U11 Panthers blow away the Hurricanes - but not without some huff and puff

21 March 2011

After a week's enforced rest, the U11 Panthers faced Urmston Town Hurricanes at the Jim Evison fields. The reverse fixture had been played in the face of chilly November winds. There was no such discomfort this weekend as the sun shone and the thermometer crept into double-digits, to the approval of the assembled crowd.

The match started with a bang as the Panthers were awarded a penalty before most onlookers had settled for the spectacle. Matias was adjudged to have been impeded as he entered the Urmston box and the referee pointed leisurely to the spot. Having seen two keen penalty shouts go begging in recent games, this one was soft by comparison.

Jack stepped up to take the kick amidst cries of 'follow it in', aimed at anyone in a white shirt that cared to listen. His solid strike was straight at the 'keeper who made the save, only to see the ball rebound to the Panthers front line that was in close attendance. Rohan directed the loose ball to Josh W who stroked it gratefully into the empty net.

Having taken the lead so early in the game, some of the Panthers sensed blood. But it wasn't to be, at least for the time being. Urmston defended well as a unit and Wilmslow contrived to overhit or over-complicate the final ball in a succession of attacks. The offside rule was also proving too much for the Panthers front-line. Each time a team mate carried the ball into the opponents half, anyone not listed as "defender" on the team sheet raced towards the Urmston goal - collectively looking more like a Grand National photo finish than an attacking unit. As a result, we had 20 minutes dominated by Urmston goal kicks and free kicks as the Panthers wasted one opportunity after the next. Meanwhile, Urmston had chances to level on the break, which kept George, Rohan and (later) Josh M on their toes throughout.

With half time approaching, the ball arrived at Nathan's feet inside the Urmston box. A simple pass (at last!) gave Matias a sight of goal and he slipped the ball between the 'keeper and the left-hand post to double the score.

The Panthers' 2-0 lead at the break was well-deserved; however they should have made considerably more of the chances created.

The second half beckoned the first scheduled goalkeeping change of the season, as Nathan put on the gloves. And we saw a change in approach further up the field too. Passes were being released quicker and players were using the available space more effectively. The improvement was significant and within minutes of the restart the Panthers had doubled their lead. First via the right channel, as Max delivered a flat cross behind the Urmston defence that Josh W was able to sweep past the 'keeper at the near post. Then a move down the left as George bisected two Urmston defenders with a ball that Jack subsequently despatched in unstoppable fashion from the left side of the area into the top right corner. 4-0.

We were then treated to another "first" as Harrison was released by Dan on the edge of the area and he did well to manufacture a shooting chance, despite the attentions of two opposing defenders. Having seen two good strikes well saved in the first half, Harrison wasn't up for another and beat the 'keeper from six yards to register his first goal of the season.

And there was more to come. Henry - off the bench and enjoying a stroll in the rarefied air of opposition territory - was played in on goal selflessly by Matias (yep, Matias). Wilmslow Town partisans and their 'keeper held their breath as Henry's shot deflected off the Urmston No 1 and rolled goal wards. Cue touchline delirium (and the likelihood of various goal-per-minute statistics for discussion over coming weeks) as the ball went over the line.

As we moved into the last ten minutes, Jack scored his second with a tidy finish when put through one-on-one with the 'keeper from another intelligent ball from Dan. And Harrison had the final say as he doubled his tally for the game and the season with help from Matias. 8-0 the final score.

The match card showed one of the most convincing victories of the season. In fact, the Panthers only turned-up and performed in the second half of the game. Let's hope the rewards reaped in the second half help the players to realise the significance of working as a unit. Today, they had time to work it out. On another day, against stronger opposition, they won't have that luxury.

And coincidently, our next fixture is against high flying Broadheath Cobras at Salisbury Road. The Panthers will be looking to reverse their recent defeat to the league leaders; how the boys turn-up for this game will make the difference between winning and losing.

MOTM awards this week went to Harrison (Bronze) for a great performance in central midfield and a two-goal bonus, to Dan (Silver) for maintaining some shape in midfield while others were losing theirs and for some excellent balls through and over the Urmston defensive line. And to Max (Gold/MOTM) for some incisive attacking runs from the wing and a willingness throughout the game to create chances for others.

Source: A Wheeler

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