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9 January 2011 Match report for Wilmslow Town U12 Panthers 2 - 3 home defeat to Stockport Eagles U12 (09/01/2011)
After the long ‘winter’ break and the run out of half the squad in the friendly last weekend, 15 of the Panthers were raring and ready for a top of the table clash with Stockport Eagles. Knowing this was potentially the toughest challenge they had faced this season - or at least on a par with AFC Meds - the team knew that organisation, discipline, hard work and good passing and movement would be the way to win this game.
The team started well in a very even contest flowing from end to end. The Eagles were physically strong and very good ball players and the Panthers had to step up the physical side of their game to ensure they competed. The back five of Nathan, TB, TC, Max and Charlie put on the best defensive display the Panthers have shown this season. Neil and Shorty played strongly with good understanding in central midfield passing and moving well. George and Braden provided good width and intelligent passing and through balls, while Adam and Callum ran at the opposition defence with Adam having a number of shots both, on or just off target, which ensured the excellent Eagles defence were continually tested. Then after 15 minutes the Eagles won a ball in the final third which spun off a foot, bouncing awkwardly preventing the defence from being able to clear it. An Eagles striker broke through to put them one-up. The Panthers rallied, with Adam and Shorty both getting efforts on target that were saved by the keeper. Harry and Morgan replaced Neil and Shorty in the centre while Jamie came on for Callum with Joe on for Callum. The Panthers began to settle with Jamie and Adam continuing to torment, with good through balls from TC and Joe, as Joe began to dominate his opposite number. TB, Charlie and Max remained resolute in not giving the Eagles many opportunities on goal while Nathan pulled of some good saves when they did get a shot on goal. The half time whistle blew with the score at 0-1.
The Panthers, knowing they needed to remain disciplined, not be outmuscled and continue to pass and move the ball well, continued to play well in this very even game. Morgan and Harry started to build their midfield partnership, as Harry was getting critical tackles in while Morgan won the ball well and distributed it increasingly wisely. Joe continued to dominate while Jamie began to get the better of his opposite number. Then Joe played Jamie into the box, who tenaciously beat the Eagles defender shot, but the keeper parried the ball to Morgan, who having got up into the box well, finished in style low into the corner of the net. All level at 1-1 now.
The Eagles were now under increasing pressure from the Panthers who pressed further. Callum came on for George, Braden on for Max, Shorty for Adam and Neil replaced TB, Charlie shifting centre back to accommodate the changes. The Panthers continued pressing looking for a second goal. However despite all the pressure and some good attempts from Shorty and Jamie, plus great wing play from Callum and Joe in particular, as well as good support from Morgan, Harry and Neil, the Eagles managed to get a corner. The Panthers did not defend this well, the Eagles scoring from a header due to poor marking. After the restart, the Eagles countered again, and once again poor marking led to the Panthers going 1-3 down. Undeterred, the Panthers showed their fighting spirit with excellent defensive work by Braden and Neil, while TC continued to shine as he commanded the back line. Nathan ensured no further goals were going to pass him, pulling off more good saves. Then with a few minutes to go the pressure finally told as Joe made a sublime, swift sortie down the flank, beating the Eagles for pace and crossed superbly to Shorty, who with his customary poachers instinct, buried it for 2-3. This ensured the match reached fever pitch. The Panthers piled on the pressure going close a few times until the Eagles managed to get the ball held up in one of the Panthers’ corners and see time out until the whistle blew. So near yet so far!!
Summary
In most ways this was the best performance of the Panthers this season as a team, only marred by them not being able to finish as many chances as they would have liked. Apart from the three breaks and the odd mix up and a bit of poor marking that is all too frequent at this level of junior footie, the defence were immense. The midfield really played in midfield (rather than as extra strikers), and dominated most of the time, while the wing play and width was the best yet. The strike force also looked very dangerous. We need to continue working on ensuring passing is crisper and more accurate, that we challenge every ball in midfield and that we bury more of our chances in the back of the net.
This match was by far the best exhibition of football we have seen from two sides in this league so far this season. All credit to Paul, Alex and their Eagles for a superb display too. Moreover this was played with spirit, passion, and fun, both physically and fairly. Refereed superbly by Jake Skiblinski
GBK MOTM (Gold Award): TC for an excellent display of defending that often goes unnoticed by his teammates because he is so consistently good.
Silver Award: Charlie for a superb full back performance with equally superb throw-ins!
Bronze Award: Jamie for a very good display in his role as second striker, creating opportunities for others as well as excellent pressing of defenders and tracking back to win the ball. Looking forward to him burying some of his chances next week!
Crunchie Awards: Nathan for his vocal organisation of the defence and team encouragement, Neil for his man-marking Broghan, Jamie for some great crosses
Wispa Moment: Adam for the most times with his bum on the pitch!
 MOTM: Tom Collicott Silver: Charlie Sciple Bronze: Jamie Nugent
Team : N Forrest, T Botham, T Collicott, M Forde-Dunlop, C Sciple, N Woodward, H Mail, G Steel, B Harris, M Murphy,
J Saks, S Short, A Leigh, J Nugent, C McKew
 Goals : M Murphy, S Short
 Assists : J Saks, J Nugent
Referee : Jake Skibinski
Source: Geoff Shreeves << to news index
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