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27 April 2010 Match report for Wilmslow Town U11 Jaguars 4 - 3 home win against FC Blue Star U11 Galaxy (24/04/2010)
Another bright and sunny Saturday morning greeted the lads and their supporters for this penultimate home game against FC Blue Star Galaxy. The Jim Evison pitch was looking in great shape with the lush green surface obviously benefiting from the recent run of nice weather.
The previous meeting between these two sides, just under a month ago, had resulted in a 6-1 away win for the Jags but this time the Jags squad was somewhat depleted. Due to numerous differing reasons the Jags could only muster 10 players against the Galaxy’s squad of 12.
The absent included Natty and Steve still stuck the wrong side of the Big Pond awaiting a flight home due to the ‘Icelandic Act of God’. Also, out of these 10 – 5 of the lads were carrying injuries of varying degrees of severity. In particular Finlay bravely arrived for the warm up, limping across the pitch (but receiving zero sympathy from his father in the process) sporting a heavily strapped knee. Just three days earlier he had been cheering on the Jags from the sidelines on crutches!!
The ten players of Wilmslow lined up for the start with Fin between the sticks (goalposts not his crutches this time), a back line of Charlie on the left, Neil and Tom B in the central positions and Sam E on the right. The midfield three consisted of Jamie, TJ and Brendan with Kieran and Shorty making up the attack. Everything was set for an interesting game as this was the first game of the season that the Jags had fielded just ten players. How would they cope, especially as they had so many players carrying injuries?
The game started with the opening few minutes passing with the majority of play remaining in the central part of the pitch as both teams’ midfield tried to gain the upper hand. The first sizeable threat came from a Galaxy attack which suggested their early intent. Maybe they saw this as an opportunity to hit the League leaders when they were most vulnerable?
Within another minute this appeared to be the case as Galaxy scored the opening goal. Their left winger capitalising on a defensive mistake going forward on our right hand side (we didn’t have the luxury of right winger). It was a well taken goal with the Galaxy player gaining possession just inside our half running down the wing, then cutting inside, riding a few tackles and shooting hard and low past Fin.
The following period of play saw the Jags slowly start to settle with the midfield starting to win more of the ball and these glimpses of passing moves resulted in some useful attacks. However this was being countered by some continued good wing play from the Galaxy on the left. 7 minutes in and the Manager decided to swap Brendan to right back with Sam E moving to right midfield. Unfortunately before the lads really had to time to settle into their new roles the Galaxy left winger once again made a great run down the left. His resultant hard struck cross/shot managed to squeeze under our brave keeper.
Now the Jags really knew they had a game and an uphill battle at that. This was also unfamiliar territory for them this season - 2 nil down with 10 minutes gone. Despite this further setback the Jags heads didn’t drop. Unfazed they carried on with the passing moves starting to flow again.
This was especially so down the left with some good balls down the wing from TJ to Keiran. Shorty was also starting to get a hold of the ball and one of his runs forward resulted in a free kick as he was pulled down just outside the box. Jamie shaped up for the free kick but unfortunately this time was thwarted by the defensive wall. But Galaxy were not exactly sitting on their lead and there were plenty of exchanges in play - a nasty bouncing shot from Galaxy being an example but this was comfortably gathered by Fin.
However the Jags now seemed to be gaining the majority of possession as the whole team were competing in all areas. With 20 minutes gone Wilmslow were awarded a free kick (indirect) for Galaxy studs/high foot on TJ. Again Jamie stepped up this time with Sam E on hand some 25 yards from goal. Sam E tapped the ball to Jamie whose resulting shot flew into the back of the net leaving their keeper grasping at thin air. The Jags had got a goal back.
The remainder of the first half was competitive with the Jags playing the better football but missing the extra dimension and penetration that the eleventh player would have provided out wide on the right. That said Sam E had started to press forward more on the right with some success. The defence had settled better as a solid unit after the manager’s switch. This had resulted in Galaxy resorting to either shots from range or the long ball over the top both of which were dealt with comfortably by Fin. In fact Fin was now coming off his line to gather the loose balls with great confidence (I think he had forgotten all about his injured knee).
The second half was started by Galaxy and Keiran was straight in with a tackle and a jinking run marking the Jags intent to take the game to Galaxy. 3 minutes later and neat work down the right saw TJ back healing for Brendan to cross from the right. There on the spot was Shorty who neatly controlled and shot past the keeper to make it 2-2. All the Jags hard work, discipline and good football had got it’s reward. Further waves of attacks followed from the Jags with some speculative long shots from Neil and Sam E going wide of the mark. Shorty had a cracking run down the centre from a lovely ball from Kieran but was denied by a great defensive ‘hooked’ clearance out to touch. Kieran also had a looping shot saved by the Galaxy keeper after initially fumbling.
We were now mid way through the second half and although the Jags were creating more opportunities Galaxy were not about to roll over as they continued their tactics of the ball over the top. This tested the Wilmslow backline but they remained resolute with some great defensive headers from Charlie and Brendan and some good covering tackles from Neil and Tom B. More attacks followed with Sam E and Brendan combining well down the right. TJ had a shot spilled by the keeper which Shorty almost sneaked in before the keeper quickly gathered at the second attempt.
On 51 mins Galaxy were awarded a free kick for an alleged high foot some 20 odd yards out. The free kick was struck into the crowded penalty box and in the ensuing scramble, the defence failed to clear and Galaxy managed to poke the ball in the net to regain the lead 3-2. Despite this further setback the Jags continued their positive attacking play with another hallmark run through the centre by Shorty with an outstretched shot which was parried behind by the keeper.
As we entered the closing five minutes of the game the Jags pressure for an equaliser increased. Brendan came close with a header from a fantastic corner delivered by Jamie. Sam E had a double shot – first deflected then saved by the opposition keeper. More great passing football too typified by a slick move started by TJ moving through Sam E, Kieran and Shorty. On 59 mins Brendan took a throw-in which was control by Kieran and before the Galaxy defence had time to react Kieran had despatched a left foot shot that beat the keeper and hit the back of the net. 3-3
The Jags had drawn level for the second time. Would there be time for a deciding goal? Galaxy continued to press and yet again the defence held firm. We were now well into injury time and most spectators had settled for a draw. But not the Jags as Shorty managed to hit the back of the net with what turned out to be the last kick of the game. What an amazing game!
The game and result were remarkable in many ways. The lads had come back from behind twice, the first time from being two goals down. They had to coin a phrase ‘grasped victory from the jaws of defeat’. This was all the more impressive as they were one man short and five of the ten were carrying injuries. This was a true team performance with all players contributing and showing the grit and determination that the manager has been striving for.
Goalscorers;, Shorty (2), Kieran (1) and Jamie (1)
GBK Man of the Match: Shorty – despite the blistered feet from the previous day’s Cross Country activities Shorty came up with a display which must rank as high as any he has produced this season. His never say die attitude, willingness and ability to run at lightning speed and chase down every ball and lost cause was rewarded with two vital goals for the team. Not his biggest goal haul for a game but by far his most important one.
 Man of the Match: Sam Short
Team : T Botham, C Sciple, N Woodward, T Jefferis, J Nugent, S Short
 Goals : J Nugent, S Short (2)
Referee : Unknown
Source: JinkyJaffa << to news index
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