U11 Panthers shot down in final minutes - beaten by Broadheath Cobras

26 February 2011

After last week's disappointing climax to the fixture against Benchill, it was more fare from the top table this week with the visit of league leaders Broadheath Cobras.

Despite a pitch scare following overnight rain, the match went ahead as planned. And players and spectators enjoyed a nip-and-tuck game played between two well-matched teams.

Both sides drew a blank in the first 30 minutes, with play evenly spread across the field and between the two teams. Wilmslow  had the one clear chance, as Matias broke clear of the Broadheath back-line but shot into the side netting.

The second period was equally tight, with much of the play taking place between the two penalty areas. Broadheath created more goalmouth pressure, while the Panthers had a couple of good opportunities on the break. Jack was unfortunate to place his chip over the 'keeper wide, after a strong run down the left wing.

Coming into the last five minutes there was little to separate the sides, and then Broadheath took the lead with a strong strike from outside the area that beat Henners and dropped under the crossbar. Unfortunately reminiscent of the goal conceded in the dying minutes of the game against Benchill seven days ago.

The Panthers kept pressing and had a shout for a penalty turned down with a couple of minutes left on the clock, as Josh W took a tumble under pressure from two opposition defenders. In the final two minutes, Wilmslow conceded a soft free kick five yards outside their box and Broadheath scored their second - a similar strike to the earlier goal, which sailed over the throng of players in the box, over Henners and under the bar.

So, a 2-0 defeat, but a decent performance in the absence of some of the Panthers' influential players. The defence put in a very good shift for the full hour, and the Man of the Match awards were duly spread across the back three. Bronze for George, Silver for Josh Mehta and Gold for Harrison.

Last week's match was very disappointing to watch. The Panthers did more than enough to take three points, and were robbed (pardon the cliché) in the dying minutes. Not so today. There was very little between the two sides, but Broadheath edged it, in my opinion. The two-goal margin reflects harshly on the Panthers' contribution, but sometimes it comes down to one or two moments in a game, and this proved to be the case.

Some consolation can be taken from the fact that the opposition didn't enjoy one clear-cut goal scoring opportunity. But this positive is countered by the fact that three of the last four goals conceded have been from distance, and the Panthers need to start closing-down their opponents at this range, or pay the price.

On another day, perhaps a different result. But not today.

Source: A Wheeler

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