No Valentines from U13's - tough love for Unicorn

 

It was clear to see to the small band of loyal followers, that the boys struggled to make their superior ability and skill count with a more comfortable score line and as the game wore on, it was obvious that some of the team are lacking the self belief that has been one of the main stays of the team, since they entered the league 5 season’s ago. Hopefully this win will help raise the confidence and with the return of some missing players, the team can now go on a long winning run and bring a smile back to the management team and fans alike.

 

Despite missing some key players, due to half term, Town started positively and were soon causing the Unicorn defence and their vociferous keeper plenty of problems to scream about and it came as no surprise when Wilmslow took an early lead. Which according to a certain myopic French coach came straight out of the Villa coaching manual, although our ex match day correspondent was unavailable to confirm or deny this observation. Adam’s long goal clearance beat the entire midfield and the Unicorn defensive line allowing Dan to collect the loose ball and using his strength and speed, sprint clear of the Unicorn defence, before coolly slotting home.

 

The lead could and possibly should have been doubled a few minutes later, following a fine solo run by Boyley, who collected the ball deep in his own half and after beating a couple of challenges sprinted down the right hand side of the pitch before shooting just wide of the far post, although a square pass to Lawto who had made a great supporting run and was unmarked in the box would have been the better option.

 

Another chance went begging a couple of minutes later when Dan burst into the box but his pass inside to Boyley lacked pace and the Unicorn defence were able to scramble the ball away for a corner. From the resulting corner Bradley was next to come close to scoring, but his fine header just went wide of the post.

 

These missed chances almost proved costly, when Unicorn broke through and with Adam beaten only Jordi’s alertness in dashing to the goal line cleared away the danger. This appeared to be a wake up call for the boys and shortly afterwards, they doubled their lead, despite the opposition screaming for offside, ignoring the fact they had a player standing on the goal line. Unfortunately for them, he was the wrong side of the goalpost so was unable to prevent the ball crossing the line.

 

The goal came from a corner that the home team failed to clear, Fordy’s first time shot crashed against the bar & Barto was first to react heading home from close range.

 

Whether it was the two goal cushion or the change in Referee, as our Director of Footie had started the match in charge due to the late arrival of the official man in black, but Unicorn started to boss the midfield and it was no surprise when they pulled one goal back, with a fine strike from the edge of the box. Half time could not come soon enough as an equalising goal appeared to be inevitable as Unicorn had complete control of the game and Town simply could not keep hold of the ball.

 

With some stinging words in the boys ears from a concerned management team plus a tactical change that saw Dan drop into midfield and Ol Meheta come on up front, Town started the second half very positively, with a series of attacks that should have seen the lead extended, but a lack of composure and belief in front of net added to some good goal keeping saw all the chances squandered.

 

Inevitably Unicorn rallied and with Town’s mid field tiring, (boys be warned the management have decided Friday’s training session will be another beasting!) Unicorn pressed forward and forced Adam to pull off a couple of fine saves. Some last ditch tackles by the back line were not enough to prevent the equalising goal, which even a keeper of Van Der Sar’s stature would have had trouble preventing going in, as a fine lob wedge strike from 30 yards floated into the top corner.

 

It was good to see the boys showing more resolve and resilience than the management team to Unicorn drawing level, by responding positively and pressing forward in search of the lead again, forcing a series of corners. Dan appeared to find a second wind and made some powerful runs, one of them ending with a thunderbolt shot that the keeper did well to save, injuring himself in the process, from the force of the shot.

 

Following his new midfield partner’s example and that of his hero, (who is expected to do it on a weekly basis) Brad also made some powerful forward runs and one of these lead to Town retaking the lead as he unleashed an exocet of a right foot shot from outside the box, that hit the back of the net before the Unicorn keeper moved.

 

With the chilling wind picking up strength and the resolve of the away support dropping as quickly as the temperature, the boys started to show the grit and determination the management team had been demanding. Although the ref did not appear to appreciate the legality of some of the challenges they made. But there was nothing to fear as the Barton twins won every aerial challenge from the resulting free kicks.

 

In the last few minutes there were also glimpses of the composure and passing moves that we have grown accustomed to seeing over the years, as the boys strived for a fourth goal before the final whistle was blown.

 

Hopefully this victory will help them regain some of the confidence that is clearly missing. As the so-called TV pundits are always saying, the sign of a good team is to win when playing badly. So with another 3 points under their belt and a return of some missing players, the team should go into the next game in a better spirit.     

 

Adam for safe hands and feet, although Brad and Dan pushed him close.

                               

                                  

Showed great willing and good confidence to don the gloves, was not at fault for either goal and made some telling saves and clearances, using his pace & coming off his goal line to sweep up well. Adam also claimed a great assist for the first goal.  

 

A solid performance at the back, winning the majority of his tackles and made a telling goal line clearance.

 

Lead the defensive line well, commanding in the air and also played one of the forward passes of the season. Surprisingly did not question any of both ref’s strange decisions.

 

Showed great versatility in playing three different positions, seemed happiest when on the left and made telling challenges all over the pitch. Made a telling run into the opposition’s box, but failed to tell any of his team mates so the chance went begging.

 

Teamed up well in the centre of defence with Raife, winning the aerial battle and showed good composure on the ball as well as great alertness in the opposition box by responding first to the rebound and heading home the second goal. 

 

Despite feeling a sore heel before the start of the match, battled bravely through the pain and was unlucky to see his shot rebound off the cross bar, although was pleased to see Barto head in the rebound. Unfortunately his injury forced him off early in the second half.

 

Another great battling Gerrard-esque performance against his old team. Brad appeared to get stronger as the game progressed, determined in the tackle, positive forward runs and a great winning goal. More of the same next week.

 

A slow start to the game, but when switched to left mid in the second half, showed signs of his best form with some telling forward runs, just needs to have more self belief.

 

Despite not scoring, this was a good performance. Pete caused the Unicorn defence problems throughout the game. Showing good pace, vision and link up play. Boyley also responded to the demands for more aggression from his coaches, by earning a stern warning from the ref, for a late challenge that would be found in the how not to tackle by Paul Scholes dvd.

 

The opposition could not cope with his strength and power in the first half up front and then in the second half as an attacking midfielder. Dan could easily have scored a hatrick, but for a couple of fine saves. 

 

Struggled to make a telling contribution to the game although came close to scoring on a couple of occasions, showed good pace and an excellent first touch, but appeared to lack confidence when in front of goal and awareness of team mates in scoring positions. But never gave up and kept running till the end.

 

Took time to get into the match, but battled through and got better as the game progressed. Used his vision well to spot and place some good forward passes. As with some of his teammates appeared to lack a bit of confidence and self-belief.                     

 

         

Not available

 

George Todd – On the piste

 

Owain Davies – French lessons

 

Bennett Harris – Injured