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20 June 2010 A glorious Sunday in 'Flaming June' greeted the Panthers, who travelled to the impressive Failsworth Soccer Centre for their first tournament as a team. The 9v9 format, although familiar to those who played for the Cougars and other T&D League teams last season, is something the team will be moving away from this year as they progress to 11-aside. However it still provided the opportunity for the team to bond and test out their strength as a newly formed team, albeit the games were only 10 minutes long.
Match 1: Bamber Bridge.
Team: Nathan, Colly, Neil, Max, TJ, George, Braden, Adam and Jamie (subs Harry and Eyresy)
Having watched the Bamber Bridge lads spank, Unsworth in the first game of the tournament, 4-0 the lads knew they were playing against a good team. Undeterred the Panthers took the game to Bamber Bridge, passing and moving well, going close a few times and defending resolutely. Unfortunately one BB attack resulted in a shot from 15 yards taking a wicked deflection and despite Nathan getting a hand to it couldn't get enough on it to push it round the post. The game finished 0-1.
Match 2: Unsworth JFC
Team: Nathan, Harry, Neil, Braden, TJ, Colly, Adam, Jamie, and Eyresy (subs Max and George)
In confident mood the lads waited the 10 minutes between games and went onto play Unsworth. Unsworth proved to be very worthy opponents providing an end to end match with both keepers called upon several times. Again the team displayed confidence passing and moving but also showed hesitancy dealing with the high balls out of the Unsworth defence. Timing heading the ball clear before it bounces is something we need to work on as a team, as failing to do so puts the defence under unnecessary pressure. Also our finishing needs to be more accurate and deadly to be able to progress in these tournaments as quick goals are imperative. In the end the Panthers superiority paid off with a goal from a goal mouth scramble where the tenacity of the lads following the ball in and managing to get the ball into the net. Goalscorer: Colly The game finished 1-0
Match 3: Failsworth West
Team: Nathan, Harry, Neil, Max, Colly, George, Adam, Jamie and Eyresy (subs Braden and TJ)
Probably the least confident performance of the day, as the lads struggled to find their rhythm and had to battle hard against a physical Failsworth team. Great defending particularly from Harry, Neil and Max plus good saves from Nathan kept the scores level while Eyresie impressed with the long range efforts but failed to hit the target. Final Score 0-0
Match 4: 3D Dynamo Sharks
Team: Nathan, Harry, Neil, Max, TJ, George, Braden, Adam and Eyresy (subs Colly and Jamie)
Another confident performance where the boys, knowing they needed to win to progress, pressed 3D hard, keeping possession well and pressurising the 3D defence. But 3D stood firm. A great sequence of play where the ball was headed back and forth, with TJ, Harry, Neil, Adam and Max all heading clear from headers back from the 3D lads, made for an excellent spectacle of heading 'keepy uppy' without the ball hitting the ground once in about 12 headers. Unfortunately, despite their best efforts and last ditch ill-considered substitutions by the manager, a goal would not come. Braden, Sam, George and a last gasp effort from Colly all went close. The boys worked hard for the win and played well but holding on to the ball too long, rather than bringing in players, who had a better opportunity to score, may have cost us the game. Beating players with skill and pace is imporatnt ,but when overdone it becomes a weakness that can ultimately have a destructive effect on team spirit, as it is an individual rather than a team pursuit. So we also need to work on our decision making when dribbling, knowing when to take a man on or to shoot ourselves and when to pass to a player in a better position.
And so the Panthers narrowly missed out on a semi-final place to Failsworth, by one goal difference. Despite feeling dejected, as the lads know they could have got further in this tournament, they can be proud of their first performance together as a team.
George, Adam, Braden and Harry all had really good debuts. Nathan, Neil, Eyresie, TJ and Jamie all put in strong performances. Max probably played the best he has done in a long time, showing good defensive skill and timing, excellent heading, good distribution and some sublime passing at times. However debutant Harry played superbly, showing courage and tenacity in challenges, great timing of tackles, determination to cover dangerous situations and some great passing, control and attacking movement. Rightly the boys voted him Man of the Tournament!
MOTM: Harry.
Source: John Nugent << to news index
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