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30 August 2010   Click image above for larger pictures / slideshow 2 images available The U11 Panthers finished their extensive summer programme with a two-day trip to Blackpool.
Most of the squad convened at the Pleasure Beach on Sunday afternoon before sampling the local hospitality (Audrey, Brian promises he'll write) and then taking on some of Lancashire's finest on Bank Holiday Monday.
The team has enjoyed a busy summer, taking part in tournaments at Egerton (7s), Parkwyddn (6s), Spurley Hey (7s), Tintwistle (11s), Wilmslow (6s) and Timperley (7s). The Bank Holiday BJFF tournament in Blackpool - playing 9-a-side on larger pitches - provided an excellent opportunity to gauge the team's prospects for the coming season.
The day started with a fixture against the eventual tournament winners, Huncoat Badgers. Pre-match conditioning on the Big Dipper, Wild Mouse, Infusion, Bling, Valhalla and the Grand National appeared to have temporarily displaced the Panthers' mojo and they found themselves two goals behind before rallying to reduce the deficit. 1-2. With only four teams to qualify from 21 in the group stages, this early set-back appeared fatal.
Next up was the host side BJFF Barbarians. An altogether more organised Panthers took to the field and dominated the match, winning 2-0 with a spectacular top-corner finish from Nathan. Cause for some optimism during the lunchtime break.
Based on early results, the post-lunch fixture vs Bolton Lads Club was one that the Panthers needed to win. Bolton had won all three of their opening games and anything but a win would have signalled an early departure. The boys were in no mood for compromise and put in another solid performance to record a comfortable 2-0 win.
They were quickly back in action against Hindley Town Hurricanes with the group situation suggesting that goal difference may become significant. So goals they produced in a clinical 5-0 win.
By the time the penultimate group game came around it was clear that nothing less than two wins in the final two games would be enough to qualify. Bamber Bridge were the opponents and the Panthers once again produced a confident team performance to win 2-0 without ever looking troubled.
The last fixture was against local side Poulton Youth who had lost their early games but improved to pick-up two wins in succession. This was also the last of all matches in the group and other results meant that a win would now guarantee a semi-final place. With three teams vying for group winner, the game drew a larger than normal crowd along with vociferous support for the Panther's opponents. Everything went to plan early on, with the boys building patiently to establish a 1-0 lead. Then - five hours after they last conceded a goal - the Panthers lapsed in defence and Poulton drew level to loud cheers from various quarters. Thankfully, there was still five minutes to play and the Panthers gathered their composure to silence the crowd and run-out 3-1 winners.
With five wins and one defeat, the Panthers ended joint-top of the group on points and goal difference (scored 15, conceded 3) to qualify.
After a long-wait for matches in other groups to be completed, the Panthers lined-up for the semi-final against Cherrybrook Athletic, who had topped their own group with five wins and a draw. Early exchanges were ominous, as Cherrybrook dominated and hit the bar with a mid-range effort. But the Panthers fought back and were denied a clear penalty by the young referee after Jack was mown-down on the penalty spot. This appeared to unsettle the boys and they conceded the first of two goals shortly afterwards. However, on balance Cherrybrook were the stronger side over the 15 minutes and there was disappointment but no complaints on the final whistle. 0-2.
At the end of a well organised and thoroughly enjoyable tournament the Panthers quickly got over their semi-final defeat to reflect on a series of solid performances and a growing awareness of the new challenges that 9-a-side football will bring. Perhaps more significantly, players and parents demonstrated an excellent team spirit throughout the weekend, which can only bode well for the future. Source: A Wheeler << to news index
Wilmslow Town U11 Panthers : More Information
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