U9 Panthers lose out - in David and Goliath match

6 February 2010

After the frustration of the cancelled game last week it was good to find out that the game was on and the Jaguars home pitch had survived a heavy frost. It was  a glorious morning with a chill in the air and the sun beaming down on an expectant home crowd.

From the whistle, Trafford started off the strongest with good attacking play forcing a great save from Oliver in only the third minute. The pressure continues and the Jaguars defence was put under the greatest pressure of the season so far. Steph and Sam were very strong in defence and Oliver was on top form on the occasions Trafford did get through. The pressure paid off however just before the whistle for the end of the first period when Trafford went ahead through a scrappy goal.

First Period: Jaguars 0 - Trafford 1

After Mark's pep talk during the break Harry W showed great skill from a Robbie pass controlling the ball then slotting it home to bring the Jaguars level at 1-1. Soon after, Robbie put great pressure on the Trafford goalie from a long cross and they both fell down on the line then Robbie was faster to react and forced the ball over the line to send the home crowd roaring.

Trafford came back strongly and the match became on a knife edge with both team creating chances and getting stuck into the tackles. Just after Robbie came close Steph's dad ran on the pitch to clear a loose ball and showed great poise until getting to the ball and falling over in a particularly muddy part of the pitch. It came as a comic relief to a tense crowd who will enjoy the moment for some time. Back in the action and James and Josh were battling well in midfield and Kieran was again showing commitment in getting around the pitch and making himself a pest to the Trafford attackers. Just before the whistle, Oliver made a great reflex save to keep the Jaguars lead into the final period.

Second Period: Jaguars 2 - Trafford 1

The final period started with a Trafford penalty after a Robbie handball in the area that the referee saw. It may have been Oliver pressure, the tension or the depth of hole under the penalty spot that made Trafford shoot wide but whatever it was it kept the Jaguars lead intact. There was a real battle developing in midfield and the David and Goliath battle between James and the big Trafford midfielder was great to see.

There should have been a third goal for Jaguars when Sam made a thunderous shot bounce from one post to the other and a trademark Robbie back heel was saved by the Trafford keeper. Joe was doing good work on the left and all the Jaguars defence were really being put to the test. Oliver made another great save down to his right and then Steph made a good clearance, keeping calm under pressure. Sam and Oliver combined to stop another chance but then Trafford's persistence paid off again with a second goal to bring the scores level. Robbie took a well aimed free kick that was cleared off the line and the atmosphere was electric as the time ticked down and both sides battling away. It was Trafford however that got a third and even though the Jaguars fought back well they couldn't find the extra gear to get back level.

Final Score: Jaguars 2 - Trafford 3

So, the Jaguars went down to their first defeat of the season. Trafford were a very tough team with hard tackling being a key difference between the two teams. However the Jaguars gave a good account of themselves and were unlucky to lose - all the boys will now they have been in a tough match for the rest of the weekend!. Oliver was the man of the match having stopped Trafford getting ahead in some important periods of the match.

Man of the Match : O Potts

Source: A Potts

<< to news index

• Fixtures
• Results
• News and Reports
• League Data
• Stats