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5 September 2010 Match report for Wilmslow Town U12 Panthers 3 - 6 away win against Unicorn Athletic JFC U12 Asteriods (05/09/2010)
 Panthers squad that were victorious against the Unicorn! Click image above for larger picture The first game of the season had finally arrived, and the Panthers (slightly nervy it has to be said) were chomping at the bit to get started. Due to holiday commitments, this was the first time the whole squad (with the exception of Braden who was away on holiday this weekend) had played together, there hadn’t been any friendlies as half the team was on holiday at any one time, so there was some inevitable settling down required. The weather was pleasant, some sun, some cloud, but the most relevant feature was the wind. This was to play a part in the early stages of the match…
Nathan, Charlie, Teddy, TC, TB, TJ, Morgan, George, Jamie, Callum and Joe were the starting line up as the whistle blew. The game began at a frantic pace and within what seemed like less than a minute the Asteroids breached our nervy defence and scored. Nathan was called upon to make another save, before their next shot flew in with the wind making it 2-0 to the Asteroids. There was a sense of shock amongst the parents as they watched the game unfold, unsure as to what had happened to the team that had promised so much over the summer in tournaments and at training. The fact that the team was playing uphill and the prevailing wind was blowing strongly into Nathan’s goal was no consolation to the team – it was still not the start they had wanted. The impact of the scoreline seemed to sink into the team and they began to start to play more like we know they can.
There were some good moves between George, Callum, Jamie and TJ and George using his head to great effect too. The Asteroids broke once again, but the team were able to defuse the attack and get the ball to Nathan for a kick back up the field. TB had an unfortunate deflection when the ball hit him full on in the face, but he shook his head to regain his composure and ploughed on up the field in hot pursuit of the ball, despite an initially dazed expression following the smack his face had taken.
The team were now building their attacks well, one culminating in a shot from Jamie going wide. However the game had now become more evenly balanced, TC and Teddy were called upon to deal with the Asteroids attack, both demonstrating that ‘Wilmslowitis’ is a thing of the past for some players! The Asteroids won another corner, took it short, followed by a penetrating pass and managed to put it past a despairing Nathan. Another shot from the Asteroids was followed by an up scaling of one of Nathan’s mini team talks – “What did I tell you before the match? Listen!” Clearly his frustration with the defence had boiled over once the score reached 3-0.
To their credit the boys heads did not drop once, they carried on and pushed forward. The Asteroids, clearly in confident mood after such a great start to the match, gained a free kick, which ended up safely in Nathan’s hands. The following goal kick resulted in a concentrated period of possession with a stream of passing and moving involving Ted, Charlie, Joe, Morgan, George, TJ and TB. When they lost possession, TB slid in with a great tackle to ensure the ball went straight back to the Asteroid’s end of the pitch and a waiting TJ. When the Asteroids finally got the ball again, they caused Nathan to make another save - a relatively easy one this time - just before the first substitutions were made. Max, Sam, Neil, Adam and Harry now took to the field, as Teddy, Jamie, TB, Joe and TJ made way. Harry was soon in action with some full on defending, sliding in with the tackle and tracking back at pace. Another free kick taken by George saw Neil using his head to great effect as the Panthers pushed forward. Sam made a break up field, but the Asteroids were on to him and managed to defuse the attack.
At this stage in the match, the Panthers were beginning to find their rhythm and were aghast when what seemed like a clear penalty wasn’t given. Sam had been on a run and was about to pull the trigger on a close range shot on goal when he found himself flat out on the floor. (To be fair, the penalty was seemingly given, before it was mysteriously then taken away). The game was moving from end to end at this point, as the Asteroids countered the Panthers’ pressure with Nathan called upon to make a couple more saves which did not challenge him too much. Sam and Callum were combining well, a pass to Sam saw him knocked to the ground during the challenge, but he kept the ball, clutching it between his thighs at one stage, before getting it away. Callum had another break on goal and was none to happy with the goalie getting between him and the first goal for the Panthers. Max passed to Charlie who put a great cross into the box, but the opportunity couldn’t be converted to a goal – at least not this time. Charlie and Neil were working well together to keep the Asteroids at bay until a long range shot went in to Nathan, but he caught it with ease. The next corner the Panthers took saw Max launching it into the box, Callum lost his marker rising to head it perfectly into the corner of the net and finally the Panthers had scored! It was 3-1, and the fight back had begun! No sooner did the game restart the half time whistle blew. Great time to score, the momentum was now with the Panthers as well as the wind!
Second half
The boys started much more strongly at the beginning of the second half, Charlie, Max and Sam were there in the box to attack straight away, as their self belief began to increase. Harry Neil and Morgan were also combining well, getting the ball back upfield to the Asteroids goal. Sam had a shot and was unlucky not to score, as it skimmed across the front of the goal and past the far post. The Asteroids won a free kick close to goal, but the Panthers wall held resolute and the ball sailed over the crossbar. The Panthers launched more attacks - Sam and Adam at one stage both on the floor in the box in front of goal - but the second goal felt slow to come. Max put Adam through with a great pass but the goalie made a good save and Adam was denied. Charlie had a long range shot on goal which was parried well by the Asteroids goalie only to find that following a bit of a scuffle, Adam had put it into the back of the net. Watching friends and family roared with relief, while the boys were soon back for the centre anticipating the next one, now they had the bit between their teeth!
The Asteroids were not about to let their lead go without a fight though, Callum and Harry were both battling for possession while TC and Charlie were chasing down the Asteroids attack as they sped down the pitch towards Nathan. Gaining possession again the Panthers broke forward and Charlie crossed the ball into the danger zone, Adam once again emerging from the Asteroids’ goalmouth mêlée to poach his second, lifting the score to 3-3. The game was afoot – the Panthers had pulled it back to a draw – could they make it a win?
The game continued after the substitute changes as Teddy, Jamie, TB, Joe and TJ replaced Callum, Charlie, TC, George and Morgan. There was some lack of clarity as the ref appeared to stop the game for shoelaces to be tied, but then seemed to indicate the game hadn’t stopped, confusing both sides considerably. The Asteroids were pushing to gain the advantage again, and despite three players being offside and a blatant bit of shirt pulling, a corner was given to the Asteroids, which ended up sailing past the crossbar by some margin.
Joe was involved in some close combat trying to get the ball away, managing to put it forward and allowing Jamie to have a shot on goal which was deflected. One free kick followed another, the first for a foul on Jamie, the second for an offside, which paved the way for Joe to put Adam through for the fourth Panthers goal and Adam’s hat trick. By this time the Panthers supporters were getting very overexcited and the decibel level at that end of the pitch got louder and louder as the boys took their chances.
TJ was taking on the world in midfield, battling away and keeping possession of the ball, which led to TB passing to Jamie who slotted his first and increased the score to 5-3. (As you can imagine the friends and family of the Panthers were getting quite hysterical now – from 3-0 down to 5-3 was a great comeback – but it wasn’t over yet). It wasn’t quite clear to everyone why the Asteroids number 11 got a yellow card – it may have been the kick he lashed out at TB, it may have been him kicking the ball away in disgust, it may have been the verbal exchange between him and the ref, or perhaps the ref had heard his threat to beat up the entire Panthers team after the game – we just don’t know, but suffice it to say there were several possibilities and the card was duly given. The free kick that followed was taken by Jamie close to the centre circle towards the right touchline, quite some way out, but despite the distance it was curled beautifully into the top corner of the net to make it 6-3. But the Panthers were not satisfied with 6-3, they wanted more! Joe showed great determination as he made a break down the line, connecting with Jamie, crossing it into the box. Despite there being Jamie, Sam and Adam in the box, they couldn’t quite catch the ball as it was put back into the goalmouth again, even Jamie sliding at full stretch as he attempted to slip it into the net, put it wide by nothing but a couple of inches.
The game finished at 6-3 with some very happy Panthers rightly pleased with their days work!
Manager’s comments:
Wow, what a game. Despite going down 3-0 in 10 minutes I never doubted the lads had the ability to get back into the game and win it. I have seen what they are capable of throughout the summer and knew if they could relax and play their game it would happen. Our nerves got the better of us at the beginning, we didn’t hold the defensive line well, we passed tentatively and inaccurately while also not getting into the challenges quickly and positively enough early in the game which cost us 3 goals. However as our confidence built, the lads showed how well they can pass, control and move the ball. As the game progressed our defensive distribution improved and the confidence to use Nathan through well placed pass-backs as an extra outfield player sweeping up at the back, meant possession was more likely and pressure could be diffused more easily.
Our fullbacks still need to remember to give short options to Nathan at goal kicks and also beware of both ending up in attacking position with the midfield not in a position to cover. Our midfield at times need to remember their defensive responsibilities when we lose the ball, as TJ and Morgan showed so well as the game progressed, The midfield and strikers showed they are well capable of deadly finishing, are very creative and can deliver exciting attacking play. We used the width well and the full backs - as well as the wingers, also showed how dangerous they can be in attack - well done to Charlie, Max, Joe, Harry, TB and George. Our central defenders TC, Ted and Neil all performed their roles superbly well after the initial nerves had subsided, showing how well they can distribute the ball and bring the ball out of defence, as well as how good they are in the tackle and tracking back with the counter attacks. Attention to the line can still be improved but well done to Neil, Ted and TC for a very strong display. Callum, Jamie and Adam all showed how potent they can be going forward as well as showing skill, pace and deadly finishing today.
Adam and Callum were both deservedly recognised by their teammates for very strong performances today. Callum dominated midfield and his header turned the game our way. Adam showed what a good goal scorer he is with his second hat trick for the Panthers in the last three games. Well done Adam and Callum!
However Sam’s performance was deservedly deemed, by his teammates to top all of the other really good performances put in by every one of the lads. He showed how strength, pace, skill and determination can turn games and are essential in winning performances. Well done Sam!!!
GBK Man of the Match: Sam Short
Dream Team results: Gold: Sam Silver: Adam, Bronze: Callum
Crunchie Moments: Callum for his goal which helped turn the game, Adam for his hat trick
Rolo Moments: Tom getting straight up after the ball in the face, Sam for keeping the ball any way he could while still on the ground!
Thank you to everyone who came and showed such great support for the lads today I know they appreciate it. Special thanks to Andy Leigh for a great job running the line and endeavouring to keep the ref on the straight and narrow!
 MOTM: Sam Short Silver: Adam Leigh Bronze: Callum McKew
Team : N Forrest, T Botham, T Collicott, M Forde-Dunlop, H Mail, C Sciple, T Strang, N Woodward, T Jefferis, C McKew,
J Nugent, J Saks, S Short, G Steel, A Leigh, M Murphy
 Goals : C McKew, J Nugent (2), A Leigh (3)
 Assists : T Botham, M Forde-Dunlop, C Sciple (2), J Saks
Source: Helen << to news index
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