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23 January 2011 Match report for Wilmslow Town U12 Panthers 5 - 2 home win against Roundthorn Rangers JFC U12 (23/01/2011)
With boys and parents now dried out from last week’s drenching, the team set to work - with a slightly depleted squad through illness and other commitments - in trying to close the gap on the League leaders. After a kick off delayed through the late arrival of a couple of opposition players, Nathan, protected by Neil, TC, Ted and Max, with Morgan, Sam and Jamie in the midfield, Braden and George on the flanks and Adam upfront, lined up to take on the bottom side in the division. However the boys had been warned against any complacency, and told to continue building on the pass and move game they had displayed so well the previous week.
As suspected, Roundthorn Rangers provided stern opposition that belied their lowly position in the league, and played well from the start, unsettling the defence and winning a lot of ball in midfield. No matter how hard they tried, the Panthers could not string their passes together, looking tired and under the weather rather than full of confidence after the great result and performance last week. The first 20 minutes went by with a lot of balls ‘over the top’, causing the defence trouble as they held a high line and offside decisions didn’t go their way. Nathan, TC and Ted ensured the Rangers didn’t manage to score with some well timed challenges and good clearances. Neil and Max worked hard to cover the flanks. Adam and Morgan battled hard to win the ball, but Sam, Jamie, George and Braden failed to make any impression on the Rangers goal. Too many passes were going astray because not enough time was being taken to control the ball and make an accurate pass. One touch football looks great if the passing is accurate and crisp, but the team’s version in the first half was more hoof and hope. Even the better of our attempted through balls from Braden didn’t find their mark. Jamie, Adam and Neil were replaced by TJ, Callum and Harry, however the pattern was set and the changes made no difference. Eventually the Ranger’s persistent balls over the top (plus the Panthers’ defence insisting on waving their arms about for offside rather than tracking the ball back and playing to the whistle) paid dividends, as the defence failed to deal with one. This time the Ranger’s striker was on target and put them 0-1 ahead. And so the first half finished
After a team talk that stressed playing deeper in defence, getting the challenges in and taking the time to pass accurately, and with Jamie replacing Braden on the left wing, the team took to the field determined to turn the game around. And so they did. Harry, TC, Ted and Max tightened up at the back with Ted and TC commanding the defensive line. Morgan got his challenges in and Sam, Jamie and TJ started to play the kind of football we were treated to the previous week. Good interplay between George and Harry on the right saw Callum get in on goal, he shot but couldn’t quite get it to cross the line and Sam slid in to ensure it reached the back of the net, 1-1. The Panthers piled the pressure on the Rangers but the Rangers fought back, going close again. Eventually Panthers pressure told, as Jamie put a great ball in from the left into Callum’s path, who finished well from 10 yards – 2-1. Roundthorn continued to pressurise and to freshen things up Neil, Braden and Adam replaced Morgan, Max and George with Harry moving into midfield. Harry, Sam and TJ combined well to get Jamie in, who driving into the box having skipped past a couple of Rangers defenders was then felled by a third. Penalty given and having shaken off the hefty knock, Jamie buried the ball in the net giving the keeper no chance, 3-1. Again the Rangers fought on, but soon another good clearance from TC was threaded to Neil who put Adam down the right. Adam cut it back brilliantly across the box for Sam to bury, 4-1. You might think this would signal game over, but the Rangers had other ideas, fighting back and winning a penalty after Nathan brought down their striker. However Nathan was not to be beaten and pulled off a fabulous save to tip the ball round the right-hand post for a corner. The resulting corner was not cleared well and a powerful Rangers’ shot hit Neil on the hand. A second penalty in as many minutes was then awarded. This time the Rangers’ striker shot high and wide, after Nathan made it clear how big he was, despite still being dwarfed by the enormous size of the Pitch 2 goals! However eventually the Rangers’ got their reward for the pressure, and scored from a poorly defended corner. When Harry, Jamie, and cleared up another break down the Rangers’ right, Sam received the ball, lobbed it superbly over the watching Rangers defence for Callum to control and hare off past the desperate Rangers’ challenges to round the Rangers keeper and run the ball into the back of the net, 5-2. Another incident occurred just outside the Panthers box where Teddy put in a great sliding one footed challenge, clearing the ball well but unfortunately connecting with the Rangers striker who was hurt in the challenge. The game ended soon after. However the game was marred by scenes that then ensued and some of the behaviour throughout the game. Junior football should not be anything other than enjoyable, unfortunately this was not the case today.
Summary
After a poor first half performance, against a team that loved to play the ball over the top, the Panthers learned how to deal with it and some of the off the ball stuff that concerned them. In the second half the Panthers played much more of the football they are capable of, with great work through out the team. Sam, Callum and Jamie all took their goals very well and the support play was superb from Ted and TC, who were immense at the heart of the defence. TJ had a key role in midfield after missing the last couple of games, Adam, Harry, Morgan and Braden put in very solid performances and Max, Neil and George for worked well out wide. Finally Nathan put on a potentially match winning goalkeeping display. In the end they all made sure that the Panthers’ pass and move football reappeared and came through in the end.
Thanks to Stephen James Yates who refereed the game, in very difficult circumstances bravely and well, and to his Grandad Stephen for his support for his grandson.
Thanks to all the friends and family who turned up today and supported the boys, and for
remaining calm despite provocation. Special thanks to Claire for her calming influence after the game and to Andy Leigh for running the line once again. Thanks to all who helped clearing up and to Andy and Sam Collicott for putting up the nets.
GBK MOTM (Gold Award): TJ for an excellent midfield performance both creatively and defensively, seemingly not missing a challenge, a header or a pass in his second half display. Silver Award: Jamie for a strong performance on the wing ensuring we were covered defensively, running with pace and trickery at the defence and for a cool penalty straight after being upended. Bronze Award: Sam for another very effective midfield display particularly in the second half, and two very well taken goals.
Crunchie Award: Nathan for his superb penalty save
Wispa Moments: Morgan for great defensive midfield work and Harry for dominating the aerial battle in the second half with some great headers
 MOTM: Thomas Jefferis Silver: Jamie Nugent Bronze: Sam Eyres
Team : N Forrest, T Collicott, M Forde-Dunlop, T Strang, N Woodward, S Eyres, T Jefferis, H Mail, M Murphy, G Steel,
B Harris, J Nugent, A Leigh, C McKew
 Goals : S Eyres (2), J Nugent, C McKew (2)
 Assists : S Eyres, J Nugent, A Leigh, C McKew
Referee : Stephen James Yates
Source: Ray Stubbs and Kelly Dalglish << to news index
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