The Boys are back in Town - U13s winning again

21 March 2010

“The Boys are back in Town” should now become the Towns new rallying cry (maybe Bad Blood should make a cover version) . This was certainly the boys best performance of the season and demonstrated that they have not lost the ability and belief that has delivered them three championships in the last four seasons.

Players and spectators have grown accustomed this season to a certain fat managers rants!! and Rafa did not disappoint us again following his tenth league defeat of the campaign. However two miles across the city, it was a totally different story as Towns boss was rejoicing in a return to winning ways and the tactical changes that delivered such a comprehensive victory against a team who twice this season have put 5 goals past us.

With only one training session to get used to his new Four One Four One formation, the boys took to it as if they have been playing it all their life. They all seem to fully understand and appreciate their responsibilities within the new set up, especially Lawto and Pete. With James scampering around like a Jack Russell, but with Doberman teeth, snapping up any loose ball in front of the back four and Pete looking like he had Velcro on his shirt, judging by the way he held up the ball before bringing other players into the game, you were just left to wonder if only this formation had been tried earlier in the season.

Starting very positively Town were soon on the attack and came close twice to scoring in the first five minutes, firstly Boyley shooting wide from a great through pass by Milan and then Fordy unable to keep the ball below the bar when meeting Deano’s cross.

However it was the home team who took the lead after taking advantage of a dodgy bounce that beat Benno, their electric number nine, sped away and shot early to beat Henry at the far post.

If doubts entered the away crowd and management that it was going to be another long day, the boys soon wiped these clear out of our minds. The response from the boys was magnificent as they went straight back on the attack. Certainly bolstering midfield gave Bradley more licence to press forward and he came close to levelling following another powerful run and shot.

But the next attack was to see the Blues pull level and certainly could be contender for goal of the season. Pete just inside the oppositions half, managed to control the ball on his chest, whilst holding off the close attentions of his marker, he then spotted Deano’s run down the left and played an exquisite Scholes like through ball that dissected two defenders, right into Deano’s path, who without having to break stride,

smashed a first time shot into the top corner of the net.

From that moment there was going to be only one winner, with the defence winning every ball, much to the frustration of the home side attack, which led to a “discreet” conversation between player and Ref that left no one on Hough End playing fields, Chorlton & even Moss Side, in any doubt that one more outburst would result in a red card!!!

To Towns credit, they were not distracted by this stoppage in proceedings and continued to play the best football of their season. Milan showing his full range of passing, Fordy and Deano keeping their respective full backs pressed deep into their own half a second goal was on the cards and duly came after 18 minutes. Again Pete acted as provider slotting a good through ball to Deano who once more left his marker for dead to coolly slot home.

2-1 swiftly became 3-1 when Boyley smashed home Deano’s cross and with the sun shining life as a Wilmslow spectator suddenly seemed good again.

Henry remained alert and pulled off a fine save to keep our two goal lead in tact. Jordi, Raife, Barto and Benno were solid as a rock and won every ball and refused to be intimidated by the increasingly frustrated home team forwards (what a difference a few weeks make!). The desire to win was epitomised by Deano who tracking back, made a great last ditch full length block in the penalty area, preventing a goal.

Bradley then game close to extending the lead with one of his trademark long-range shots, which the keeper only just managed to tip over. From the resulting corner, he then saw his header saved on the line. But the blue tide could not be halted and on the stroke of half time, Oli Ford popping up at the far post slotted home the fourth, following an excellent driving run and cross from Milan.

With the boys on a high, it took cool management skills during the half time talk to remind them there was still another 35 minutes to go and that the next goal could be critical.

Fortunately this prophecy proved to be incorrect, although Raife tried to test out the theory after only 30 seconds, when his uncharacteristic slip, allowed the home team to strike home to make it 4-2.

This obviously gave Hough End encouragement and they pressed for another goal, but with Henry pulling off a couple of fine saves as well as showing great alertness and bravery to sprint out of his line and dive at the feet of the advancing forward, he helped steady a few defensive nerves and things soon settled down and Town regained full control. Jordi and Benno saw off their opposing wingers and ensured

any loose ball went to a team mate or when in doubt well into touch.

Pete remained a constant threat up front and again forced a good save from the keeper, after a fine solo run. Showing good reserves of energy he continued to hustle the Hough End defenders into giving the ball away.

Henry then added to his value as Town’s new keeper, with a great clearance that found Bradley deep in the oppositions half, Bradley then turned and sped past the retreating defender, before unleashing a bullet shot into the back of the net, 5-2 and game over despite the ref setting a new record for Fergie time, of 10 minutes !there was no way back for the home team, and the last few Fergie minutes were played out

with Milan kindly reminding his old team mates and manager, who happened to also be the ref, what the score was.

A fine all round team performance that was a joy to watch and was the perfect start to a Super Sunday that all Reds will remember for a long time, but one a certain Spanish waiter and an ex England captain will quickly want to forget. Lets hope there will be plenty more of these performances from now until the end of the season.

MOM



Henry Van Der Sar, pulled off a string of fine saves that Edwin would have been proud off, showed great composure and bravery. You could visibly see the growing confidence he brought to the back four. Even chalked up his first assist, with a fine clearance that found Brad deep in the oppositions half.

A great performance that thoroughly deserved his first MOM award. Pulled off a string of fine saves and was quick off his line to sweep up any loose balls

Back in his customary right back role and produced another solid performance winning every challenge and not giving the opposition anytime to settle on the ball.

Another solid performance and stood up to the challenge well (except for one slip !!) Definitely benefited from having Lawto sweeping up in front of him.

Enjoyed & won the battle against the oppositions no 9, who became very rattled by Barto’s fair but firm close marking and quick tackling so ended up taking his frustration out on the ref, with a constant flow of abuse.

Relished his new role as midfield destroyer & defensive sweeper. Won every loose ball and tackle, offered total protection to the back four, showed great energy levels as never stopped running and hustling for the full 80 minutes.

A solid performance and used his pace to good effect to neutralise Hough End right winger, linked up well with Deano. Was unfortunate to be beaten by a wicked bounce in the first half that led to the first goal, but recovered well to ensure the defensive line remained solid throughout the match.

A great first half, that was rewarded with the killer fourth goal. Made plenty of penetrating runs down the right flank and literally followed his bosses instructions to the letter by running himself into the ground, so was replaced with 15 mins to go.

Another fine attacking midfield performance, Brad certainly benefited, from knowing Lawto was behind him sweeping up, which allowed him to make a series of powerful attacking runs, linked up well with Pete and scored a great fifth goal.

A much better performance and linked up well with Brad. Showed some good touches and good vision in finding his team mates, as with Brad enjoyed the fact he had cover in the form of Lawto behind him. Took great pleasure in reminding his old team mates and manager of the score line.

A real 10 out of 10 performance, a soon as Deano realised he had the legs on his full back, there was no stopping him, two great goals the first certainly contender for goal of the season. Never stopped running, but also tracked back to give Benno valuable support.

Back to his best, Pete relished the responsibility of playing as the lone striker. He used his strength and skill to keep hold of the ball, despite the rigorous physical and verbal attention of two central defenders. Was rewarded with a good goal and two great assists. Never stopped running and battling as he showed by chasing down a loose ball in the last minute to ensure it went for a throw in rather than a goal kick.

Came on as a second half sub, but unfortunately an early injury prevented Dan from making any telling contribution to the team today.

Replaced Ol Ford on the right flank and added muscle and steel to ensure Hough End did not get back into the game.

Adam Shaw - Away on International duty.

Ol Meheta - Injured

George Todd – Becoming increasingly frustrated at not being allowed to play.

Owain Davies - Injured wrist at training and then compounded it by falling over running the line at School the day before.

Man of the Match : H Weekes

Source: A Boyle

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