U11 Cougars in Cup Thriller - - so close to the semi finals!

Click image above for larger pictures / slideshow
27 images available

Nathan, Atakan, Tom, Max, Jamie, Kieran, Luis, Jake and Connor lined up to face the Lions, with a good warm up session behind them. The Cougars started brightly, and soon had the Old Strets’ goalie gathering up the ball after an attack. Old Strets returned the favour and following an easy catch, Nathan launched the ball back out to the team again. The game began to move from end to end. Eventually Old Strets’ speed and quality began to cause the Cougars’ rather sleepy defence problems with their pace and movement, only to be thwarted by Tom tearing across the pitch from right back to left back, to cover and clear. One such attack saw Tom trying to clear the ball to Atakan but instead it defected off him and appeared to go out. However, clearly it had not gone out, and had actually rolled along the by-line, as a huge roar from John of “It’s still in!” made sure everyone within a ten mile radius was clear that the ball still needed taking care of.... and it was after that.

A period of intense pressure from the Old Strets followed: they had a shot over the bar, a corner, a break by their number 9 (the first of many during the match) followed by Atakan, which meant that the parents and managers alike were imploring the team to clear the ball out of the box - which they did - eventually! Two Old Strets’ attackers managed to get away again on a break, but Nathan had it covered with a great save. The parents were back on tenterhooks again very shortly – but due to the action at the Old Strets end, not the Cougars – as Kieran and Connor made a break for goal, urged on by the shrieking parents who sensed the possibility of an early Cougars’ goal. Kieran crossed it to Connor who volleyed it with his left foot. Alas, it wasn’t to be and the ball went just wide. Such a shame it didn’t fall to Connor’s right as he probably would have buried it. It wasn’t long before the Old Strets countered, and Tom was called upon to make yet another of his speciality pursuits, saving the day once again. The Cougars weren’t so lucky with the next Old Strets attack, as the consistent pressure took its toll, and a Lions’ shot flew through the defence and into the back of the net. 1-0 to Old Strets.

Before long, Nathan was called upon again to make a crucial save, blocking the shot, with Tom once again there to clear it away. Jake, Connor and Kieran combined well to put a good break up field together, winning a corner in the process. Jamie curled in a well placed delivery which the Lions’ tried to clear but scuffed, sending the ball looping high into the air (cue an “Ooh!” from the parents) which could have been converted into a goal, had luck been with the Cougars and they had been following in. However the Lions quickly cleared the ball away to the ever-dangerous number 9 who led the counterattack again, this time with Tom in hot pursuit. He cleared the peril, only for the ball to come back at the Cougars as the midfield lost possession. And guess what? That number 9 was off again, with Tom hot on his heels ...saving the day once more.

Much of the play after this was in midfield as the team regrouped, with Kieran, Jamie and Jake in action starting to string together passes. Jake thwarted an Old Strets break with a perfectly formed sliding tackle - right in front of the parents, very much appreciated for effort - but slightly mistimed as the player had just vacated the spot... The Old Strets were being caught offside by the Cougars a number of times, with some very efficient flagging by Andy, once again manning the line. However the use of the offside trap was inconsistent due to lapses in concentration and Nathan made his displeasure very clear: “You’re playing a dangerous game here – you’re playing them onside...” Indeed!

At this point it was noticeable that Connor had rolled up his sleeves, rather than chewing on the cuff, and it seemed to have a positive effect on his play. Well that, and the new lone striker role he was playing today! An attack by the Cougars should have resulted in a goal, the Old Strets goalie fumbled the ball, it got away from him and yet the Cougars couldn’t capitalise on the mistake, they weren’t following in quickly enough – this time it should have been 1-1 instead of 1-0. Nathan, with his keen eye for the right thing to do, reminded the team of the need to follow shots in at this point – they knew only too well what the lack of follow through had cost them – a potential goal! Connor made a break up the field with a great solo effort, but found himself surrounded by white-shirted Lions with no blue shirts within a short enough passing distance. To his credit, he held up the ball as best he could and when the midfield finally arrived to assist him seconds later, the Cougars were able launch a fuller attack on the goal, resulting in a corner. Jamie put in another good delivery and the ball ping-ponged around the box. It seemed like everyone had a go at it – Jake, Kieran and Connor in particular – but the Old Strets finally managed to clear it away. The (near hysterical) parents, (it had to be said) couldn’t believe that the Cougars hadn’t scored (again).

Old Strets launched a final attack prior to the end of the half, winning a corner. The ball was headed away by Jake, nodded on by Kieran and a few Lions, until it was finally cleared away off the line to safety by Jamie, reminiscent of a Jonny Wilkinson clearance to touch (well in his better days - doesn’t seem to make touch anymore!). The boys can take note that it was the sort of clearance expected when, from various parts of the park, screams of “Clear it!” can be heard. The half ended with the score at 1-0 and the Cougars in high spirits, as they headed off for their half time team talk.

The second half began with William, Max, Tom, Atakan, Jamie, TJ, Connor, Kieran and Nathan lining up. No sooner had the kick off occurred that Nathan was quickly leaping into action as he tipped a long range effort over the crossbar. From the resulting corner the clearance was suddenly flying back at Nathan and into the bottom left corner of the net, Nathan’s view obscured by the mass of bodies in the box, 2-0 to Old Strets. No sooner had play resumed and a stray Lion had been flagged offside again, that there was a shouted query from the Old Strets team to the referee, as there had been a misunderstanding over the role the linesmen were to have. The Old Strets had not realised that offside would be flagged by the linesman for each of the teams and which half of the pitch they would be patrolling, however this was clarified so that everyone understood for the rest of the game.

The Old Strets continued to pile on the pressure and camped out in the Wilmslow Town half of the pitch. Atakan, in determined mood once again, was in a one on one duel with that number 9 again, battling it out for ball, inching closer and closer to the corner... he would not give up and in the end won the ball and cleared it away, much to the disgust and increasing frustration of the Old Strets player... However, as the Lions switched play to the Cougars’ left, the ball soon returned to the Cougars’ box via an even longer range shot from the Lions’ right wing. The ball travelling low and hard, suddenly jumped up and over Nathan’s head as if it were spring loaded. Nathan didn’t stand a chance despite having the shot - in any normal circumstance - completely covered. John queried the Old Strets manager as to whether the opposition had hidden an invisible beach ball during the first half, such was the unexpected bounce! In fact the ball had hit a deep rut caused by the well worn, burnt- in 6 yard line, creating an extraordinary bounce, high enough to fly over a bemused and somewhat incensed Nathan into the back of the net. 3-0 to Old Strets.

Jayden came on for William and the game continued as the team shifted positions with Kieran moving out to the wide left. Now at this stage, (if you didn’t know them) you would expect the Cougars to lie down and give up. But no! This is the U11 Cougars, perhaps even more fired up at the injustice of the previous goal. They don’t give up, they dig deep and they fight back! In true Cougar spirit, Nathan pulled off a couple of good saves as increasingly inspired and tenacious Cougars began to make inroads into the game. A great clearance from TJ over the top to Connor on the wing released Connor to fly up the field, crossing a ball into the box which the goalkeeper couldn’t deal with. He fumbled it only for Jamie, following in for once as he has been coached, to drive the ball with the instep of his trusty left foot calmly into the net. It was 3-1, could the Cougars pull it back further? (Memories of Istanbul flooded back into John’s mind! He had the lads practising penalties before the game just in case….) The parents started to wonder out loud if there was a chance the Cougars could pull another two goals back? One parent with an unfortunate habit of jinxing the match outcome was threatened with gaffer tape over his mouth at this point, just in case....

Joe came on for Jayden and quickly set about his task of chasing down every ball in the hope of getting a goal or helping his team mates to do so. This cameo appearance was by some way Joe’s best performance of the season, as he caught the cup fever and ran his heart out for the last ten minutes of the game. The Cougars were on a roll... Kieran and Jamie broke down the left combining as well as ever, then Kieran switched play with a sublime chip over the Old Strets defence. It was pounced on quickly by a prowling Connor, looking hungrier than ever and still not chewing his sleeve! He controlled it calmly, deftly sidestepped a quickly retreating Lion and, like Jamie previously (except with the right foot), coolly drove the ball with his in-step, into the bottom corner of the net. After a joint ‘knee walk’ goal celebration from Kieran and Connor, perfected during Kieran’s six goal haul the previous day for the Jaguars, it was hard to take in that it was 3-2. The parents were in a frenzy of excitement, the possibilities of a win were gaining more credence even from the most battle-hardened doubters.... blood pressures were beginning to soar!

Another mistimed clearance from the Cougars allowed a superb shot from Old Strets to fly past Nathan – no chance for him on this one either – making the score 4-2 and probably out of the Cougars’ reach. For once Tom was not there to put in the last ditch challenge and clear that he had done repeatedly all game. He had gone forward to try to get the equaliser that would bring the Cougars level and provide the mouth-watering prospect of 10 minutes extra time. Subsequently, a clash of heads had Des poised to sprint onto the field with the magic water, as Atakan and Tom lay pole-axed on the floor, however the boys recovered sufficiently to stagger to their feet shortly after and resume play.

Undaunted by the improbability of a comeback the final scenes of the game saw Jamie, Connor, Kieran and TJ passing and moving the ball well, in what seemed like endless triangles. Then Connor got a glimpse of an opening, and under pressure from the Lions defence let fire, but it was deflected just wide for a Cougar corner. The Lions continued to counter attack despite the Cougar pressure meaning Max had to make a couple of great clearances to get the Cougars back up to the Lions’ end of the pitch. Tom, having been released to press forward, showed his pace and dribbling skill, twisting and turning, reminiscent of Maradona’s and Messi’s ‘gambettas’. One of these ‘gambettas’ saw Tom totally bamboozle a defending Lion as he produced a sublime drag back turn that left the stranded Lion he had been battling against, aghast on the touchline. It was a magic moment, right in front of the parents, which was much appreciated judging by the ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ that ensued! Tom, finally infuriating the Old Strets too much, was tripped up and sent flying while running at them at pace, winning a free kick in the process. The free kick was taken by Jamie and floated in to the far post, TJ winning the header which he headed to the near post, falling inches from the line. After a mad scramble by the Old Strets defence, their goalie fell on the ball to smother what was the final opportunity to pull the game back, and all too soon the game was over with the score at 4-2. This opportunity could also have been converted if the Cougars had followed in more quickly.

That said, this was a great team performance, possibly one of the best this season with many players having their personal best performances today. The passing, movement, closing down and shooting were all much better today especially in the second half. Special mentions for Jake who had a great first half tracking back to cover and help Atakan or Tom out and looking threatening going forward, Joe who ran his heart out chasing down the Lions to win the ball back, and Atakan who had a cracking second half, showing that determined doggedness not to be beaten. Connor had a great game in a new role that seems to suit him very well, scoring a great goal and being deserved runner up to the Man of the Match, Tom. 

There are, however, a couple points for improvement that they boys should note:

The Cougars were so much better this week than last and have certainly returned to the positive, continually improving trend. It is hoped the lads enjoyed this game as much as the managers and parents who were proud to watch their sons.  Thanks to Andy and his team of Lions at Old Stretfordians, who played with skill and pace, scored with aplomb, and contributed so much to a game played in excellent spirit. So much so that despite the immense competition between the two teams there was only one foul! They thoroughly deserve to continue to do well in the Cup and League.  Thanks also to Dom for a well refereed match. Much better than that game later in the afternoon! Well, at least, if you are a Liverpool supporter!

GBK Man of the Match: Tom – for his superb display of defending at both right back and centre back, his willingness to put his body on the line in the cause time after time, the number of his challenges at top speed to clear Cougar lines and for the ‘gambettas’ towards the end of the game that showed he is not simply a fantastic defender but also immensely dangerous going forward.

Crunchie Moment: Several this week – Connor for his coolly taken goal, Atakan for his duelling battle in the corner and Tom for that sublime drag back turn. (One other Crunchie moment was forgotten - which was Jamie’s equally coolly taken goal - easy to do when you are his parent!)

Rolo Moment: Unusually, given to John this week, as suggested by some of the parents, following his scary shout that the ball was still in play!