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2 August 2010 Match report for Wilmslow Town U12 Panthers 11 - 15 away win against Keele International Cup U12 Multiple (31/07/2010)
A mixture of grey skies with sunny spells and a few spits and spots of rain was the order of the three days for the U12 Panthers inaugural Umbro tournament at Keele University. A team made up from the hard core of the Panthers who weren't on holiday or scout camp and 4 under 10s boarded the minibus, driven by John in his new role as bus driver, at the Boddington and Dragon to make the hour long trip each day to Keele.
Keele Squad:
Nathan, TC, TJ, Max, Jamie, Adam, Joe, Charlie (day 1 only), Harry (day 2 only), Kieran, James and Brandon
The Panthers should have begun the tournament playing the United Eagles from Saudi Arabia. Unfortunately a number of their players were whisked away at the airport by parents already living in this country, leaving a bemused UE manager with only 6 players. So two hours later than originally planned, the Panthers' tournament got underway.
Game 1: Panthers 0 Ballyfermot 1
The lads found themselves pitted against a very big team from Dublin. Despite the best intentions to play their passing and moving game, the physical superiority of the Irish lads turned the game into one in which the Panthers had to show how well they have developed as a defensive unit as the Bally lads piled the pressure on. Nathan, Charlie, Max, Kieran and TC shone in a strong rearguard action. Despite their valiant efforts, the Bally forwards breached the Panthers' back line and scored a good goal to win the game narrowly 1-0.
Game 2: Panthers 1 Wandle Wanderers 2
The Panthers, buoyed by a good performance against the strength of the Irish boys keenly set about the task of taking their passing game to Wandsworth's very own Wandle Wanderers. With slick movement and passing between Kieran, TJ, Brandon, Joe, James, Jamie and Adam supported by strong and cohesive defending by TC, Max and Charlie. The Panthers moved the ball quickly putting pressure on the Wanderers and the pressure eventually told, as TJ put Adam though, who beat the advancing keeper to put the Panthers in the lead. The Panthers continued to pressurise the Wanderers for much of the game but on two occasions were caught with too many players in advanced positions. Even Tom, Charlie and Max, who played well together in defence, with all of them making crucial stops and tackles as well as Nathan making key saves, could not prevent the Wanderers winning this game 2-1.
Game 3: Panthers 0 Pegasus 3
Day Two arrived and the first fixture of the day was a rearranged fixture against the strongest team in the group. They had already dispatched two teams 5-1 and 6-1 so the Panthers knew they were up against a very good team. The Panthers played well with Harry and Kieran both working well on the right and Joe and Max on the left to thwart as many of the Pegasus attacks as possible. TC defended brilliantly thwarting Pegasus's pacey attack on several occasions. James showed both his prowess on the ground and in the air as the Panthers worked hard to prevent Pegasus. TJ ran himself ragged - as did Brandon - as the game took on the feel of the battle of the Alamo, meaning that both Jamie and Adam spent more time defending than working the Pegasus defence. Pegasus showed what a strong, skilful team they were as their passing and movement became too much to deal with on 3 occasions and with three excellent goals defeated the battling Panthers.
Game 4: Panthers 5 Ligi NDogo 1
Day Two came to a close with the eagerly awaited game against the Kenyan outfit from Nairobi. The Panthers, despite their previous defeats took the game with enthusiasm to the Kenyans. The Kenyans, (who also tried to start the match as an eleven a side team!) were very skilful, and with their pace quite dangerous, but the organisation, tenacity and flowing passing of the Panthers proved too much for them. Adam, Harry and TJ set up Jamie for a hat trick, while Kieran was fed by Max to get his goal and Joe was set up from Jamie's free kick to score the Panthers fifth. Ligi got a consolation goal after the referee gave a very dubious penalty despite TC having been fouled before the Ligi player hit the ground. However the penalty was dispatched with aplomb by the Kenyans best player Remi. It wasn't long after this that the Panthers noticed that there were 10 Ligi players on the pitch instead of 9. It took a while for the referee to be convinced he had to count, but once he did, the tenth man was sent packing by the laughing referee. And so it ended 5-1
Game 5: Panthers 8 Ligi 1
Day Three began with The Panthers running riot against the Kenyans, although as an agreed 10 a side match. This time Jamie, TJ and a superb free kick from Nathan set Adam up for his hat trick, while Joe, James and Jamie set Kieran up for the second hat trick of the game. TJ scored a scorcher and Jamie scored from his customary 20 yard free kick. Brandon and Max also had strong games. TC excelled once more in a very impressive Panthers display. Ligi, much to the delight, of their cheerleaders from West Brom Ladies, who gave the game a party atmosphere, got a consolation goal towards the end of the game.
Game 6: Panthers 1 Madeley 3
The tournament ended with a game against local team Madeley. Panthers started well with good combination work from TJ, TC and Joe enabling Adam and Jamie to threaten the Madeley goal. James, Max and Kieran all performed well in defence. However Madeley - despite having very little possession - were very quick on the counter, and sure enough the Panthers' Achilles heel was exposed twice in quick succession to enable Madeley to take a 2-0 lead, totally against the run of play. Madeley's confidence was bolstered by this as they began to make the presence felt in terms of possession too. But the Panthers fought back and TJ combining with Brandon put Adam through only for him to be upended. Jamie's resultant free kick was whipped across the box and Joe met it at the far post to head in from close range. The fight back was on. The battle continued evenly during the second half with either team capable of scoring. But once again a dubious refereeing decision gave Madeley a penalty towards the end of the game. The Madeley centre back blasted it high into the corner of Nathan's net giving him no chance despite guessing right. And so the tournament ended on a loss but the Panthers had played very well.
The tournament as a whole was a fantastic experience. With four underage players making up a makeshift Panthers team, the Panthers can be pleased with their three days work. They played with enthusiasm throughout, playing both in and out of their favoured positions as the team was rotated regularly to give everyone similar playing time. They all played bravely despite minor injuries and niggles picked up over the three days. The passing and movement started to look very good at times, and the finishing when the opportunity arose was more clinical than recently. Jamie, Kieran and Adam all had their shooting boots on with 11 goals between them, with TJ and Joe also making their mark on opponent's nets. James and Brandon contributed tremendously wherever they were asked to play with James showing what a versatile, strong, creative yet solid player he is. Max, Charlie and Harry all showed how their defensive game has improved with Charlie shining on day 1. Max had a great tournament despite a troubling hip injury. Adam (once recovered from the gashes administered in the first game) also showed what a dangerous striker he can be combing well with Jamie. Joe showed how dangerous he can be with his skilful wing play as did TC, but overall TC showed what an accomplished defender he is. Whether he plays at centre back or right back/wing back he times his tackles with precision, chasing back at speed to snuff out danger at every opportunity, and controlling and organising the back line well.
Deservedly TC was awarded Man of the Tournament by all the boys with Adam as a close runner up. Max was also recognised for his strong contribution.
However no matter what the results were in the games, football definitely won in this tournament, which was played with a tremendous spirit of fun and enjoyment, made all the more keen with the presence of so many international teams. Keele is a beautifully kept sporting facility and proved a great venue for this excellent tournament.
Many thanks to all who helped look after the lads and supported them throughout the three days especially Andy and Claire C, Andy and Angela L, Julie and Stu, Chris and Des, Andy S, BD and John S. Thanks also to Julian Hinchcliffe for coming to support the team too!
 MOTM: Tom Collicott Silver: Adam Leigh Bronze: Max Forde-Dunlop
Team : N Forrest, M Forde-Dunlop, H Mail, C Sciple, T Collicott, T Jefferis, A Leigh, J Nugent, J Saks
 Goals : T Jefferis, A Leigh (4), J Nugent (4), J Saks (2)
 Assists : N Forrest, M Forde-Dunlop, H Mail, T Collicott, T Jefferis (3), A Leigh (2), J Nugent (4), J Saks
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