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3 July 2010 Match report for Wilmslow Town U12 Panthers 5 - 7 away win against Haslingden Tournament U12 (03/07/2010)
The sun was beating down as the Panthers set off from their homes at the crack of dawn, only for them to be greeted by looming dark clouds as they entered the Rossendale Valley for their second tournament of the summer. A lengthy trek to the far corner of the field (that could have been in Preston, considering the distance from the cars), plus a surprising number of teams to be played, signalled what was likely to be a long day at the Haslingden Sports Centre Tournament. Despite the first drops of rain falling, the boys were in high spirits having noticed a bouncy castle being inflated. Ready and raring to go for the 9.00 kick off of the first game, the boys warmed up under Stuart's watchful eye as time ticked on past the allotted start time. With chaos about which pitch who was playing on not helping, time seemed to drag on as much as the drag on the ball caused by the freshly mown meadow grass of this beautiful location. Impatiently, John tried to gain clarity from the confusion, and finally 25 minutes late, the first of 6, 13 minute games, got underway. To bolster the team, triallist Tyler and U11 Cougar Kieran had been invited and eagerly awaited their debuts for the U12 Panthers
Game 1: Panthers 3 - Hebdon United 0
Team: Nathan in goal, Tom, Max, Kieran in a 3 man defence, TC, TJ, Adam, Jamie and George in midfield, with Eyrsie and Tyler up front. Sub: Braden
The Panthers with a very attacking line up (mainly due to the lack of defenders available for this event) kicked off and immediately took the game to Hebdon. Passing and moving freely, the midfield with TJ, Adam and TC combining well, using Jamie and George to provide width and supply the pace and strength of Tyler and Eyrsie up front. Max, Tom and Kieran looked sharp and alert at the back. Within a couple of minutes Eyrsie put Tyler through for a 45 yard sprint on goal, round a couple of defenders, then with ease skipped the keeper's advance, and slotted in, 1-0 to the Panthers. Within a couple of minutes of the restart, a great combination in midfield once again enabled Eyrsie again to put Tyler through for a copycat goal. 2-0 to the Panthers. TC took a bad knock and was replaced by Braden. For a few moments after the restart, the Panthers looked vulnerable to the counter attack, but strong defensive work from Max, Tom and Kieran with a fabulous hooked tackle to save the day, ensured Nathan kept a clean sheet. Then to cap off a great first game, Tyler was put through once again by Jamie to outstrip the hapless Hebdon back line and make it 3-0 and a hat trick to the debutant. A superb start, everything looked good...even the drizzle could not dampen the spirits.
Half an hour or so later....
Game 2: Bamber Bridge 2 Panthers 2
Team: Nathan in goal, Tom, Max, Kieran in defence, TC, TJ, Adam George and Braden in midfield, Jamie and Tyler up front. Sub: Eyrsie
Fresh from their confidence building first victory (perhaps with too much confidence in hindsight), the Panthers set to turn the tables on their nemesis from the Failsworth Tournament, reckoning Bamber Bridge were once again probably the strongest side they would face.
From the off, the Panthers took the game to the Bridge and were quickly rewarded as TJ, TC, Jamie and Adam linked well to put Braden in space just outside the box, who with his powerful left foot, drove the Panthers into the lead ,as the Bridge goalie just watched with mouth gaping. Undeterred, the Bridge fought back pressing on the Panthers defence. The Panthers pushed back in style and the game started to turn into a very even contest. However the ever dangerous Bridge manged to breach the defence and got an equaliser. TC was moved back to shore up the defence. The Bridge, seeing the opportunity and having realised Tylers' threat, executing their plan to keep him at bay, took control for a while and put their attack through on our defence. With the midfield failing to track back sufficiently, the four man defence also gave way, despite the valiant efforts of Tom, TC, Max and Kieran, again pulling off superb tackles. So the disappointed Nathan was beaten for a second time. However the Panthers rallied their energies and focused on getting the equaliser, putting Braden through into the box who was brought down by an unfortunate Bridge defender. Jamie stepped up and slotted the penalty under a diving Bridge keeper. And at 2-2, a fair result, the match ended.
An hour later, following an invasion of the Bouncy castle and snacks consumed......
Game 3: Panthers 0 Unsworth JFC 1
Team: Nathan, Tom, Max, Kieran, TC, Adam, Braden, George, Jamie, Eyrsie and Tyler. Sub: TJ
Based on some analysis of what hadn't worked so well in the previous, Kieran moved to midfield, to be replaced at right back by Adam.
Still confident, and knowing they had beaten this team at Failsworth, the Panthers set about pushing the Holland lookalikes in their orange kits, back into their penalty box. This is a great tactic, as long as the chances are converted, passes find their destination and players look up to pass rather than contininually seeking individual glory goals. Inevitably pressing forward against a good team - who should never have been underestimated by the boys - without the discipline of tracking back quickly when losing the ball meant Unsworth were able to use their pace and skill to counter attack. A few well executed passes and some pace and strength and then whoops - the team was 1-0 behind. In the move Jamie twisted his ankle and was replaced by TJ. As expected now, and buoyed by the opening goal, the Oranges pushed as hard against the Panthers as the Panthers did to them, as they endeavoured to get back on level terms, however, an equaliser never materialised.
Another hour later, more bouncy castle visits made snacks consumed........
Game 4: Panthers 0 Rossendale Valley JFC 1
Team: Nathan, Tom, Max, Kieran, TC, TJ, Braden, George, Jamie, Eyrsie and Tyler Sub: Adam
Based on the need to shift positions, TC swapped with Tom at centre back and Tom moved into midfield with Kieran, who reverted to right back
With damaged confidence and more than a little sulkiness from a couple of the players, the team took to the pitch in a lack-lustre performance that saw the team once again stripped open by the counter attack, with the midfield refusing to track back leaving all the defensive work to the back line. And so the Wasps stung the Panthers with yet another counter attack. The team never really got the energy up to equalise, and the game ended 0-1.
Another hour later with boredom and restlessness setting, in plus that post lunch feeling......
Game 5: Panthers 0 Hazel Grove 1
Team: Nathan, Tom, Max, Kieran, TC, TJ, Adam, Braden, George, Eyrsie and Tyler. Sub George.
Probably the second strongest team in the group were now the opponents, and the nearest neighbours in terms of geography of all the teams, gave this game a bit more spice. In order to strengthen defensively, the Panthers adopted a flat back four of Kieran, Tom, Max and Braden with TC and Jamie shifting to the wings as George moved to the bench. The Panthers were keen to make amends and Hazel Grove were keen to continue challenging Bamber Bridge for a place in the final. Suitably stretched and warmed up again, the boys took up the challenge and pressed Hazel Grove, but once again went behind to an early counter attack. Despite using a back four to strengthen defensively, the same problem occurred....no tracking back....plus keeping the ball too long up front, without passing and losing possession. That said Tyler and Eyrsie were looking increasingly dangerous, with TC using his pace on the wing supported by the midfield creativity of TJ and Jamie, with Tom settling into a holding midfield position, the team began to find the form and the passing movement of the first game. But, the well organised Grove defence were dealing with them physically but fairly. After a strong shoulder to shoulder incident, Tyler lost his temper and retaliated, getting a severe reprimand from the referee. Under nomal circumstances this would have been a red card offence, however fortunately for him, a strong warning was all that was given. Tyler and Eyrsie, supported by a strong midfield, continued to threaten. Tyler had only the keeper to beat, the two of them competing for a 50:50 ball, and inevitably, they collided. The keeper suffered from a boot in the groin for his bravery, while Tyler got one in the face for his courageous part in the challenge. After some water on the wound, Tyler was led off the pitch to be replaced by George, then off home and off the team for good......such a shame after such promise. We wish Tyler and his mum luck finding what they are looking for.... Despite the best efforts of the remaining Panthers there was to be no equaliser again.
Another hour and mass invasion of the Bouncy Castle........
Game 6 Panthers 2 RVJFC Tigers 0
Nathan in nets, continuing with a back four of Kieran, Tom, TC and Max, with Adam and TJ in centre midfield, Braden and George on the wings and Jamie and Eyrsie up front.
After the drama of the previous game and three defeats on the bounce to that dreaded counter-attack, you might expect the team to be low on spirits. But, galavanised by the departure of the 'talented but moody debutant' the team set about systematically destroying the Tigers. Eyrsie proved that anything Tyler could do, he could do too, and scored two great solo goals having been set up by George and Adam respectively. The score could have been so much higher if Eyrsie had not shaved a few millimetres of metal off the post with a scorching attempt at a hat trick and not continued in the private pursuit of an elusive hat trick and instead passed to teammates in space! Despite this the Panthers tore shreds off the vulnerable Tigers but only managed to win 2-0.
Man of the Tournament was voted for by the team (minus Tyler) and the well deserved winner was Kieran, voted for with a wide margin by the boys. It wasn't surprising as Kieran for the entire tournament committed himself willingly to doing exactly what the team needed. He produced a superb defensive performance, playing the ball well with both feet, showing courage, determination and pace when in chase and timing challenges excellently. Morever, he showed what a good team player he is, by the way he fitted into the team on and off the pitch, as if he had been part of it for years!
With Gazebo packed up, the weary Panthers and parents departed the brightening skies in Rossendale, slightly buoyed by some good performances and realising that the defensive frailities were in large part due to only having two willing defenders. However, there were a few who sulked and saw their role in the team during the tournament as something other than doing what the team needs, which is not what team sport is all about, sometimes you just have to take one for the team, and this tournament was one of those occasions. This was in addition to two more who sulked and grumbled when not getting their own way, and who, in pursuit of individual glory played for more for themselves than the team. They are no longer playing for the Panthers. But training on Friday showed the remaining Panthers who could make it were still well up for the challenge of turning themselves into a skilful, committed team that listen, learn, have fun and strive to be the best they can be - as I am sure those who were running stalls, tripping the light fantastic in school plays and enjoying well earned breaks would be too.
Thanks to everyone who helped and supported the team today, especially to the two Andys for running the line and keeping up with the stats.
Man of the Tournament: Kieran for an exemplary team performance and defensive display. Team
N Forrest, T Botham, M Forde-Dunlop, T Collicott, B Harris, T Jefferis, A Leigh, J Nugent, G SteelSource: John << to news index
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