this occasion he should have taken the extra touch !!!

 

Finally all the pressure told and Town took a deserved lead. A flowing move starting at the back with Lawto, passing the ball down the line to Owain, who did well to hold off his marker before passing inside to Bradley, a quick short pass found Milan, who played a sweeping across field pass to Fordy. This brought a desperate lunge from the Unicorn full back to send the ball for a throw in. For once the boys were alert for the quick throw (young Fordy wanted this mentioned as he is claiming a part assist !!!)

Oli’s throw found Adam and a quick powerful cross into the box found Dan unmarked who coolly slotted home.

 

The goal was thoroughly deserved and was quickly followed by another. Milan who had another fine game linking up well with Brad in central midfield, scored a fine second, with a crisp finish just inside the box, after being found by his midfield partner Brad.

 

The old confidence was starting to flow back to the team and Fordy almost added a third following another flowing move involving six passes, but his shot hit the side netting.

 

A series of corners failed to add to the score, with the Unicorn keeper making two fine saves from headers by Owain & Raife.

 

The second half saw the boys continue to press forward with Ol Mehta (on for Dan) linking well with Pete, who saw his shot well saved by the impressive Unicorn keeper. G, now pushed into midfield, relished the chance to drive forward and with Benno now in central defence the back line remained in total control.

 

But despite all the pressure the boys could not get the all-important third goal. Pete made another fine run down the left but his ferocious cross skimmed across the goalmouth but somehow managed to evade the desperate lunges of the two Oli’s. Another excellent cross this time from Ol Mehta was met with a fine header by Peter that the keeper did well to tip over the bar.

 

Deano now on for Owain quickly got into the game with some positive forward runs as well as tracking back to help the defence. A quick clearance from him set Pete on his way, but despite showing good pace and power to leave his marker a last ditch tackle on the edge of the box prevented him from pulling the trigger.

 

The final changes brought Isaac on in net for Barto and Dan back on for Pete. Both immediately got involved, Isaac with a smart save and Dan for netting the third following an excellent pass by Fordy, Dan using his strength to evade a couple of tackles drove into the box and buried his shot into the back of the net.

 

Although the boys continued to press forward no further goals were scored.

 

It was fair to say the boss was delighted with the all round performance that has hopefully raised the moral and confidence of the team and that they will now use this as a platform to go on a winning run.

 

    

 

Played well when coming on in the second half and pulled off one fine save.

 

Unfortunately was too poorly to take part today, but still had enough energy and desire to cheer on his team mates from the touchline.  

 

Another solid performance, winning every challenge and was in total command throughout played well with both G & Benno as his partners. 

 

Made a welcome return to the defence following his injury. Another typical battling Lawto performance, strong in every challenge, plus took some excellent corners. 

 

Showed good composure and alertness when dealing with the odd back pass. A great punch under pressure at a corner was his main contribution to the defence keeping a clean sheet. 

 

A solid second half performance at centre half, won some crucial headers and showed good pace and reading of the situation to win every tackle.

 

Became more of a threat as the game evolved. Early on was guilty of taking too many touches, but appeared to take on board the “gentle reminders” of Fordy Senior as he started to play the ball far quicker and became a constant threat to the Unicorn defence.

 

A solid performance on the left of midfield and helped his mid field colleagues take control of the game, with some strong challenges and positive forward passes.  

 

Another great battling performance, linked up really well with Milan in the centre of midfield. Made a number of telling tackles and forward runs. Only the cross bar preventing him from scoring.

 

A good second half performance first at left mid before finishing off at left back. Showed good vision and it was good to see the confidence return, to take on the full back 

 

Despite not scoring, this was a great strikers performance. Pete was a constant threat to the Unicorn defence with a series of pacy runs and telling passes to his strike partners.  

 

Was a constant threat to the Unicorn defence, used his power and pace to great advantage and could have easily had a hat trick. 

 

A fantastic man of the match performance at right back, was positive in the tackle, and made some telling forward runs, a great cross set up the first goal.

 

Came close to scoring on a couple of occasions, never stopped running and showed some quick feet and neat control near the oppositions penalty box.

 

A fine performance in central midfield capped off by a well taken goal. At times showed great composure and vision with some subtle touches and range of short and long passes.